The national parks are really easy to book yourself but you need to plan your route. Unlike a pp we liked Kamloops. In case it helps below is some advice I sent to a friend planning a similar trip. Size
I’d recommend the 27 -30 ft one with slideout. I don’t recommend the bigger ones purely because you limit the camp sites you can get to. Max length I’d go for is 32 (and claim it is 30 when booking sites!)
When booking..
Miles – have a look at google maps and plan your route between sites to see miles – add 500 or so on and then book for that many – its cheaper to buy now than pay if you do too many. Really really think carefully about how far you want to go – this isn’t a driving holiday and kids will get bored just looking out of window.
Book convenience kit for each person – note it includes GPS. You can also get wifi things now which are good in parks. Get an eSIM for phone – airolo are good.
I recommend getting camping chairs (it gets cold at night in mountains and better to move near fire!)
Things to know
Best places to stay are the non profit making sites - so national, state, municipal parks and forestry sites.
WikiCamps Canada https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/wikicamps-canada/id922468325Â Parks Canada https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/parks-canada-app/id1232267399
We mentioned wildfires – worth keeping an eye on them https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/firespot-wildfire-app/id1530672708
Each site usually has a fire pit and a picnic station together with a (separate) dump station ( if there isn’t a dump station at that site, don’t panic there will be one at next! This app lists dump stations https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/rv-dump-stations/id1257573007 ) and you can fill up with water as well. They also have toilets and showers.
It's best not to drive too long each day unless it's only for one day. I'd say 3 hours is about enough. Places with lots to do stay 2 or 3 nights which will give you 2 full days. I rarely stay less than 2 nights unless it really is just a pit stop.
Some campgrounds have unreservable sites that are first come first served - you can see what time they fill up usually via the web. But since covid more are reservation only. Note you can book online yourself which is worth it for peace of mind. You can usually pick exact site. Booking for Canada national parks like Banff and Revelstoke is via Parks Canada website (don’t forget Banff is in Alberta) https://parks.canada.ca/voyage-travel/reserve - they have not announced when 2025 booking starts but for this year it was early January. Get the date in your diary as soon as it becomes available and book then! I’m a nerd so I like to check the reviews out and see if any sites are recommended- I use this site which is free to join. https://campgrounds.rvlife.com/regions/british-columbia/mount-revelstoke-national-park/snowforest-campground-261081 here are reviews of Mt Revelstoke
When you leave the site for the day leave some stuff there so it's clear its occupied - we usually leave the camping chairs. Don't ever ever leave food or rubbish (bears).
What to take
• Torches
• Sharp knives (for food - they never have v good ones). Wrap in a couple of tea towels as there are never enough.
• Screwdrivers - Philips and standard (only a couple)
• Thick rubber gloves (to wear when dumping sewage)
• Warm clothes - it gets surprisingly cold at night in mountains!
• Soft/nesting suitcases - if you unpack when you pick the van up you can leave cases there but you do need to get back early to collect them. Otherwise suitcases go under van and if they are all massive and hard they take up a lot of room (that we usually use for beer!)
• Lots of books/cards
• Waterproofs.
• Teabags and teapot!
Picking the van up
You will get a thorough briefing. Worth you all listening as one will forget. There are things we always forget - so the good news is the van does not explode if you forget to switch the gas off when you fill up with fuel!
Check the van carefully - once my parents got an hour away and found a window missing with just the fly screen there!
See if the van includes any levelling ramps – if it doesn’t ask if they have a couple.
Plan to go immediately to a large Walmart/Safeway type place (I always work out where it is before we go). Whilst there are other shops on your route it is only in the big cities that they have v big ones!
We always buy a portable gas barbecue from Walmart with a small gas bottle- they are about $69 but worth it. It means you can cook outside every night (this would be my most important tip). You can't rely on the fire pit to cook on as fires may be banned, no wood etc.
We also buy a Colman gas lamp to have some light outside.
Buy all supplies like salt pepper sauces etc. good meals are obviously barbecue meat plus baked pots, rice, salad, veg. Also a fajita pack. And alcohol. And snacks.
Note sometimes at pick up there will be a table that people returning rvs have left things on – if there are any spices, oil, salt and pepper etc grab some.
You have special loo paper and they usually give you the tablets to drop in loo and washing up liquid,
On the road
Don't plan to go too far the first night. By the time you have the van and shopping it will be later than you think. Plus if there are any issues with van it's better to be reasonably close to where you collected it.
Whatever you do, remember you are in a high vehicle! In the campgrounds be very aware of the trees above you - should be fine in actual site but I took a corner tight and scaled roof. Same with petrol stations - check height of canopy! Ideally have someone outside watching if you have any doubts.
If you see wood for sale buy it! It's not always available in parks. Plus it's useful for levelling van at night.
Arriving at a national park
Parking up for the night - probably obvious but have the van door opening on the side with the firepit and table otherwise you have to carry everything round the van.
Make sure you are as level as possible for the night. Use your firewood to level up (unless they have given you ramps) useful to have one person out of the van directing. Some places you get a spirit level and ramps but if not use spirit level on phone (or a bottle of water if feeling Bear Grylls)
Go to the visitors centre asap so you can book any activities - there are great ranger led walks for example. Most National parks have a junior ranger programme for kids which it is worth signing them up to – they do activities and get a badge at the end.
When you go in the park you should get the park newspaper which will tell you what's on. There is an evening talk every night which are fab. The visitor centre will also have a film on the park which is always worth watching
And there are many walks - the Rangers at the visitors centre will give you advice and let you know important things eg have bears been on that route.
Any questions ask – honestly RVing is really great fun holiday.