Calgary Stampede trip

[Knagy2688]

Hello,

We are planning a trip to Calgary for the Stampede this summer. We have not been into Canada with our RV before. Besides the passport issues, is there anything else I need to be aware of? Also, does anyone have any suggestions\thoughts on campgrounds in Calgary and Vancouver? Is the Stampede worth the trip?

Thanks in advance.

[beebster]

The Calgary Stampede is a week long carnival that is centered around the rodeo events and chuckwagon racing, it has quite a large midway with a lot of rides and games for kids and adults as well as many really cool food choices. The grandstand show after the chuckwagon races is always a good show. If you are not interested in rodeo then you can maybe go later in the day and catch a concert at the coca cola stage or in the saddledome where they always have very big name entertainers.
Calgary is an easy city to navigate through and around..., booze is twice as expensive here but the US dollar goes further.
campgrounds around here are pretty, with a lot of greenspaces and trees unlike what I have experienced in some of the US where its just a big chunk of pavement with a poolhouse in the corner!!!
Banff is an hour and a half west of Calgary on your way to Vancouver and is totally worth exploring and spending a few days camping at or near.
Sicamous and Kelowna in B.C. are also stunning as far as lakes and mountain scenery and camping goes and they are on your way to Van as well!
hope this helps.....
Cheers....
Kev.

[kayakcrazy]

We have stayed here at Calgary West RV park Calgary West Campground - Enjoy Our Famous Western Hospitality! Book early as camping is scarce at rodeo time. They do provide a shuttle into the Stampede (Just check with them when you call to book a site). You're high up on the side of a hill which overlooks the city - beautiful view at night. Small pool and playground for kids, grocery store, etc. Banff will be terribly busy in July but well worth trying to get a few nights in there. Stay here when we go to Vancouver - Fort Camping in Fort Langley, BC, Brae Island Regional Park. Love the City of Fort Langley and the campgrounds but really dislike the trains that toot their way through (It's such a narrow piece of land between the river and the border that you just can't get away from it). It's very expensive to camp anywhere here in the lower mainland (I think we paid $45 a night 2 years ago and Internet was extra - free hot spot at the office). On top of that you have a few toll bridges to pay.
Number one highway is bumper to bumper in July, Number 3 highway not as busy but it twists and turns through the mountains and has a couple of summits to climb .
Enjoy your time in Canada.