Question October trip S Canada

[Arvie]

Planning to visit family in Minnesota first week October. Want to drive back home headed west through Canada. Any tips on websites I can check, will parks be open? Dump stations? We have a 2022 Jayco Jay flight SLX8 212 QB trailer. Thanks! Oh and do you think there may be snow?

 

[Rollin Ollen]

Planning to visit family in Minnesota first week October. Want to drive back home headed west through Canada. Any tips on websites I can check, will parks be open? Dump stations? We have a 2022 Jayco Jay flight SLX8 212 QB trailer. Thanks! Oh and do you think there may be snow?

First.....where is back home?

Road Conditions or Closures in Manitoba - Manitoba 511
Road Conditions or closures in Saskatchewan - Highway Hotline
Road conditions or closures in Alberta - 511 Alberta
Road conditions or closures in British Columbia - DriveBC

Most rural Campgrounds/RV Parks are only open until the end of September. If you plan on using The TransCanada Highway (Highway 1) you shouldn't have any problems finding a place to park for the night in or near larger cities. I believe there is only going to be 1 ONE dump station open between Calgary and Banff and that will be in Bow Valley Provincial Park. It is free but the water usually is shut off October 01. There are Truck Stops and RV Parks in Calgary that have dump and fill facilities. There will be 2 RV parks open in the Banff area. Tunnel Mountain Village II and Lake Louise HARD SIDE. Camper's Haven just west of Golden BC is open until November 01. I don't believe any parks will be open between Golden and Kamloops and none after Kamloops taking Highway 5 until you reach the Vancouver area. If you decide to stay on the TransCanada highway from Kamloops to the Vancouver area, you will find some RV Parks open. The road follows the Fraser River and the weather tends to be warmer than if you take the "express" route (The Coquihalla aka Highway 5). Be aware, the TransCanada becomes pretty winding along the Fraser and it will take you longer to reach the Vancouver area. There are some hills to climb but not as many or as steep as Highway 5.

I doubt many attractions will be open in the prairies during your time in Canada. The scenery across the prairie will be non stop bare fields. Once you pass Calgary you should still be able to see some fall colors. Banff will still reasonably busy on weekends and most attractions will still be open. The area from Banff to Vancouver is mountainous the the scenery is spectacular all year round. You may encounter snow and colder weather because it can snow any month of the year (including July and August). However, I doubt, if you do see any, it would hinder your driving much. By law, winter tires are required for use on BC highways starting October 01. I doubt if that law will be enforced until "real" snow hits though.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Safe travels

Darrell

 

[Arvie]

Darrell,
You are amazing! Way more info than I found online! The forum works. I cannot thank you enough for the time you took to answer my question. BTW “home” is Idaho.
We have decided to reboot and do the Canada route next year after we have time to do more information gathering. Our last trip was pre COVID and we loved the area of western Canada we visited in a camper van. RVs require a bit more planning.
Thank you again!