I am planning a trip in the next couple of weeks..how long will it take to see most of these parks? I have about 2 1/2 wks...

Depends a lot on what you want to do...in 2 1/2 weeks you can certainly see the highlights of these 3 parks and get in a few day hikes. (To see everything you'd need closer to 2 1/2 lifetimes!) A few "must-sees"....try to get up to Maligne Lake, not too from from Jasper Township..I don't remember if it's actually in the National Park, but that doesn't matter..it's worth the time. Moraine Lake near Lake Louise is also magnificent....if you can avoid the crowds. Yoho National Park is also adjacent to Banff NP and well worth a couple of days if you can .( I have a photo posted in the Photo Forum of one scene in Yoho). There is a Glacier NP in British Columbia, directly west of Banff, or of course there is Glacier NP in Montana, which straddles the border (the Canadian part is called Waterton). Which of these are you thinking of? I can't tell you anything about the first because it was too foggy to see anything when we were there. However I do have a couple of comments about Glacier in Montana. Although the west side is more popular in terms of numbers of visitors, I have always preferred the east side, with more spectacular scenery. If you do go that way, I recommend the Two Medicine area or the Swiftcurrent Lake area. These have park entrances north and south of the Lake Mary area and are not as congested (particularly this late in the summer). And I'm sure you will want to drive the Going to the Sun Road. Hope this helps a little...the good thing is that this whole area is so spectacular you'll enjoy it wherever you go.

Ed

All I can say is that you are embarking on one heck of a wonderful journey. I have been to Glacier at least 4 times and Banff / Jasper at least 7 times. There is just so much scenery, hiking trails, wildlife, etc. If you can get there in early June or visit close to or after Labor Day when many of the kids are back in school and the weather is still stable. (Late July / early Aug is still nice, just lots of people to content with. If you are traveling with kids, they will like it too.). Ed gave you a great list to get you going. While you are up in Banff, take a little time to enjoy the hot springs. A really good campground up there is Johnson canyon. The easy trail to Johnson canyon falls is nice. Approx 1/2 the way between Banff and Jasper is the Columbia Icefields where you can get close and personal with a huge glacier. Bring your camera. You will take a ton of pictures. Post some here when you return!



Oh, one more thing... Seems that whenever we drive thru Montana early or late in the season, we come across ranchers moving their cattle from one field to another using the highway as a path. If this happens, all you need to do is drive slowly thru the heard, giving them time to move. It is quite a sight!

And be prepared to wash your vehicle once you're through the herd of cattle...been there, done that!

so i think we have scratched going to banff area as everyone has told us that it can be a month long trip in itself.... ... so the plan has changed to Glacier/waterton and Yellowstone/grand teton...... Leaving on friday for a 3 wk adventure ending with maybe a stay at the grand teton lodge company for a few nights... Sorry, for the changes... but does anyone have any suggestions for campgrounds in the parks or forests nearby that are "can't miss spots"... also any info on hot springs and/or communities that are unique and fun would be helpful as well.... thanks for all your suggestions.... i will check back during our trip....

Sorry nobody got back to you on your last questions about camping in the parks and forests. For your next trip, click on the "National Forests & Campgrounds", upper left on this page, for camping in national forests.

I hope your trip was a success and that you are looking forward the the next one, especially in national forests and grasslands

Fred