Road Tripping the Rockies: From the American West to Canada

It’s time to get some miles under your belt on the journey north to Canada. Your next stop is Yellowstone, the oldest and largest of the American national parks. The drive from Jackson Hole to the western entrance of the park takes around two-and-a-half hours and is very scenic, passing through the beautiful forested landscapes that border both parks. Your home for the next two nights is a hotel-ranch that perfectly reflects the charm of the American West with its warm rustic feel. From here you’ll be able to easily access the magnificent park that unfolds to the east – we’re talking fumaroles, geysers, hot springs and mud pools set against the backdrop of spectacular waterfalls and canyons. You can explore the area at your own leisure, or we can arrange some activities for you, such as a walk with another naturalist guide or a kayaking adventure.

Today you’ll be seeing a different side to Yellowstone, journeying just over an hour to Mammoth, in the very north of Wyoming, on the Montana border. On arrival, check in for one night in a comfortable hotel and spend the rest of today admiring the Mammoth Hot Springs. This rare natural spectacle is made up of terraced limestone basins and is considered one of the most fascinating thermal areas in Yellowstone.

After a few days living in the lap of nature in Yellowstone, you’ll most likely be ready for a dose of culture. The next step of your journey takes you to Bozeman, a vibrant city in southern Montana, an hour and a half’s drive away. Settle in here for one night in a charming contemporary motel and take the rest of today to explore town, with its many art galleries, designer boutiques, fashionable cafes and trendy restaurants.

It’s time to cover some more ground in the huge state of Montana. After breakfast this morning, hop back into your hire car and drive three-and-a-half hours northwest to Missoula, a lovely city set in the heart of the Northern Rockies. Along the way, make sure to make a slight detour south to the old western ghost towns of Virginia City and Nevada City. These abandoned cities look as though they’ve been plucked straight out of a Western and perfectly illustrate the splendour of the Gold Rush era in the American West – think huge Victorian houses built during the 19th-century mining boom, eclectic hole-in-the-wall saloons and kitsch shops and flea markets selling old-world mementos. On arrival in Missoula, check in for the night in a comfortable hotel and spend the rest of today exploring the eclectic and lively centre.

Today you’ll be covering some good ground northbound to Canada, driving two-and-a-half hours to Whitefish, at the foot of Big Mountain. This small city owes its development to the historic Great Northern Railway, constructed at the dawn of the last century. Your home for the night here is a small rustic guesthouse that balances its cosy atmosphere with contemporary features. Whitefish also acts as the gateway to Glacier National Park, a sweeping wilderness area in the heart of the Rockies with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running right up to the Canadian border. There are plenty of great activities here to suit all sorts of outdoor adventurers, from gentle scenic walks to challenging mountain bike courses. Head back to your hotel this evening for a good night’s rest before hitting the road to your final destination in Montana tomorrow.

Today you’ll be crossing the entirety of Glacier National Park from west to east, passing along the seriously beautiful fifty-mile ‘Going-to-the-Sun Road’, which showcases the park’s snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes. At the eastern end you’ll reach the vibrant blue of Saint Mary Lake, the second largest lake in the park, framed by a deep, glacier-carved valley. After about two hours of driving, you’ll arrive in the small village of Saint Mary, where you’ll check in for the night in a charming lodge surrounded by splendid nature.

It’s time to leave the USA behind (for now) and cross into Canada. Your next destination is Waterton Lakes National Park, which, together with the US’s Glacier National Park forms an ‘international peace park’, aiming to aid cooperations across national borders to best preserve and manage the natural heritage of this portion of the Rockies. Your home for the next night is a country-style lodge in the heart of the park and surrounded by mountains. Spend the rest of today soaking in the endless scenic delights of your new Canadian surroundings. We recommend donning your hiking shoes and heading out on one of the many excellent trails in the park. You can reach out to our local Concierge, who will be happy to help you find a trail that best suits your abilities and desires.

Today you’ll be covering plenty of ground across Canada, heading four hours north along the east side of the Rockies to Banff, an upscale resort town nestled inside Banff National Park. On arrival, settle in for two nights in an elegant, centrally-located hotel and spend the rest of today relaxing and enjoying the cultural offerings of the town, ready for a day of adventure tomorrow.

After a hearty breakfast this morning, you’ll be met by an experienced private guide who’ll be taking you into the heart of the Canadian Rockies to two must-see glacial lakes: Louise and Moraine. The first is located in the hamlet of Lake Louise and the second, just nine miles away, in the Valley of the Ten Peaks, over 6,000ft above sea level. Both lakes dazzle visitors with their glittering turquoise waters, surrounding snow-capped peaks and proximity to wildlife. Your guide will have their eyes peeled for local fauna, which range from moose, elk and sheep to cougars and grizzly bears. This afternoon is yours to spend exploring the park at leisure. Hikes here take on an epic dimension, but if your legs are in need of a rest then you could also enjoy a spot of rafting or visit some beautiful thermal springs.

Today you’ll be heading to the most northern point of your North American adventure: Jasper, a delightful alpine town in the heart of the national park of the same name. The drive there takes around four hours along the seriously-scenic Trans-Canada Highway, winding through lakes, mountains and glaciers. Along the way we recommend making a stop at Yoho National Park, which is home to over twenty peaks, some of which tower to over 9,800ft, as well as caves, glacial lakes and the second tallest waterfall in the country, Takakkaw. On arrival in Jasper, settle in for two nights in a cosy and comfortable hotel in the middle of town and spend the rest of today relaxing in the pool and spa after a busy couple of days.

In Jasper National Park, the natural riches come one after the other: Miette Hot Springs, Maligne Canyon, Spirit Island (set within Maligne Lake) and the lakes of Patricia, Annette or Edith, where a host of aquatic activities are laid on a silver platter. There is also the Jasper SkyTram, a vertiginous cable car offering exceptional views across the valley. Today we’ve arranged for you to head out for a cruise on Lake Maligne, which is considered among the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies, with its vibrant turquoise waters reflecting pine-clad hills and towering snow-capped mountains. You’ll have plenty of time to soak in this natural wonder aboard your heated boat, as well as to admire Spirit Island, a wild picture-perfect islet. While in Jasper, our team can also arrange for you to embark on a guided rafting adventure down the Athabasca river.

Your epic Rockies road trip continues today with a five-hour drive to Clearwater, a small town and gateway to the Wells Gray Provincial Park. Your home here for the night is a cosy chalet attached to a main lodge-hotel surrounded by woodland. Depending on what time you arrive, you could head out for a walk in the wilderness park, or simply kick back and relax in your forested surroundings.

Today’s portion of your voyage takes you southwest to the elegant ski resort town of Whistler, a six-and-a-half-hour drive away. The landscape changes a lot along the way, from high plateaus, down through rugged hills and along rapids with powerful waterfalls. On arrival, settle in for two nights in a classic country-style hotel in the heart of town and spend the rest of today exploring the vibrant centre.

Whistler owes its name to the Rocky Mountain marmot whose whistle brightens the valleys of the Coast Mountains. At an altitude of 6,500ft, the Whistler Mountain and the Blackcomb Peak unroll their vertiginous slopes and allow locals and globe-trotters to put their snowshoes and cross-country skis to good use. You have one full day here to savour your mountainous surroundings. You can hike, mountain bike, play golf, go zip lining, ride the gondolas and stroll around alpine lakes. There is also plenty to see in the town itself, including a museum detailing the history of the region, a farmer’s market where you can taste local products, and the Olympic Village that was used during the 2010 Winter Olympics.

After two weeks winding through the remote landscapes of the Rockies, it’s time for a dose of city living. Your final destination in Canada is the vibrant coastal city of Vancouver, a two-hour drive from Whistler. Your home for the next two nights is an elegant hotel that’s well-situated for exploring the city. Once you’ve settled in and freshened up, head out for an afternoon sampling city life here. Vancouver has long since adopted an ecological approach, gradually transforming its former industrial districts into enclaves of art, culture and innovation. Independent shops are springing up across the city, the sense of community is ever-present and the many diverse restaurants, especially those specialising in seafood, keep getting better and better.

You only have one full day in Vancouver, so we’ve arranged for you to have bikes at your disposal to best make the most of your time here. We recommend starting your ride at Vancouver Hotel, where you can admire its impressive architecture before visiting the nearby Anglican, neo-Gothic Christ Church Cathedral. From here you’re just a stone’s throw from Gastown, the city’s original settlement and home of Vancouver’s first building: a sawmill dating back to 1868. Lock up your bikes here for a bit and enjoy a stroll through the old port warehouses on foot. If you still have some steam left in the tank after a day of cycling, we recommend making a detour south to Granville Island, a former industrial district now home to fashionable shops, art exhibitions and the famous Public Market. And finally, if you fancy seeing the city from a different perspective, our team will be happy to arrange a scenic floatplane trip over Vancouver’s nearby lakes and glaciers.

The time has come to bid farewell to Canada and hop back across the border for one more day of scenic driving and urban fun. Your final destination in this epic North American road trip is the beautiful city of Seattle, a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. Along the way you’ll pass through the picturesque Skagit Valley, wedged between the immense chain of the Cascades and the dazzling Puget Sound. On arrival in Seattle, check in for one night in a stylish and well-located hotel and spend the rest of today soaking in the sights of the city. Long overshadowed by other major West Coast cities, Portland's grungy big sister seduces with its privileged location between the vast Pacific, soaring mountains and evergreen forests. It has also become a hub of unwavering innovation and cult icons – Starbucks, Microsoft, Boeing, Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana and Pearl Jam all herald from here. This evening, turn to our destination-specific Dossier to find top-recommended bars to enjoy a final toast to your epic adventure through the American and Canadian Rockies.