Are you wondering where to go internationally in your RV? Our name may be RVUSA, but who says your RV travel has to be limited to the United States? If you’ve got the patience for border crossing, an entire world awaits you just north of customs. Canada is filled with awe-inspiring natural beauty, scenic drives, and national parks, which are an RVer’s dream. And with how vast the country is, the variety of places to see will have you planning more than just one trip here. Here are a few of our favorite spots to RV in Canada, with options on both the west and the east coast.
Butchart Gardens, British Columbia
We’ll start with the west coast of Canada. The 55 acres of the Butchart Gardens are a can’t-miss sight to see in Canada, but you really can’t go wrong when it comes to RVing in Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Victoria in British Columbia. In fact, the Salish Sea Coastal Route will take you through all three, serving up beautiful seaside views, quaint towns and serene scenes in nature. Just outside of Victoria, plan for time to stop at the over 100-years old Butchart Gardens in Brentwood Bay. The Sunken Garden, built into a former quarry, is the garden’s crown jewel. For a truly incredible experience, plan to stay for high tea at the gardens.
Banff National Park, Alberta
Canada’s oldest national park is having a moment on Instagram, and for good reason. Travelers from all over are flocking to take photos of Banff’s stunning mountains towering over turquoise blue lakes. With so much to see, we’d argue an RV trip is the best way to explore Banff. Take a canoe trip in peaceful Moraine Lake, or for an upscale evening, stop in at the Fairmont Chateau on Lake Louise. Be sure to pack your hiking boots and a camera!
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta
We wrote about Glacier National Park in our post about RVing in Montana, and Waterton Lakes is its Canadian counterpart. It borders Glacier and covers the portion of the Rockies that stretch into Canada and surround the Upper and Middle Waterton lakes. Take in the views from mountain vistas and crystal clear waters and hike on the Crypt Lake Trail. Pay a visit to Cameron Falls after heavy rains and you might be able to observe a unique phenomenon where sediment called argillite is stirred up, turning the falls pink. If you’re traveling in your RV, you’ll want to take the Red Rock Parkway to Red Rock Canyon. Don’t forget to snap a photo of the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel while you’re in the park!
Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia
No Canadian road trip is complete without a drive on the iconic Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island. This route in Nova Scotia is nearly 300 kilometers long follows seaside cliffs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park and will give you some of the most breathtaking views you’ve ever seen. Along the way, you can stop to hike on any of the park’s 26 trails like Franey Trail if you’re looking for a challenge or Skyline Trail for a fantastic sunset view. You can also go kayaking or fishing on the water, or take a puffin tour. The trail’s beauty provides ample artistic inspiration, so the many artisan shops along the way are a popular stop as well. For a truly incredible experience, plan your trip for peak fall colors.
Hopewell Rocks, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more unique coastal experience than this one. Because of drastic tides in the area, The Rocks Provincial Park gives you an opportunity to literally walk the ocean floor at low tide. The park is open from May to October, and you’ll want to plan a trip where you can see the bay at both high and low tides to truly appreciate how much it changes when the highest tides in the world come in. At low tide, you can walk through massive caves on the sandy seafloor. Come back at high tide about 6 hours later to kayak through the unique rock formations high above the sand you walked on earlier in the day. In the area, you’ll also find covered bridges, lighthouses, waterfalls and hiking to keep you busy in between observing this incredible phenomenon.
St. John’s, Newfoundland
Taking your RV to Newfoundland is only for the bravest and boldest of RV travelers, as the process to get there is no joke. It is an island after all, so you’ll have to take an expensive 7-hour ferry to get to there – not to mention the long drive from the states leading up to that point. However, if you decide to take the plunge, you won’t regret it on the other side. You will find plenty of campgrounds and boondocking spots to take in all of Newfoundland’s natural beauty.
We’ve listed St. John’s as a go-to destination for its colorful cliffside buildings and idyllic seaside vibes, but really anywhere on the island will make for an unforgettable trip. Look for icebergs, puffins, elk and whales, or hike at Gros Morne National Park. And while Canadians do have a reputation for kindness, you’ll find the hospitality and friendliness is on another level when it comes to the locals, known as Newfies. The trip is worth the reward.
Where to Go Internationally in Your RV
Reading about all Where to Go Internationally in Your RV should give you the courage to take your RV on an international adventure! If you’re still skeptical about the logistics behind crossing the border, check out our post on everything you need to know about traveling to Canada in your RV.
