Photo Journal: Scenic Drives in the Canadian Rockies
On both my trips to Canada, driving has been difficult. Not because of the road rules, the other drivers, or because the speed limit is in kilometers instead of miles, but because the scenery is so stunning that it makes it hard to go more than 5 kilometers without stopping to take it in and take a photo.
As always, photos never fully capture it, but here are a few photos from three of the most scenic drives I’ve done in the Canadian Rockies to give you a sense of what it’s like. Icelands was last year. The rest are my current trip.
These routes are perfect for the outdoor enthusiast of any level. Just like looking at beautiful outdoor scenery? Enjoy the ride. Like relaxing in beautiful surroundings? Pull over and picnic at one of the park-like rest stops or park picnic areas. Like easy strolls? Walk around the ubiquitous easy scenic trails found at rest-stops, picnic areas, and park trail heads. Like hiking? Pull out your AllTrails and pack your CamelBak – there are trails for every level all along these routes.
Notes on the Scenic Routes
- All the roads in Canada seem to have multiple names, I tried to note them when I knew them but Google, iPhone, or good ‘ole Rand McNally Road Atlas are pretty good at steering you in the right direction if you navigate between cities.
- Expect to lose service at points during the drive, luckily most the points where that happens you just keep going straight.
- BC = British Columbia; Alberta = Alberta. They are neighboring, beautiful provinces in Canada.
- Mix, match, and modify routes to suit your needs. You can catch them at different points depending on where you are driving from. For example, if you’re coming from Calgary you could do Icefields Parkway en route to some of the BC routes.
- On this trip I did a circle coming up to Canada from the US Border at the Eastport-Kingsgate Border Crossing (Bonners Ferry, US Side / Yahk, Canada Side) and then back to the US through the same crossing. Less than 5 minute wait in both directions.
- My general loop was: US/Canada border to Fernie, BC over to Revelstoke, BC (tiny bit of backtracking, but worth it) down to Nelson, BC back over to the US/Canada border, passing through the other towns but not overnighting in them.
- Canadian Rockies Scenic Road Trip was the best description I could come up with, apologies if some of the routes technically traverse outside the region considered the rockies. (I’m no expert, but imagine someone reading this is).
- Routes are more southern because well, that’s what I’ve covered. Check out the additional resources section at the bottom for more ideas if you want to go further north.
Canadian Rockies Road Trip Route Ideas
Kingsgate to Cranbrook to Fernie via Crowsnest Highway (Highway 3)
Late lunch stop at Yahk Provincial Park 
Tree window to the mountains 
Happy cows. Seriously, they seemed so healthy. 
If this scenery doesn’t relax you, I don’t know what will. 
Just outside of Fernie, BC.
Cranbrook, BC to Golden, BC via Kootenay-Columbia Highway
Golden, BC to Revelstoke, BC via Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1)
Canada Pacific Railcar in Canada. 
Another beautiful rest stop. 
Into the mountains we go! 
Feels like driving into a painting 
Side of the road views before going into a tunnel. 
Great picnic area with some history at Roger’s Pass. 
Forbidding mountains in the distance from Roger’s Pass.
Revelstoke to Nelson via Trans-Canada Highway & BC-6
Part of the “West Koot Route.”
You Couldn’t Escape Good Scenery if You Wanted To. 
View from the FREE (and required to cross) Car Ferry 
Just the periodic photo of my CRV turned camper van.
Icelands Parkway (Banff to Jasper)
*Note: Didn’t go all the way to Jasper, but I have it on good account that the ENTIRE road-trip is stunning.
Morning on glorious Icefields Parkway in Banff 
Turquoise Lake is just a short walk off Icefields Parkway. Warning: its CROWDED. 
Bow Lake, just off Icefields Parkway and serene. A personal fav.
Like Banff? More of my favorite Banff photos here, exactly what we did including which hikes on our week camping in Banff last summer here, and where to stay in Banff here. And, if you’re looking for some Banff photo wall inspo, check out my photo print store here.
Resources for Planning Your Canadian Rockies Road Trip
These are links to additional resources to help you decide and drill down the details of your scenic road trip because come on, you know you want to go on one now!
Online Resources
IcefieldsParkway.com: Icefields Parkway Points of Interest
HelloBC.Com: Top 5 Scenic Drives in BC
TransCanadaHighway.com: Trans-Canada Highway Road Trip & Vacation Planner
The West Koot Route.ca: The West Koot Route – Find Your Route
Trip Advisor: BC Lodging | Alberta Lodging
National Geographic: Alberta’s best road trip: Canada’s majestic mountain drive
Dreamingandwandering.com: The Complete Guide to Traveling the Canadian Rockies
Lonely Planet: Itineraries in British Columbia
Sort of Legal (me!): Where To Stay When Visiting Banff National Park
Books (They’re Still a Thing!)
Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies: The Opinionated Hiking Guide by Craig & Kathy Copeland*
Canadian Rockies Including Banff and Jasper National Parks by Moon
Canada Travel Guides (multiple options) by Lonely Planet
*Don’t Waste Your Time…deserves a footnote because I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about this guide and wish I would have bought it before my trips…still might)
