Major city · Canada
Valemount
Stay 1–2 nights as a Mount Robson base: 1 h 30 min from Jasper by car, 3 h 30 min from Kamloops, no town sights worth a detour.
Valemount is a village of about 1,000 people in the Robson Valley, at the meeting point of three mountain ranges on Highway 5. It is a base, not a destination: Mount Robson Provincial Park, the bike park and the marsh loop are the reasons to stop. Most travellers pass through between Jasper and Kamloops, or break a VIA Rail trip here.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CAD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for hiking and the marsh loop; Dec–Mar for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
- avoid Nov and Apr (mud season, many services closed); wildfire smoke in Jul–Aug
- Airports
- YVR · YEG
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Valemount911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- BC Bus North+1-844-564-7494
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Valemount, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, $).Canada-wide
- SIM or eSIMRogers, Bell and Telus plus cheaper brands (Fido, Koodo, Public Mobile); prepaid SIMs in malls and stores.Canada-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable; treat water from lakes and streams (giardia).Canada-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 15–20% of the pre-tax bill.Canada-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Canada-wide
- SafetyA small, quiet village; the real risks are wildlife on trails, winter driving on Highway 5 and wildfire smoke in summer.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree in malls, Tim Hortons, stations and park visitor centres.Canada-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · +1-844-564-7494 BC Bus North
- Sundays & holidaysStatutory holidays close shops and offices, varying by province; many park facilities are seasonal (about mid-May to mid-October).Canada-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportYVR Vancouver International (About 8 h by car via Highway 5; most arrivals drive from Jasper or Kamloops instead).
- Getting aroundThe village is small enough to walk; a car is needed for Mount Robson, the bike park and the marsh.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee and a pastry at the bakeryC$5–12 (≈ US$4–9)
- Sit-down mealSteak or prime rib dinnerC$15–40 (≈ US$11–30)
- BeerDraught beer at the breweryC$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) (check)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a weekC$20–40 (≈ US$15–30)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entryC$3 (≈ US$3) adult, C$2 (≈ US$2) child, cash only
- Budget bedFamily room or cabin (up to 4), a night, per roomC$150 (≈ US$110)
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$160 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomC$300 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget C$80 (≈ US$60) · Mid C$150 (≈ US$110) · High C$260 (≈ US$190)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- YVR Vancouver International (About 8 h by car via Highway 5; most arrivals drive from Jasper or Kamloops instead) · YEG Edmonton International (About 5 h by car via Jasper on Highway 16 then Highway 5)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Feb
Best
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
Mar
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
May
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Jun
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Jul
Care
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Care
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Nov
Avoid
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Dec
Best
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
Best: Jun, Sep, Dec–Mar. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Apr, Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C) low), wettest Nov (14 rain days), driest Feb (9). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Valemount: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−13°C (9°F)9°F (−13°C)
12 rd
Feb
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
9 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
10 rd
Apr
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
10 rd
May
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
12 rd
Jun
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
13 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
11 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
11 rd
Oct
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
13 rd
Nov
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
14 rd
Dec
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
−12°C (10°F)10°F (−12°C)
13 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is small enough to walk; a car is needed for Mount Robson, the bike park and the marsh. No local bus. BC Bus North runs twice weekly to Prince George, McBride and Tete Jaune Cache; VIA Rail's The Canadian stops up to three times a week in each direction.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mount Robson Provincial Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive Highway 5 east about 20–30 min to the visitor centre and trailheads
The main reason to base here. Berg Lake and Kinney Lake trails; check trail and park status before setting out.
Tete Jaune Cache
cautionDoor to door: About 20 min
Drive Highway 5 east about 20 min
Small settlement at the junction of Highway 5 and 16; a fuel and food stop, not a day out.
McBride
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Drive Highway 16 east about 1 h; BC Bus North also stops here
Larger village with a museum and services; combine with a Mount Robson stop.
Door to door: About 1 h 30 min
Drive Highway 16 east then Highway 5 north, about 120 km (75 mi)Drive Highway 16 east then Highway 5 north, about 75 mi (120 km)
Do it as a transfer, not a return day trip: 3 h driving round trip.
Clearwater
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h 30 min
Drive Highway 5 southwest about 320 km (199 mi)Drive Highway 5 southwest about 199 mi (320 km)
Too far for a day: sleep on the way to or from Kamloops.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Main Street and 5th Avenue
Walkable core: bakery, museum, grocery, brewery. Best for one night without a car.
Highway 5 strip (5th and 6th Avenue)
Motels with parking, hot tubs and kitchenettes; 5–10 min walk to the core.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- C$80–130 (≈ US$60–95) excl. bed
- Mid
- C$130–220 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
- High
- C$220 (≈ US$160)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 1 night × C$160 | C$160 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × C$150 | C$300 |
| Fuel, Jasper to Valemount and back1 × C$60 · check | C$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × C$25 | C$50 |
| Mount Robson park pass, per vehicle per day1 × C$10 · check | C$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | C$58 |
| Trip total≈ C$319 per person per day, bed included | C$638≈ US$500 |
July and August are the peak: book ahead.
2026 estimate in Canadian dollars; fuel and park passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee and a pastry at the bakery | C$5–12 (≈ US$4–9) |
| Baked goods / artisan bread | C$2–5 (≈ US$2–4) / C$5 (≈ US$4)+ |
| Steak or prime rib dinner | C$15–40 (≈ US$11–30) |
| Draught beer at the brewery | C$7–9 (≈ US$6–7) (check) |
| Museum entry | C$3 (≈ US$3) adult, C$2 (≈ US$2) child, cash only |
| Motel double room, July–August | C$160 (≈ US$120)+ |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | C$20–40 (≈ US$15–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fuel up in Jasper or McBride: the stretch of Highway 5 around Valemount has few services.
- Wildfire smoke and closures can shut Highway 5 and park trails in Jul–Aug: check DriveBC and BC Wildfire before you drive.
- Winter driving on Highway 5 needs winter tires; snow can fall Oct–Apr.
- The VIA Rail stop is a signpost with no amenities: no shelter, no staff, no ticket machine.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- BC Bus North
- +1-844-564-7494
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
ValemountValemount
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- BC Bus North+1-844-564-7494
Embassy
No consulates in Valemount; the nearest are in Vancouver. US citizens: US Consulate General, Vancouver. UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand: high commissions or consulates in Ottawa or Vancouver.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- VIA Rail Valemount → Jasper: check current fare and timetable; up to three trips a week in each direction
- BC Bus North Valemount → Prince George: about 3 h 30 min, twice weekly (check)
- Fuel, Jasper → Valemount: about 120 km (75 mi) each wayabout 75 mi (120 km) each way
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
- Is the highway open? — Is the highway open?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- I need help — I need help
Cash is useful: the museum takes cash only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Valemount. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for hiking and the marsh loop; Dec–Mar for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing · avoid Nov and Apr (mud season, many services closed); wildfire smoke in Jul–Aug · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for YVR and YEG: last fuel and food stops on Highway 5, winter tire rules, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street core, the Highway 5 motel strip, the bike park staging area, Cranberry Marsh.
- Place pages with verified hours (museum, bakery, brewery, IGA) and eat pages with last orders.
- Wildfire and winter-closure fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialValemount official tourism site
- officialValemount Museum and Archive
- officialVIA Rail — Valemount station
- officialBC Bus North
- secondaryWikivoyage: Valemount, revision 5237392 (CC BY-SA 4.0)