We took a rooftop camper from Calgary into the heart of Banff National Park as part of our bucket-list trip through Canada. From the incredible scenery to the freedom of camping beneath the mountains, it gave us the Canadian road trip we had always imagined.
This year, we decided to take a few months away from Ireland and experience somewhere completely different.
Ireland is an excellent country for a road trip, and we have been lucky enough to explore plenty of it by campervan. However, when it came to choosing our ultimate road trip destination outside Ireland, the Canadian Rockies had always been at the top of our list.
Canada has everything you could want from a road trip: enormous mountains, turquoise lakes, incredible wildlife, scenic roads and some of the most beautiful national parks in the world. We wanted to experience it properly, rather than simply moving between hotels and following a fixed schedule.
We wanted the freedom to explore at our own pace, cook outdoors and camp among some of the most spectacular scenery on Earth. North Campervans helped us do exactly that.
Located just outside Calgary, North Campervans is an independent camper rental company offering compact, well-equipped vehicles designed for exploring Alberta and beyond.
We took one of its SUV Camper Minis through Banff National Park and enjoyed an unforgettable taste of Canadian outdoor life. Ireland and Canada are both fantastic road trip destinations for very different reasons, but this experience had been on our bucket list for years.
Here are our honest thoughts on travelling through the Canadian Rockies with North Campervans.
Our experience with North Campervans – friendly service from beginning to end
Our experience with North Campervans was flawless from beginning to end.
Jennifer Dorey, who owns and operates the company, was friendly, approachable and incredibly helpful throughout the process.
North Campervans is based on a quiet acreage in Rocky View County, approximately 25 minutes east of Calgary International Airport. Although it is outside Calgary itself, we found it straightforward to reach. Jennifer shared the details for Delta Cabs, a local taxi company she recommends to guests travelling to and from the pickup location.
Before we set off, Jennifer explained how everything worked and gave us detailed written and video guides covering the vehicle, rooftop tent and camping equipment. We felt well prepared by the time we reached our first campsite.
Jennifer was available throughout the rental if we needed help, although the guides were so clear that we barely needed to contact her. We just kept her updated on our return journey.
That personal service is one advantage of choosing a smaller local business. We felt supported throughout the trip, from pickup to drop-off.
The SUV Camper Mini – a compact AWD camper for two
Our vehicle was an AWD Subaru Crosstrek fitted with an iKamper Mini rooftop tent.
The SUV Camper Mini has two seats and sleeps two adults, making it an excellent option for couples or two friends taking a Canadian road trip.
As it was an SUV rather than a large motorhome, it was comfortable and easy to drive. It also fitted conveniently into standard parking spaces, which was useful when stopping in towns or visiting popular attractions.
Its all-wheel-drive system provided additional confidence on Canada’s varied roads, while its compact size made it more fuel-efficient and manageable than many traditional campervans.
The rooftop tent included a proper mattress and opened remarkably quickly. It sleeps two adults and includes windows and a skylight, allowing you to wake up surrounded by fresh air and mountain scenery.
The camper also included a 45-litre Dometic electric cooler connected to a secondary battery that charged while we drove. It kept our food and drinks cold even when the vehicle was switched off, making life at the campsite much easier.
Cooking equipment included a two-burner propane stove, a camping table, chairs, pots, pans, plates, bowls, cutlery, knives and other essential utensils. In practical terms, we had everything required to prepare a proper meal outdoors. North Campervans lists the full vehicle specifications here.
Everything we needed for camping – a fully equipped setup
We were impressed by how well the camper had been prepared.
It came with pillows, blankets, bear spray, and a separate pop-up tent, plus cooking and camping equipment. If we were concerned about needing something, it had generally already been considered.
There was even a leftover supplies box containing useful items from previous campers, including salt, pepper and cleaning spray. It was a small detail, but it helped to reduce waste and showed the practical thinking behind the setup.
This made an enormous difference when travelling internationally. Camping equipment is bulky and inconvenient to bring on a flight, so being able to collect a fully equipped vehicle made the entire trip much simpler.
Camping in Banff National Park – sleeping beneath the Canadian Rockies
We drove into Banff National Park and camped among the Canadian Rockies, surrounded by enormous mountains, forests and glacial lakes.
The scenery was out of this world. Photographs can give you an idea of what Canada looks like, but they cannot capture the scale or beauty of seeing it in person.
Having the rooftop tent gave us the freedom to make the journey part of the experience. Instead of returning to the same hotel each evening, we could spend our days exploring and then cook delicious meals at various campsites.
There was something special about preparing food outdoors after a day in the mountains and then climbing into the rooftop tent for the night. It was the authentic Canadian road trip experience we had hoped for.
Campsites inside Banff and Jasper can fill quickly during the summer, so it is sensible to reserve them as early as possible. Travellers planning to stop inside Banff or another Canadian national park will also need an appropriate Parks Canada pass.
Driving in Canada – what Irish visitors should expect
Before arriving, we naturally wondered what it would be like driving on the opposite side of the road.
In reality, we adjusted quickly. Canadian roads are generally wide, road signs are clear, and the Subaru was comfortable to drive. Taking extra care at junctions and in car parks during the first day helped, but it soon began to feel natural.
The SUV Camper Mini was particularly suitable for anyone nervous about driving a large camper abroad. It offered the freedom of a camping vehicle without the intimidating size of a full motorhome.
Plan your route before selecting a mileage package. Distances in Canada are much greater than they can appear on a map, and spontaneous detours can add kilometres surprisingly quickly.
Bears in Canada – how to camp and explore safely
Bears are active in parts of Canada, but visitors shouldn’t let that keep them from camping or hiking.
The chances of a dangerous encounter are low, especially when you follow local guidance. We carried the supplied bear spray while exploring and felt safe throughout the trip.
Campers should keep their site clean, store food securely, make noise while hiking and give all wildlife plenty of space. North Campervans provided helpful information about wildlife safety, and you should always follow official park guidance.
Ultimately, seeing Canada’s wildlife and wilderness is part of what makes this region so extraordinary. It simply needs to be enjoyed responsibly.
Is North Campervans worth booking? – our honest verdict
Yes. We would happily recommend North Campervans to anyone planning a road trip from Calgary to Banff, Jasper or elsewhere in the Canadian Rockies.
The vehicle was comfortable, easy to drive and very well equipped. The rooftop tent gave us a memorable camping experience, while the electric cooler, cooking equipment and secondary battery made everyday life on the road straightforward.
More importantly, the service felt personal from the moment we arranged our collection until the moment we returned the car. Jennifer was friendly and available whenever we needed her, although the detailed guides meant that almost every question had already been answered.
Canada itself also made a lasting impression on us. The landscapes are breathtaking, the people are exceptionally friendly, and Irish visitors are likely to feel very welcome. Canadians and Irish people seem to get on naturally, and we met so many kind and helpful people throughout the journey.
Ireland will always be one of our favourite places for a road trip, but exploring the Canadian Rockies had been a dream of ours for years. It was everything we hoped it would be, and North Campervans gave us the freedom and equipment needed to experience it properly.
North Campervans – how to book your Canadian road trip
North Campervans operates round-trip rentals from its location east of Calgary. The company offers several vehicle types, including converted campervans, larger SUVs and the compact SUV Camper Mini we used.
Availability can be limited during the busy summer season, so we recommend booking your camper and campsites well in advance.
To view the available vehicles, current rates and optional equipment, visit the official North Campervans website.
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.
