From turquoise lakes to a campsite worth visiting in its own right, these five stops were highlights of our Canadian Rockies road trip. We explored them with North Campervans, counting down to our favourite.
Ireland has spectacular scenery, but exploring the Canadian Rockies had been on our bucket list for years. This summer, we finally experienced those enormous mountains, colourful lakes and forest campsites with North Campervans.
Starting near Calgary, our adventure took us through parts of Alberta and neighbouring British Columbia. Having a compact camper meant we could combine sightseeing with outdoor cooking and camping, making the journey as memorable as the destinations.
If you’re planning a Canadian Rockies road trip, here are five incredible places we explored, in order of our favourites.
Exploring with North Campervans – our home on the road
North Campervans is an independent rental company based just outside Calgary, offering several camper styles for exploring Canada. We chose its SUV Camper Mini, a compact option designed for two people.
Our vehicle was an all-wheel-drive Subaru Crosstrek fitted with an iKamper Mini rooftop tent. We also had cooking equipment, a Dometic cooler and a battery setup, which proved particularly useful during our camping adventure.
Jennifer, the owner, was friendly and helpful throughout. The equipment gave us what we needed to enjoy life outdoors without hiring a large motorhome.
For us, the appeal was simple: explore during the day, cook outside and sleep in a rooftop tent surrounded by magnificent scenery. It made the whole trip feel like an adventure.
5. Kicking Horse Campground – a destination in itself
A campsite might seem an unusual choice for a list of Canadian Rockies highlights, but Kicking Horse Campground absolutely deserves its place.
Located in Yoho National Park, British Columbia, it sits among forest beside the Kicking Horse River, with views of Cathedral Mountain. It also makes a useful base for exploring the surrounding national park.
But it was more than a place to park and sleep. The spectacular setting made staying here an experience in itself.
With our rooftop tent and cooking equipment, we could enjoy the outdoors beyond the usual sightseeing stops. Camping became part of the holiday, not just our accommodation.
If you’re planning a similar trip, give yourself time to appreciate your campsite. At Kicking Horse, rushing away each morning would mean missing part of what makes the place special.
Planning tip: Book your campsite through Parks Canada and choose a site suitable for your vehicle and rooftop tent setup.
4. Lake O’Hara – an alpine escape worth planning for
Also in Yoho National Park, Lake O’Hara offers the kind of mountain scenery that makes you understand why people travel across the world to explore Canada.
The lake is surrounded by dramatic peaks, with a network of walking trails opening up different views of the alpine landscape.
It was one of the places we explored during our North Campervans adventure, and it is well worth including in a Rockies itinerary.
You do need to plan ahead, though. You cannot simply drive your rental vehicle to the lakeshore. Access is managed, and visitors hoping to use the inbound Parks Canada shuttle need a reservation.
Walking the access road is another possibility, but it is 11 km each way before adding any lakeside exploring. That makes it a substantial outing.
Planning tip: Check the official Lake O’Hara access arrangements early and build your itinerary around the transport you secure.
3. Lake Louise – a Canadian classic
Lake Louise is one of the most recognisable places in the Canadian Rockies, and it was an essential stop on our road trip.
Located in Banff National Park, Alberta, its turquoise water and mountain backdrop create a scene that feels almost too impressive to be real.
Even if you have seen countless photographs, visiting gives you a better sense of the scale. The surrounding landscape is what makes this such a memorable destination.
You can enjoy the lakeshore without committing to a demanding hike, making it a worthwhile stop for different types of travellers.
Our camper gave us flexibility between destinations, but popular attractions still needed organisation. Lake Louise is a good example: having your own vehicle does not guarantee convenient lakeshore parking.
Planning tip: Parking is limited, so consider reserving a Parks Canada shuttle rather than relying on finding a space.
2. Emerald Lake – a colourful Yoho highlight
Emerald Lake was another favourite from our Canadian road trip, and a wonderful reason to explore beyond Alberta into British Columbia.
Set in Yoho National Park, it combines striking green water with forest and mountain scenery. The name gives you a clue, but seeing that colour in person is something else.
For visitors wanting more than a quick photograph, the lakeshore trail offers a way to appreciate the landscape from different angles.
The full loop is approximately 5.2 km, with minimal elevation gain. Allow time to enjoy the views, and expect some muddy or root-covered sections along the eastern shore.
For us, Emerald Lake earned second place among these five destinations. It is an excellent addition to a road trip combining Banff and Yoho national parks.
Planning tip: Leave room in your schedule for a walk, rather than treating Emerald Lake as a brief roadside stop.
1. Moraine Lake – our favourite stop
Moraine Lake takes the top spot, one of the most spectacular places we explored during our Canadian Rockies adventure.
Situated in Banff National Park, its brilliant blue water beneath the Valley of the Ten Peaks creates an extraordinary mountain view.
Plenty of competition for the most beautiful lake in this part of Canada, but Moraine Lake was our favourite stop.
Give yourself time to appreciate the setting rather than arriving, taking one photograph and leaving.
Planning tip: Moraine Lake Road is closed to general personal vehicle access. Arrange a Parks Canada shuttle or an authorised transport service in advance.
How to book your North Campervans adventure – planning your own road trip
To plan your own trip, visit North Campervans’ booking page to check availability and explore the vehicle options.
We travelled in the SUV Camper Mini, but choose the setup that suits your group and camping preferences.
Book campsites and lake transport separately, and check current Parks Canada access information before travelling. With those essentials organised, you can look forward to exploring the Canadian Rockies on your own.
Disclaimer: North Campervans provided us with a discounted camper rental in return for content about our experience. As always, all opinions expressed in this review are entirely our own.
