We put together a list of what we think may be useful for your travel planning. We hope it will help you to find the information you need as well as some interesting places, hikes and camping spots.
Let's get into it!
If you are planning to visit the Vancouver Island you'll need a ferry reservation. That can be done through the BC Ferries website. Reserve your ferry ride as soon as you have your dates, spots fill up quickly in summer. Sprinter Vans have dimessions 9ft×19ft. Camper Pilot and Daniel have dimensions 8ftx17ft.
Book your trip over to the Island here : BC Ferries website www.bcferries.com
It is also important to book your campground spots in advance. The availability for the most popular campgrounds in National Parks eg. Jasper, Banff or Pacific Rim openes at the end of January. You do not need a spot with a hook up. Dry camping spot is enough, our camper vans have the solar panels installed on the roof. Also, there is NO need to buy a Discovery Pass in advance. The price is not higher if you buy it at the entrance to the National Park. And most of the time no line ups to buy it.
Secure a campground spot asap here : Parks Canada website www.pc.gc.ca
If you'll be heading to Sea to Sky highway direction to Whistler you need to book your campground spots in the Provincial Parks. You can make a reservation for your entire stay in Provincial Parks up to four months before your desired arrival date. New frontcountry camping reservations become available at 7 am Pacific Time daily.
The closest campground to Vancouver is called Porteau Cove and it is located on Sea to Sky Highway aprox 35mins drive from Vancouver. Spots in that campground fill up fast so if you are planing to stay close to Vancouver on your first night, you may want to look it up.
For your reservation in Provincial campgrounds, click here: BC Parks website www.bcparks.ca
The best place to check the road conditions and protentional road closures is www.drivebc.ca
And for BC Wildfires information go to Home - Province of British Columbia (gov.bc.ca)
Top destinations you may have heard about:
- Squamish Valley – get there on See to Sky Highway, the most beautiful road in Canada
- Whistler – Olympic Village, mountain biker’s heaven
- Vancouver Island – Tofino – stunning long beaches, surfer’s heaven
- Sunshine Coast – take the ferry to this amazing laid-back rugged coast
- Okanagan Valley – Wine region, the hottest part of BC
- Jasper and Banff National Parks (Alberta’s Rockies) – highest chances of bears and elks pictures
- Yoho National Park – turquoise Emerald Lake and Alpine Lake O’Hara, Wapta Falls
- Glacier National Park – see enormous mountains and glaciers right from the highway
- Kootenay National Park – Radium Hot Springs, natural hot springs
You may want to check these apps as well :
iOverlander
This is an Off-line app where you can find some last minute spots for camping. That includes official campgrounds, Provincial Parks, rest areas, recreation areas or just simply legal spots to stay overnight when you happen to have no campground reservation. You can also find information on where to refill your freshwater tank or dump the grey water tank. This app is created by travelers for travelers, so you’ll only find real reviews from people who visited the place.
MAPS.ME
You may find yourself losing a self-service in Rockies more often than you would ever think. To have an offline map of any kind is a must to keep you on the right path.
All Trails
We find this app very useful when looking for a hike to go to. If you haven’t done your research, and the Tourist info booth is closed, this is the app you want to have in your phone.
We do not dare to advice you where to go first or second, what is the best place to visit or what is the most beautiful. We can only assure you that anywhere you go from all these places, your breath will be taken away and the pure wild Canadian nature will never leave your
Just see!