‘Breaking Bad’ Actor Bryan Cranston Encourages Fans to Visit ‘Stunning’ Canadian Rockies in Wake of Jasper Wildfires

Bryan Cranston and Robin Dearden attend the premiere of "Asteroid City" during the 76th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals on May 23, 2023, in Cannes, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)

Actor Bryan Cranston is encouraging his fans to visit Western Canada, praising the “absolutely stunning” terrain of Jasper and Banff, Alta. after making a 35th wedding anniversary trip to the area last month.

The endorsement comes as residents forced to flee wildfires in Jasper National Park three weeks ago are expected to start returning home Aug. 16.

The 68-year-old “Breaking Bad” and “Malcolm in the Middle” star documented his journey with wife Robin Dearden last month through B.C. and Alberta via Instagram.

The actor’s Instagram posts were shared over the course of two weeks, with the final post this week coming more than a month after the couple’s July 8 anniversary.

“Ever been to Western Canada? It’s absolutely stunning,” he wrote in a post accompanying a picture of him posing outside the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver.

“From the metropolitan setting of the vibrant Vancouver, to the Wild West town of Calgary, and all the magnificent scenery of the Canadian National Parks in between. Come along for a little arm-chair travelling with my wife, Robin and I, as I document our journey over the next few days.”

A hiker takes in the view at Moraine Lake, located in Banff National Park, Alberta. (Maridav/Shutterstock)

Cranston and his actress wife flew into Vancouver via seaplane prior to embarking on a train tour through the Canadian Rockies to Jasper, Alta., just a few weeks before wildfires tore through the town on July 24.

“Our trip was just before the greater Jasper area was hit with a devastating forest fire,” he wrote in a subsequent post. “When the area recovers, they will be in great need to get up and running again and welcome tourists back to this glorious part of the world. It’s worth the trip.”

During their time in Jasper, the couple stayed at the historic Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge in “a beautiful log cabin,” and toured “the spectacular Maligne Lake,” Cranston said.

The 102-year-old lodge, one of the most luxurious and storied resorts in the area, was impacted by the fire, according to a post on the website.

“We are able to confirm that though the hotel did incur fire damage, most of the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge structures, including the main lodge, remain standing and intact,” the lodge said. “While we will need time to assess the full scale of the damage and the timelines required for repair and restoration, we are deeply relieved that much of the property was spared and the resort will re-open in the future.”

The fire destroyed approximately 30 percent of the townsite located in Jasper National Park with 358 structures ravaged by the flames.

Journey to Banff

After their time in Jasper, the pair journeyed south via the Icefields Parkway where “the scenery continues to astonish,” before arriving at Lake Louise, Cranston said in another post.

Lake Louise “took our breath away,” he said. “And in reverse angle the majestic Chateau Lake Louise, one of the Crown Jewels of the Fairmont Hotels. This is a ‘must stay’ because it is the only hotel on the lake, and in the mornings and evenings it feels like you have it all to yourself.”

The couple hiked near “the incredible” Lake Moraine the following day and “just kept shaking our heads at the pure beauty.”

Next, Cranston and his wife travelled to Banff where they enjoyed “35 miles of more stupidly gorgeous scenery.” The couple stayed at the “majestic” Banff Springs Hotel to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary.

“It not only LOOKS like a castle, Kings and Queens have actually stayed here,” he said in his final post. “From a distance it could be mistaken for a location in a Harry Potter movie. Just spectacular.”

The couple explored several renowned tourist attractions in Banff, including Bow Falls and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.

The anniversary vacation covered 1,287 kilometres (800 miles) through the two provinces, Cranston wrote. He described the trip as “restful” and “breathtakingly beautiful.”