I can't speak to the rest of Canada, but I've travelled extensively and often in Quebec, Gaspe,and especially New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. One of the best features was the visitor centers, it seemed about every 30 miles or so. They were run by various levels of government, but all had super clean facilities and very informed staff and would offer advice about camping, motels, restaurants, attractions, etc and phone ahead for reservations about any of these, even outside of their own jurisdiction.

Brian...thanks for that bit of insight. If the eastern flank reflects the rest of Canada then the visitor centers will be a terrific boon! From what I've been gleaning from the 'Net, this trip is going to provide some amazing sights! Thanks again, Shirley

Hi Shirley, You can request a copy of the Alberta Provincial Parks campground guide here http://www1.travelalberta.com/cfforms/freestuff/. And this site is the 'gateway' to Alberta's parks http://www.cd.gov.ab.ca/enjoying_alberta/parks/planning/gateway/index.aspx Once you decide on a route, you could ask some questions about specific areas on the Gardenweb Far North forum in the conversations area. There are many Albertans who visit this site and I'm sure would be more than willing to offer advice or first hand knowledge. http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/farnorth/nph-ind.cgi?type=con&random=30184 I hope this helps you out.

Pudge...this was immensely helpful, thank you! I had previously requested a printed guide from the Alberta Provincial Parks, and I really appreciate the additional information. I hadn't thought of looking into 'Conversations' on the Garden Far North, and will poke my head in there. As for route...we're thinking of a fairly straightforward route that will take us through the five National Parks, many of the historic sites, Calgary, Edmonton, and in-between and around, with northernmost point probably Yellowknife. This trip will be a few weeks I'm sure, more likely three weeks. Lots of prep work to be done! ;o)

Herer's a little tip: If ya like an occasional nip of beer out thar in the deep woods--take enough to last the whole trip! Beer stores are far apart! Rustyj

Your welcome Shirley. That sounds like a wonderful trip. Be prepared for nothing less than breathtaking scenery, a slower pace outside the larger cities, and a promise to yourself that you will have to return :)

Pudge, you're right about returning...we haven't even visited, and returning is definitely on the list. The main problem, as I see it, will be lack of time to do everything I'd like to see and do, and do it properly! Our list of 'just gotta see' keeps growing, and Alberta looks like a very large chunk of land! And I'm really not sure about the ideal time to visit. Clearly the early summer when everything is fresh and green would be a stunning time, but the late summer also seems promising. And then there is the aurora borealis...although the photos are wonderful, that surely is a sight I need to see with my own eyes! I want it all! ;o) BTW, I visited your photo pages, and you have a lovely garden...and great looking pets! We are planning on bringing ours with us on our trip, of course!

Another trip tip: Check out when black fly time is, and don't go then! I've heard some horror stories about friends who forgot to find out when it was! Rustyj

Rusty...now that is an excellent suggestion indeed! I've heard about them little critters, but fortunately, never met 'em. Seems like I heard somewhere, sometime, that early summer is when the beasties are in plenty, and that late summer they taper off? Definitely gotta check that one out...Thanks for the tip!

Rustyj is right, although not only blackflies but mosquitos, deer flies and no-see-ums are also a bother. Last summer we camped in northern Saskatchewan (LaRonge) the third week of June and the bugs were terrible. It will sort of depend on the weather, if it's cooler the bugs are kept to a minimum, but warm, humid weather will bring them out in full force. I don't expect it will be too bad for you, though, until north of Edmonton. The mountains and foothills will have quite cool nights, regardless of when you go, and the bugs won't be too bad (but be sure to bring warmer clothing as well). Bug jackets are helpful. Last summer we also camped at Cypress Hills in the SW corner of Saskatchewan in late August and weren't bothered by bugs one bit. The weather was warm but not hot, excellent hiking weather. Something else to keep in mind, in June and July you would also have long daylight and short nights. Sunsets will be about midnight further north, and sunrises around 3 or 4 a.m. In August the daylength would be a little more normal with 6 a.m. sunrise and 9 p.m. sunset. You can get this info from this site http://www.sunrisesunset.com/custom_srss_calendar.asp Although we don't live so far north (just north and east of Regina), we often see the northern lights. They are beautiful.

Hmmm, I'm convinced...bug protection is definitely going on my camping gear list! ;o) I looked up the no-see-ums through Google, and these sound positively frightening...can even go through mosquito netting! On the plus side, I am glad to learn that the northern lights are visible at your lower latitude. Pudge, thank you for your excellent suggestions and advice. I am saving these comments in a special travel folder so that we can be properly prepared! Shirley

We are thinking of going to Canada for 5 days in October. I am so excited as I have never been there. All info is appreciated. Thanks a lot.
Lynda

Hi. A Canadian here. One thing we do is beer. Beer stores are definitely not far apart. Where the heck were you Rustyj if you couldn't find the beer store?

nice ...
have camped once in Quebec and always in Ontario for the last 14 years...

Most provincial parks have a town within 30 mins drive with a beer store in ON ;)

Gee, Gwynn, when we went to Canada, i didn't know how their beer stores were advertised, nor what the sign looked like. And a local up there told me beer was hard to find anywhere!
but, Ruth found out where they sold the whiskey! By the time we made it back home, our travel trailer was hull down at the stern, from all of the Canadian Club she had stashed away in hiding places!Sort of reminded me of that movie--the Long, Long trailer, where Lucy had stashed so many rocks in it to take home as part of her collection!

Another Canadian here! We spent Aug and Sept of last year operating the campground in Stone Mountain Provincial Park in British Columbia and will be doing it again this year. We are full time, semi-retired campers with a 5th wheel. The Alaska Highway is the place to travel! Lots of provincial parks and campgrounds or wilderness camping beside water if you prefer that (we do.) Muncho Lake and Liard Hot Springs are great places to visit in the summer for wildlife, hiking, fishing, etc. and sitting in the hot springs! The mountains and landscapes are breathtaking along the Alaska Hwy in the north BC and Yukon!

We were camping in all of Aug and Sept last summer and had no bugs in Stone Mountain Prov Park but it was cool at night - afternoons warm enough for hiking in shorts and cold enough at night for a quilt and blankets. We loved hiking the trails through the tundra and visiting the Flower Lakes. Great places for tenting near water all along the way.

The wildlife in the northern Rockies is amazing! We saw a lot of moose, caribou and wild stone sheep, as well as some elk. There are also occasional wolves and bears but so far we have not run into any, thank goodness!

Lots of camping between Fort Nelson, BC and Watson Lake, YK but no stores and no cell phone coverage or internet. It is 600k of true breathtaking wilderness!

That Alaska Highway trip is one I really want to make. Awhile back had the chance to visit friends in Alaska (Juneau area), had to do the flying thing. Was hoping things would work out where I could pull my small camper back up that way, stopping off here and there, looking around and doing some fishing, too. But with the price of gas some rich relative will have to pass and leave it all to me! But I'm still trying to think of a way to pull it off.

That trip to Alaska was by far the greatest outdoor adventure I ever made. I was so overcome by the awesome sights and wildlife. Of course my friends had a schedule already made for me when they met me at the airport and fishing some of the Inside Passage just a tad north of Juneau. Here's a pic of yours truly with a just caught silver salmon - great fish to catch and out of this world cooked on the grill ...!

Great picture Dale! I'm sure you had an awesome trip.

You look just like my brother Jeff!

Jo