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The National Parks Circle Tour
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Duration: 4-7 days
Distance: 700 km
Start & Finish: Vancouver |
Drive the TransCanada Highway and you will pass through one National Park after another. There are no less than six --Kootenay, Yoho, Glacier, Mount Revelstoke, Banff and Jasper-- and each has its own distinctive qualities. There are roadside attractions that are designed for quick visits, but to truly appreciate these national treasures, plan to spend some time savoring each of them. There are numerous hiking trails and a multitude of other recreational possibilities.
Your trip begins here:
| Harrison Hot Springs |
- 6 km north of Harrison Hot springs along Highway 7
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Sasquatch Provincial Park
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Town of Harrison Hot Springs
- Town of Kent
- Boat / Canoe Rentals
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Possible Detour: Tulameen |
- 33 km northwest of Princeton off Hwy 5A
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Otter Lake Campground
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Kettle Valley Railway
- Hiking, canoeing, swimming, and a variety of other recreational activities.
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| Manning Provincial Park |
- 40km east of Hope along Highway 3
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Cold Spring Campground
Hampton Campground
Mule Deer Campground
Lightning Lake Campground
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Hiking, canoeing, kayaking,
horseback riding, swimming,
and a variety of other
recreational activities.
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Possible Detour: Tulameen |
- 33 km northwest of Princeton off Hwy 5A
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Otter Lake Campground
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Kettle Valley Railway
- Hiking, canoeing, swimming, and a variety of other recreational activities.
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| Osoyoos |
- Located 2km South of Osoyoos off Hwy 97
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Hayes Point Provincial Campground
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Spotted lake
- Hiking, canoeing, swimming, and a variety of other recreational activities.
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The east side of Osoyoos Lake is home to a sand desert that extends 48 kilometers north to Skaha Lake, and forms Canada’s only "pocket desert." The climate and terrain here is similar to Spain’s, leading to the adoption of Spanish building styles. The town’s name comes from the native word for "narrowing of the waters" because of its location at a narrowing of Osoyoos Lake. The town has 19 kilometers of sandy beach lining one of Canada’s warmest freshwater lakes. |
| Christina Lake, Gladstone Provincial Park |
- Approximately 20 km northeast of Grand Forks on Hwy 3
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Texas Creek Campground
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing, horseback riding, swimming and a variety of recreational activities.
- Trans Canada Trail
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| Nelson |
- On Hwy 3A, 19 km east of Nelson
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Sandspit & Redfish Provincial Campgrounds
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing, horseback riding, swimming and a variety of recreational activities.
- Town of Nelson
- Ainsworts Hot Springs
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| Nakusp |
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McDonald Creek Provincial Park
- 10km south of Naksup (Hwy 6)
- No reservations available
- Open April-September
Summit Lake Provincial Park
- 18km southeast of Naksup (Hwy 6)
- No reservations available
- Open May-September
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing, horseback riding, swimming and a variety of recreational activities.
- Town of Nakusp
- Hot Springs
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| Glacier National Park |
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St. Mary Campground
- Reservable Campsites: 1.800.365.2267
- Open April-September
Fishcreek Campground
- Reservable Campsites: 1.800.365.2267
- Open April-September
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, water-skiing, horseback riding, swimming and a variety of recreational activities.
- Town of Nakusp
- Hot Springs
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| Golden |
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Golden Municipal Campground
Whispering Spruce RV Park & Campground
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- River rafting
- Hang gliding
- Horseback riding
- Wildlife watching
- Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and a variety of recreational activities.
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| Lake Louise |
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Lake Louise Campground
- No reservations available
- Open all year
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Chateau Lake Louise
- Hiking, canoeing, kayaking, swimming and a variety of recreational activities.
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| Banff & Area |
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Tunnel Mountain Campground
- 2.4 km from Banff
- no reservations available; first come, first serve
- Open May - October
2 Jack Main Campground
- 12 km from Banff
- no reservations available; first come, first serve
- Open May - September
2 Jack Lakeside Campground
- 12 km from Banff
- no reservations available; first come, first serve
- Open May - September
Castle Mountain Campground
- 34 km from Banff
- no reservations available; first come, first serve
- Open May - September
Protection Mountain Campground
- 48 km from Banff
- no reservations available; first come, first serve
- Open June - September
Johnston Canyon Campground
- 25 km from Banff
- no reservations available; first come, first serve
- Open June - September
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Town of Banff
- Sulfur Mountain
- Bow Falls
- Banff Park Museum
- A variety of recreational activities
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| Jasper & Area |
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Pocahontas Campground
Whistlers Campground
Wapiti Campground
Wabasso Campground
- Reservable Campsites: 1.877.737.3783 or
- (www.pccamping.ca)
- Closed during off Season
- 6 additional campgrounds are all first come, first serve.
Mount Robson Provincial Park
- Robson Meadows Campground
- Reservable Campsites: (www.discovercamping.ca)
- Open May – September
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Icefield Parkways Visitors Centre
- Mt Robson
- Town of Jasper
- Wildlife viewing
- A variety of recreational activities
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On every side the snowy heads of mighty hills crowded round, whilst, immediately behind us, a giant among giants and immeasurably supreme, rose Robson’s Peak" ( Milton and Cheadle, 1865 )
Mount Robson Provincial Park, the second oldest park in British Columbia’s park system, is truly one of the world's crown jewels. The mountain, for which the park is named, guards the park's western entrance. At 3,954 meters, Mount Robson, the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, towers over the lesser surrounding peaks. Winter or summer, this is one of the finest views in the Rocky Mountains. Just as the early trappers, hunters and xplorers felt in awe at the mountain's magnificence, travelers today experience the same feelings. |
| Clearwater |
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Wells Gray Provincial Park
- No reservations available
- Open May - October
North Thompson River Provincial Park
- No reservations available
- Open May-September
Trophy Mountain Buffalo Ranch
- Reservable campsites: 250.674.3096 or
- (www.buffaloranch.ca)
- Open all year
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- River rafting
- Wildlife viewing
- Canoeing
- Waterfall Hiking
- Guided Adventure Tours
- variety of recreational activities
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| 100 Mile House |
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Canim Lake Resort
- Reservable Campsites: 280.397.2355 or
(www.canim.com)
- Open all year
Bridge Lake Provincial Campground
ATV Tours
- No reservations available
- Open May-September
Green Lake Provincial Campground
- Reservable Campsites: (www.discovercamping.ca)
- Open May – September
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Fishing
- Fly-in Sightseeing tours
- Horsebackriding
- Canoeing
- ATV Tours
- A variety of recreational activities
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| Lillooet |
- Located at the junction of Highway 12 and Highway 99
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Cayoosh Creek Campground
- Reservable Campsites: 1.877.748.2628 or (www.cayooshcampground.com)
- Open all year
- Fraser Cove Campground
- Reservable Campsites: 250.256.0142 or (www.frasercove.com)
Closed in winter
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Seton Lake
- Hat Creek Ranch
- River Rafting
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At one time Lillooet was the largest settlement in British Columbia. In fact, at the height of the BC Gold Rush in 1860, Lillooet was one of the largest urban centers west of Chicago. Its importance is evident in that it is the location of mile "0", marking the beginning of the famous Cariboo Trail. Miners and traders used this route into the interior and it was vitally important during the Cariboo Gold Rush. Lillooet is situated on the banks of the mighty Fraser River, affording visitors a wonderful display of nature's beauty. Those who arrive from the south either by rail or road are privy to some of B.C. most awe inspiring sights of everything from roaring river canyons to majestic mountains. |
| Pemberton |
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Nairn Falls Provincial Park
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Points of Interest & Activities:
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Possible Detour: Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park |
- 50km north-east of Mt. Currie
- 17km gravel road to campsite
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Birkenhead Lake Provincial Park
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Points of Interest & Activities:
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| Whistler |
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Brandywine Falls Provincial Park
- No reservations available
- Closed during off season
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Whistler & Blackcomb Mtns.
- Whistler Village
- Hummer Safari
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| Squamish |
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Alice Lake Provincial Park
Stawamus Chief Provincial Park
- No reservations available
- Closed during off season
Porteau Cove Provincial Park
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Squamish
- Railway Museum
- The Chief (Hiking)
- B.C. Mining Museum
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| Coquitlam |
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Capilano RV Park (under the Lion’s Gate Bridge)
Burnaby Cariboo RV Park
- Reservable Sites: 1-800-667-9901 (www.bcrv.com)
- Open all year
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Points of Interest & Activities:
- Grouse Mountain
- Capilano Suspension Bridge
- Lynn Canyon
- Deep Cove
- Downtown Vancouver
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Campground is highly recommended by Go West guests.
Welcome back to Go West!
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