Motorhome driving the Icefields Parkway past a still river pool reflecting snow-capped peaks near Beauty Flats in Jasper National ParkMotorhome driving the Icefields Parkway past a still river pool reflecting snow-capped peaks near Beauty Flats in Jasper National Park
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Canada Campervan & RV Hire

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Canada at a glance

The essentials for planning an RV road trip across Canada.

Checked October 2026

Vehicle types

Class C motorhomes

Ultra Compact to 30 ft Large

Main depot area

Vancouver to Halifax

Cruise Canada in five cities

From

C$48 per night

Vancouver, January 2027

Popular route

Vancouver to Calgary

One-way via the Rockies

Best season

Jun to Sep

Warm days, parks fully open

Airport proximity

15 to 35 minutes

Taxi or rideshare, no shuttles

In our live searches, Canada RV hire with Cruise Canada started from C$48 a night in January 2027 and ran about C$250 to C$540 a night in July, plus kilometre charges. Cruise Canada hands over near the airports in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax, about 15 to 35 minutes by taxi, and one-ways such as Vancouver to Calgary show in our search with a one-way fee. We compare live Cruise Canada prices for your dates, while CanaDream vans, including Edmonton and Whitehorse, are not in our search right now.

Compare RV rental brands in Canada

Two RV rental brands cover Canada: Cruise Canada in five cities and CanaDream in seven. We show live Cruise Canada prices with real totals and no booking fees. CanaDream vans are not in our search right now, so talk to our team about CanaDream dates.

CLASS C MOTORHOMES

Class C motorhomes from the Ultra Compact to the 30 ft Large

Best for: couples and families who want a bathroom on board

Compare Cruise Canada →

VANS TO MOTORHOMES

Truck camper, van campers and Class C motorhomes

Best for: ask our team, as its vans are not in our search right now

Ask us about CanaDream →

Rental company guides: Apollo, Britz, Campervan Village, Cheapa Campa, Cruisin Motorhomes, Indie Campers, JUCY, maui, Mighty, Spaceships, Star RV and Travellers Autobarn.

  • Real totals up-front: no booking fees or surprises when you collect your RV.
  • Live prices in C$: compare Cruise Canada sizes, dates and one-ways in five cities.
  • Kilometres flagged: Cruise Canada charges per kilometre, so we point it out before you book.
  • Human help: talk to our team about the right vehicle for your trip.

What does RV hire cost in Canada?

Nightly rates in C$ from our live Cruise Canada searches in five cities for 14 day hires, November 2026 to September 2027. They leave out kilometre charges, kits, one-way fees and extras, so compare live totals.

BUDGET

Ultra Compact or Compact, 2 to 4 berth

C$48 to C$301/day

Winter from C$48, May from C$71, July C$247 to C$301.

Sleeps 5

MID-RANGE

25 ft Standard, sleeps 5

C$48 to C$542/day

Winter from C$48, May from C$77, July C$312 to C$542.

FAMILY

30 ft Large, sleeps 7

C$48 to C$454/day

Winter from C$48, May from C$62, July C$309 to C$454.

Shoulder season value: Our cheapest nights were in January and May, from C$48 in Vancouver and C$71 to C$79 in Toronto, against about C$250 to C$540 a night in July.

Where to collect your RV in Canada

No RV rental depot sits at a Canadian airport or downtown. Cruise Canada hands over 12 to 38 km from the airports in Vancouver (Delta), Calgary, Toronto (Bolton), Montreal (Saint-Eustache) and Halifax (Upper Sackville). CanaDream also has depots in Edmonton and Whitehorse, but its vans are not in our search right now.

Starting on the West Coast? Compare Vancouver RV hire →

7731 Vantage Way, Delta, BC V4G 1A6

About 22 km from YVR
About 29 km from downtown Vancouver

4 May to 10 Oct: Mon to Sat 8:00am to 5:00pm. 11 Oct to 2 May: Mon to Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm, Sat 9:00am to 2:00pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.

Get directions

2980 26 Street NE, Calgary, AB T1Y 6R7

About 12 km from YYC
About 9 km from downtown Calgary

4 May to 10 Oct: Mon to Sat 8:00am to 5:00pm. 11 Oct to 2 May: Mon to Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm, Sat 9:00am to 2:00pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.

Get directions

12275 Highway 50, Bolton, ON L7E 1M1

About 24 km from YYZ
About 48 km from downtown Toronto

4 May to 10 Oct: Mon to Sat 8:00am to 5:00pm. 11 Oct to 2 May: Mon to Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm, Sat 9:00am to 2:00pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.

Get directions

705 Rue Dubois, Saint-Eustache, QC J7P 3W1

About 29 km from YUL
About 38 km from downtown Montreal

4 May to 10 Oct: Mon to Sat 8:00am to 5:00pm. 11 Oct to 2 May: Mon to Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm, Sat 9:00am to 2:00pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.

Get directions

3070 Highway 1 (Sackville Drive), Upper Sackville, NS B4E 3C9

About 38 km from YHZ
About 32 km from downtown Halifax

14 Apr to 15 Nov: Mon to Fri 9:00am to 4:00pm, Sat 9:00am to 2:00pm. Closed Sundays and holidays. Closed 16 Nov to 13 Apr.

Get directions

7406 33 Street, Leduc, AB T9E 1J8

About 7 km from YEG
About 34 km from downtown Edmonton

Not in our search right now. May to Sep: daily 8:00am to 5:00pm. Oct to Apr: Mon to Sat 8:00am to 4:00pm.

Get directions

91374 Alaska Highway, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 6E4

About 5 km from YXY
About 6 km from downtown Whitehorse

Not in our search right now. Summer only: daily 8:00am to 5:00pm from 23 May to 20 Sep, shorter hours either side.

Get directions

Getting to Your Canada Depot

  • From the airport: no depot runs an airport shuttle, so take a taxi or rideshare, about 15 minutes in Calgary and 25 to 35 minutes in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
  • Pick-up and return times: Cruise Canada hands over between 1:00pm and 4:00pm and wants RVs back between 9:00am and 11:00am. Its depots are closed on Sundays and holidays.
  • Seasonal hours: Cruise Canada keeps shorter hours from 11 October to 2 May, and its Halifax depot rents only from 14 April to 15 November.
  • One-way trips: our searches returned Cruise Canada one-ways from Vancouver to Calgary, Montreal to Toronto and Halifax to Montreal, with a one-way fee in the total. Kilometres and kits cost extra.

Depot details checked October 2026. Hours change with the seasons and over public holidays; your booking confirmation is the final word.

What's on in Canada

Canada's big dates run from winter carnivals to autumn music, and July is the dearest month to hire, so book early.

Feb

Québec Winter Carnival

Old Québec, Quebec City

Bonhomme's ice palace, night parades and an ice canoe race fill Quebec City from 5 to 14 February 2027.

Jul

Canada Day

Ottawa and towns across Canada

Free concerts and fireworks on Thursday 1 July 2027, with the national celebration in the capital, Ottawa.

Jul

Calgary Stampede

Stampede Park, Calgary

Ten days of rodeo, chuckwagon races and the midway from 9 to 18 July 2027, a big start to a Rockies trip.

Oct

Celtic Colours International Festival

Communities across Cape Breton Island

Nine days of Celtic music from 8 to 16 October 2027, in autumn colour season on the Cabot Trail.

Quick Event Tips for Canada Travellers

  • Book July Early: Canada Day and the Stampede fall in July, the dearest month in our live searches: Calgary was C$258 to C$361 a night, against C$97 to C$125 in September 2027.
  • Book Parks Canada Sites in January: Bookings for the 2026 summer opened in late January (27 January for Jasper, 29 January for Pacific Rim), and July and August sites go first.
  • Winter Trips Need Winter Tyres: Quebec's winter tyre period runs 1 December to 15 March, covering Carnival, and most BC highways need winter tyres or chains from 1 October to 30 April.

Holiday parks and attractions around Canada

Where to stay with the van from the Pacific to the Atlantic, and the sights worth building a Canada road trip around.

Holiday parks where you can stay with your campervan

Green Point Campground, Pacific Rim

The only campground in the Long Beach area of Pacific Rim National Park Reserve sits on a bluff above the beach, 12 km north of the Tofino-Ucluelet junction on Highway 4. All 94 drive-in sites have power, with flush toilets, showers and a sani-dump. It opens from 1 May to mid-October, stays are capped at seven nights and bookings are recommended. Allow about 3.5 hours from the Nanaimo ferry.

Two Jack Lakeside, Banff

About 10 km from the town of Banff near Lake Minnewanka, this 74-site campground sits on the shore of Two Jack Lake, with some lakefront sites and mountain views. Sites are unserviced, but there are showers, flush toilets and a cooking shelter. RVs are limited to 8 m (27 feet), so it suits the smaller motorhomes, and sites were C$34 a night from 21 May to 5 October 2026.

Killbear Provincial Park, Georgian Bay

About three hours north of Toronto, Killbear has 886 campsites across seven campgrounds, with electrical sites in four of them and every site a short walk from a beach. Georgian Bay sunsets over granite shore and windswept pines are the big draw. The 2026 camping season ran from 8 May to 2 November, and Ontario Parks takes bookings up to five months ahead.

Headquarters Campground, Fundy National Park

On the Bay of Fundy, where Parks Canada says the tides reach 12 m or more, this campground sits in the park's activity hub near the east entrance, within walking distance of the village of Alma. It has 117 reservable sites, 30 with full hook-ups and 25 with power and water, plus showers, laundry and a dump station. It is open all year, with winter sites first come, first served.

Top attractions to build your trip around

Hiker in a yellow hoodie standing on a rock above turquoise Peyto Lake, with forested valleys and snow-capped peaks beyond

Icefields Parkway and Peyto Lake

Highway 93N runs 232 km from Lake Louise to Jasper through the heart of the Rockies. The Peyto Lake viewpoint, 43 km north of Lake Louise, sits near Bow Summit, the parkway's highest point at 2,070 m, and the Columbia Icefield is further on. Services are limited and there is no cell coverage, so fuel up before you leave and carry a national park pass, which you need to drive it.

Rainbow over the churning Niagara River below the Horseshoe Falls, with the American Falls, the Rainbow Bridge and tour boats in the distance

Niagara Falls

About an hour and a half from Toronto, the Horseshoe Falls and the American Falls pour into the Niagara Gorge on the Canada-US border. Rather than hunt for motorhome parking, ride WEGO buses, from C$16 for 24 hours, between the falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Stay for dark: the falls are lit in colour every evening from dusk, all year.

Percé Rock, with its sea arch and a smaller stack, rising from deep blue water off the Gaspé Peninsula under a summer sky

Percé Rock and the Gaspé Peninsula

At the tip of Quebec's Gaspé Peninsula, Percé Rock is a 471 m wide stone monolith protected with Bonaventure Island in a Sépaq national park. A 45-minute boat trip from Percé reaches the island, home to a colony of about 110,000 northern gannets and 15 km of walking trails. The park opened from 31 May to 12 October in 2026, and it is a long drive from Montreal, so give it several days.

Motorhome rounding a bend on the Cabot Trail, with green highlands and the road winding along the ocean coast behind

Cabot Trail, Cape Breton Island

Cape Breton's 298 km loop climbs through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, with clifftop sea views between Chéticamp and Ingonish. The island's tourism body suggests several days rather than a drive-through, and Parks Canada says Broad Cove, Chéticamp and Ingonish Beach campgrounds can fill in July and August. October brings autumn colour and the Celtic Colours festival.

Google Reviews (source: Google) - 4.9/5 average from 100+ reviews

jimmy

September 8, 2026

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Scott was wonderful to deal with. Made the process easy and provided me with helpful alternatives when our situation changed. Highly recommend, would use again.

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Source: Google

Lucy Loney

September 8, 2026

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Very helpful, very friendly. Explained everything and offered lots of options. Responded promptly. Recommend 👌

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Source: Google

Ari Welsh

September 7, 2026

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Scott was awesome helped me navigate this site with ease absolute legend.

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Source: Google

nora Muru

August 25, 2026

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

My first time ever booking a camper van it was sure an easy process with Scott from Camper van he actually rang to see if I made the right decision amazing customer service and great help and support

Read more

Source: Google

Kylie Obrien

August 24, 2026

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Scott was absolutely fantastic very helpful made it all very easy

Read more

Source: Google

Chris Rae

August 20, 2026

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

went online and had a look at campervans to hire from Perth, finished up ringing the phone number provided and was so impressed with the customer service provided by Scott, he was very thorough in giving us all the info we needed, then walked us through the whole booking process. It was so easy with his help. Thank you so much Scott, much appreciated,

Read more

Source: Google

Catherine Barnes

August 19, 2026

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Had amazing, patient support from Scott, who answered my multiple queries and put up with my incessant mind changes cheerfully and efficiently. I feel I ended up with a great deal, although we don't pick the van up for a while so I won't finally know till then.

Read more

Source: Google

Colin Hill

August 18, 2026

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Booked a van today. The process was all very straight forward . Scott dealt with the booking and was very helpfull and above all very efficient and I could tell he knew his job inside out , which is not always the case these days ! Thankyou.

Read more

Source: Google

Canada Campervan Hire Itineraries

Read our first-timer's campervan hire guide →

Vancouver to Calgary via Whistler, Jasper & Banff (21 Days)

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Days 1-2: Vancouver & Stanley Park

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Day 1: Collect your RV from Cruise Canada's depot in Delta, about 20 minutes from Vancouver Airport by taxi, in the 1pm to 4pm pick-up window, after checking one-way availability to Calgary for your dates. Stock up at a supermarket, then settle into an RV park in Burnaby or North Vancouver for two nights and learn the van's water, power and propane.

Day 2: Leave the RV at camp and take transit into the city, as downtown streets and parkades are not built for motorhomes. Walk or cycle the Stanley Park Seawall, browse the Granville Island Public Market and wander Gastown in the evening. Pick up anything you forgot, as towns get smaller and further apart from here.

Days 3-4: Sea-to-Sky Highway & Whistler

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Day 3: Drive the Sea-to-Sky Highway north along Howe Sound, about 2.5 hours to Whistler in all. Stop at Shannon Falls and ride the Sea to Sky Gondola in Squamish, then walk the short trail to Brandywine Falls. Book two nights at an RV park near Whistler, as the village day lots are limited for big vehicles.

Day 4: Ride the gondola up Whistler Mountain and cross to Blackcomb on the Peak 2 Peak Gondola when it is running. Spend the afternoon on the Valley Trail by bike or on foot, with a swim at Lost Lake in summer, and visit the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre to learn about the two local First Nations.

Days 5-6: Duffey Lake Road & Kamloops

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Day 5: Head north through Pemberton onto the Duffey Lake Road (Highway 99), about 2.5 hours to Lillooet. The road climbs and drops steeply with tight bends, so use a low gear on the descents and check DriveBC first. Joffre Lakes Park is very busy and often needs a day-use pass, so book ahead. Stay at a campground near Lillooet.

Day 6: Continue east through dry ranchland and past Kamloops Lake, about 2.5 hours via Cache Creek to Kamloops. Restock with groceries and fuel, then stay at an RV park nearby. In summer, check BC Wildfire Service and DriveBC each morning, as fires in the Interior can bring smoke and close highways at short notice.

Days 7-8: Vernon & Kelowna

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Day 7: Drive south about two hours to Vernon and stop at the lookout above Kalamalka Lake, known for its green and blue water. Continue about an hour to Kelowna on Okanagan Lake, where the dry hills turn to orchards and vineyards. Book two nights at an RV park near the lake, as summer weekends are busy.

Day 8: Tour the wineries of West Kelowna and Lake Country with a designated driver or a local tour. Hike up Knox Mountain for views over the lake and the city, then swim at one of the city beaches in summer. Pick up cherries, peaches or apples from the roadside fruit stands in season.

Days 9-10: Shuswap Lake

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Day 9: Drive about two hours north via Vernon to Salmon Arm on Shuswap Lake, with fruit stands and lake beaches along the way. Book two nights at a lakeside campground and watch the sunset from the town wharf. Do laundry and refill the water tank, as campgrounds get simpler further north.

Day 10: Spend a slow day on Shuswap Lake with a boat hire or a paddle, or explore the small lakeside villages along the shore. In late summer and autumn, check whether salmon are running in the local rivers. Fill up with fuel and groceries tonight, ready for the long drive north tomorrow.

Days 11-12: Wells Gray Provincial Park

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Day 11: Allow about three hours back through Kamloops and north along the North Thompson River to Clearwater, the gateway to Wells Gray Provincial Park. Pick up maps and local tips at the visitor centre in town, and book two nights at a campground near the park entrance.

Day 12: Drive the Clearwater Valley Road into Wells Gray, about 40 minutes, to see Helmcken Falls, one of Canada's tallest waterfalls, with stops at Spahats Creek and Dawson Falls on the way. Leave the gravel roads further north to cars, and refill water and empty the tanks at camp tonight.

Days 13-14: Mount Robson & Jasper

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Day 13: Drive about three hours north through Valemount to Mount Robson Provincial Park, and view the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies from the visitor centre. Stay at Robson Meadows campground beside the Fraser River, and stretch your legs on the short riverside trails before dinner.

Day 14: Cross Yellowhead Pass into Jasper National Park, about 1.2 hours, and put your clocks forward an hour to Mountain Time. Buy a Parks Canada pass if you have not already, then check in for two nights at Whistlers or Wapiti campground. Some areas are still recovering from the 2024 wildfire, so check Parks Canada's open and closed list.

Days 15-16: Jasper National Park

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Day 15: Drive Maligne Lake Road past Medicine Lake to Maligne Lake for a boat cruise or a lakeside walk, watching for bears, elk and moose on the way. If you stop to watch wildlife, pull fully off the road and stay in your vehicle. Back in town, browse the shops and cafes of Jasper.

Day 16: Ride the Jasper SkyTram for views over the Athabasca Valley, then relax beside Lac Beauvert or one of the lakes near town. Fill the fuel tank and restock in Jasper this evening, as there is no mobile coverage on the Icefields Parkway and only one seasonal fuel stop along its 232 km.

Days 17-18: The Icefields Parkway

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Day 17: Head south on the Icefields Parkway, stopping at Athabasca Falls and Sunwapta Falls, then climb to the Columbia Icefield, about 100 km from Jasper. Walk the trail towards the toe of the Athabasca Glacier or book a glacier tour, and stay at the Icefields Centre RV campground, open in summer only.

Day 18: Cross Sunwapta Pass and top up at Saskatchewan River Crossing, the parkway's only fuel stop. Stop at Mistaya Canyon, the short walk to the Peyto Lake viewpoint and Bow Lake, then continue to Lake Louise, about 130 km in all. Book two nights at the Lake Louise campground, where the hard-sided sites have power.

Days 19-21: Lake Louise, Banff & Calgary

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Day 19: Moraine Lake Road is closed to personal vehicles, so book a Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride, where reservation holders park free. One ticket covers Moraine Lake, the connector to Lake Louise and your return. Walk the Lake Louise lakeshore, or climb to the Lake Agnes Tea House.

Day 20: Take the Bow Valley Parkway towards Banff, checking Parks Canada for seasonal vehicle closures, and walk the catwalks of Johnston Canyon early. In Banff, check in at Tunnel Mountain, ride the Banff Gondola up Sulphur Mountain and soak in the Banff Upper Hot Springs, using Roam buses rather than parking in town.

Day 21: Leave early for the drive of about two hours to Cruise Canada's Calgary depot, refuelling on the way, as returns are normally between 9am and 11am and the depot is closed on Sundays. One-way fees vary by date, so check one-way availability and the fee in your quote. Calgary Airport is about 12 km away.

Montreal to Toronto via Quebec City & Algonquin (14 Days)

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Day 1: Saint-Eustache to Oka

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Day 1: Collect your RV from Cruise Canada in Saint-Eustache, about 30 minutes from Montreal-Trudeau Airport, in the 1pm to 4pm pick-up window, after checking one-way availability to Toronto for your dates. Stock up at a supermarket, then drive about 25 minutes to Parc national d'Oka, a SEPAQ park with a campground and a sandy beach, booked ahead in summer.

Days 2-3: Chemin du Roy & Quebec City

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Day 2: Plan a route around Montreal's road tunnels, as Cruise Canada's terms bar propane-equipped RVs from them, then head east on Autoroute 40 to Trois-Rivières, about 2.25 hours, for lunch by the St. Lawrence. Continue on the old Chemin du Roy (Route 138) through riverside villages to Quebec City, and stay two nights on the outskirts.

Day 3: Take a bus into Old Quebec, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as its steep, narrow streets are not built for RVs. Walk the ramparts, the Dufferin Terrace below the Château Frontenac and the lanes of Petit-Champlain. If you would rather stay central, the paid RV lot at Bassin Louise in the Old Port has no services.

Day 4: Montmorency Falls & Île d'Orléans

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Day 4: Drive about 20 minutes to Montmorency Falls, which drop 83 m, higher than Niagara, and walk the suspension bridge over the top. Cross to Île d'Orléans for farm stands, cideries and strawberries in early summer, then return to your campground. Empty the tanks at one of Quebec City's public dump stations tonight.

Days 5-6: La Mauricie National Park

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Day 5: Drive about three hours west via Trois-Rivières and Shawinigan to La Mauricie National Park, showing your Parks Canada pass at the entrance. Book two nights at one of the park's campgrounds, such as Rivière-à-la-Pêche, as summer weekends book out soon after reservations open early in the year.

Day 6: Drive part of the park's paved scenic parkway past lakes and lookouts, stopping for short forest walks along the way. Paddle a canoe or kayak on Lac Wapizagonke, or swim at one of the park's beaches in summer. Watch for moose at dawn and dusk, and restock in Shawinigan before the long drive west.

Day 7: Mont-Tremblant

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Day 7: Allow about four hours west to Mont-Tremblant in the Laurentians, as there is no direct road from La Mauricie. Stay at a campground near the village or in Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, where SEPAQ charges a daily access fee per adult. In the evening, stroll the pedestrian village at the foot of the mountain.

Days 8-9: Ottawa

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Day 8: Ride the gondola to the summit of Mont-Tremblant in the morning for views over the Laurentian lakes and forests. Then drive about 2.25 hours south-west to Ottawa, Canada's capital, and book two nights at a campground on the edge of the city, as parking a motorhome downtown is difficult.

Day 9: Catch a bus or the O-Train into the centre and walk along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where a flight of locks steps down beside Parliament Hill. Browse the ByWard Market and visit the National Gallery of Canada, or cross the river to the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau.

Day 10: Ottawa to Algonquin

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Day 10: Allow about four hours west through the Ottawa Valley and along Highway 60 to Algonquin Provincial Park. Check in at a Highway 60 campground such as Mew Lake, booked ahead through Ontario Parks, and keep your permit on the dashboard, as you need one to use the park's trails and facilities.

Day 11: Exploring Algonquin

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Day 11: Walk the Lookout Trail early for views over forest and lakes, then visit the Algonquin Visitor Centre and hire a canoe at Canoe Lake or Lake Opeongo. Drive Highway 60 slowly at dawn and dusk, when moose often feed by the road, and pull fully off to watch them. Pack repellent from mid-May to late June, when black flies bite.

Days 12-13: Muskoka

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Day 12: Drive about 1.25 hours west to Huntsville and stay at Arrowhead Provincial Park, where a short trail leads to Stubbs Falls. Walk up to the Lions Lookout over the town, or drive Highway 35 to the Dorset Lookout Tower for views over lakes and forest, a highlight in autumn colour.

Day 13: Head about 45 minutes south to Gravenhurst, the gateway to Muskoka's lakes and cottages, and cruise Lake Muskoka on the historic steamship RMS Segwun, checking the sailing schedule first. Visit the Muskoka Discovery Centre beside the wharf, then stay near Gravenhurst and empty the tanks for tomorrow's return.

Day 14: Gravenhurst to Toronto

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Day 14: Drive about two hours south to Cruise Canada's depot near Bolton, refuelling on the way, as returns are normally between 9am and 11am and the depot is closed on Sundays. One-way fees vary by date, so check the fee in your quote. The depot is about 34 km from Toronto Pearson Airport, so allow time for a taxi.

Halifax & Cabot Trail Loop (7 Days)

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Days 1-2: Halifax to Chéticamp

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Day 1: Collect your motorhome from Cruise Canada's depot at the Halifax West KOA in Upper Sackville, which rents from mid-April to mid-November, and stock up at a supermarket. Drive about 2.5 hours east on Highways 102 and 104 to Antigonish, a university town near the Northumberland Strait, and stay at a campground nearby.

Day 2: Cross the Canso Causeway onto Cape Breton Island and follow the Ceilidh Trail up the west coast through Mabou and Inverness, about three hours in all, stopping for a beach walk or live Celtic music. Arrive in Chéticamp, an Acadian fishing village, and book two nights at Cape Breton Highlands National Park's Chéticamp campground.

Days 3-5: The Cabot Trail

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Day 3: Show your Parks Canada pass, then drive up French Mountain to walk the Skyline Trail to a headland boardwalk above the Gulf of St. Lawrence, watching for moose and whales. Parks Canada has taken parking reservations for the trail in summer, so book ahead. Back in the village, browse the hooked rug studios or join a whale watching cruise.

Day 4: Drive the Cabot Trail clockwise over French, MacKenzie and North mountains, where grades reach 9% to 15%, using a low gear on the descents. Stop at the lookouts above Pleasant Bay and at the Lone Shieling, a replica Scottish crofter's hut. Continue to Ingonish, about two hours of driving, and stay at Broad Cove campground, which has powered sites.

Day 5: Walk the Middle Head trail beyond Ingonish Beach, then climb and descend Smokey Mountain, one of the steepest grades on the trail. Continue to Baddeck on the Bras d'Or Lake, about 1.5 hours in all, and stay at a campground nearby. Moose can step onto the road at dawn and dusk, so aim to reach camp before dark.

Days 6-7: Baddeck & Return to Halifax

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Day 6: Visit the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, which tells the story of the inventor's summers in Baddeck, or take a boat tour on the Bras d'Or Lake. In the afternoon, drive about three hours back across the Canso Causeway to a campground near Truro, ready for an easy final morning.

Day 7: Drive about 1.25 hours to the depot in Upper Sackville, refuelling and emptying the waste tanks on the way, as returns are normally between 9am and 11am. The depot is closed on Sundays, so plan your return day before you book. With a later flight, add a night in Halifax to see the waterfront.

Essential Canada RV Driving Tips

🎫 Parks Canada Passes

You need a Parks Canada pass to stop in national parks such as Banff, Jasper, Pacific Rim and Cape Breton Highlands. In Banff in 2026, a family or group Discovery Pass cost C$167.50 for 12 months, against C$24.50 a day. Campsites book through the Parks Canada Reservation Service, which opens in January and February.

🐻 Bears & Wildlife

Black bears live across most of Canada, with grizzlies in the west. Keep food, coolers and rubbish inside the RV, never feed wildlife, which can bring fines of up to C$25,000 in national parks, and stay in your vehicle at roadside sightings. Carry bear spray on mountain trails and watch for moose at dawn and dusk.

⛽ Huge Distances & Fuel

Vancouver to Calgary is about 970 km by the direct route, and Halifax to Toronto about 1,800 km. Fill up in larger towns, as fuel stops thin out in the mountains, and the Icefields Parkway's only station opens in summer only. Download offline maps, as many highways have no mobile coverage.

First Time Hiring an RV in Canada?

🛣️ Kilometres Add Up

Cruise Canada charges 39 cents per km. It collects an estimate up front, 160 km a night on return hires and 400 km a night on one-ways, then refunds unused kilometres or charges extra at the same rate, so plan your route before you compare prices.

❄️ Snow Outside Summer

Snow can fall on mountain passes in any month. BC's signed highways need winter tyres or chains from 1 October to 30 April, and the Icefields Parkway from 1 November to 31 March. Ask at pick-up what tyres your RV has, and check DriveBC or 511 Alberta before you drive.

🍁 A Short RV Season

Cruise Canada winterises its motorhomes in colder locations from about mid-October to late March, draining the water tanks, and its Halifax depot only rents from mid-April to mid-November. Many campgrounds open from mid-May to October, so most RV trips fit between May and early October.

⚠️ Pick-Up & Return Times

Cruise Canada normally hands over RVs from 1pm to 4pm and takes them back from 9am to 11am, with a late fee after that, and its depots close on Sundays and holidays. None is at an airport terminal, so allow time for a taxi and book flights around both windows.

Canada Campervan Seasonal Travel Guide

Canada's RV season is short. Most trips run from May to early October, when campgrounds are open and motorhomes are not winterised, and July and August bring the warmest weather and the highest rates in our searches. On Environment and Climate Change Canada normals, Banff sees snow in May and September, so pack warm layers in any month.

Season
Weather (Vancouver / Banff / Toronto)
Pros
Cons
Summer (Jun - Aug)
13 to 21°C / 6 to 21°C / 17 to 26°C
Long days, every campground and mountain road open, and warm lakes for swimming.
Peak rates, booked-out campsites and wildfire smoke or closures in the west.
Autumn (Sept - Nov)
7 to 14°C / -3 to 9°C / 8 to 15°C
Lower September rates, golden larches in the Rockies and red maples in the east.
Campgrounds and shuttles close by mid-October, RVs are winterised and passes see snow.
Winter (Dec - Feb)
1 to 7°C / -13 to -3°C / -5 to 1°C
The lowest rates we found, ski towns in the Rockies and quiet roads.
Winterised RVs without running water, snowy passes and very few campgrounds open.
Season
Spring (Mar - May)
Weather
6 to 13°C / -4 to 9°C / 4 to 12°C
Pros
Shoulder-season rates, waterfalls in full flow and quiet parks in May.
Cons
Snow on the passes, black flies in Ontario and most campgrounds shut until mid-May.

Canada RV Hire Quick Tips

  • Book Early: July and August sell out first, and Parks Canada opens summer campsite bookings in January and February, so set a reminder.
  • Mind the Depot Days: Cruise Canada's depots close on Sundays and holidays, with pick-ups from 1pm and returns by 11am, so plan flights around both.
  • Check One-Way Options: Our searches returned Vancouver to Calgary and Montreal to Toronto one-ways, so check availability and the fee for your dates.
📍 Driving Route: Starting in the west? Compare depots and one-way options on our Vancouver RV hire page, or begin in the east with Toronto RV hire

Canada Campervan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Answers to common questions about hiring a campervan or RV in Canada, from Cruise Canada's five depots and kilometre charges to Parks Canada passes, bears, one-way trips and crossing into the USA.

How much does it cost to hire a campervan or RV in Canada?

In our live searches for 14 day hires, Cruise Canada motorhomes cost about C$48 to C$82 a night in winter, C$62 to C$136 in May, C$97 to C$425 in September and about C$250 to C$540 in July. Ultra Compact and Compact models ran C$48 to C$301 a night, 25 ft Standards C$48 to C$542 and 30 ft Larges C$48 to C$454, with Halifax the dearest. Kilometres cost 39 cents per km on top, plus kits, one-way fees and extras. CanaDream vans are not in our search right now, so talk to our team about CanaDream dates.

Where can I pick up a campervan in Canada?

Cruise Canada, the brand in our search, has five depots: Delta near Vancouver Airport, northeast Calgary, Bolton north of Toronto, Saint-Eustache near Montreal and Upper Sackville near Halifax. None is at an airport terminal, so take a taxi or rideshare. All five close on Sundays and holidays, and Halifax only rents from mid-April to mid-November. CanaDream depots, including Edmonton and Whitehorse, are not showing in our search at the moment.

Which RV hire brands can I book in Canada?

Right now, one: Cruise Canada, sometimes listed as Cruise America in our results, with Ultra Compact, Compact, Standard and Large motorhomes sleeping two to seven. Halifax showed only the 25 ft Standard and 30 ft Large. CanaDream vans are not showing in our search at the moment, so talk to our team if you would like CanaDream dates.

When is the best time to hire a campervan in Canada?

June to September suits most trips, with summer highs averaging about 21°C in Vancouver and Banff and 26°C in Toronto, and campgrounds, shuttles and mountain roads open. July and August are the busiest and dearest. September is quieter, with lower rates in our searches, golden larches in the Rockies and, from late September, autumn colour in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

How long is the RV season in Canada?

Most RV trips run from May to early October. Cruise Canada winterises its motorhomes in colder locations from about mid-October to late March, draining the water tanks, and its Halifax depot only rents from mid-April to mid-November. Many national and provincial park campgrounds open from mid-May to October. Winter hires are possible from Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal, but suit hardy travellers.

How many days do I need for an RV trip in Canada?

Seven days suits one region, such as the Cabot Trail, Banff and Lake Louise, or the Sea-to-Sky Highway. Allow about 14 days for a Rockies loop or Montreal to Toronto via Quebec City and Algonquin, and three weeks for Vancouver to Calgary through the Okanagan and Jasper. Distances are huge, so keep most driving days to two to four hours.

Can I hire an RV one way in Canada, and what does it cost?

Sometimes, between Cruise Canada's depots, by advance reservation and subject to availability. Our live searches returned Vancouver to Calgary, Montreal to Toronto and Halifax to Montreal, with totals about C$800 to C$840 above the nightly rates on the first two. One-ways also collect an estimated 400 km a night up front, and one-ways between Canada and the USA are not allowed. Check one-way availability for your dates.

Are kilometres included in RV hire in Canada?

Not usually. Cruise Canada charges 39 cents per km, collecting an estimate up front of 160 km a night on return hires and 400 km a night on one-ways, then refunding unused kilometres or charging extra at the same rate. A 14 night return hire starts with an estimate of 2,240 km, about C$874, so budget for kilometres as well as fuel.

Can I drive an RV in Canada on my Australian licence?

Yes, for a holiday. Each province sets its own limit for visitors: three months in Ontario, 90 days in Nova Scotia, six months in British Columbia and Quebec, and a year in Alberta. No special licence is needed for Cruise Canada's motorhomes, but bring your plastic card, as temporary and digital licences are not accepted. An International Driving Permit is mainly recommended if your licence is not in English or French.

What is the minimum age to hire an RV in Canada?

21. Cruise Canada requires every driver to be 21 or older with a valid driver's licence, and the renter needs a major credit card in their own name. All drivers must be at pick-up to sign the rental agreement. CanaDream also sets a minimum age of 21. No special licence or endorsement is needed for these motorhomes.

What insurance comes with RV hire in Canada?

Cruise Canada takes a refundable security deposit of at least C$500 before departure, and its published terms make you responsible for damage up to C$3,000 per occurrence. Its optional Zero Damage Plan reduces that to zero but excludes interior damage, overhead strikes, backing up and frozen systems. Driving on unpaved back roads or logging roads voids its damage waivers, so read the terms closely.

Do I need a Parks Canada pass and campground bookings?

Yes, for national parks such as Banff, Jasper, Pacific Rim and Cape Breton Highlands. In Banff in 2026, daily admission was C$12.25 per adult or C$24.50 for up to seven people in one vehicle, and a family or group Discovery Pass cost C$167.50 for 12 months. Campsites book through the Parks Canada Reservation Service, which opened its 2026 season from late January, and summer dates sell out fast.

Can I camp for free in a hire RV in Canada?

Sometimes, but rules vary by province. In national and provincial parks you must use designated campsites. BC's recreation sites allow stays of up to 14 days, Alberta's Eastern Slopes need a Public Lands Camping Pass, C$20 per person for three days, and Ontario's Crown land is free for up to 21 days. Many sites sit on gravel roads, and Cruise Canada bans unpaved back roads, so most nights suit a campground.

How do I stay safe around bears in Canada?

Black bears live across most of Canada and grizzlies in the west, so keep food, coolers and rubbish locked inside the RV whenever you are not using them, as campgrounds in the mountain parks require. Never feed wildlife, which can bring fines of up to C$25,000 in national parks, and stay in your vehicle at roadside sightings. Carry bear spray on trails and make noise as you walk.

Can I drive a Canadian hire RV into the USA?

Yes, for a return trip. Cruise Canada lets its Canadian-registered motorhomes enter the USA and come back, but you cannot end the hire there, as one-ways between the two countries are not allowed. Australians need a passport and an approved ESTA before reaching the land border. US rules restrict fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, so shop after you cross.

How far ahead should I book an RV for July and August?

As early as you can, ideally six months or more. July had the highest rates in our searches, Parks Canada opened its 2026 summer bookings from late January to mid-February, and BC Parks opens sites three months ahead and Ontario Parks five months ahead, at 7am local time. The Calgary Stampede, from 9 to 18 July 2027, adds to demand around the Rockies.

Official Canada Travel Resources

Book national park campsites early, carry a park pass in the Rockies, and check the roads before mountain passes.

Parks Canada Reservations

Book campsites in Banff, Jasper, Pacific Rim and more. A Discovery Pass, C$167.50 per vehicle group, covers 80+ places for a year.

Book a Campsite →

Destination Canada

Canada's official travel guide for Australian visitors, with places to go and things to do in every province.

Plan Your Trip →

DriveBC

Live BC road conditions, closures and webcams. Elsewhere, use 511 Alberta, Ontario 511, Québec 511 or 511 Nova Scotia.

Check Road Conditions →