In the video at the end of this post from Day Hiker From The Six, we go along on an 8-day RV run from Vancouver, British Columbia, to Calgary, Alberta, Canada, which can feel like three trips in one. This route crosses the Coast Mountains and the Cascade Mountains, and ends in the Rocky Mountains, with ocean views, waterfalls, turquoise lakes, and a few surprises along the way (including train history and a “train wreck” hike).
The budget target was tight, too: $2,700 CAD (about $2,000 USD), including renting an RV!
Day 1: Coast Mountains via the Sea to Sky Highway
After landing in Vancouver on Saturday, September 21, the trip started with costs adding up fast. The flight from Toronto was $195, then an Uber ride to CanaDream to pick up the RV, a Parks Canada pass, and an early RV pickup fee brought another $189 off the budget. Bear spray was another $89.59.
Then the views hit. Driving north on the Sea to Sky Highway quickly proved that the road itself is part of the attraction. The first stop was Porteau Cove Provincial Park for the beach and pier, with free day use and RV-sized parking (beachfront campsites were booked). Next came Murrin Provincial Park and the steep Quercus Lookout Trail, a short climb (about 1.4 km) for big views and an easy win for anyone arriving later in the day.
That night ended at Clanny Campground near Squamish.
Day 2: Waterfalls, Squamish eats, Whistler trails
Morning started with a simple RV joy, breakfast at a picnic table with a view. The campsite was the most expensive of the trip at $16.75. The camper setup included a dinette, kitchen, bed, and a wet bath, riding on a Ford F350 Power Stroke diesel.
The day’s waterfall trio was Shannon Falls, Brandywine Falls, and Nairn Falls (the favorite). Lunch in Squamish landed at Howe Sound Inn and Brewery, with a standout mango passion fruit donut from Fox and Oak. next door.
In Whistler, the best stop was the Train Wreck hike. The derailment happened in 1956, and a logging company moved the unsalvageable cars into the forest. Across the river, the Trash Trail traced the Cheakamus River and delivered surprisingly strong views in under half an hour. The day ended with a rainy drive toward Chilliwack.
Days 3 to 4: Cascade Mountains, Chilliwack Lake, and the Okanagan
Morning revealed the hidden gem: Sxótsaqel (Chilliwack Lake Park), with a beach and mountain views less than 100 meters from camp. The park felt quiet, almost empty, and the lake view held its own against famous spots.
A hike to Lindeman Lake added a second lake scene, then filming time took priority. Day 4 included a stop at Escape Trailers in Chilliwack, then a long drive into the Okanagan Valley. Fuel mileage improved on faster roads (15.3 L/100 km). Camp that night was Bear Creek Provincial Park near Kelowna.
Days 5 to 7: Selkirks, Yoho, Lake Louise, and Banff
A weather statement warned of high winds and storms, but the plan held. After touring the Northern Lite factory in Kelowna, the route headed east. Craigellachie (Last Spike) became a personal history stop, tied to the Canadian Pacific Railway and family memories.
Glacier National Park added quick hits: Meeting of the Waters (with Glacier House ruins), Rogers Pass (snow and avalanche history), and Bear Creek Falls (stairs, then more stairs).
In Yoho National Park, wildlife appeared early, followed by Natural Bridge, Emerald Lake, and the drive to Takakkaw Falls. A 400-meter climb aimed for a photo framing the falls and the glacier that feeds it, with steady “hey bear” calls and bear spray ready. On the way out, a train passed through the Spiral Tunnels viewpoint.
Banff included a letdown meal at the Grizzly House. The Banff Gondola cost $79.40 and climbed 700 meters up Sulphur Mountain for wide views and a boardwalk to the cosmic ray station site.
Day 7 started early with a 7:00 a.m. Moraine Lake shuttle. Private vehicles are banned on Moraine Lake Road, so the shuttle or a tour is required. The ticket was $1 and included transfers to Lake Louise. Lake Louise delivered classic views, plus a reminder to guard food when wildlife is close. The day wrapped with Johnston Canyon before heading back to camp.
Day 8: Calgary RV drop-off and the final budget
The last morning included a stop at Cascade Ponds, then a calm end at Tunnel Mountain camp with a Banff view before the drive to Calgary for RV drop-off.
The money question mattered: The final total came in $186 under the $2,700 CAD target. Total fuel cost was $461.02 to cover 1,778 km.
The biggest reason the budget worked was an RV rental discount. Instead of paying full price (more than $3,300), the rental cost dropped to $535.36 by booking a relocation special. Those deals show up when CanaDream needs an RV moved between cities, and the booking window can be short.
The trip ended the same way it started—with a sense that one week wasn’t enough for this stretch of Canada.
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RVT1243
Very interesting video- incredible scenery……..