Driving from Vancouver to Calgary is a 10 – 11 hour, 1,000 km road-trip if you stick to the Trans-Canada Highway. But you could easily spend a week stopping at small towns along the way and taking advantage of all the hiking, biking and adventurous activities.
If you’re not in a rush and you want to maximize the scenic factor then consider driving from Vancouver to Calgary via Whistler and the Sea to Sky Highway and then continuing east from Kamloops. On a sunny day, the drive offers extraordinary mountain scenery.
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First stop driving from Vancouver to Calgary: Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park
For a hike close to Squamish, drive 16 km east on the Mamquam Road to the trailhead for the Elfin Lakes in Garibaldi Provincial Park (no dogs allowed).
The hike to Elfin Lakes is 11 km one way – with even more hikes and even overnight trips possible out from there. The reward is first rate mountain scenery, along with meadows, ponds, cinder cones and even glaciers if you continue far enough.
Where to stay in Squamish
Check out the Squamish Adventure Inn if you like a hostel setting. The Squamish Highlands Bed & Breakfast, 5 kilometres from the town centre is given an exceptional rating.
If you venture to Brackendale, famous for bald eagles in winter and just a short drive from Squamish, check out the Sunwolf Riverside Cabins.
Driving Vancouver to Calgary – Whistler area is a must do stop
You can spend a week hiking, biking and even canoeing in the Whistler area in summer. If you only have a half day sign up and canoe the River of Golden Dreams. But if you’re looking for an epic one day hike that’s 29 km return with 1,735 m of elevation gain then you must do the hike to the Black Tusk. Starting from the Rubble Creek parking lot, it will take you 8 – 10 hours.
Do it for the high alpine meadows, the sight of Garibaldi Lake and high mountain views. The tusk itself is a spectacular sight up close.
Where to stay in Whistler
Canada’s first pod hotel offers an excellent option in the heart of the village. Its ideal for young people. For a high end full service hotel, the Pan Pacific Whistler Mountainside is a great choice. Over the years I enjoyed many stays with my family at the Summit Lodge Boutique Hotel.
Continue past Whistler on Highway 99 to Cache Creek where you can pick up the Trans-Canada Highway and head east for Kamloops but if you have time stop at the Joffre Lakes.
Third stop: Joffre Lakes, 160 km past Whistler on the Duffey Lake Road.
Before you reach Lillooet, consider a 4 – 5 hour, six km one-way hike to turquoise coloured Upper Joffre Lake. Views of the Matier Glacier and the Joffre Group Mountains are spectacular. It is possible to camp overnight at Middle Joffre Lake and on the west side of the Upper Lake.
Fourth stop driving from Vancouver to Calgary: Salmon Arm
The town of Salmon Arm is at approximately the half way point if you are driving directly through to Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway. Located on Shuswap Lake, it is a boater’s paradise and in fact probably the top place in all of Canada for houseboating.
Read: 7 Reasons You Should Plan a Stop in Salmon Arm
It’s also a fantastic place for both road and mountain biking. The North Okanagan – Shuswap area, encompassing seven towns, is home to over 675 km of cycling trails.
You can rent bikes in Salmon Arm from Skookum Cycle and Ski. Pick up a set of maps and then plan your day around your interests. Look for wineries, beaches, parks and birding opportunities.
Where to stay in Salmon Arm
Salmon Arm is a great place to stay to break up the drive. Mostly you’ll find a lot of chain hotels and B&B’s.
The Prestige Harbourfront Resort comes highly rated.
The Destination Spa Bed & Breakfast is rated superb. It’s only four kilometres from downtown.
Tiny Home fans should check out White Lake Tiny Home in nearby Sorrento.
Fifth stop: Mount Revelstoke National Park
The town of Revelstoke is about an hour’s drive past Salmon Arm. And just past Revelstoke is Mount Revelstoke National Park. For a stellar day hike, drive 26 km to the end of the Meadows in the Sky Parkway by Balsam Lake.
Take the shuttle or start hiking from here. The 12 – 14 km return hike (depending in whether you shuttle) to Eva Lake is a standout for wildflowers in season, mountain vistas and the area around Eva Lake itself.
Where to stay in Revelstoke
You’re spoiled for choice in Revelstoke with lots of chain and boutique hotels, B&B’s and even accommodation on the mountain.
The Holten Heritage House Bed & Breakfast is in a historical building. Look forward to multi-course breakfasts with home-grown fruits and vegetables.
The Explorers Society Hotel the first boutique hotel in town is close to downtown Revelstoke. It’s in a renovated 1911 building with a private rooftop lounge.
On Revelstoke Mountain be sure to check out the Sutton Place Hotel Revelstoke Mountain Resort. It offers condominium style accommodation.
Do a hike in Glacier National Park
The drive east from the park up to Rogers Pass is very beautiful. Look for short hikes accessible from the highway in Glacier National Park. I highly recommend the Hermit Trail hike. Though very steep it’s worth it for superlative views.
From Roger’s Pass it’s about an hour to Golden. The time change from Pacific to Mountain time happens at the top of Roger’s Pass so by the time you reach Golden you’ll need to move your clock ahead an hour.
You might want to stop in at the Northern Lights Wolf Centre in Golden for a tour and some education about wolves or to actually go out on a walk with the wolves.
Read: The Most Unforgettable Walk You’ll Do – in Golden, BC
Where to stay in Golden
Golden doesn’t offer the boutique hotel experience but there are loads of chain hotels like the Prestige Inn near the gasoline alley strip. (I stayed here and while not fancy it was more than adequate.)
Also check out the Kicking Horse River Lodge, located from the Kicking Horse River. Just outside of Golden, rural options abound including the Home Lodge B&B or consider a stay in a luxury log cabin.
It takes three hours to drive from Golden to Calgary and two of those hours are on beautiful highways through Yoho and Banff National Parks. You do not need to buy a Parks Canada pass if you are driving through without stopping.
Sixth stop driving Vancouver to Calgary: Hike the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park
Stop in Field for the night so you can take advantage of all that is in the area. The Truffle Pigs Bistro is definitely the place for a meal – but you may have to wait some time for a seat unless you’re staying at the attached hotel. Cathedral Mountain Lodge is also nearby as is Emerald Lake Lodge. There are also loads of B&B’s and camping in the park.
The Iceline Trail is a terrific hike. On it, you are treated to superb views of Takakkaw Falls as well as the mountains and glaciers of the Yoho Valley.
You can do it as a 13 – 21 km day hike depending on what combination of routes you do or it can be part of a multi-day backpacking trip that includes a stay in the Stanley Mitchell Hut. No matter what, you will be treated to high impact scenery within an hour of hitting the trail.
Where to stay in Yoho National Park
There are a couple of excellent options in the park. Emerald Lake Lodge is a real treat to stay at any time of the year. Just up the road from there is Cathedral Mountain Lodge, though it’s only open seasonally.
In Field the Truffle Pigs Bistro & Lodge is a great choice for lunch, dinner and overnight. Otherwise choose from one of the many B&B’s in town. The Fossil Beds Guesthouse gets fabulous reviews.
Seventh stop: Lake O’Hara Area, Yoho National Park
You need to plan ahead if you want to visit the Lake O’Hara area. Truly some of the best mountain scenery in Canada is in this small area. But there is a problem. Access is restricted and there are only a few places to stay – all of which fill quickly.
You must book either the hostel, a campsite or a night in Lake O’Hara Lodge as well as a seat on the bus so you don’t waste your time and energy walking a non-descript 11 km road. Once you’re there, you won’t go wrong with any hike.
Lake Oesa and Lake MacArthur are two easy hikes. The High Alpine Circuit is more difficult but the scenery is sublime.
Eighth stop driving Vancouver to Calgary: Plain of the Six Glaciers, Lake Louise Area
Lake Louise is famous so despite the crowds you should visit. You can actually avoid people if you get going early in the day. The Hike to the Plain of Six GlaciersTea House starts right beside Lake Louise and continues up a valley affording grand vistas back to where you started.
You can stop and enjoy something to eat or drink at the Lake Louise Tea House, 5.5 km from the start. The grand glacier scenery is another 1.6 km away.
Where to stay near Lake Louise
The Post Hotel and Spa is lovely but at the high end and in the village and not on the lake.
The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise enjoys the best views of the lake – with a price.
Deer Lodge is a very short walk away from Lake Louise. Their updated rooms are great. Excellent food.
Baker Creek Mountain Resort offers log cabins in various configurations.
For an affordable hostel option the one in Lake Louise should do the trick.
Ninth stop: Sentinel Pass, Moraine Lake Area, Banff National Park
Moraine Lake is almost as famous as Lake Louise. It’s super popular but if you get an early start you can beat the crowds. However, on the hike to Sentinel Pass you must form a group of four to avoid encounters with bears.
It’s worth it. This is one of the most impressive hikes in Banff National Park. Allow 4 – 5 hours to do the 11.6 km return hike. And it’s an extraordinary place to visit in late September when the larches turn golden yellow.
Tenth stop: Cycle the Legacy Trail between Canmore and Banff
Built in 2010 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of Parks Canada, the 26 km (one way) Legacy Trail is a super way to see the scenery between Canmore and Banff. There is now a station to do a bike repair near the start of the trail in Canmore. Bikes can be rented in both towns.
There’s a bit more climbing on the way to Banff so it’s a pretty mellow ride back to Canmore. You can add on additional mileage by continuing to Highway 1A, riding around Lake Minnewanka or riding to Tunnel Mountain.
Where to stay in Banff
For a treat book in at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel.
If you don’t want to be in the thick Banff craziness in summer I’d suggest The Juniper Hotel & Bistro. They also have an excellent restaurant.
The Buffalo Mountain Lodge boasts an awesome outdoor hot tub and a great restaurant too. Plus free bikes in summer.
On the main street I like the Moose Hotel. If you’re traveling as a family and you’re cool with bunkbeds then the cheerful Canalta Hotel is a great choice. If you’re after the hostel experience check out Samesun Banff.
From Canmore it’s an hour’s drive to Calgary on great roads.
Where to stay in Calgary
If you want to be close to downtown I highly recommend Hotel Arts on 12th Ave SW. Their Kensington location would also be a good choice.
For a more affordable alternative try the Calgary City Centre Hostel.
At the airport the Marriot In-Terminal Hotel is excellent.
If you have suggestions
Hope you’ve enjoyed these suggestions and if you have others I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
And if you’re planning a drive across Canada – you’ll find some great info in this blog including more information on some of the best things to do in BC based on my experiences.
Further reading on things to do in British Columbia and Alberta
Visit the Hello BC and Travel Alberta websites for more trip planning information.
