Trip to Banff / Tunnel Mt. Campground

[Bigsky3625]

So the wife and I are staring to look at trips for next year. We really want to see the Banff area on the first leg of our trip.

Has anyone stayed at Tunnel Mt. Campground just a few km. from Banff? Anything we should know about the Provincial campgrounds? Looks like they have electricity but no sewer or water hookups for the most part.

We would be departing from just outside of Seattle heading up I5. Been to Kelowna quite a few times but never gone up north towards Kamloops.

Thanks in advance for any insight on a trip through BC / Alberta.

[Festus2]

I can't comment on Alberta's provincial parks and their campgrounds, but there is only 1 provincial park in BC that has any hookups (electricity) - Juniper Beach near Ashcroft on the Thompson River. All the rest are without any hookups. Some have showers (free and pay) and flush toilets, the rest have pit toilets. Each site has a picnic table and water is available somewhere in the campground. Fees vary depending on the size of the park and if there are showers and flush toilets available. Reservations can be made at many parks but there is a fee of $6 per day up to a max of $18.

If you Google BC Provincial Parks, you can find out more information about them online.

If you need any other specific info about them, send me a PM and I can help you out.

[Bigsky3625]

The wife and I would like to take a trip from Seattle to Banff. What is the safest / easiest way to go?

Should we go I90 east and then north an US95 up through Idaho to BC93 North? Are the passes steep and windy for a 39 ft. 5er?

Or would we be better off going farther east on I90 in to Montana and going north to Calgary on 2?

Would really appreciate some insight on the best route.

Thanks in advance!!!

[geo]

Originally Posted by Bigsky3625

The wife and I would like to take a trip from Seattle to Banff. What is the safest / easiest way to go?

Should we go I90 east and then north an US95 up through Idaho to BC93 North? Are the passes steep and windy for a 39 ft. 5er?

Or would we be better off going farther east on I90 in to Montana and going north to Calgary on 2?

Would really appreciate some insight on the best route.

Thanks in advance!!!

Bigsky3625 -

I have only driven 93 from TransCan 1 west of Banff down to Radium Hot Springs. It's a great drive in the summer, but I don't know if I would drive it in the winter pulling a fiver. Between Radium Hot Springs and 1, 93 goes through the Kootenay NP and there is just wonderful "outside" but nothing else. My personal recommendation is stick to the US Interstate 90 and TransCan 2. Once you camp, the drive the smaller roads! Oh, and stop off at Okotoks at the Big Rocks Brewery!

Ron

[Festus2]

Big Sky -
If it were me, I would go east from Seattle along 90 and then take 95 north to Bonners Ferry and go through customs at Kingsgate, just east of Creston, BC. From here, I'd follow 3/95 north all the way up to Radium Hot Springs then follow 93 to Banff.

The highway from Kingsgate north passes through Cranbrook, Wasa, Canal Flats, Fairmont Hot Springs , Radium Hot Springs to Banff and is extremely scenic and; for the most part, flat. Along the way, there are some Provincial Parks ( no hookups remember) and numerous private campgrounds.

You won't start climbing until you get to Radium Hot Springs then to Banff. A bit of back-tracking is necessary but again, a very pretty drive.

[Bigsky3625]

Thanks all for the insights. And there is no way we would do this in the winter either!!! We are looking at a trip in late August. I have looked at both routes you have recommended and probably can't go wrong with either one. We love beautiful scenery but we also wanted a drive that wasn't too overwhelming. Like as in scary. The DW gets nervous when we are on logging roads grouse hunting.......
Thanks again!

[geo]

Big Sky -
Well, you didn't say August! From late spring to early autumn, I would definitely recommend the route Festus2 describes! In winter, I would prefer the way I mentioned.

Ron

[Bigsky3625]

Originally Posted by geo

Big Sky -
Well, you didn't say August! From late spring to early autumn, I would definitely recommend the route Festus2 describes! In winter, I would prefer the way I mentioned.

Ron

Oops...... sorry I left out that minor detail.......thanks for the info!!

[PerryB]

If you go into Banff from Lake Loiuse, about 14-15 miles in is a great little campground called Mosquito Creek. We always stay there a couple days when going through.

[Bigsky3625]

Originally Posted by PerryB

If you go into Banff from Lake Loiuse, about 14-15 miles in is a great little campground called Mosquito Creek. We always stay there a couple days when going through.

Thanks. I will look in go it!

[BOU0146]

I stay at Tunnel Mountain for a few days every year. Tunnel Mountain has unserviced sites, electric only sites and full service sites. It is a Canadian National Park. Very quiet and well kept with super scenery. If you are coming before Labour Day I would recommend reservations. All full service sites have been redone over the last three years. If you come through Idaho and cross at Kingsgate I would recommend you stop at Radium Valley Vacation Resort. It is a five star resort that leaves you wanting for nothing, they even supply the BBQ and propane. If you come up through Kamloops and Revelstoke it will be a tougher climb (Rogers Pass) but more scenic route and nothing your rig cannot handle. If you come this way I recommend stopping at Canyon Hot Springs about 25 mile East of Revelstoke. A very well kept park but has only water and electric hook ups.

[Bigsky3625]

Thanks for the info BOU! Will check it out. We are definitely planning on making reservations. So if I am reading the website right, the first day you can reserve a site is April 3rd. Correct?

[Honda4us]

Beautiful country, wife and I stayed in Canmore in August 2012. Full hookup and wifi RV Campground,Spring Creek Mountain Village Canmore Alberta
About 15 minutes to Banff

[Bigsky3625]

Well we have a site reserved and really looking forward to the trip. 5 nights at tunnel mountain and then on to west glacier national park for 5 nights. Then a few days to come home.

It all worked out with the reservations and trailer upgrade so we are good to go.

Thanks for everyone's help!

[Kettleby_Cruiser]

We camped here at site 141 for 4 nights in July 2013 and it was one of the most scenic camp sites we ever stayed at...highly recommend this camp to anyone planning a trip to Banff next year and book early to get the site you want.

On one side we had the view of Cascade Mt and on the other side we were looking at Tunnel Mt.

Many sites were double drive thru sites but site 141 was only for a single RV unit and the view to Tunnel Mt was stunning.

...Happy Camping!