Ultimate Guide To Camping In The Rockies
Essential information to plan a camping trip in the Canadian Rockies
One of the best ways to experience Canada’s picturesque rocky mountains is to rough it and go camping in one of the many campgrounds sprinkled through this rugged wilderness. If roughing it in the Rockies is on your bucket list, read on for some tips to make your experience here the adventure of a lifetime.
How To Camp In The Rockies
Parks in the Canadian Rockies
Large portions of the Rocky Mountains are protected by National and Provincial Parks, which are cared for by our government, volunteers, and Indigenous guardians and knowledge keepers, all of whom work together to protect and preserve the unique ecology of our mountain landscapes. Campers in National Parks will need to purchase a Parks Discovery Pass ($20/ day for a full vehicle/ groups up to 7, $139.40/year) when they enter the park to allow them to stay there or to drive along the Icefields Parkway. Campers to the Kananaskis area, which is not inside the National Parks, require a Kananaskis Conservation Pass ($90/year), which can be purchased through the Alberta Parks website. The money from these passes goes towards trail maintenance, forest management, emergency services, and avalanche monitoring, so it’s money well spent.
Weather in the Canadian Rockies
Summer in the Rocky mountains is a camper’s dream- long, hot days and starry nights. Warmer temperatures arrive in the mountains in May and June, with many campsites opening for Spring, though snow remains at higher elevations until around July. If you are coming to visit for summer or early fall (July, August, or September), daytime temperatures tend to range from 15 to 25 degrees celsius, but get all the way up into the high thirties on clear days. Bring lots of water, protective clothing, and high SPF sunscreen for frequent re-application for safe summer travel in this region.
At night, things can cool down drastically, easily dropping into the single digits, so don’t forget some warm layers for sleeping at night.
As with all mountains, weather in the Rockies can at times be unpredictable. Incredible electric storms are common in Alberta and British Columbia, particularly after warm spells. Slow-moving rain systems can also pound the Rockies for days at a time.
When camping in the Rockies, our advice is to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Check the weather on your travel dates for ideas of what to pack, but always prepare for the forecast to change to anything from blazing hot, to pouring rain, to icy cold.
Wildlife in the Rocky Mountain National Parks of Canada
Thanks to their protection by the National and Provincial Parks systems, the Canadian Rockies are teaming with wildlife of every shape and size. Moose, bears, alpine marmots, big horned sheep, elk, and many other species can be seen on the trails and in campgrounds throughout the area.
Camping in the Rockies requires some special consideration for the animals in the area. All food and scented items must be stored in a hard-sided vehicle, a bear proof locker, or hung from a tree-never left in your tent. Allowing animals to eat human food by any means is dangerous, both to people and to the animals, so keeping campsites clean and temptation-free is crucial.
The best way to protect yourself and the wildlife is by giving the animals their space- 30 meters for herbivores, and 100 meters for carnivores. When camping and hiking in the Rockies, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife warnings posted on trailheads. Talk, sing, and make noise while walking on trails to alert animals to your presence. As an extra precaution when camping in the Rocky Mountains, you should always have bear spray on hand in case of a predator encounter and know how to use it.
Insects While Camping In The Rockies
If you are camping in the Rockies, be prepared to endure a few itchy bites. This area hosts a healthy insect population, which includes mosquitoes, ticks, and other friends that we’d rather not spend time with in the forest. Remember to bring insect repellent with high DEET as well as mosquito netting or long-sleeved clothing, and after hiking, remember to do a quick tick check at the end of the day.
How to Book Camping in the Rockies.
The Rockies are the favorite playground of most of Western Canada as well as being a destination for international travelers, so be prepared to spend time with other outdoor enthusiasts. The busiest months are July and August, where the weather is best and the high trails are clear of snow. However, people visit (and camp) in the Rockies all year round- even in the winter.
For camping in Banff, Jasper, and the other National parks, sites in the front country (sites you don’t have to hike into) range in price from around $16 at the most basic to $47 for full RV hookups. Not included in this pricing is your $8.80 fire permit, which you can get if you want to have campfires in your site. Bringing your own wood to the parks isn’t recommended- wood will be available there, and is usually provided upon purchase of your permit.
The majority of campgrounds accept reservations- which tend to fill up quickly. For National Parks, their bookings open in January for the summer season, and Provincial park bookings usually open up in early March. If there is a date of travel you have your heart set on, try to make reservations as early as possible. Still miss out? Keep checking back. Site availability is fluid as people’s plans change, so there is always the chance that the dates you want could still open up for you. Reservations in the National Parks can be made online at the Parks Canada Website, or over the phone by calling 1-877-737-3783.
Other sites for camping in the Rockies are first come, first served. For your best chance at a spot, go early. Most sites ask campers to check out by 11 am, but, if you are really eager, you can go ahead of this time to see if anyone has pulled out before their time is up. If you’re flexible and willing to wait, this is a great way to enjoy camping the Rocky Mountains.
Where to Go Camping In The Canadian Rockies
The Canadian Rockies run from Northern British Columbia, hugging the border between Alberta and BC right down to our US border, where the chain continues all the way into New Mexico. Here in Canada, that means you have a lot of options about where to stay and play as you wind your way through this picturesque mountain chain. Keep in mind that camping in the Rockies can be done on a front-country camping style or by doing a multiday backpacking trip in the Rockies.
Here’s a brief description of some of the best campsites in the Rockies and where to find the best campgrounds.
Camping in Banff National Park
Beautiful Banff National Park in Alberta is the birthplace of Canada’s national park system. Millions of visitors flock to the park yearly for its exceptional climbing, hiking, camping, skiing, and other outdoor activities. The Banff townsite is full of shopping that ranges from quirky local boutiques to high-end shops. If you’re looking to enjoy both nature and modern amenities, camping in Banff is your best bet for getting them all. Banff is arguably home to some of the best campsites in the Rockies.
RV Camping in Banff
For a great campsite in Banff that is near to the town and its amenities, the Tunnel Mountain campsites are a great choice. Situated on top of Tunnel mountain, this site is serviced by a public bus that can take you right to the Banff townsite, and has full amenities and hookups.
For a more rustic campsite experience, try booking Rampart Creek, located on the Icefields parkway. This smaller Banff campground is perfect for tents and small trailers. The campsite sits along the shore of the North Saskatchewan river, and has communal wood stoves and cook shelters for a cozy community feel.
For a great RV-friendly first come, first served campsite in Banff, SIlverhorn Creek has RV-oriented, unserviced sites with great views of the surrounding vista.
Tent Camping in Banff
The Two Jack Lake campsites (main and Lakeside) are a great choice for tent camping in Banff, and offer treed sites close to the Banff townsite. Reservations can be made online and, if you’re able, book the Lakeside for the best views.
If you’re going camping in Banff and don’t mind chancing it with a first come, first served site, there are many wonderful sites available. Located along the Icefields Parkway, the Waterfowl Lake and Mosquito Creek campgrounds are both great options. Waterfowl Lake offers beautiful treed camping spots centrally located to many of Banff’s more beautiful hiking and sightseeing spots. Mosquito Creek is conveniently close to Lake Louise for groceries and amenities.
Camping in Jasper
The largest of the National Parks in the Rockies, Jasper is also the second-largest dark sky reserve in the world, making this park a must-visit for anyone who loves stargazing. Northern lights can be seen all year round, so be sure to look up at night while camping here. Jasper’s historic townsite is small and quaint, offering an authentic mountain town experience. For great hikes and mountain culture, camping in Jasper is a perfect destination.
RV camping in Jasper
For camping in Jasper with larger RV’s, you will want to book your spot as early as possible at the Whistlers, Wapiti, or Overflow campgrounds. Whistlers has large, flat spaces with full hookups for those who want them, and has recently been renovated for extra comfort. Wapiti, which is walking distance from the town of Jasper, has powered sites as well as unserviced campsites for tents. At both Wapiti and Whistlers, elk can often be seen grazing in the early mornings- a must-see for campers in Jasper.
The Overflow campground has some reservable, some first come, first served sites. It’s more primitive, with no services or showers, and campfires aren’t allowed here. It is a good value, at just $16.05/night, for those camping in Jasper on a budget.
If you’re driving up from Banff, or planning activities in the Icefields parkway, RVers can also spend their night in Jasper camping in the parking lot of the Icefields center. These unserviced sites are little more than a parking lot, but are another great budget option at $16 per night. Get there early, as sites here are first come, first served.
Tent camping in Jasper
Camping in Jasper with a tent or small trailer really opens up your options for where you can stay. If you want a more rustic experience than Whistlers or Wapiti offers, but still want the security of a reservation, Wabasso and Pocahontas campgrounds are perfect for you. Both offer quieter nights and Pocahontas in particular is a great site for wildlife watching, as it is in a more remote location. No showers are available at either site.
For first come, first served camping in Jasper, you will find the most stunning views at the Icefields campground. A tents only campground, the elevation is higher than the other sites, so bring your warm clothes for nighttime. The cold will be worth the amazing views. Nearby, Wilcox campground can accommodate small trailers as well, and has trailhead access to Wilcox pass- one of Jasper’s must-see hikes.
Snaring and Kerkeslin campgrounds both offer great views and nice, treed sites, giving tenters a little more privacy during their Jasper getaway.
For campers in Jasper that want to paddle around, try Honeymoon Lake- a great camping site for canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding in the park.
Yoho National Park
Yoho National Park is best known as being the home of the Burgess Shale fossil beds. These Mid-Cambrian fossil deposits are world-renowned for the incredible preservation of its specimens. Hikes to the fossil beds require a guide, so camp and book a tour to see this UNESCO Heritage Site. Yoho also offers beautiful hikes near glaciers, waterfalls, and rivers to enjoy all on your own.
Camping in Yoho National Park
Campsites in Yoho are more limited than those in Jasper and Banff, but are nonetheless picturesque and worth the visit. Campers in Yoho with larger RV’s will want to book sites at the Kickinghorse campground, which offers hookups and sani dump. For campers with smaller RV’s or tents, the first come, first served Monarch campsite, nestled below the historic Monarch mine site, gives campers in Yoho ample wildlife viewing opportunities at the Kicking horse river flats below the camp. Hoodoo creek campground (also first come, first served) is located in a meadow with wide open skies and easy access to popular hikes in the area.
Kootenay National Park
Kootenay National Park is an area of pure wilderness, and has no townsites within its borders, making it perfect for a retreat into nature. Camp, hike, and enjoy serenity here. At the southern end of the park, beautiful Radium Hot Springs is open year-round for bathers to relax in naturally heated pools. A town named after the springs is located nearby, just outside the park.
For large RV camping in Kootenay, call ahead to snag a site in Redstreak campground, located within walking distance of Radium Hot Springs. It has full hook-up sites and amenities, as well as nicely treed sites to enjoy. For smaller RV’s and tents, the sites at Marble Canyon and McLeod Meadows are first come, first served sites with great opportunities for bird watching and quiet mountain views, as well as great access to hiking trails in Kootenay and nearby Yoho National park. This makes for some of the best places to go camping in the Rockies.
Waterton Lakes National Park
Located in the southernmost section of the Canadian Rockies, the drive into Waterton Lakes National Park offers arresting views of mountains rising straight from the flat, rolling prairies of Southern Alberta. Hike near waterfalls and through newly burnt forests to watch the amazing recovery of life in this wildflower-filled mountain setting, with views that stretch all the way into Montana.
Camping in Waterton Lakes National Park
Due to the Kenow Wildfire, which devastated Waterton’s forests in 2017, only the Townsite campground is currently open for camping in Waterton Lakes National Park. This reservable site offers everything from full hookup RV sites to tenting spots, and is located right in the heart of the town of Waterton Lakes, within walking distance to great hiking trails and spectacular views.
Kananaskis Country
Located between Calgary and Banff National Park, beautiful Kananaskis country includes the townsites of Canmore and Bragg Creek, and most of its territory is protected by the Peter Lougheed, Bow Valley, Glenbow Ranch, and Bragg Creek Provincial parks. Camping in Kananaskis country offers sites and activities just as majestic as those within the national parks, and it is a great area for hiking, fishing, biking, and horseback riding.
Camping in Kananaskis
For RVers or families who want to book ahead, the Mount Kidd, Boulton Creek, and Elkwood campsites are all great options, and offer RV hookups as well as unserviced sites, as well as campground amenities. For a first come, first served option that is RV-friendly, try Gooseberry Campground, just outside of Bragg Creek.
If you’re planning to spend time in Canmore, Spray Lakes campground is close to the townsite and offers places for RV’s and tenters alike. Get there early to secure a spot at this popular first come, first served campground.
For campers with smaller RV’s or tents who are willing to go without a reservation, Kananaskis is full of many beautiful first come, first served campgrounds. Some of our favourites are Cataract Creek, Beaver Flats, and Little Elbow. These ones are all near water, and are perfect for those looking to cast a line or two while camping in Kananaskis country.
Kananaskis is full of so many beautiful campgrounds to stay in and explore, we can’t possibly name them all here. Visit the Alberta Parks website to find out more.
Ultimate Guide To Camping In The Canadian Rockies
However and wherever you decide to camp in the Rockies, you are in for a great treat. This beautiful region is full of amazing sights and activities to discover, and will doubtless have you wanting to return for more chances to explore. The Rockies are paired very well with a trip to the Yukon for some more amazing scenery!
We’d love to hear about your favorite campsites in the Rockies in the comments below!
About the Author- Jamie Pratt
Most of the time you can find Jamie.. well you can’t find her, she’s somewhere deep in the wild leading people on guided hikes and showing off her favourite places. She guides for Fresh Adventures on our tours in the Rockies during the summer and runs her own hiking company in Patagonia in our colder months.