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TheToads · 05-05-2015, 02:08 PM

Hello One and All,
We are starting to plan our Autumn to Lake Louise and would like some input from those in the know.
Stage 1 is Olympia to Kelowna, BC. We have been there before and already know our route.
Stage 2 is Kelowna to Banff/Lake Louise. This where I need some input. It is about 1300 miles and I do not want to drive anymore than 250 miles a day. So that makes about 5 stops. The third day we will spend 2 nights, just to give me a break, as the DW refuses to drive the MH.

We plan on spending a week in the Banff area and then head to Stage 3
Stage 3 is Banff to Brownsville, MN which is another 1350 miles. This is totally uncharted territory and depending on what information/feed back I get we may not make that journey at all.
So there you have it.
Any and all advice/directions/help and donations will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dean
aka The Toads

96 Wideglide · 05-05-2015, 02:13 PM

Done this trip many times. I find it hard to believe Kelowna to Banff is anywhere near 1300 miles. May want to double check that.

dennis45 · 05-05-2015, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheToads

Hello One and All,
We are starting to plan our Autumn to Lake Louise and would like some input from those in the know.
Stage 1 is Olympia to Kelowna, BC. We have been there before and already know our route.
Stage 2 is Kelowna to Banff/Lake Louise. This where I need some input. It is about 1300 miles and I do not want to drive anymore than 250 miles a day. So that makes about 5 stops. The third day we will spend 2 nights, just to give me a break, as the DW refuses to drive the MH.

We plan on spending a week in the Banff area and then head to Stage 3
Stage 3 is Banff to Brownsville, MN which is another 1350 miles. This is totally uncharted territory and depending on what information/feed back I get we may not make that journey at all.
So there you have it.
Any and all advice/directions/help and donations will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Dean
aka The Toads

Well, if it were me, (and I can relate to the 250 mile rule) I would take Hwy 97 across the border at Oroville, WA and stay in Osoyoos at the Nk Mip campground. Nice park.
Then I would boogie on up 97 past Kelowna since there are no decent parks there and carry on to Revelestoke, BC. There are a couple of parks , including Canyon Hot Springs just East of Revelstoke. Then it is an easy ride to Banff.
Leaving Banff, heading toward Calgary, you can stay around Cochrane (west of Calgary) or near Okotoks, south of Calgary. If you want a little longer drive, try Lethbridge. The Bridgeview RV Park is nice and from there, head south to Coutts and cross into Montana to Great Falls and follow your nose East. Dicks RV Park in Great Falls is a good place.
Have fun....

sirpurrcival · 05-05-2015, 03:46 PM

Or instead of going up Kelowna way, you could choose to hug the Canada US border going through Osoyoos, Grand Forks, Creston, Cranbrook. The country is beautiful and although the drive is longer, I find it somewhat less hectic at times. You can then head up through Radium Hotsprings and into Banff from that direction. Lots of good choices none of which you will really go wrong with. Spending a day or two at Radium is always a good way to ease the driving cramps out as is Canyon Hot Springs (mentioned in a previous post) before Revelstoke. Both have good RV Parks.

TheToads · 05-05-2015, 05:31 PM

96

Thank you 96 W,
You are absolutely right about the distance from Kelowna to Banff. It is only 260 miles +/-. My mistake.
To the rest of you thank you for all the information. Now back to my Good Sam trip planner and look up some of these CG's.
We have been to Kelowna before and really enjoyed the area. Reminds us of the Sonoma/Napa Valley in California (home). Plus all the golf etc. We did find a good RV park when we were there last (senior moment - can't remember the name) so we will probably go there again.

But I like the idea of going along the border and see new country.
Thanks
Dean

krivanj · 05-05-2015, 08:58 PM

If you are up that way, I would include Jasper. Banff is a nice city, but Jasper is the Canadian Rocky experience...

George Schweikle · 05-06-2015, 07:08 AM

Bing map website says 307 miles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 96 Wideglide

Done this trip many times. I find it hard to believe Kelowna to Banff is anywhere near 1300 miles. May want to double check that.

Ramets · 05-07-2015, 06:29 AM

Keep in mind autumn in Olympia isn't the same as autumn in Banff, nor for that matter Minnesota.

Mentor · 05-07-2015, 02:19 PM

The best trip is to go up to Kamloops, then on to Tete Jeaune Cache via #5 then hi-way 16 to jasper and then the icefields parkway to Banff. From Banff go east to Alberta and then hi-way 22 south, the "Cowboy Trail" through Manning Park and then west on hi-way 3 to wherever you wish or you can go on south to Montana. I may do it again this summer for the 6th time.