Itinerary

Collect your Cruise Canada RV from Calgary, and drive southwest on Highway 22, known as ‘The Cowboy Trail’. Visit Bar U Ranch National Historic site to learn how cowboys live at this working ranch. Rope a steer, saddle a horse, make bannock bread, repair a bridle and boil coffee on a fire.

· 109 km to Bar U Ranch

This morning, drive east through the Alberta prairies to Dinosaur Provincial Park. This rugged landscape contains some of the largest deposits of fossils in the world. At the visitor’s centre, learn the geology and natural history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay overnight in the park’s own RV campground.

· 245 km to Dinosaur Provincial Park

This morning, head north for two hours to Drumheller, ‘Dinosaur Capital of the World’. Enjoy a short detour to Horseshoe Canyon for magnificent views of the Canadian Badlands, where dinosaurs roamed 70 million years ago. Climb the world’s largest dinosaur replica and see stunning prehistoric specimens at the Royal Tyrell Museum. Overnight at River Grove Campground in Drumheller Valley.

· 169 km to Drumheller

Drive through the vast Alberta prairies to spend a day exploring its capital city, Edmonton. Enjoy upscale eateries, excellent museums, then stop at the West Edmonton Mall, the largest shopping mall in North America with more than 800 stores. Visit the Royal Alberta Museum, the largest in western Canada. Stay at Glowing Embers RV Park in Edmonton.

· 265 km to Edmonton

This morning, head west along the Yellowhead Highway and watch out for moose and bears that are regularly spotted just off the main road. Stop at Lois Hole Provisional Park for some birdwatching, then stay overnight in the town of Hinton. Stock up on supplies before heading into the Rockies the following day.

· 288 km to Hinton

Drive into the mighty Canadian Rockies today. Arrive in Jasper and explore the vast wilderness of the largest national park in the Rockies. Visit Miette Hot Springs, the hottest in the Rockies at 37°C, and watch out for the populations of bears who live here.
Take a cruise on Maligne Lake and see Spirit Island, then take the Jasper Skytram to the top of Whistlers Mountain for fantastic views. Explore Lake Annette and Pyramid Lake, then overnight at
Whistlers Campground.

· 80 km to Jasper

Today, enjoy one of the most stunning mountain drives in the world along Icefields Parkway. Between Jasper and Banff via Lake Louise, this route winds through the heart of the Canadian Rockies passing glaciers, mountain peaks and forests. It’s about a four-hour drive but we suggest taking all day to cover the route with some stops.

Stop at the Bow Summit and Peyto Lake for iconic vistas. Visit the Athabasca Glacier, the most visited and one of the most accessible in North America. You can ride out onto the Glacier aboard an Ice Explorer or take a guided hike on the ice. Further south, stop at Mistaya Canyon, a deep slot canyon easily accessible from the Parkway.

Arrive in Banff and enjoy a meal or drink at the Banff Springs Hotel and a soak in Banff Hot Springs. Take a walk around Banff National Park, Lake Louise, or head further west to the equally iconic Lake Moraine.

· 285 km to Banff

Leave the Rockies this morning for the 90-minute drive back to the Cruise Canada depot in Calgary to return your motorhome and take your flight home.

Calgary Stampede is a fascinating addition either before or after your RV adventure around Alberta. This spectacular world-famous 10-day event transforms Calgary every July. North America’s biggest rodeo is packed with western-style attractions and activities including fairground rides, live country music, chuck-wagon races and BBQs. With your Cruise Canada RV acting as your accommodation and transportation, this is a great way to experience the stampede at a much lower cost than other accommodation options. There is public parking at the Stampede grounds for $15 per day or some RV parks in the local area will offer a shuttle service to the Stampede for a small fee. Alternatively, some shopping malls allow you to park for free in the parking area but require registration beforehand.