Canadian Rockies & North West USA On A Budget

Vancouver: City of Glass

Go to Granville Island for its huge market. Have some lunch at Canada Place to watch the seaplanes coming and going. Check out the Capilano Suspension Bridge to see some of the old Rainforest. Visit the Museum of Anthropology to gain insight in the heritage of the Native Americans. Don't forget to rent a bike and explore Stanley Park! Lastly, if you have the time & money, go whale watching!

Kamloops

If the trip to Jasper NP is too long for you to drive at once, stop in Kamloops for the night! Plenty of accommodations and some nice places to eat. Leave bright and early, so you can still spend that day in Jasper!

Hinton: Gateway to Jasper NP

Save on accommodation costs by staying just outside of Jasper, whether in Hinton on the East-side of Jasper, or somewhere on the west. There is plenty to see on the way to Jasper, so you will definately not be bored by the drive! Beautiful scenery and usually some wildlife! There is so much to do in Jasper! For example, take the gondola up to Whistler Mountain and hike to the peak for a spectacular view. Or hike 1-2 hours through the Valley of the Five Lakes. Hike through the Maligne Canyon and visit the Maligne Lake. On your final day, drive the Icefields Parkway on your way to Banff and be amazed by the scenery. Make a stop at the Athabasca Falls on the way.

Golden

Golden is located on the West side of the Rockies. It can be a good starting point for Banff NP, Yoho NP, Kootenay NP, Glacier NP and Mt Revelstoke NP. It can be a bit of a drive to Banff though, so take that into account. But the accommodation can be veryyy cheap compared to the NP's. There are too many beautiful places to visit in these National Parks, so make a list for yourself of where you want to go and fit that in the timeline! If you want to go from Lake Louise to Banff of the other way around, drive the Bow Valley Parkway instead of the Highway! It's a great plave to spot Bears and other wildlife!

Whitefish, MT

Stay at Whitefish to explore Glacier NP! If you can find a nice and affordable accommodation closer to the park, that'd be great! There are plenty of beautiful hikes in Glacier NP, so bring your hiking boots! Get up really early one day (to beat the crowds) and drive magnificent Going to the Sun Road! This road is closed in the winter months, so be sure to check it's open when you are there.

Gardiner, MT

Stay here the first night of Yellowstone, so it's easier to chech ou the north of the Park. There are enormous fields with hundreds of Buffalo, perhaps a herd of buffalo will cross right in front of your car, which is a magic experience! Be sure to keep your eyes open for other wildlife, as there is plenty to find in Yellowstone!

West Yellowstone, MT

This can be the entryway for the rest of Yellowstone. Check out the geisers and hotspings. Don't forget the Grand Prismatic Spring. If you drive a bit further south of the spring, you will find a parking spot where a short trail will lead you to a beautiful viewing point of this spring! Also, make a stop at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone!

Driggs, ID

On your last day in Yellowstone, drive down to the Grand Teton NP. You can try to find some accommodation around Wilson, Victor or Driggs. Check out the many beautifull places and take some hikes if you feel like it! Spend an afternoon at the beach of Colter Bay Village and take a swim with spectacular surroundings! Drive down the Moose Wilson Road in the hopes of spotting some moose.

Arco, ID

Spend most of the day in the Grand Tetons, and then drive out to Arco. Arco is a tiny little town, so don't expect much in the sense of quality accommodation/multiple restaurants. There is one diner calles Pickle's Place and, although it may look a little shabby, they serve a great dinner and breakfast with very friendly staff. In the morning, head out the the Craters of the Moon. If you're traveling in the summer months, go as early as possible because it will get HOT. Around the park there are some small, fun and easy hikes. Spend an hour of 2-3 in the park, have some lunch, and then start your drive to Boise.

Boise, ID

If you head out around 1-2pm from the craters of the moon, you will have the evening in Boise. A fun city with lots of restaurants and other facilities!

John Day, OR

Drive through the Wild West of Oregon on your way to John Day. You will really experience 'small town USA' on your way and in John Day itself. You will see more churches then people and perhaps even some Trump-supporting signs. The mindset is quite different from people in the city and that's interesting to witness.

Portland, OR

Check out the 'Painted Hills' on your way to Portland. Through centuries of different climates, the layers of these hills have taken on different colors, which looks like something you've never seen before. In Portland, you can take the tram and just stay on it for a while. This way you can see the city in an air-conditioned and cheap way! You also have the world's largest independent bookstore in Portland, named Powell's Books. If you love books, you can easily spend and entire afternoon here! Also take the opportunity to get some food from one of the many food trucks! You can also take a trip to Canon Beach, or do this on your way to Seattle. It is a bit out of your way, but it's a very pretty place.

Seattle, WA

There are so many things to do in Seattle! Visit the Museum of Flight, take the ferry to Bainbridge Island and check out Pike Place Market. You can get coffee at the first ever Starbucks (be prepared for a long wait) or take a stroll along the pier with its various atractions. After this long and busy trip it's nice to spend a few days at one place. You can spend an afternoon at Green Lake to relax, or visit a beach around Seattle (but the sea water will probably be freezing).

Vancouver

Drive straight from Seattle to Vancouver for your flight home (depending on your flight time, of course!). Be sure to take plenty of time for the drive, as there may be some waiting time at the border, and you don't want to be late for your flight!