What you'll do
This camping itinerary is a great starting point for a 2 week road trip loop from Vancouver to the Canadian Rockies via Whistler, Wells Gray, Jasper, the Icefields Parkway, Banff, Golden and Revelstoke.
Starting and finishing in Vancouver, it features all of the 'must sees' with many of the contrasting landscapes that make this region so unique (temperate rainforest, grasslands, mountains and more).
This itinerary is designed for travellers who are camping and love easily accessible viewpoints and short walks/hikes (up to 1 hour). There are some optional longer hikes included for inspiration.
Please note that some of the driving days are on the longer side. If you're not comfortable with this, choose a shorter route or add a few extra days.
Day 1
Vancouver
Sightseeing
Strikingly beautiful coastal city
Surrounded by temperate rainforest, mountains and ocean, Vancouver is a strikingly beautiful city. It's the ideal place to get your bearings before starting a BC road trip or chilling out after finishing!
Of course, a stroll around downtown is a must-do when in Vancouver. Granville Street is the main shopping area, with this and the paralleling streets also being the most popular destinations for entertainment (theatres, live music, bars etc).
For more culture, head to the Vancouver Art Gallery, the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art or the Museum of Anthropology at UBC (bus required). The Vancouver Public Library building is reminiscent of a Roman amphitheater and is worth a look.
Vancouver waterfront, with digital orca sculpture
Sightseeing
Waterfront walking area with art sculptures
I love strolling Vancouver's waterfront area. Canada Place is a good spot to start - this huge convention centre is also a cruise ship terminal. Great for people watching and there are often events happening.
Look for the digital orca whale sculpture, backdropped by views of the ocean, North Vancouver and North Shore mountains.
Gastown
Sightseeing
Historical neighbourhood with cobblestone, steam clock
Gastown is Vancouver's oldest neighbourhood and features cobblestone streets, galleries, cafes and boutiques. There are a few tourist trap-like places but the architecture is interesting to see. The Gastown Clock is a working steam clock, one of only a few in the world.
Important heads up - I would recommend avoiding walking east of Cambie Street while exploring this area. The The next 5-6 blocks (Abbott, Carrall, Columbia, Main along East Hastings and W Cordova St) are a particularly bad section of the Downtown Eastside, an area of the city with high homelessness, drug use and poverty. I've never felt truly unsafe here but I have certainly felt uncomfortable.
Vancouver Seawall
Sightseeing
10km paved loop around Stanley Park, mountain/ocean views
The Vancouver Seawall encircling Stanley Park is one of Vancouver's most unique features. The fullly paved multi-use loop is 10km long. Consider renting a bike to explore the whole route or just stroll along a portion of it. Enjoy the gorgeous ocean and mountain views and make a stop on one of the sandy beaches.
There are no campgrounds in Vancouver. Low cost accommodation is hard to find as well. The below options include two of the most cost effective options in town.
Moda Hotel
hotel
Centrally located Vancouver hotel, heritage building
Looking to stay in downtown Vancouver but want to pay less than $450/night during the peak summer months?
I've stayed at the Moda Hotel several times and enjoyed both the location and heritage building surroundings.
The cheapest rooms are not very spacious but they have everything you need for a short stay (photo is a Standard King). Paid parking is available for $18/night in a gated area in a parkade on the next block.
I've marked the price as 'mid-range' but keep in mind that the Moda Hotel is mid-range for Vancouver only!