When it comes to immersive, authentic travel experiences, there’s perhaps no better way to dive into a destination than on a self-drive trip. You’ll travel at your own pace, spend more time on the attractions and destinations you love and keep as private or as social as you like along the way. Western Canada is a particularly pleasing destination for outdoorsy travellers seeking the great outdoors, with options for getting out and exploring nature on a whim. Use the following as inspiration, then let’s chat about arranging your own self-drive vacation through Western Canada.
Self-drive = exploration. You can pause when you like, take a scenic detour when you wish, stop for as long as you want. It’s within the hidden corners that the real spirit of Canada shines. Here are a few options for do-it-yourself Western Canada road trips.
Canadian Rockies and British Columbia’s Wine Region (minimum 2 weeks)
Photo by Susan Tuckey, Penguins2PolarBears, July 2018 - Kananaskis Country
You’ll visit:
Vancouver for dining, walking in Stanley Park, museums and shopping
Waterton Lakes National Park for rugged peaks, thundering waterfalls and a cozy waterfront town
Crowsnest Pass for a look at the area’s mining past
Historic Fernie for hiking, biking and more
Elk Valley for high-country outdoor adventures, from fishing to golf to skiing
Nelson for city chic coupled with authentic small town charm
The Kootenays for mountain culture and an artsy vibe
Kelowna for an energetic downtown, waterfront boardwalk, farms, orchards and great golf
Okanagan Valley for vineyards, lakes and rolling hills
Mount Revelstoke National Park
Glacier, Yoho, Kootenay, Kananaskis, Banff and/or Jasper national parks
Calgary for a home base for BC’s Rockies
British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast and through Vancouver Island (minimum 10 days)
Photo by Susan Tuckey, Penguins2PolarBears - 2006 - Tofino, British Columbia
You’ll visit:
Vancouver
Sunshine Coast Highway for long stretches of beach, expansive ocean views, nautically themed cottages and a budding food scene
Pacific Rim National Park for Long Beach, the West Coast Trail and the Broken Group of Islands with their sandy beaches, temperate rainforests and archaeological sites
Tofino for the UNESCO Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region and acclaimed dining and arts scenes
Victoria for flowers, English tea, museums, craft breweries and ocean adventures
And more:
Best of the Rockies (6 days): Calgary, Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Calgary
Rockies to the Ocean (8 days): Calgary, Banff National Park, Icefields Parkway, Jasper National Park, Sun Peaks, Vancouver
Pacific Coast and Mountains (8 days): Vancouver, Sea-to-Sky Highway, Whistler, Victoria, Vancouver
Best of the Rockies and West Coast (11 days): Similar to the above, but adds in Whistler and Victoria
Photo by Susan Tuckey, Penguins2PolarBears - July 2018 - Moraine Lake, Alberta (Banff National Park)
We can work together to customize a trip to your personal preferences, including car preference, hotel upgrades and tour options. Ready to explore Western Canada on your own terms? Let’s chat!