Canada camping

[Doug Huse]

I'll be traveling in Canada the second week of June. (I like to plan early!) Having never ridden in Canada, I'm looking for some input. My route is going to take me north from Hiway 97 in Washington to Hudson's Hope in British Columbia on Canada 97. from there I'll be going thru Alberta on Canada 40 down to Jasper National Park and then Canada 93 down to Montana and
I-15. I plan on spending 5 days and 4 nites in Canada tent camping. I need info on someplace to find out about campgrounds in the 2 providences or personal recommendations. Also anything else I need to know about riding in Canada other than leaving my gun at home. Thanks

[Scott in PA]

Also leave your pepper spray at home unless it has a picture of a bear on it and don't take any CA legal "herb".

I like to set my GPS to kilometers while waiting to cross the border so I have some idea how fast I am going, as my speedo is marked in MPH only.

Not sure if CA is one of the states with a "secure" state DL or not but if it isn't, it may be possible your DL is good enough to get you into Canada but not good enough to get you back into the US. My PA DL doesn't make the cut so I carry a passport.

Memorize your license plate or put a label on your dash. The cameras at the border never seem to be at the right angle to read mine and they will ask what it is if they can't read it. I also seem to get through faster if I take my helmet off after handing border guard my ID. If you don't they will ask you to take it off and take longer making sure you are the same guy in the photo. Maybe I just look suspicious or maybe they wonder why my last visit to Canada only took 4 hours.

[nimrod]

Check out bcadventure.com. Scroll down a ways to the Ministry of Forest for more of a cheap and primitive selection. Maps too!

[Dusty Boots]

I would advise you to ride this route (http://tinyurl.com/yf47uag), for a couple of reasons.
The semi-arid Okanagan Valley can be very hot(100* +) that time of year and very busy traffic wise, especially through Kelowna! :eek:
Better to take the Cascades Highway(SR 20) across the top of WA and then back track along Hwy 7 to Hope and the Crowsnest Highway(Hwy 3) in southern BC. Beautiful, roller coaster ride and you get to ride through the Cascades 2x. Make sure you fill up with fuel in Hope and again in Princeton

Hwy 97 C(Westbank/Kelowna to Merritt) is a bore, even though it's a high elevation expressway.

Hwy 97/Trans Canada west from Kamloops and 97 north from Ashcroft to Prince George is not only busy(principal route), but not as scenic as route shown

If, for some reason, you absolutely must travel Hwy 97, up through BC's Okanagan Valley, I highly suggest this route (http://tinyurl.com/yfsvxw8). As in most of BC, because of the mountainous terrain, there is basically 1 principal route between majour centres that all the traffic flows through/along and traffic can be horrible. The Okanagan is a 'Holiday Destination' and summer traffic is horrible, unless you know the little 'side routes'(shown) to bypass most of it. ;)



At all times, keep an eye out for wildlife.


BC Parks
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/explore/

Alberta Parks
http://www.albertaparks.ca/


Once you start heading back down through Banff, when you hit Lake Louise, get off the rat race of the Trans Canada Hwy 1 and ride the much more sedate/scenic old Hwy 1A. Again, watch for wildlife.

Ken

[Papa Ritch]

KEN thank you for the information on Canada. I think Doug is do the Dam Tour the same as I am, Not sure when I will be going. I have been doing a lot checking on camping. Any who have camp in Canada Please help me. Thank. Ritch :tent7:

[VFR]

Some Iron Butt Riders had an encounter with wildlife up in that area last year. Didn't turn out real well for one of them. Not real sure if this is the same area, but always a good idea to keep a sharp eye out. I think theirs was in the US but wildlife don't know there is a border.

[Ironheadziggy76]

Last summer we stayed in Dry Gulch Provincial Park just out of Radium Hot Springs on our way north on 93. It had nice level gravel pads, great picnic tables, and pit toilets. Nice place! P^

On my way home I came down 40 and stayed at the Hinton/Jasper KOA. This site had some of the nicest bathrooms and showers I've seen at a campground, actually a lot nicer than some motels I've stayed in. Large open grassy campsites with picnic tables and water available throughout the campsite. Like most KOA's they had a small store with drinks and snacks and a great staff. Highly recommended! P^

Just a note about the weather, one of the coldest nights was when I woke up in Jasper to the upper 20's. This was at the end of June, so be prepared for all weather conditions while camping.

[Alan]

Last summer we stayed in Dry Gulch Provincial Park just out of Radium Hot Springs on our way north on 93. It had nice level gravel pads, great picnic tables, and pit toilets. Nice place! P^


I did a little write up on Dry Gulch, a nice camp ground.

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2140

[Doug Huse]

Thanks for all the info. One last question: Do any/most of the campgrounds in Canada have bear boxes to put my food into?

[Dusty Boots]

No. I can't recall any front country(drive in) campsites in BC that have bear boxes. There are at some back country sites, but none in the provincial parks. Guess they figure everyone travels with either a cage, or a hard sided camping unit. :confused:
Having said that, I've never had a problem(touch wood), but do keep a very clean camp, due to my backpacking background
To be on the safe side, you might want to bring a couple of 50' lengths of 3/16 braided nylon rope and a pulley and hang your food bag.

http://www.clubtread.com/forumPix/149000/149445.jpg

[RSnyder]

I found out the other day on another web site (after making two trips into Canada) that the State proof of insurance is not valid in Canada. Check with your insurance company to see what they require for Canada.

I found out that it varies from company to company. One conpany will give you a Canadian proof of insurance for free and another company will charge you for a full policy.

Have a safe trip.

[Ironheadziggy76]

I found out the other day on another web site (after making two trips into Canada) that the State proof of insurance is not valid in Canada. Check with your insurance company to see what they require for Canada.

I found out that it varies from company to company. One conpany will give you a Canadian proof of insurance for free and another company will charge you for a full policy.

Have a safe trip.

I have my insurance with Progressive, and they sent me a free yellow proof of insurance card for Canada. I was never asked for it last June crossing any borders, but I probably would have needed it if I was pulled over for a violation.

[Trailace]

I have my insurance with Progressive, and they sent me a free yellow proof of insurance card for Canada. I was never asked for it last June crossing any borders, but I probably would have needed it if I was pulled over for a violation.

+1 Same here