Parks Canada app offers guided road trip through Alberta and B.C.

If you're planning a road trip through the Rockies this summer, Parks Canada wants to keep you company.

It's developed a free app for smart phones that guides drivers to points of interest along Highway 93between Banff andRadium Hot Springs, in both directions.

"Kootenay National Park was originally created as a driving tour park back in 1920, so we thought this fit really well with the heritage of the park," saidTaniaPeters,a spokeswoman for Lake Louise,YohoandKootenayNational Parks.

"So they're doing a traditional activity that the park was originally created for but we're reaching out to them in a brand-new way."

Calgary Eyeopener5:43Parks Canada storytime app

If you've ever wondered about something you see on your drive through the Kootenays - but didn't want to stop? Parks Canada may just have a solution to keep you going and informed.

Since there is no cell phone service along the 94-kilometre stretch of highway, theExploraKootenayapp must be uploaded before you start your trip but you don't need to be connected to theinternetto use it.

Once you hit the road, your GPS will trigger the app to automatically start playing.

Narrated by Parks Canada staff

The app also includes family-friendly quizzes and 11 stories narrated by past and present Parks Canada staff.

"This is parks staff telling anecdotal storiesabout a plethora of things from forest fires to wildlife and history," said Peters.

She says, so far, the feedback has been positive and some "serendipitous things" have already happened to people using the app while traveling through the park.

"They were hearing story about wolves and they actually saw four wolves at that time."

ExploraKootenayisParks Canada's first driving tour app.

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With files from the Calgary Eyeopener