I’m writing this on a beach next to the Salish Sea in British Columbia, Canada. A pair of bald eagles is gently chattering to one another in a giant spruce tree that towers over the whole scene. Even though it’s warm enough for me to wear shorts today, the coastal mountains along the thin edge of shoreline across the water are still crested with the remnants of last winter’s snow. However, the scent of the pink wild roses along the edge of the beach and the chatter of eagles are what heralds springtime here as much as the warming temperature.
This gorgeous scene was just one of many wonderful experiences I’ve had in western Canada during my years of traveling there. If you’re looking for epic experiences in stunning natural surroundings, you need to check out Canada’s two westernmost provinces, British Columbia and Alberta. There is just so much to see there, whether you’re exploring fossil-laden canyons, camping in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta, or relaxing with your toes in the sand on one of Vancouver Island’s pristine beaches. There’s never been a better time to travel to Canada, because the low value of the Canadian dollar makes it more affordable than ever. So. let’s get going with these five must-see places in western Canada.
1. Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller, AB
The town of Drumheller is a tiny village nestled in the badlands of Alberta that also happens to be home to a museum with one of the world’s largest displays of dinosaurs. The Canadian Badlands themselves are a fantastically surreal attraction, with hoodoos and other geological formations that combine to create a primeval landscape.
The scenery here is best viewed by traveling north along Alberta provincial Highway 838. It takes you through sandstone and shale cliffs to a stunning viewpoint over Horsethief Canyon. Next, take the ferry over the Red Deer River and head south on PR 837 and PR 575. You’ll connect with PR 10 just south of Drumheller. Drumheller’s reputation as a mecca for dinosaur fans began on August 12, 1884. That’s the day Joseph B. Tyrrell stumbled upon a 70-million-year-old dinosaur skull while leading a group of cartographers who were exploring the area. It turned out to be the first of its species ever found. However, it was just the first of thousands of fossils to be found among the buttes and hoodoos that still stand tall in the arid Red Deer River canyonlands. Tyrell’s discovery was so significant that the Royal Tyrrell Museum was named in his honor. It now houses more than 160,000 fossil vertebrates, invertebrates, plants, and geologic specimens. If you’re going to be in Alberta, Drumheller is well worth a visit.
Pro Tip:
The best time to visit Drumheller is in the so-called shoulder seasons. Tourists flock to Drumheller from all over the world in the summer months, and weekends are especially busy. For that reason, it’s best to explore Drumheller on weekdays between May and June, or September and October.
2. Icefields Parkway, Alberta’s Highway 93, From Lake Louise to Jasper, AB
The Icefields Parkway runs through Canada’s majestic Rocky Mountains from Lake Louise to Jasper. This 227-km route is so spectacular that it’s rated one of the top five drives in the world by Condé Nast Traveler. It’s a fairly easy drive with plenty of pullouts and rest areas for enjoying the views, as well as a few well-run national park campgrounds. Don’t expect a lot of traffic on this highway. While it does get traffic, it never seems to be busy, as most travelers opt for more direct interprovincial or cross-country routes. Expect to see elk, moose, bears, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep along the way.
Pro Tip:
Be sure to reserve well ahead of time if you plan to camp along the way, because campgrounds between Banff and Jasper get busy on weekends from May to October. That being said, most of the campgrounds have overflow campsites where you may be able to score a last-minute spot for the night any weekday except Friday.
3. Wells Gray Park, BC
Located within the Thompson Nicola region of BC, Wells Gray Park is known as Canada’s waterfall park. This park is home to 41 named waterfalls and almost half of them are just minutes from the main road through the park, Clearwater Valley Road. Helmcken Falls is perhaps the most popular. With a spectacular 463-foot drop, this waterfall is breathtaking. It’s also the fourth-tallest waterfall in Canada. For an up-close and personal look, the Helmcken Falls Rim Trail (8 kilometers) follows the Murtle River until it plunges over the falls, giving you a birds-eye view.
Worth Knowing:
Wells Gray Park has two vehicle-accessible campgrounds with a total of 116 unserviced campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis or by reservation up to four months in advance. Rates are $20-$23 per night.
4. Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Vancouver Island, BC
If unforgettable beaches and camping among giant trees in old-growth forests are your thing, add Pacific Rim National Park Reserve to your bucket list. You’ll find miles of sparsely populated, driftwood-strewn sandy beaches nestled against lush old-growth forests. This Pacific paradise is set as far west as you can go in Canada. It stretches between the sleepy seaside villages of Tofino and Ucluelet on Vancouver Island. These two towns themselves are also worth exploring, as they have a variety of dining options, brew pubs, gift stores, art shops, and cafés. Here is where you can catch a boat ride or seaplane to fantastic places like Hot Springs Cove.
Pro Tips:
There are only 94 serviced campsites here, and while most of them will accommodate RVs, the turning radius varies from site to site. It’s a good idea to reserve well ahead of time, but if you can’t get a site, you can always try to reserve one at one of the local resorts.
Another note is that there is an abundance of wildlife in this park, including wolves that have been known to prey on dogs — even dogs that are tied up. If you travel to Pacific Rim National Park Reserve with a dog, the best way to keep it safe is to keep it leashed, but even then you should be vigilant.
Getting to Vancouver Island is easy because there are lots of options for ferries. You can catch a ferry from Port Angeles, Washington, to Victoria, BC, on the Black Ball Ferry Line. Or you could choose to travel via BC Ferries from Tsawwassen to either Nanaimo or Victoria.
5. Victoria, BC
British Columbia’s capital, Victoria, is a beautiful and vibrant city. It’s also one of the oldest cities in Canada, so there is a mix of old and newer architecture in the downtown area. There is a lot to do here, World-class restaurants serve dishes from a variety of cuisines. Catch a restaurant and brew pub tour or take a seaside stroll along the seawall. Victoria is also where you can enjoy traditional English tea in the beautiful English garden at Butchart Gardens. Victoria makes a great launching point for a Vancouver Island itinerary, too, because it’s located at the southern tip of 285-mile-long Vancouver Island. North of Victoria is where you’ll find the best camping, perhaps especially along the island’s many gorgeous beaches.
Pro Tip:
There are some fantastic RV resorts in the Victoria area, including the conveniently located Salish Seaside RV Resort and Marina. This resort is just a few minutes’ stroll to a water taxi that takes you to downtown Victoria, where you’ll find shopping, restaurants, brew pubs, and more.
Crossing the border into Canada is usually easy if you’re prepared. Bring a passport, leave firearms and cannabis at home, don’t try to cross the border with fresh fruit or vegetables, and make sure pet food is in sealed original packaging.
Key Takeaways
Canada’s western provinces offer many unique opportunities for wonderful RVing adventures. Be aware that provincial park campgrounds in both Alberta and BC tend to be fully booked well ahead of camping season. However, if you didn’t snag a reservation, don’t worry. It’s almost always easy to get a spot at one of the many private RV resorts in both provinces.
 Lynne is a freelance writer and dog trainer who lives, works, and travels throughout Canada and the US full-time in her RV with her 2 dogs, Jolene and Annabelle. Lynne fell in love with the convenience, freedom and minimalist lifestyle offered by full-time RV living in 2019, hit the road, and never looked back. Want to see what she’s up to? You’ll find her blog at rpodadventure.com. Lynne has written about all aspects of the RV lifestyle for many magazines which you’ll find on her author’s portfolio website at: www.lynne fedorick.com. As a professional dog trainer at Go Dog Go! Dog Training, Lynne offers both in person and virtual dog training services. She’s a regular contributor on all things related to dog training and behaviour for Animal Wellness Magazine and Canadian Dogs Magazine. |
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