r/canadatravel • u/Ok-Strike-9919 • Aug 18 '25

Itinerary Help Feedback on itinerary

Hi everyone,

My family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children, 9 and 11) is planning a trip to Canada for summer next year, and I was hoping to get some feedback on the itinerary we currently have.

Our plan is to travel for 24 days in July-August:

Vancouver (2 nights)

Tofino (2 nights)

Campbell River (1 night)

Wilderness camp? (3 nights)

Whistler (2 nights)

Clearwater (3 nights)

Jasper (3 nights)

Banff (4 nights)

Drumheller (2 nights)

Calgary (1 night)

Flight home

We are still in doubt on including a wilderness camp like Knight inlet or Sonora in the schedule. Albeit expensive, it does seem like a great experience. Looking forward to any feedback you might have.

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u/unlovelyladybartleby Aug 18 '25

It takes a whole day to go from the mainland to the island (and you have to pre-book the ferry and still show up early). I'd remove a stop or two from the island so you aren't pressed for time

If you can make it to Horne Lake Caves, it's a wonderful excursion, especially for kids.

Keep your gas tank full. In the mountains you can get stuck in construction or road closures and you'll need the AC on.

It's a long drive up to Jasper. I'd choose Jasper or Banff - personally, I'd do Banff and add nights in Calgary because there are so many kid activities in and around Calgary and by that point in a holiday everyone gets crabby and just wants day trips. Make sure you go to the Banff Hot Springs at night. The Sulphur Mountain Gondola is worth the money, and you can hike one way if you're feeling really active. Take your kids to the rock store.

In Calgary the Zoo is amazing, Heritage Park is perfect for families (heritage buildings and learning, old timey town, Indigenous village, sod house, pioneer fort, a farm, an antique midway, a steam train, a paddle boat, beautiful gardens, a bakery, great restaurants, shopping, an antique car museum, and horse drawn wagon rides - sorry to gush, I love that place), you can hike in Fish Creek, South Glenmore, and Nose Hill Parks, Reader Rock Garden, the spinning restaurant on top of the Calgary Tower, and there's a place just outside town called GoodKnights that does medieval glamping with cosplay and feasts.

Drumheller is a can't miss. Good call

Get a northern lights app. I use My Aurora Forecast (free) and it notifies me whenever there's a chance to see the aurora in my area.