Driving from Calgary to Revelstoke is one of the most beautiful drives you can take in western Canada. At a distance of 408km or four and a half hours, you will want to incorporate some stops and adventures along the way to make it the best summer road trip to Revy! We will provide you with some great ideas on what to do while on a Calgary to Revelstoke road trip this summer!
Note: Hwy 1 is undergoing construction right now before the town of Golden, this is called the Kicking Horse Canyon project. Therefore, we would recommend you check updates before your departure on the DriveBC website and you might experience delays depending on what time you are traveling through this area. Typically during the summer, you can expect 30-minute delays from 8pm-10pm and road closure from 10pm-7am. Take a look at the upcoming calendar here.
Is Revelstoke worth the trip?
Revelstoke is definitely worth the trip! This small city is located between the Monashee and Selkirk mountain ranges in the southeastern part of British Columbia and is surrounded by mountains and natural beauty. Revelstoke is known for being a railway hub in the late 1800s when the Canadian Pacific Railway was at its liveliest and under construction. You can visit the Revelstoke Railway Museum to see this history. Mount Revelstoke National Park is a stone’s throw away from Revelstoke and the perfect place for hiking, tranquility and to view Canada’s wonderful wildlife. Lastly, Revelstoke is an outdoorists paradise filled with plenty of options for hiking, mountain biking, road biking, skiing and snowboarding. If you love nature and outdoor activities, Revelstoke needs to be on your bucket list now!
If the above has not convinced you that you need to make a trip to Revelstoke, let us tell you that the drive from Calgary to Revelstoke is worth it in itself! From vast prairies, to stunning mountains, rushing rivers and large valley’s – the scenery and adventure you will encounter on your summer road trip to Revy is second to none!
What is between Revelstoke and Calgary
The short answer? SO much! As you leave the prairies of Calgary and drive west into the Rocky Mountains, there are many outdoor adventures to be had. This route takes you through one of the most scenic drives in western Canada where you will pass stunning mountains, sparkling lakes and fresh, dense forests. This drive will take you on the Trans-Canada highway (or Highway 1), which is the longest national highway in the world that stretches over 7,800 km from coast to coast of Canada. Some of the highlights of this road trip include Kananaskis Country, Banff National Park, spiral tunnels, Yoho National Park and Glacier National Park of Canada.
Calgary to Revelstoke Road Trip | Places to see driving to Revelstoke
What to do in Calgary
If you are planning a road trip from Calgary to Revelstoke and are keen on spending a little bit of time in Calgary before hitting the road, here are a couple suggestions on what to do while in Calgary!
- Walk along the Bow River and visit Princess Island Park.
- Wander in and out of shops in Inglewood (The Silk Road Spice Merchant!), grab a beer at High Line Brewing and listen to some live music at the Blues Can.
- Go cycling around the Glenmore Reservoir.
- Have an amazing meal at Bridgette Bar, Ten Foot Henry, or Native Tongues Taqueria followed by some Village Ice Cream.
Next stop, Bragg Creek | Moose Mountain MTB Trails
After getting your fix of some great food in Calgary, it is time to hit highway 1 west towards the mountains! However, you will not make it that far before we have a pit stop suggestion.. If you are an avid mountain biker and are looking for some great trails to break up the drive, definitely stop into Bragg Creek and hit up Moose Mountain! Moose Mountain is filled with a variety of mountain biking trails for beginners to experts, some fan favorites are Pneuma (up track), 7-27, Family Guy, and T-Dub.
Visiting Canmore | Outdoor activities in Canmore
The next stop on your Calgary to Revelstoke road trip is Canmore! Canmore has significant history in terms of outdoor sports, as it was home to many events in the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Additionally, it is a quaint little town filled with lovely cafes, amazing restaurants and of course the best outdoor activities! You could spend at least a week in this wonderful little mountain town exploring everything it has to offer in and around the surrounding area. However, here are a couple activities to do in Canmore on a pit stop to Revelstoke:
- Have an amazing cup of coffee at Eclipse (roasted in Canmore).
- Go mountain biking at the Nordic center – check out EKG and Soft Yoghurt.
- Grab a healthy and fresh lunch at Communitea Cafe.
- Take a hike up Ha Ling mountain peak.
- Walk along the river and check out the engine bridge (as filmed in the Last of Us).
There’s much more to do in Canmore so check out additional summer activities to do in Canmore here!
Exploring Banff in the Summer
No road trip to Revelstoke would be complete without making a stop in the charming mountain town of Banff, Alberta! Banff is a classic summer destination for many people excited to explore the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Like Canmore, Banff is the perfect place for a yummy treat, amazing meal or any outdoor activities to stretch your legs. Some great activities to enjoy while visiting Banff include:
- Hiking up Sulphur mountain trail or Tunnel Mountain for a beautiful view of the Bow Valley.
- Wander around main street and browse some of the shops – don’t forget to check out Monod’s, the perfect outdoor adventure store!
- Get an amazing view of Lake Minnewanka via the Lake Minnewanka Trail.
- Have a wonderful meal at Shoku Izakaya, Three Bears Brewery or Hello Sunshine!
If you would like to extend your trip to Banff, check out some other fun outdoor activities to do in the area!
What to do while visiting Lake Louise | Lake Louise in the summer
Another fun stop on your Calgary to Revelstoke road trip is Lake Louise! Lake Louise is one of the most iconic places in Canada, known for its stunning bright blue lake and surrounding mountains. If you have never visited this beautiful place you have to make time for a quick pit stop. Here are some fun things to do while visiting Lake Louise:
- Hike the Big Beehive trail, (or Devil’s Thumb if you are feeling ambitious!) passing the tea house along the way.
- If you have enough time, stay an extra day and catch Moraine Lake for sunrise with the shuttle.
Field, Alberta | Fun things to do near Field
Quick pit stop in Field, Alberta! Who knew this historic railway village situated in Yoho National Park would be on the list?! But did you know that Yoho National Park, where Field is located, is a Dark Sky Preserve? Meaning that it is protected from light pollution and the perfect place to do some sky gazing and perhaps even see Elon Musk’s skylink. Here are a couple things to check out while passing through Field:
- Have a bite at Truffle Pigs Bistro.
- Check out the natural bridge, which is even cooler in the winter!
- Have a mountain getaway at Emerald Lake Lodge.
Fun things to do in Golden | Golden, BC
You have made it to Golden and you are almost in Revelstoke! On your way into Golden, you will notice the stunning kicking Horse River. Kicking Horse River is popular for some thrilling whitewater rafting adventures, so if you are craving some exhilarating adventure in your life, definitely check out Glacier Raft! Additionally, here are a couple other things to check out while in Golden:
- Hit the MTB trails once again! Golden is known for its amazing biking so do some laps at Kicking Horse Bike Park or Mount 7.
- Have a tasting and grab some drinks to go for your final destination of Revelstoke at Whitetooth Brewing in Golden.
Glacier National Park in Canada | Rogers Pass
Lastly, before you reach your final destination of Revelstoke, you will pass through the beautiful Glacier National Park filled with glaciers, amazing hikes and the iconic Rogers Pass. The Rogers Pass has great historical significance and was pivotal in the development of Canada’s transcontinental railway system. While passing through Glacier National Park, stop to enjoy some of the beautiful hikes including:
Calgary to Revelstoke Road Trip | Adios Chicos!
Alas, you have made it to Revelstoke, British Columbia! Hopefully your trip will be filled with outdoor activities and of course adventure! Let us know if you have made any of these stops on your road trip to Revelstoke and don’t forget to subscribe for more!