Rocky Mountains Travel Forum

We have 7 days to spend in the Rocky mountains. We are planning to hire a car or RV in Calgary and doing a loop from there. We will be there in August, which we realise is high season. Is there likely to be a problem with getting RV sites or cabin/Bed & Breakfast accommodation? Would it be less crowded toward the end of the month, rather than the beginning? Are there places that really should be avoided in the high season?
With only a week, we would prefer to base ourselves in just 2 or 3 different locations in this time. We would appreciate suggestions for places that would be good bases from which to explore the surrounding areas.

Look at Durango to Silverton, then to Ouray and over to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Then Salida north past Buena Visat and over to Aspen. Just outside of Aspen is Maroon Bells--totally awesome.
In Durango do the Cowboy Barbecue with the cowboy singers, Mesa Verde, and the steam train ride to Silverton.
Silverton is a gold mining town. Ouray is the same. The drive from Silverton to Ouray is terrific.
If you get to Glenwood Springs check out the pool. It's huge.

Well, if you are flying into Calgary, then the Colorado option is not realistic. I would suggest the typical route, and see Canmore, Banff, Lake Louise for about 4 or 5 nights, then move onto Jasper( the drive to Jasper is one of the nicest in the country).
You could also go further along into British Columbia, and see some of the smaller towns if you wished

The last time I looked, Calgary was in Canada and not Colorado ;o)

I suggest spending the time in Lake Louise, Banff, Yoho National Park, plus Jasper. I would probably rent a car -- RV's can be awkward on the mountain roads, especially if you have not driven one before -- save yourself the stress. If you want to book accomodation, don't do it now, do it RIGHT now, as many places may be booked up already.

If you can wait into September, after Labour Day, the crowds will have thinned out considerably, yet the scenery is still beautiful. Popular sites such as Lake Louise are not so crowded early in the morning and virtually deserted by 6:00 pm. You may be able to find accomodation if you are not picky in mom and pop motels and b and b's. You can find accomodation listings at:

www.banfflakelouise.com

Have fun!!

Hi,

Check out my Banff page for info on things to see/do in the area. Also my home page has lots of info on RV's and RV rentals; might help you decide which option to choose.

As Helen has already said, September would be a much less crowded time, if that is a concern to you. (All of August will be very busy in the parks.)

Even if you decide to rent an RV, rather than a car, I would recommend making campground reservations ASAP, especially for Jasper. The accomodations are limited in Jasper and fill up quickly, and this includes campground sites.