Canada Road Trip Planner

Algonquin Provincial Park has an abundance of wildlife, hiking trails and canoe routes.

In the summer visit Sandbanks Provincial Park. See the sand dunes along freshwater bay, a good base for exploring Prince Edward County.

The CN Tower is no secret, but the The Toronto Tower's Edge Walk.Stand on the edge of the third tallest building in the world and lean over Toronto to views of Lake Ontario beneath.

• White Water Rafting, Ottawa River
• Canoeing, Algonquin Park
• Hiking, The Bruce Trail.
• Canopy Walking, Haliburton Forest.
• Kayaking, Georgian Bay
• Niagara Falls – by boat and helicopter
• Ice climbing, Batchawana Bay
• Diving in the Thousand Islands
• Snow-mobiling

This road trip will take you approximately – 486 km (302 miles).

Find out more about The trail’s two main highways, 21 and 56, form a long rectangle between New Sarepta in the north and Bassano in the south.

It’s a good route to discover the Boomtown architecture found in Alberta’s small towns built during the railway expansion at the turn of the century.Explore the many historic attractions, regional museums and quirky sights along the way.

Before leaving Edmonton spend some time discovering the city’s history on a restored vintage streetcar for a scenic tour that crosses over the High Level Bridge, above the North Saskatchewan River.

Step back in time at Fort Edmonton Park – a huge living history park in the Edmonton River Valley. Discover an authentic 1919 steam train, fur trading post and 1920s midway.

Visit the outdoor Alberta Railway Museum for all train fans. Stroll through the long carriages of a CN passenger train and take a ride on the rails.

From Edmonton, head south on Hwy 21 through New Sarepta, then east on Hwy 13 to Camrose.

Discover local heritage at the Camrose Railway Museum and Park, with a guided or self-guided tour of the original 1911 CN Railway depot. Then visit the Camrose & District Centennial Museum to wander through historic buildings, like a pioneer log house circa 1898 and a church from 1908.

You’ll also find replicas that depict some of Camrose’s’ original boomtown architecture, including its fire hall, newspaper office and blacksmith shop. The town is home to Alberta’s first playhouse as well, so be sure to check out the Bailey Theatre, which opened in 1911.

Camrose Campsites:

Continue east on Hwy 13, then south on Hwy 56.

Take a side trip east on Hwy 53 to the town of Donalda. Look for the world’s largest lamp at a whopping height of 12 m (42 ft). Steps away, at the Donalda & District Museum, you’ll find historic Métis and regional artefacts and a collection of more than 900 lamps – the largest in North America!

Campsites in Donalda

Back on Hwy 56, drive south to Stettler and visit the Town and Country Museum to tour 26 historical buildings, including a schoolhouse, post office and church, featuring pioneer furniture and artefacts. Pick up a brochure at the town office and do the self-guided Downtown Historical Walking Tour. If you have the time, take a vintage train ride with Alberta Prairie Railway.

The five to six hour trip, through Central Alberta’s big sky country, features exciting on board entertainment, historic tales and a full course buffet meal in Big Valley before heading back.

Stettler campsites

From Stettler, go west on Hwy 12 to Erskine, then north on Hwy 835 to Rochon Sands Provincial Park. Swim in the warm waters of Buffalo Lake and have a picnic on the sandy beach. It’s also great location for bird watching and you may even spot some of the elk, moose or deer that roam the area.

Back on Hwy 12, head southwest on Hwy 21 to Delburne. A must-see is the Anthony Henday Museum, which features a CN train station, caboose, railway water tower, replica pioneer cabin and one-room school, throughout its four floors of exhibits.

Delburne campsite

Continue south to the town of Trochu and learn about the first French settlers at the Trochu and District Museum. Be sure to stop by the Golf and Country Club to see the world’s largest golf tee – an impressive 12 m (40 ft) tall roadside attraction.

Next take a detour east on Hwy 585 to Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, one of Alberta’s best kept secrets.

Alberta Parks Information Site

Drive on towards Strathmore and then head west on the Trans-Canada (Hwy 1) to Calgary.

Explore the National Historic Site of Fort Calgary to learn about the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the impact the railway had on city.

Then visit Heritage Park – the country’ largest living history museum – to experience how Western Canada’s evolved, with streets and buildings portraying life from the 1860s to the 1950s.

Calgary campsites

Spend the first night in Edmonton and explore the town's art district, theatres, city hall and the Art Gallery of Alberta.

The next day head east to Elk Island National Park where you will see wild bison and beavers if you are lucky. Watch out too for moose, elk and deer. Pleny of birdlife too.

Close by is the Ukranian Cultural Heritage Village a living history museum. Also visit the Equus Alive Workshop.

Drive to Jasper across prairie farmland and pine forests. Soon you will see the Rockies and your first stop Maligne Lake. Take the Icefields Parkway and see over 100 glaciers, waterfalls and turquoise mountain lakes. Stop at the Glacier Skywalk and the Glacier Adventure.

Head to Lake Louise and spend time on the lake canoeing.

Where you visit Banff with its galleries walking tours, shopping and dining. Explore the underground cav at Cave and Basin National Histoir Cite. Also visit the thermal springs.

More excitement and adventure awaits in Canmore in Kananaskis County - home to the Olympic Athletes and cyclists. The Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary is also here.

The last night is spent in Calgary visiting the Glenbow Museum, the Calgary Tower, Heritage Park Historical Village.

Not far away 18kms north and west of Fort Macleod make your way to the oldest and largest buffalo jumsp at Head-Smashed-In Buffalo jump a UNESCO world heritage site. It is an archaeological site of the Plains People. The native people hunted buffalo by stampeding them over the precipice. Visit the Interpretive Centre for the fascinating stories.

Halifax, Nova Scotia is where the depots for campervan and RV rental are on Nova Scotia. The companies that operate from here are:

• Cruise Canada
• Canadream
• Fraserway RV Rentals
• Westcoast Mountain Campers

These are quality campervan rental companies that have depots right across Canada and in some cases the USA too.

Other options for including Nova Scotia into a Canada road trip could be to collect your RV rental from either:

• Quebec – Canada.
• Montreal – Canada.
• Boston -USA.
• New York – USA.

Halifax is approximately 12 hours driving time from Montreal. The Canadream and Cruise Canada RV rental companies both rent from here.

If you want to collect a camper in the USA and drive across the border then Halifax is only 11 hours driving time from Boston or Boston North where Cruise America have a depot.

It is really worth checking out the different rental rates between depots as these can be significant.

Flights to Boston or Montreal may be cheaper than to Halifax. You can also do a great round trip from any of these depots.

Fly to New York and hire an RV to travel to Canada. New York to Halifax, Nova Scotia. A great RV Road Trip.

Halifax is between 14 to 17 hours drive from New York. You will have to factor in additional time for a border crossing and your rental vehicle will have to be returned to the USA.

Newfoundland and Labrador are separated by the Strait of Belle Isle. A ferry service operates across this strait from St. Barbe, Newfoundland to Blanc Sablon, Quebec. Blanc Sablon is located just a few minutes drive from Quebec-Labrador border. This auto/passenger ferry service is operated by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

1. Drive the paved highway in northern NewfoundlandViking Trail) to St. Barbe;
2. Embark on theMV Apollofor the 90-minute crossing of the Strait of Belle Isle;
3. Disembark at Blanc Sablon and follow Route 510 through the Labrador Coastal Drive region to Happy Valley-Goose Bay. From Happy Valley-Goose Bay follow route 500 west toLabrador City. From Labrador City a road connection is available to continental North America.

Labrador City is linked by 581 km of road (Route 138) to Baie Comeau, Quebec. Approximately one-half of this distance is paved, while the remainder is gravel. Baie Comeau is connected by paved road to major centres.

Road travellers arriving at Labrador City by road may then:

1. Follow Route 500 east toHappy Valley-Goose Bay.
2. Follow Route 510 south through the Labrador Coastal Drive region.

Take a tour of the Ed Montague Exhibit Hall which has on display many artifacts representing the best of Labrador West and the entire Labrador region - its history, culture and people. As well, the hall showcases the stellar fur trading and mining history of Labrador. The Ed Montague Exhibit Hall is located in the Gateway building on Route 500. (Open all year round).

While you are there, visit the heritage gift shop for an array of local/regional crafts and artwork including Innu and Inuit Art, soap stones, tea dolls and books. From precious gems to delicious jams the heritage gift shop has what you are looking for in souvenirs and gifts. (Open all year round).

See the Iron Ore mine in full operation on a 2-hour guided tour of the Iron Ore Company of Canada. Learn about production, manufacturing, history and be awestruck at the magnitude of the machinery and the fantastic sites in one of Canada's largest open pit iron ore mines. Tours may be booked through the Labrador West Tourism Office by calling (709) 944-7631. (Regular tours offered from June-August. Alternate times may be available by request).

*Hint: Looking for good food and great atmosphere? Check out Cornelius Restaurant located on 118 Humphrey Road in the Bruno Plaza. Chinese/Canadian Buffets available Tuesday-Sunday (starting at 5pm).

Start your day with a leisurely stroll around the Tanya Lake Walking Trail. Along this trail you will find signage offering information on local plant and wildlife. This trail is approximately 3km long located on Baden Powel Road. For more information contact the Recreation Department at 709-944-3602.

Swing by the Labrador Mall for a little shopping. The Labrador Mall is located on 500 Vanier Rd and offers an air conditioned environment for your comfort. Labrador Mall is able to satisfy all of your shopping needs with a variety of clothing stores, a grocery store, department stores, post office, bank and much more. Also, check out the Carol Lake Shopping Center on Avalon Drive and the Gallery 201 on Humber Ave.

*Take a break! Drop by O'Flaherty's Pub and Eatery. Great food, friendly staff, what more could you ask for?

How about a round of golf? The Tamarack golf course located off Route 500 Highway. This beautiful 18-hole golf course promises fantastic scenery and fun for all. Be sure to bring your camera, the views are incredible.

Road Trip! Be sure to take a day out to tour the underground hydro-electric power plant in Churchill Falls. The Churchill Falls Hydro Electrical development is the largest in Canada and the ninth largest in the world. Churchill Falls is located approximately 238km (149 miles) east on Route 500. (Approximate 3-hour drive.) Tours are offered three times a day and can be booked by calling (709) 925-3335 one day in advance. Be sure to inquire about booking requirements and tour restrictions. Contact the Churchill Falls in for hotel and restaurant service: 1-800-229-3269.

A great way to spend a morning in Labrador is by walking the Menihek Interpretive Trail. The tranquility and beauty along this scenic route is every hikers dream. Discover the Labrador wilderness first hand and learn more from the 28 interpretive signs along the trail. Enjoy a picnic by the waterfall and a break from life's little stresses. This trail is approximately 5kms length and located on Smokey Mountain Road. Call (709) 944-5842.

A day at the beach always makes for a nice relaxing afternoon. Check out one of the four popular beach areas in Labrador West; Duley Lake (off of Route 500), Quartzite Lake (off Retty St), Tanya Lake (Baden Powell Road) or Jean Lake (off Grenfell Drive in Wabush). Jean Lake also has a beautiful walking trail that extends approximately 5km and incorporates 2 bridges, rest areas and board walks.

Looking for local crafts? Check out the Craft Guild located in the Co-op in the Labrador Mall. This quaint little shop has a wide variety of Labrador memorabilia and gift ideas sure to please.

*Hint: Need caffeine fix or food on the go? Rest easy, Tim Horton's is located in the Labrador Mall and McDonalds is located on Avalon Drive.

For anyone who enjoys camping, Labrador West has two campgrounds: Duley Lake Campgrounds and Grande Hermine.

Duley Lake is located approximately 13 kms from Labrador City east on Route 500. (Only minutes from the Golf Course) These campgrounds can accommodate tents and RV's. Hot showers are available. For more information call 709-280-1129.

Grande Hermine is located on west Route 500 on route to Churchill Falls. These campgrounds also have RV and tent sites available and offer hot showers and cabin rentals as well. For more information, please contact (709) 944-1029.

• Drive from Goose Bay on Route 520 to the Historic Community ofNorth West River. Be sure to visit Sunday Hill, the Labrador Interpretation Centre, the Labrador Heritage Museum, the Heritage Craft Shop, the beach, and Lester Burry Memorial Park.
• Brush off your GPSr and search for some of the 170 geocaches hidden in the region.
• Park at the end of the runway on Hamilton and enjoy the view of the Mealy Mountains, Terrington Basin and Lake Melville.
• Visit the Goose Bay Military Museum.
• Visit Them Days gift shop and archive and learn about the history of Labrador's people.
• Visit the remote and historic community ofMud Lakeby snowmobile or boat.
• Search for unique gifts and souvenirs at the many craft shops in Goose Bay.

• Visit Birch Brook Hiking Trails on Route 520 just 20 kilometers from Goose Bay and take an interpreted nature tour of the trails. On the ride back to Goose Bay, be sure to stop and hike into Simeon Falls and on up to Peace Rock — there is a trail maker along the highway.
• Walk the paved trail from the north end of Goose Bay (at the airport) to the south end at the river.
• Take a boat tour to Mokami Mountain.
• Take a boat tour to Muskrat Falls.
• Kayak or canoe in Mud Lake or Goose River.
• Watch late at night for the beautiful Northern Lights and shooting stars.

• Take a dog sled ride with Northern Lights Mushing.
• Enjoy kilometers of groomed ski trails at Birch Brook Nordic Ski Club. Rentals of skis and snowshoes available.
• Rent a snowmobile and explore many kilometers of wilderness trails around the region.
• Ice fish at Welbourne Bay or Muldoons.