vancouver to lake louise road trip

Going in, I had no idea what to expect. Indisputably the best way to travel around Canada is in a Motorhome. Afternoon: Vermillion Lake and explore the town of Banff There is an on-site restaurant and is a short walk to major attractions like Stanley Park or the Vancouver Art Gallery. It's about a 20min ride on one side where you can watch people ski and maybe be able to see the grizzly bear boo located on the mountain. It has beautiful jewel-coloured water. A fascinating place to visit for a few hours. There are two ways to get there from the parking: You can also check out this Canadian Rockies itinerary to see some other ideas for your Banff visit. travelers and answer their questions about Vancouver! Both are longer by 5.5 km (3.4 miles) and 7 km (4.3 miles), respectively, with a 500 m grade (1,640 ft). Once youve learned a little about the wine, how its made, and what your favorite is, you can go to the tasting room, enjoy a glass and take in the stunning views from their property. Its just like climbing a giant ladder but on a cliffside! The best part is, it only cost $160 CAD! A lake that is instantly recognizable (weve likely all seen it on the Insta feed of a hiker friend or two), Peyto Lake is known for its vibrant blue water. Both the experiences are great! The surrounding camping area is close to the lake and offers a variety of camp sites for a fee. It has everything you could ever want with mountain ranges, lakes, glaciers, and more! There are plenty! Such an amazing experience! Along the way, youll see three beautiful lakes, stream crossings, excellent views of the mountain range, a waterfall, and the Matier Glacier at the peak overlooking Upper Joffre Lake. Now looking to do another road trip to Lake Louise. There is even an off leash dog park by the river. If you choose to camp overnight, the lakes campground has around 50 campsites with bathrooms and cooking shelters. Fast forward to us on the road and driving west; timing ended up working out great for us as we passed by Revelstoke during the afternoon. Overall a great experience. The average cost per night here is at least $1,000 CAD. We've compiled data from NASA for each month of the year: see the links below for more information. Home Destination Guides North America Canada Road Trips 15 BEST Stops on the Drive from Vancouver to Lake Louise, Posted on Last updated: April 28, 2023 By: Author destinationlesstravel, Categories Alberta, Banff, Canada, Destination Guides, North America, Road Trips. Top 9 trips from Vancouver to Lake Louise Vancouver to Lake Louise starting from Vancouver 59 minutes Abbotsford 42 hours Yale 41.5 hours Merritt 2.5 hours Kamloops 1.5 hours Salmon Arm 1.5 hours Revelstoke 3 hours Kicking Horse Mountain Resort 55 minutes Lake Louise Overview of Day 3 in BanffMorning: Moraine Lake Columbia Icefields is a unique experience. Travel Summary. Beautiful small walk-in tent-only campground with 35 sites and basic facilities (walk-in: you have to leave your car at the parking lot and you can only take all your camping gear to your campsite). You absolutely cannot visit this region of BC without trying out some local wines. For budget travelers,Pangea Pod Hotelis a great option. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. The best part, though? Winter or all-season tires are required for the vehicle. Abbotsford 8C. But besides whales, youll also have the opportunity to spot other wildlife, including seabirds, seals, and otters. I cant say enough about this magical place. Spoil yourself and stay a night at the Emerald Lake Lodge on the edge of the lake. Going on the walk is so worth while and unique opportunity. Oh ! On your route from Vancouver to Lake Louise, its a must-see! Day: Icefield Parkway & Peyto Lake Regardless, a dry bag gives me peace of mind! This road trip takes you right through the middle of Glacier National Park as you drive out of Revelstoke and make your way toward Golden. Attentive life guards. Very crowded and only at half capacity. Widely known for its brilliant green color, Emerald Lake is one of the best places to visit inYoho National Park. The water was also the most turquoise of all of the lakes. Im sure after reading this guide on the best stops on the drive from Vancouver to Lake Louise youre just itching to hit the road! And, they have u-pick pumpkins. Enjoy!!! Lots of other important things covered. Basically, you put your food in the bag and the bear cannot smell it while youre hiking. Its an especially popular activity with local Vancouverites, some even do this as their daily workout! Just four minutes drive away is Peyto Lake, just to the west of the Icefields Parkway. Read our disclosure policy for more info. It's a beautiful place to visit, we visited by rental car and from calgary to Jasper it was such a good experience to watch so many beautiful places on our route. If youre traveling with your significant other or are after a luxury stayThe Inn at the Ninth Hole Bed & Breakfastis the way to go. I believe it's currently closed because it's getting some renovations done and it won't be opening any time soon but can't recommend it enough whenever it opens back up. GlacierHwy 93 | (60 kms south of Jasper, Jasper, Jasper National Park, Alberta MoreLess Info. We woke up in Jasper and headed to Maligne Lake and Maligne Canyon. Head to Bow Summit for the best viewing point of the entire lake; if summer crowds overwhelm the lookout you can hike to a separate, remote overlook via a trail from the wooden viewing point which leads into the forest. Other popular stops include Emerald Lake, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, and Revelstoke Mountain Resort. Vernon is a city in the Okanagan region of the Southern Interior of British Columbia, Canada. Free but limited experience because there are safety fences that would stop you from hiking on the ice. Never dig through your emails again access all your flights, lodging, and any reservations in 1 place. Emerald Lake is the largest lake in Yoho National Park, BC. As always, it is a fantastic resort with all different levels of terrain, beautiful views, and a lovely group of people working there. There are washroom facilities available here. One can easily take small bus too to reach till that point . find more stops. Boat/kayak rentals in the summer also make it a nice day out. Re: Best route from Vancouver to Lake Louise. Take a short stroll at Athabasca Falls, walk on the glacier at the Columbia Icefield, and if you have time, hike at least part of the eight-kilometer (five-mile) Wilcox Pass Trail for dramatic glacier views. For the purpose of this blog, I focus on this scenic route, which is 860 kilometers (535 miles) long. If you're planning a road trip to Lake Louise, you can research locations to stop along the way. The Kenna Cartwright Nature Park is a nice option, with 40 kilometers (25 miles) of pathways. Lake Louise to Vancouver drive, or go to the main page to plan a new road trip. Travel itinerary guides. West, above Kamloops Lake are clay hoodoos (or spires). Then, head to the glass-bottomed Skywalk for an extraordinary perspective on the wonders of Jasper. 18 minutes off the main route, 48% of way to Lake Louise. It offers ski in / ski out accommodations. Great place to get a selection of honey's, honeymoon meads, royal jelly supplements and so much more! If youre not a fan of heights, steer clear of the Glacier Skywalk. That would be the aptly named Canadians, of course, who operate out of . For the best views of Vancouver catch a cable car the 1,200 meters (3.900 feet) up. With that said, the most direct route isnt the most beautiful (in my opinion.) Nice place well organized and friendly to recommend! 4-Day Banff, Lake Louise, Canadian Rockies Tour from Vancouver Tour Code: 822-1348. The reviews are great and the price is modest. It was a good experience. (Drivers along the Parkway are not permitted to stop here.). Fairhaven was a settlement in Washington state founded in 1883 by Dan Harris. Youre going to ride big waves here and catch some air on the choppy rapids. The walkway is presented as an interpretive story, discussing such topics as hydrology, geology, biology, anthropology, and technology along the way, culminating at the very end with you finding yourselfsuspended 918 feet (280 m) above the Sunwapta Valley with nothing but a clear glass floor and railing keeping youthere. The trail winds all along the river. Emerald Lake gets its name from the glossy and vibrant greens that are reflected off of the water. And the first is the Peyto Lake viewpoint!. There are numerous stops on the Icefield Parkway such as Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Columbia Icefield, Athabasca waterfalls and hiking trails. One of the must-see stops along the Icefields Parkway is the strikingly blue Peyto Lake. 15 BEST Stops on the Drive from Calgary to Lake Louise, 11 Things to KNOW about Visiting Spirit Island in Jasper, the best places to visit in British Columbia, Via Ferrata climbing experience in Squamish can be booked online, lots of hotels and holiday homes to choose from, The Inn at the Ninth Hole Bed & Breakfast, Whitewater rafting on the Kicking Horse River, Moraine Lake, youll find lots to do and see, Book your luxury getaway on Booking.com here. While it doesnt have super high ratings it is in an excellent location. Lake Louise Tours & Trips. In fact, up until mid-July, you can still expect icy conditions in the mountains. This glass-floored, glass-sided, open-air lookout and walkway is suspended high above the Sunwapta River opposite Mt Kitchener. Too many animals to list! 5 minutes walk to the Downtown Fort Langley. A couple of my favorites areMonte Creek WineryandHarpers Trail Estate Winery. Its located just outside of Squamish and provides 360-degree views of the Howe Sound. 12, AB T1L 1J3, Canada. One of Canadas most dynamic cities is Vancouver. The toll gate where you can pick one up is when you'll be driving on the Meadows in the Sky Parkway as you enter Mount Revelstoke National Park. Each lake on this list is special, but Peyto Lake was one of our favorites. Garibaldi Provincial Park contains Garibaldi Lake, one of Canadas most beautiful alpine lakes. Jasper is the place where you can explore your adventurous side as much as you want. The glacier is a 7-km (4-mile) tongue of ice flowing from the immense Columbia Icefield almost to the Icefields Parkway. Ok, back to a more recognizable name. Visit the hairy residents of Rocky Mountain Buffalo Ranch, 0 minutes off the main route, 66% of way to Lake Louise. From a majority of the rooms, youll have a nice mountain view and the suites and apartments include a balcony and fireplace. Travel questions & answers. Car rental in Canada isnt relatively cheap, but its not that expensive either, especially if you get a budget car. Not the money we spent but the time we spent was not worth it! Open year-round, the Columbia Icefield at Jasper National Park offers guests the opportunity to view a wide variety of animals, including elk, moose, goats, and bears. Parking lot is well organized and safe. Find pet-friendly stops. Overall a wonderful experience. The ride was fun and entertaining. Highly recommend!! Here are a few of the best Salmon Arm activities: This may be a good place to break up your trip a little bit. Highly recommended for all ages and worth the visit. They are 325km2 in area and 100 to 365 metres (328 to 1,197 ft) in depth and receives up to seven metres (275 in) of snowfall per year. Located in Yoho national park,BC. I went in mid February and although it was still a bit chilly, there were already some people out camping. I braved the -30 degree cold morning to capture this winter scene and I spotted my first moose from far away!. The top cities between Vancouver and Lake Louise are Revelstoke, Bellingham, Friday Harbor, Kamloops, Vernon, and Golden. Its like seeing a story adapted in to a movie. Feels like 44.4 Wind speed 3.4 mph Pressure 1019 hPa. The fun doesnt stop there theres a wicked tube park and a skating pond. Its like when you go to the farm as a kid and have that pure feeling of joy? You can expect to pay about $226 CAD for this. Aptly named, Emerald Lake is also brilliantly turquoise. 1500 Kicking Horse Trail, Golden, BC V0A 1H0, Canada. Its the perfect place to stretch your legs after a long car ride while getting some postcard-worthy photos at the same time. Is it safe to drive from Vancouver to Lake Louise in the winter? The lake also boasts an unusual shape that is very memorable to every visitor. And the service is great. If you're planning a road trip to Lake Louise, you can research locations to stop along the way. Re: Best route from Vancouver to Lake Louise. Icy , too sweet, not creamy , the flavours did not impress. For a budget stay, check out theAdventure Inn. Of course, this place includes an exceptional breakfast and is in a beautiful area outside Salmon Arm. The lake is surrounded by mountains of the President Range, Mount Burgess and Wapta Mountain. The ideal seasons to visit are late spring and early summer when the winter snow on the nearby mountains has melted and the falls are at their most powerful. We saw snow goats from the Skywalk, it was so awesome. Shannon Falls is one of my favorite places to see on the drive from Vancouver to Lake Louise! Its surrounded by untouched wilderness and stunning landscapes and has all the ingredients for a bucket-list place to visit. The population was 2,162 at 2010 Census. During the summer, significant amounts of glacial rock flour flow into the lake, and these suspended rock particles give the lake a bright, turquoise colour. It offers nearly 2,500 feet of vertical drop and 132 runs, including one that is five miles long. Vancouver-Hope-Kamloops-Revelstoke-Golden-Banff, Using the Coquihalla Or Via The Fraser Canyon (9 to 10 hours) This is the most common route between Vancouver and Banff or Calgary. Additionally, the location also features an Inn, restaurants, shopping areas, and an exhibit of the area. Read our blog aboutwhere to stay in Vancouverfor info about the best areas to base yourself and the top-rated hotels. For skiing, the Sun Peaksski resort that is 45 minutes outside of Kamloops would be my top recommendation because it gets about 6 meters (20 feet) of snow annually. If you want to catch the cable car to the top you can buy your tickets here. People love buying corn here and pies. It is also one of the largest parks in the province, and is home to three different campgrounds, hundreds of hiking trails and Alouette Lake, where you'll enjoy all kinds of water sports. Visit the amazing icecream shops and many restaurants with huge platters of fish & chips. This blog may contain affiliate links. They have a gondola which is a God send on those cold windy days. Peyto Lake in Alberta, Canada's Banff National Park is known for its stunning aqua-blue coloration. Campground is located at the top of the Takakkaw Falls road (approx. 2023 Season 2023 Travel Season. If you were to drive straight through, it would take you around 10 hours. Peyto Lake would be replaced by Waterfowl Lake if not available to visit and also during the maintenance period from Aug 19 to winter. Coupled with the lakes unique shape and glorious mountain backdrop, and you have a true Canadian dreamscape. The owners are very friendly. If you're looking for a quick answer, you can check out The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise, which was mentioned 3 times on Trippy. If you havent seen it, the lake is a stunning shade of turquoise, seen all over the web. From the parking lot, it is only a 20-minute hike to the viewing platform and this is the view youll be rewarded with. The best way to see its beauty and surrounding areas is by going to Bow Summit which is a turn along parkway. Top cities between Vancouver and Lake Louise The top cities between Vancouver and Lake Louise are Revelstoke, Bellingham, Friday Harbor, Kamloops, Vernon, and Golden. There are barns to walk around and look at the different beautiful birds that the kids will love to do. Named after an early trail guide in Banff National Park, Peyto Lake is perhaps the most quintessential example of the stunning color that emanates from glacial lakes in Canada. Water is a bit dirty. Lesser known on an international scale, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, outside of Golden, BC, is a three-hour drive from the city of Calgary, and is frequented by both families and hard-core skiers. Check this view out if youre able! You can easily book a stay online on Booking.com! The resort has recently installed a new lift called the Stella Chair. Dorms cost around $45 CAD whereas a private double room averages $130 CAD. (Kids were so excited!) Probably Canada's steepest and most challenging resort! , 34810 Clayburn Rd, Abbotsford, BC V2S 7Y9, Canada. And, do not forget to try their apple juice. Surrounded by mountains of the President Range, Mount Burgess and Wapta Mountain, Emerald Lake is quite calm and isolated in comparison to its famous neighbour. Its lovely no matter what time of year you go, although the roads are considerably simpler to navigate in the summer and fall. I and my wife are both architects and it was amazing to see this structure just hanging there. For a more private stay that is only half a mile from town and a rate that wont break the bank look into Glenogle Mountain Lodge and Spa. By clicking on the top left of the map you will find separate layers marking the route, photography spots, hikes, points of interest, and many campsites. Before you decide to head off and explore the gorgeous mountains, lakes, towns, and cities around Canada its important to have the right equipment. Didnt NOT like the ice cream!! Find the best hotels, restaurants, and attractions based on the If you have a chance, stay for a night in Emerald Lake Lodge, a little log cabin with amazing views of the lake and surrounding areas. Its a search engine with lots of deals with good customer service. Day Two: Maligne Canyon, Athabasca Falls, Athabasca Glacier North of Banff and Lake Louise, on the Icefields Parkway, is one of the most photographed lakes in the Rockies: Peyto Lake.