comparing some destinations (AK & Canada)

[Mike G]

I like to see views of mountains, lakes (& ocean), and waterfalls. Sunny summer days with temps in the mid 60s to mid 80s. The scents of the flora. And camping under the pines and/or with nice views (preferably without hordes of mosquitos, but nature doesn't provide guarantees). Escaping from highway noise. I like modest hikes of 1/2 hour to 2 hours, and I do some e-biking and an occasional short paddleboard or kayak ride on calm waters.

I always thought I'd want to drive to Alaska some summer. But I look at the miles and think, Wow that's a lot of time behind the wheel. I might still get there someday.

Then there are the threads about Newfoundland and that sounds nice also. Again, a lotta miles, plus the cost of ferry rides.

But I'd like to ask, of those who have camped the following regions, for a "scenery and camping experience enjoyment comparison":
1. Canadian Rockies from US border to as far north as Jasper
2. Canada farther north + Alaska
3. Maine coast, New Brunswick, maybe Nova Scotia
4. Newfoundland itself

Perhaps you'd care to rank them in order of preference, or maybe you just want to describe their pluses (and minuses, if any). Whatever feedback you'd like to give! Obviously, the western and eastern areas are going to differ greatly from one another. I am wondering, though, if the scenery farther out is really worth the extra distance or if it's sort of, 'more of the same.'

 

[brroberts]

Everything around Jasper is fantastic. Alaska offers some things BC doesn’t, but also similar areas. Maine is nice; I haven’t done eastern Canada yet. I can’t really rank them. They are simply different. Everywhere you go you will meet great people and see wonderful things.

 

[Donna D.]

Pick a place and go. IF not now, when? Every day gets shorter to the end. Don't delay pleasure and don't make plans based on what others like or don't like. They're not you. Good luck

 

[Selkirk]

I'm a little biased, but the Western Canadian mountains are pretty spectacular. A scenic route that comes to mind would be to cross into Canada close to Glacier National Park/Waterton National Park, head north along the Alberta foothills (hwy 22) to Calgary, west on the Trans Canada Highway through Banff National Park to Lake Louise, north on the Icefields Parkway to Jasper, west on the Yellowhead highway past Mt Robson into BC to Hwy 5, south through Kamloops all the way to Hope (or perhaps divert through the Okanagan valley along Hwy 97 to Osoyoos), then east along the Hwy 3 into the East Kootneys, through Crowsnest Pass and back into Alberta where you started....

 

[Ron in BC]

But I'd like to ask, of those who have camped the following regions, for a "scenery and camping experience enjoyment comparison":
1. Canadian Rockies from US border to as far north as Jasper
2. Canada farther north + Alaska
3. Maine coast, New Brunswick, maybe Nova Scotia
4. Newfoundland itself

Perhaps you'd care to rank them in order of preference,

Nope. I've been to them all and made memories at all of them. It's an apples and oranges comparison.

Pick a place and go. IF not now, when? Every day gets shorter to the end. Don't delay pleasure and don't make plans based on what others like or don't like. They're not you. Good luck

I agree, some folks hate countries that I like. Others opinions shouldn't be a basis for deciding what to do unless there's some factual reasons given.

Ron

 

[Mike G]

Randy, thanks.

Donna, summers are only so long. Can't do it all at once.

Selkirk, thanks, that sounds like a nice route. I did get taken to Lake Louise when I was a kid; fond memories of seeing the mountains get bigger and bigger as we approached from Calgary.

Ron, it's a topic of conversation. Sharing opinions can be fun! I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to hear. So don't try to analyze or rationalize; sometimes sharing subjective experiences is good!

 

[camp4528]

I live in Brockville 30 minutes north of the top of the I81 and it’s of course the most beautiful area in the world.

Camp on the shores of the mighty St Lawrence River and look across to New York State. Search Parks of the St Lawrence.

The I81 is a good gateway to very scenic areas of PA and NY including mountains, rivers and vistas. Watkins Glen and Corning Glass are great stops.

We have travelled extensively (but not rv’ed) in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. Natural features highlights are Cape Breton NS, granite and trees of New Brunswick north of Calais, and the endless fields of dark green potato plants against the deep red of the iron rich soil with the blue blue of Gulf of St Lawrence in Prince Edward Island.

As others have said in this thread, you can find beauty and adventure anywhere you explore.

 

[Mike G]

Thanks, camp4528. That's the sort of thing I was hoping for... having folks say, "Here's what I liked about such-and-such place," or, "I enjoyed the scenery more over here than over there"... that type of stuff.

I usually can only take one big trip during the summer, so I'm trying to decide where the next one will be.