An epic road trip is the best place to find what really matters – or just have a fun adventure.
If you’re thinking about heading out on the road this spring, the journey up the Trans-Canada Highway offers 971 km of quirky pit stops, world-renown hiking paths and Western Canada’s most stunning scenery.
Newly launched in Western Canada, roadsurfer, a German campervan rental company that offers compact camper and RV rentals at over 70 locations worldwide, is now offering their fully decked-out and road trip ready campervans in Vancouver and Calgary. That makes bucket list road trips as easy as putting the key in the ignition and hitting the gas.
To make the most of your next round-trip or one-way road trip, we’ve partnered with roadsurfer to highlight the must-visit destinations between Vancouver and Calgary, whether you wish to plan a spontaneous weekend get-away with your besties, or a stretch it out to a leisurely multi-day excursion.
Garibaldi Lake – 1.5 hours from Vancouver
Pick up your fully equipped camper van rental in Vancouver and make your way to your first stop, located just 64 km north of Vancouver. The picturesque Garibaldi Lake is renowned for its extensive network of hiking trails. There, you'll encounter a wealth of natural wonders including snow-capped peaks, wildlife, and the shimmering blue waters of the lake itself.
The Fraser Canyon – 2.5 hours from Vancouver
188 km east of Vancouver is the Fraser Canyon, a 100+ km stretch of Highway 1 winding between Hope and Lytton. It’s an absolute must for thrill-seekers thanks to the Hell’s Gate Airtram, which offers guests panoramic views of the jaw-dropping landscape from above the raging waters of the Fraser Canyon.
Kangaroo Creek Farm – 5 hours from Vancouver
While the neighbouring vineyards tend to be the main attraction of the region, this off-the-beaten-path destination is really what road trips are for – experiencing the unexpected. There are a variety of animals at the farm, including giant red kangaroos, wallabies, and exotic birds, making this a great activity for families with small children. You're also welcome to interact with the animals and even feed them under the supervision of the farm’s knowledgeable guides.
The Golden Skybridge – 8.5 hours from Vancouver
Opened in 2021, the Golden Skybridge is the nation's highest suspension bridge, standing a staggering 130 m above the canyon floor! As expected, the views are unreal, as is the town of Golden itself, which boasts charming shops, restaurants, and of course, outdoor adventure galore.
Wapta Falls – 9 hours from Vancouver
Wapta Falls is a mammoth waterfall located in Yoho National Park. As the largest waterfall of the Kicking Horse River, Wapta measures 8 m high and 107 m wide. Accessible via a short 5 km hike, it’s the perfect pit-stop to make before crossing into Alberta and heading closer to your final destination.
Emerald Lake – 9 hours from Vancouver
Surrounded by towering peaks in every direction, Emerald Lake offers many activities to indulge in, including the renowned and often Instagrammed Cilantro restaurant. Nestled in a charming A-frame cabin, Cilantro serves “Rocky Mountain cuisine”, highlighting Canadian ingredients like game meats, sustainable seafood, prairie-grown grains, and locally sourced vegetables. It's the perfect pit stop for road-weary travelers and the best way to fill your belly before getting back on the road.
Johnston Canyon Icewalk – 9.5 hours from Vancouver
Nestled in Alberta’s iconic Banff National Park, this scenic trail at Johnston Canyon winds itself through lush forests to lead you to impressive frozen waterfalls that you have to see to believe.
Rat’s Nest Cave – 10.5 hours from Vancouver
Guided by the Canmore Caving Adventure Tour, you and your friends can take your adventure 18 m underground in one of the longest caves in Canada. Here you'll navigate challenging sections of cave exploration, culminating in the cave’s otherworldly underground grotto.
Calgary – 11 hours from Vancouver
Once passing through the Rocky Mountains via Banff and Canmore, you’ll enter the final stretch of your final destination in under one and a half hours.Before reaching Calgary, you can make a stop at Onespot Crossing Campground, set on the ancestral lands of the Tsuut'ina First Nation, located allow the Elbow River and nestled amidst evergreen forests.
Once in Calgary, you can spend some time exploring the city's parks, museums, and dining establishments, followed by a trip to the top of the Calgary Tower in downtown Calgary.
roadsurfer allows West Coast travelers to drop off their RV rentals in Calgary, which is just one of the many ways they’re aiming to make road trips easier than ever. With a fleet of compact camper vans that comfortably sleep two, four or five people (including dogs), roadsurfer’s easy-to-drive rentals come with showers, toilets, stoves, fridges, heat/AV, and camping supplies. These lifestyle-oriented vans have all of the tools and comforts you need for the road trip of a lifetime, wherever the road might take you next.
Within only six years, the successful German-based camper van rental start-up has become a world market leader in RV rentals. The outdoor adventure brand is currently operating some 70 stations in 14 European countries as well as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Las Vegas, and now, in Canada in both Calgary and Vancouver.
Book your RV rental and start planning your next road trip today by visiting roadsurfer.com
We’ve partnered with roadsurfer to give one lucky winner an RV rental package (valued at $1000)
The roadsurfer Grand Prize includes a five-day camper rental (including the winner’s choice of model and location in Canada, plus bedding and full insurance).*
You can enter via the contest entry form below. For additional chances to win, visit roadsurfer at their website for 10 bonus entries, and visit their Facebook and Instagram for another 25 bonus entries each.
*Travel has to take place by August 1, 2025. Booking has to be requested at least 20 working days prior to departure (no guaranteed availability). No other travel expenses (e.g. gas, travel to and from roadsurfer stations) are covered. roadsurfer terms and conditions apply. This contest is open to legal residents of British Columbia who are the age of majority in the province of residence at time of entry and closes on May 16, 2024. The contest winner will be contacted via email on this date.
