Vacation Destination: Canada's Western National Parks

We watched in dismay, the dark clouds massing at an alarming rate above the granite peaks of the Canadian Rockies in Jasper National Park. An afternoon rain shower was brewing, and it was going to start pouring before we could return to our campsite on the Kicking Horse River.

Fortunately, Canada's western parks have a strict bare camp policy due to the presence of grizzly bears, meaning that almost everything has to be stowed away before leaving camp. There was nothing laying around our site that could be damaged by rain, so we decided not to worry about the change in weather.

We drove back from our day's sight seeing and other adventures, scheming for a way to wait out the storm without getting wet and found ourselves sipping gin-tonics at Truffle Pig, a quirky cafe in a little mountain town named Field. With Irish fiddle music playing in the background, we sat on benches by the open door and smelled the cooling rain turn dust into mud.

The challenges of dealing with bears and rain are among the reasons people generally either love or abhor camping. It's an entirely different sort of vacation from staying in resorts and hotels. And we did a little bit of both on a recent vacation in Canada.

But aside from the question of lodging, all of the visitors to Jasper, Yoho, and Banff National Parks have one thing in common: an appreciation for the dramatic natural beauty of the high and rugged Canadian Rockies.

Tourists from around the world flock to Canada's western national parks for good reason. Protecting a huge area that spans into two provinces, (Alberta and British Columbia), the Canadian tourism industry is well aware of the value of keeping this large region pristine, maintaining the natural beauty of the high mountains, clean rivers, and old-growth forests.

The park system has established an infrastructure that allows travelers access while keeping the impact to a minimum. Abundant Visitor Centers are manned with friendly Canadian park service staff who help direct tourists by giving excellent information on everything from white water rafting outfitters to fine restaurants.

Just about any amusement you want for your Canadian Parks vacation is available. Here is one you won't want to miss: The Icefields Parkway.

Billed as, "The Most Beautiful Road in The World," the Icefields Parkway has a right to make the claim. It is 230 kilometers of continuous World Heritage Site scenery completely protected by Jasper and Banff Parks. The white glaciers against the dark granite slopes with clear blue mountain lakes at their bases make for one breath-taking vista after another. The Icefield Parkway is a must-see for any visitor to the region.

Where—Northern access to the Parkway is from the city of Jasper, and southern access is near the town of Lake Louise on the Trans-Canada Highway.

When—The road is open most of the year, except during severe weather. But summer and fall are the best times to visit because snow obscures the beautiful contrast of glacier, granite, and mountain lakes.

What—There are frequent picnic areas and some lodges for dining along the Parkway. Also, several of the roadside parks have trailheads for visitors to explore in a more personal and focused way than merely passing through by car.

How—Tour buses allow the visitor to completely focus on the scenery. Individually operated vehicles offer more flexibility; the Parkway fee is 17 dollars for the vehicle.

The Icefields Parkway is only one of the many attractions in the area of Banff, Jasper, and Yoho National Parks. Visit Canadian National Parks web sites to start planning your trip, and supplement your plans once you've arrived by stopping at one of the many Visitor Centers. They'll help you locate whatever you need to make your visit the perfect vacation.