Canada BC Boondocking Suggestions

[Sparkygus]

Hello,

We are looking for advice on where to boondock in British Columbia for two nights toward the end of June. We'll be leaving from Birch Bay State Park in northern Washington and will have two nights on the road to make our way to Lake Louise in Banff National Park. We feel that two nights should be enough to make this drive and still be fairly relaxed.

Thanks!
David

[cameront120]

Can you tell us what route you'll be driving? There are many options and that will help narrow it down a bit.

[Sparkygus]

We have not yet determined a route, but we'll probably do something very close to what Google Maps recommends which is:

Hwy 1/Trans Canada East to Hope and a decision - take the Hwy 5 toll road toward Merritt and Kamloops, or continue on Hwy 1 through Ferry toward Cache Cr. From there it looks like Hwy 1 all the way to Lake Louise.

We are open to route suggestions that are reasonably (vague term) along this route. Perhaps the boondocking recommendations will cause us to alter our course.

Thanks!

[cameront120]

I'm a fan of the southern route along highway 3. From Hope, take hwy 3 through to castlegar. Head North on Hwy 6 through the Kootenays to Revelstoke and then East to Banff. Or head a little further East on hwy 3 and then North on Hwy 95 & 93 to Golden and Banff National Park. If you get a chance to take a short detour to Nelson, it's an interesting town and has a town run camp site rite in the heart of town.

[Sparkygus]

Hi Cameron,

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll pull the map out and take a look at that route. Are there plentiful boondocking spots along the way?

-David

[cameront120]

I can't really comment on the bondocking because all my camping through there was tenting wherever I felt like putting up my tent. This was in the days before my Airstream and I used to travel by motorcycle and later by VW camper van. I usually stayed at provincial parks or found a spot along an old logging road somewhere.

[Joyce and Jim]

If you take the Coquihalla to Kamloops and then the Yellowhead to Jasper, Icefields Hwy to Lake Louise, it is an amazing trip with lots of boondocking along the rivers and through the Valemont/Blue River area. Give yourself more time as there is lots to see and do, ie: Mt. Robson and Jasper. You have to pay to stay over in Jasper (if they know) and also for the Icefields Hwy. I'ts well worth the extra travel and time - the trip of a lifetime. Joyce

[Sparkygus]

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into those ideas.

[canadianguy]

You could also stay on Highway 3 until Cranbrook, then head north to Radium Hot Springs, then East through Kootney National Park. You can't really go wrong scenery wise with any of the routes suggested.

Highway 3 is probably the slowest way, it can be painfully slow with an RV.

You can really test your rig just East of Castlegar with 7% for 7km immediately followed by 8% for 8km.

[Snowey BC]

The Cohquihalla is long and steep, do make sure your TV and breaks can handle long slow steady climb. Many sections are 3 lanes, I find it less frustrating and safer even if it has a toll. The provincial parks are not expensive, we stayed at Juniper Beach close to Kamloops for 20$, with electric (so we could run our AC for the first time!).

Lots of variety in scenery.

Jackie

[trucker101]

The toll was removed last year. Here is a Link to a news item about the

>>>Coquihalla Highway <<< and other BC info.

[Old Fulica]

There is a Walmart in Kamloops.

[Snowey BC]

I hope this is a joke, but yes there is a Walmart in Kamloops. Been there, bought there. With some of the provinces most diverse scenary within minutes, I would recommend one of the many provincial parks. FYI the CN train station has power to its electical outlets (meant for winter parking) all year long, potential to recharge overnight for no fee unless you are a taxpayer.