Calgary to US
 

Evenin all

Arriving in Calgary early May then heading down to the States to tour the National parks and Canyons etc. I have travelled From the U.S to Canada before on highway 15 through Great falls, Lethbridge etc but stayed in Motels. This time im on my own and want to Camp as much as possible. Does anyone know of any nice picturesque sites off of the main route. Dont really want to munch miles on the highway this time, just want to take it easy and take it all in.

Thanks peoples

That's pretty easy: go west til you find some bumps in the ground - those would be the Rocky Mountains, then turn left. There are not that many roads to pick from and you can't really go wrong as long as you stay off the Interstate highways - like the 15. Of course, you'll want to pick roads that will take you through Galcier, Jellystone/Grand Teton parks and then continue on to Colorado. No famous parks there, but great riding. From there head towards Utah for Canyonlands, Escalante, Zion, Bryce and north rim of the Grand Canyon. Get a map that shows National forest lands - you can camp anywhere in those for free. Of course, you'll need to be self-sufficient: bring water, food, and carry out your trash, but I always enjoy that much more than regular campgrouds where you pay for the privelege of listening to someone's generator. The national forests all have numerous fire roads that are great for that sort of thing. In the Parks you'll have to stay in the "real" campgrounds as you can't "free camp" unless you do some backpacking.

Hey Wink,

For the intial part of your trip, one option to stay in the mountains is to take Hwy #1 west to Revelstoke. I would also recommend doing an out an back on the Icefields Parkway (#93) from Lake Louise, you can go all the way to Jasper if you want but at least ride all the way to the Columbia Icefield.

From Revy, south on #23 and then #6 to New Denver. From there, east to Kaslo and then south to Nelson on #31.

From there, you can continue south on #6 or over to #3a heading south to the border.

In Nelson, you are welcome to stay if you are already tired of camping. Drop me an email or pm if you are.

Since it will be early May and technically barely the beginning of the riding season, the weather may be variable and you could have to wait out a bit of snow on the passes or change your plans at some point. It's warm in the sun, but still winter up high. For some indication on the variability of the temperature, I went golfing on this Saturday and back country skiing on Sunday. If it stays clear for you, the views are spectacular as there will be snowcapped peaks glistening in the sun.

Ride safe and bring warm clothes. It'll get much warmer as you head south.

Thanks Thermal. That sounds like a plan.

Thanks Mountain Man. I rode from Calgary through Banff, Jasper right up to Hyder this time last year. Absolutely stunning! I may have to take you up on your kind offer too, sounds like BBQ time.
I am going to tour the mid west of the States for a while before it gets super hot. Dont want to be in Death Valley in the height of summer! Then i am going right up to Prudhoe at the peak of 'summer'. I know it can still be 'a bit nippy':freezing: up there at that point but its the best it will get. Then i head back South to Vancouver Island probably Aug/Sept time.
Hope the offer is still on for then?
Thanks again