I'm heading to the Canadian Rockies in August, starting the trip from Calgary. What shouldn't I miss?

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elibaker72

With only five days, your timing is tight, but I would recommend doing a loop of the East Kootenays in BC. Drive west from Calgary through Banff to Golden (or detour south to Radium). From Golden (or Radium) cruise south through the spectacular Rocky Mountain Trench. You'll have the Rockies on your left, the Purcell mountains on your right, and no shortage of cool towns, great camping/hiking/lake swimming/hot springs soaking along the way. Look out for Lussier Hotsprings just south of Canal Flats (and then about 25 minutes along a logging road into Whiteswan Lake park which is also great camping.) Don't miss Kimberley (where I live) which is a funky little ski town with a cheezy Bavarian theme. Past Kimberley, head east towards Fernie (another funky ski town) then back into Alberta and back north to Calgary. This while trip would be about 12 hours of drive time, so spread out over 5 days would be a great road trip. Enjoy!

jim_401

Depends how far you plan on travelling. Banff, Jasper, Golden, are but 3 of the many wonderful places to include on your trip.
Enjoy our beautiful mountain parks, lakes, rivers and trails.

golituk

Banff or jasper or Radium or Invermere

CowtownMummy

There are so many great things to see and do in the Calgary region its is hard to pick just a few. I have grown up here and there are still things I want to see and experience. Five days will never be enough but it will wet you appetite to come back. One of the best things I even did was the hike to the Lake Agnes teahouse from Lake Lousie (to find it simply ask the staff at the Lake Lousie hotel and they will be happy to tell you how to find the trail) also dont miss out and take a horseback tour in one of the Rocky Mountain national parks and for a bit of relaxation after a busy day visit the banff springs hotspring pool its a must have experience. Also visit the town of Canmore it is less crowded then the Banff townsite but just as good a shopping and food experience. I hope you love your trip and visit again soon ENJOY.

AlphaFemale

I don't know, but I'd sure love to go with you. Have a great time.

buffybot67

I grew up in Calgary and area and lived also in Spruce Grove outside of Edmonton. I recommend Waterton Lakes National park to everyone. It is about 2 hours south of Calgary on the US border, Logan Pass leads to the US, and absolutly fabulous. There are falls and lakes and mountains and trails and it is not as crowded or commercial as Banff. Pincher Creek is just before Waterton and it is a very nice town.South west of Calgary are some lovly small towns, Okotoks (Big Rock is located just outside of town it is a huge rock in the middle of a field left there by glaciers),Black Diamond is the "Gateway To the High Country"(my Grandfather raised the funds to build the gates!) and leads to Turner Valley and Olds and other picturesque towns. Canmore is a beautiful town in the mountains and very popular. Try to see Sheep Creek Falls also it is west of Calgary and beautiful. All the places I mentioned are with in a 3 hour or less drive of Calgary even Banff. For fun go Southeast of Calgary to Vulcan- Star Trek capital and home to Mr.Spock! 5 days is so little time to see a great area but I think you will enjoy some of the places I mentioned. Have a nice vacation.

scotsgirl

Be sure to go to Banff and go to the hotel there and the hotsprings.
Go up the gondola too. Banff is a neat little town.

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