A Guide to Camping and Campgrounds in the Canadian Rockies
Camping is one of the best ways to experience the Canadian Rockies. Our camping travel guide features information on campgrounds in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay National Park. Including tips on making a reservation, camping gear for frontcountry and backcountry camping, and when to go.
After many trips to the Canadian Rockies, we still believe that nothing beats camping in the wilderness as it is an ultimate adventure, plus sleeping in a tent, campervan, or RV is much better when traveling on a budget.
Fortunately, the four national parks in the Canadian Rockies area, Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay, are home to many excellent campgrounds.
Camping is a perfect escape from our daily lives where we can reconnect with nature and leave our worries behind. And western Canada is one of the best places in the world for camping and outdoor adventures.
Planning a camping trip, researching campgrounds, and finding sites that will be your second home during your holiday is quite exciting. At times, it can also be challenging, and after seeing the map of frontcountry campgrounds in Banff and Jasper, even overwhelming.
Finding the right place to stay in the Canadian Rockies is a crucial part of the trip. In order to do so, you need to gather as much information about the topic as possible.
In this travel guide, we share information on frontcountry and backcountry campgrounds in the most popular national parks and more!
Some things we learned the hard way; on the bright side, you can benefit from our failures and plan your vacation to go as smoothly as possible.
This blog post's upside is that even though it is focused on the Canadian Rockies, you can use most of the information for other national or provincial parks in entire Canada.
Whether you're a seasoned camper, or someone just starting out, our camping guide got you covered. It's time to pitch a tent!
Happy camping!
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT CAMPING IN CANADA
Before diving into individual campgrounds in each national park, there are certain things to know before you go. Camping can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also quickly turn into a very unpleasant one.
The rule of thumb is to come prepared. Gather as much information as possible, get the proper gear, and plan your trip carefully. This is probably the most comprehensive advice we can share with you before your trip begins.
Underestimating the harsh weather, the necessity of making a reservation (when required), or overall the wilderness in the mountains doesn't have to pay off.
And although we aim in this article to provide as much up-to-date information about camping in the Canadian Rockies as possible, some things may change, so it's always better to doublecheck with Parks Canada before you go.
PARKS CANADA
One of the essential things to know about camping in the Canadian Rockies is that there aren't any private campgrounds in the national parks, which means that Parks Canada manages all campgrounds inside the parks.
If you are wondering what Parks Canada is, then know that it's an agency of the Government of Canada that protect and present Canadian natural and cultural heritage. Through Parks Canada, you also make all reservations for campsites within the national or provincial parks.
Also, whenever you are not sure about campgrounds, trails, weather, or safety, or you are looking just for a recommendation, stop by at one of the Visitors Center along the way.
Rangers working at Park Canada are really helpful and knowledgeable, and we strongly recommend following their advice.
FRONTCOUNTRY CAMPING
It goes without much surprise that frontcountry camping is the most popular type of camping in the Canadian Rockies. Therefore the demand is heaviest for this type of accommodation.
It's also the easiest (and often cheapest) way to spend the night in the Canadian Rockies.
Most of the frontcountry campgrounds offer similar amenities such as restrooms, potable water, showers, tent pads, picnic tables, food storage boxes, or check-in stations. In a nutshell, frontcountry camping makes the Canadian Rockies well accessible for outdoor enthusiasts who don't want to stay in hotels.
Frontcountry camping is available for tents, small campers, big RVs, and trailers. Before you go, always check with Parks Canada the site information as some campgrounds are not suitable for large motorhomes.
For some people, the most significant disadvantage that comes with frontcountry camping in large campgrounds can be the general busyness of these places.
BACKCOUNTRY CAMPING
For those seeking an even more intimate way to reconnect with Mother Nature, backcountry camping is a perfect way to do it.
The biggest difference between frontcountry and backcountry camping is that the backcountry campgrounds are not accessible by cars.
Therefore, you need to get there on foot. Backcountry camping is basically tent camping, so if you are looking for a way to escape campgrounds packed with RVs, this is your best option. It's not that easy, though. You need first to get there, which also means you have to carry your camping gear with you.
Staying safe is essential when venturing into the wilderness, and you should have some prior camping experience.
Remember that you need for backcountry camping Wilderness Pass that costs 10 CAD per day per person (you can also buy an annual pass) that is valid in Banff, Jasper, Kootenay, and Yoho national parks.
Staying at backcountry campgrounds requires reservation as well, so make sure to book them in advance.
COMFORT CAMPING
As the name suggests, comfort camping is for people who want to stay close to nature without giving up their comfort. Don't expect glamping, though.
Comfort camping in the Canadian Rockies is a perfect way to enjoy the beauty of being close to nature for beginners, families with kids, or a larger group of friends. There are a couple of ways to spend the night this way in the Canadian Rockies.
Equipped camping is the most basic service Parks Canada offers. You are provided with camping gear, so you don't have to buy your own and can travel light. Equipped camping costs 71.55 CAD per night for up to 4-6 people depending on the location.
Ask what's included in the price, as sometimes you might need to bring your own kitchen gear.
A mix of an A-frame cabin and tent, oTENTik offers a slightly more luxurious and comfortable camping experience.
Among the standard amenities are mattresses, tables, chairs, lighting, and parking. Plus, your site might include heating, USB port, cook shelter, barbecue, etc.
oTENTik prices start at 92 CAD per day, which might seem a lot at first glance, but keep in mind that the site can accommodate up to six people.
PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS
If you, for any reason, want to stay in a private campground, then you have to search outside the limits of the national park.
During one of our first trips to Jasper National Park, we made the mistake of not booking a campsite in the park in advance and had to drive out of the national park as all campgrounds were full.
Private campgrounds usually offer a bit more in terms of services and amenities, but their location not within the parks is less convenient, same as higher rates.
FREE CAMPING
Unfortunately (or thank god), free camping is not allowed in the Canadian Rockies. Visitors are required to stay in the designated campgrounds.
At first, it might seem like a strict rule, but you need to understand that millions of tourists visit the Canadian Rockies each year. Imagine the disaster if we all decided to camp wherever we wanted.
Therefore, you really should book your accommodation in advance.
Park rangers drive around the park all the time, and they regularly check the parking lots along the way.
Sure, you can use the parking lot for sleeping in an emergency when you are too tired to drive, but don't abuse this rule exception. Remember, you are just a visitor to this incredible country, and it's not cool to camp outside designated areas.
MAKING A RESERVATION
If possible, reserving your site in advance is a crucial thing to do. Fortunately, the reservation process itself is pretty straightforward.
You can either call National Reservation Service directly via this phone number 1-877-RESERVE (737-3783) or 519-826-5391 (Outside of North America).
For online reservations, visit the Parks Canada official website. As Canada is a bilingual country, you will be asked to select either English or French before continuing to the site.
Go to Visit, then Reservations, and then click on Reserve Online.
The actual reservation web page might feel a bit unintuitive at first, but don't worry; we will walk you through it.
First, select the reservation type. Usually, it's either the Frontcountry Camping, Parks Canada Accommodations, or Backcountry Camping.
Then select a park, for example, Banff, Jasper, Yoho, or Kootenay. You are doing great so far.
Then decide on your arrival date, how many nights you want to spend in the selected campground (or choose departure date directly). Now it's time to choose the equipment, which in reality means the way you will travel.
Select either tent, van, motorhome, or trailer, and then party size. Then set your preferences if you have any, such as electrical, water or sewer hook-up, or accessibility.
Finally, you are ready to find your campsite, so click on Find Sites.
If you are not familiar with the campground locations, select the On a Map option.
The next page shows either the map of entire Canada (you need to click on one of the parks in the southwest) or sends you directly to the national park of your choice. For this purpose, we selected frontcountry camping in Banff.
Each campground shows a specific color. Green dots are available, yellow dots signal some restrictions, and red dots mean that no sites are available at the moment.
Click on the campground with availability (Tunnel Mountain Village I), select the campground area (C 1-62), and then choose the campsite (C10) by clicking on it.
Now you are looking at the actual campsite, and you can read some basic info about it, and how much it costs per night. Now it's time to finish the reservation process, so click on reserve and follow the rest of the instructions.
By the way, if you are planning to visit Lake Louise or Moraine Lake or book a bus to Lake O'Hara, you must use this exact page.
Our Tip: During the second trip to the Rockies, we were not as quick as necessary and could not find a campsite in Banff for three consecutive nights. We have a tip, though.
You can try checking availability night by night. This led us to booking three different spots in one campsite.
Yes, it was annoying to pack a tent every day, check out, and later check in again after we finished sightseeing for the day, but it was still cheaper than spending a night in a hotel.
FIRST-COME FIRST-SERVED CAMPGROUNDS
Not all campgrounds in the Canadian Rockies are possible to book in advance. Yes, we are talking about first-come, first-served campgrounds.
These campgrounds are usually smaller and offer a more intimate camping experience. As the name suggests, you need to arrive at this campground as early as possible to find an empty site.
So how early do you need to arrive to secure that spot? Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to this question.
On some days, you might want to show up in the morning (even before official check-in time) to see if someone has left the site early at the most popular campsites. Sometimes, you can pull up after check-in or even later that day.
The first-come, first-served campgrounds usually work on a self-registration basis. Once you park your vehicle at the campsite, you have to go back to the entrance gate to self-register your site and then display it at the site.
Don't forget; rangers daily check if you've self-registered paid or not.
PRICES
Campsite prices in the Canadian Rockies range from 16 CAD to more than 100 CAD per night, depending on the type of camping, location, time of the year, and services.
In general, you pay 16 dollars for the most basic campsite, roughly 37 dollars for a site in a large campground, and the comfort camping starts at 90 dollars per night.
Accommodation in the Canadian Rockies is very expensive in general; therefore, campgrounds are among the best alternatives for budget travelers.
Staying at the hotel in Banff or Jasper in the peak season can cost you a fortune, at least compared to what you pay when camping.
TENT VS. RV CAMPING
A combination of rental car and sleeping in a tent is arguably the most budget-friendly way to travel around the Canadian Rockies (when not counting hitchhiking as it's not a very convenient way of travel for most travelers in this part of the world).
Sleeping in a tent has its charm, and we absolutely loved this experience. However, when the weather is not cooperating, you might be later regretting your decision.
Setting up a tent and cooking in heavy rain outside your vehicle's comfort can be quite challenging or even stressful.
The reason why we love it so much is because of the challenges it presents, and some of our fondest camping memories are tightly connected with our attempts to prepare our meal or set up a tent in severe weather.
If you don't know what to expect or you are not ready for it, you might consider renting a more comfortable motorhome.
Renting a big RV is definitely more expensive, but it's way more comfortable. The selection of campers and RVs is huge, and you can choose from inconspicuous vans to large motorhomes resembling home on wheels.
Simply put, the way you want to travel around the national parks is highly individual as it mostly depends on your Canadian Rockies budget.
HOW FAR IN ADVANCE TO MAKE A RESERVATION
Well, it really depends on which campground you want to stay at and what dates you are looking for, but the rule of thumb is to book a campsite in the Canadian Rockies a few months in advance, preferably when the booking window opens.
Campgrounds fill equally fast as hotels, and it happened to us more than once that we arrived at the full campground without a reservation and had to drive somewhere else.
After some beginner mistakes we made on our first trip, we quickly learned that making reservations in the Canadian Rockies is the best way to have a stress-free holiday.
The rule of thumb, in this case, is that the demand is heaviest on long weekends throughout the camping season and all weekends in peak season.
SERVICES
The frontcountry campgrounds in Banff, Jasper, Yoho, and Kootenay national parks offer similar services and amenities.
The best of the serviced campgrounds offer restrooms, showers, recycling bins, playgrounds, open kitchen shelter, fire pits, firewood, food storage, amphitheater, cell coverage, and more.
We really appreciate that Parks Canada didn't turn frontcountry camping into entertainment parks, a common pet peeve of private campgrounds.
Even in the large campgrounds, the camping experience remains quite authentic, but you have to take into consideration that these places can be busy in peak season to prevent disappointment.
Most of the campgrounds are designed as a loop (in larger campgrounds, there are loops within loops), and they are well-signed, so it's easy to navigate around them.
RULES
One of the ways to travel responsibly is to follow the rules set by Parks Canada. They are not difficult to understand; in fact, they are quite easy to follow.
Among the most common rules are storing all food in a vehicle or wildlife-proof lockers, keeping your place nice and tidy, burning only local firewood (you can buy the permit at the campground), respecting nature, and quiet hours.
As you can see, it's nothing complicated. On top of that, all campgrounds in Canada have very similar rules and regulations, so once you get familiar with them, it's easy to stay in multiple places without issues.
LEAVE NO TRACE
You should adopt Leave No Trace principles when staying in one of the backcountry campgrounds. Well, we should all follow this approach, even for hiking, camping, and traveling in general.
Sustainable travel is essential as more and more people each year spend their free time in the wilderness.
This simple set of guidelines ranging from sleeping, eating, or getting around is super easy to follow. Leaving no traces and limiting your impact to a minimum is also polite, as other visitors want to see and visit the same place you've just been to as well.
It's also important to not remove any items or artifacts from nature, and if you really want to bring something home, use souvenir stores instead.
BEAR SAFETY
Canada is a bear country, and staying safe is essential while hiking and camping. Bear sightings at the campgrounds are not rare, but there is no need to panic.
It happened to us on more than one occasion that during the check-in, the park ranger informed us that a bear was spotted less than an hour ago roaming near or directly at the campground, and we should exercise caution.
The wildlife rules in the campgrounds are quite strict (for your safety).
Never leave food unattended, and keep your pets on a leash at all times. If you fail to keep your site clean, you usually get a warning with instructions to make things right.
However, rangers also have the authority to cancel your camping with no refund. As a last resort, you may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act and Regulations.
When it comes to safety, the campground in Lake Louise went a bit further beyond that. In a nutshell, the Lake Louise campground is surrounded by an electric fence preventing wildlife from entering.
When arriving, you have to drive over a texas gate which is safe for cars; pedestrians and cyclists have to use an adjacent designated gate.
The first time we visited Lake Louise Campground, we had a small campervan with a tent on the roof and ended up accidentally in the area for large RVs without the fence.
Later that day, a park ranger arrived and told us to move to the fenced area to stay safe as we couldn't stay there overnight as we were not that protected as we should have.
Backcountry camping requires even more attention from your side. At some places, there are bear-resistant food storage lockers provided. If not available, you should tie a cord between two trees and suspend your food four meters from the ground. Of course, if possible.
Never cook inside your tent or even near your tent (it's recommended to cook at least 100 meters from your camp), and keep your campsite free of food and garbage.
Dried food is your best option as the bags are sealed and easy to prepare.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
DISCOVERY PASS
In order to enter the national parks in the Canadian Rockies, you need to buy a pass. If you plan to visit multiple national parks in the Canadian Rockies, you should really consider purchasing a Discovery Pass.
The Discovery Pass is valid for one year from the date of purchase, costs 139.40 CAD, and is for up to 7 people in a vehicle. The pass covers more than 80 national parks and sites in the entire country.
Although the initial price is quite steep, we believe that it's money well spent.
Parks Canada works really hard to ensure you will have a wonderful time in the national parks, and it's only a small price for being allowed to enter one of the most beautiful places in the world.
CAMPING TIPS
Every camping trip, we learn something new. Even if you are a seasoned camper, there is always a unique situation that takes you off guard. Being said that, it never harms to follow some basic camping tips and advice.
One of the most important things to do when camping in the tent is to keep your stuff dry.
This rule is easy to follow when you are frontcountry camping, as you can keep your things in the car overnight. It's more challenging when backcountry camping, though.
We believe that dry sacks are one of the best buys when it comes to camping in the wilderness.
If you don't have any camping experience, take it slowly. If you have a backyard, now it's time to try sleeping in the tent.
It's not only a test of how comfortable this experience can be for you, but it's also one of the best ways to test your gear. If you live in a city, it might be a good idea to make a short and easy trip to some not very challenging camping areas near your city.
Always bring a headlamp for camping, and don't forget to check batteries before you go (or carry some extra).
Also, be always prepared for bad weather. Make sure to check the weather forecast when planning a trip. On top of that, an unexpected storm can occur when you least expect it, even when you checked the weather forecast before leaving home.
Finally, repetition is the mother of all learning. You are camping in a bear country, so keep your site clean.
CANADIAN ROCKIES CAMPGROUNDS
Campgrounds in the Canadian Rockies are plentiful, and we believe that every traveler will find the best fit. Some campgrounds are very basic, while some offer good amenities.
Not all campgrounds indeed are the same, and every experience will be different depending on many factors.
It's not in our power to describe every single campground in the Canadian Rockies, but we tried our best and made a list of campgrounds in the big national parks.
We would also be very grateful if you could share your camping experience in the Rockies in the comment section down below.
CAMPING IN BANFF NATIONAL PARK
Camping in Banff National Park is fun if you know what to expect.
Banff is by far the most famous national park in the Canadian Rockies and has plenty of campgrounds that offer an unforgettable experience of getting back to nature.
Canada is home to forty-eight national parks, and Banff is the most visited national park in the entire country. More than four million tourists visit it each year.
Therefore, it's essential to come prepared. Campsites in Banff fill extremely quickly, and making a reservation in advance is vital. And when camps are full, you either have to drive to another place or spend a night in one of the expensive Banff's hotels.
BANFF'S CAMPGROUNDS
There are currently 14 campgrounds in Banff National Park with 2488 sites. Although the number of campgrounds seems like a lot, most of them are open only during the peak or shoulder season, which means that Banff's campgrounds are open usually from May to October or from June to September.
Only Tunnel Mountain Village II and Lake Louise Trailer are open year round.
BANFF
Mountain Village is often considered the best campground in Banff, though it's enormous, and some visitors might prefer some smaller and more intimate campsites in one of the first-come, first-served campgrounds.
Mountain Village Campground is the first campground on the way from Calgary and has three specific areas; Mountain Village I, Mountain Village II, and Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court.
This campground is perfect if you plan on hiking, for example, Cory Pass or Bourgeau Lake.
BOW VALLEY PARKWAY
The location plays an essential role in choosing the campground in Banff National Park. If you want to visit a specific place, you might want to consider staying as near as possible.
Two Jack Campground is located close to beautiful Lake Minnewanka, where you can also find the Aylmer Lookout trailhead.
This campground is divided into two areas; Two Jack Main has 380 sites and Two Jack Lakeside 74 sites. The smaller of these two is perfect for tent camping, but it's also suitable for small RVs.
Located along the Bow Valley Parkway, Johnston Canyon Campground is near the super popular Johnston Canyon trailhead.
Castle Mountain Campground is on the same road near Castle Junction, near the turnoff to Kootenay National Park.
Before you reach Lake Louise, you can stay in Protection Mountain Campground, also located on Bow Valley Parkway. Although it's possible to stay there in a tent, campsites are best suited for RVs.
LAKE LOUISE CAMPGROUNDS
Even though Lake Louise is located within Banff National Park, we believe that it deserves its own section due to its premier location.
With almost 400 sites, Lake Louise Campground is a perfect place for staying there before visiting the iconic Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Lake Louise Campground has two areas.
A hard-sided campground is open year-round, and all sites come with electricity, while a soft-sided campground is open from May to September. An electric fence encloses the tent area due to bear activity.
ICEFIELDS PARKWAY
Due to its excellent location near top places such as Peyto Lake or Bow Lake, Mosquito Creek Campground is a popular choice for both tent camping and RVs. This is a first-come, first-served campground with only 32 sites, though, so it's better to arrive early to secure the spot.
Rampart Creek has 50 sites, and it is the only reservable campground along the Icefields Parkway on Banff's side.
Next to the river, Silverhorn Creek Campground (45 sites) offers a rustic camping experience. The campground is very basic (no drinking water, only fire pits, and outhouse) and probably best suited for RVs.
Arguably, Waterfowl Lakes is the best campground along the Icefields Parkway in Banff National Park. The location is super convenient, and the scenery surrounding the campground breathtaking.
JASPER NATIONAL PARK
Located in Alberta province, Jasper is the second most visited national park in Canada. Together with Banff NP, Jasper is packed with tourists in the summer, and making a campsite reservation is essential.
Jasper currently has 11 seasonal campgrounds with 2234 sites, roughly the same amount as Banff National Park.
Jasper National Park is home to some most incredible places in the Canadian Rockies, and being able to sleep near them is something we should all be really grateful for.
JASPER'S CAMPGROUNDS
The best campground in Jasper is Whistlers Campground, with almost 800 sites ranging from small tent sites to big sites for most motorhomes and trailers.
This iconic campground is always a safe choice for camping in Jasper; just make sure you book your campsite early.
Wapiti has 363 sites in summer and only 75 sites in winter and is located right next to Whistlers Campground. As it offers almost the same facilities, some travelers prefer it over its bigger counterpart.
Pocahontas Campground is a popular choice among campers visiting Miette Hot Springs or hiking Sulphur Skyline Trail.
Snaring Campground works on a first-come, first-served basis, and it's one of the first camping areas available when entering Jasper National Park from Edmonton. It also has an overflow campground with 280 sites, and though the sites lack privacy and are near train tracks, it's better than nothing and might save your bacon if other places are full.
There isn't any campground on Maligne Valley Road, so if you want to paddle on Maligne Lake, walk around Maligne Canyon, or hike to Opal Hills, your best bet is to stay in one of Jasper's campgrounds.
Wabasso Campground has 231 sites and is popular for tent camping, but there are also available electrical sites for small RVs.
Wabasso is just off the 93A road, and you might consider staying there before visiting the Mount Edith Cavell area. If you drive south of the campground, you will arrive at the Athabasca Falls (the road is closed in winter, though).
When traveling further south towards Banff, you can find some nice campgrounds along the scenic Icefields Parkway. As there are only a few hotels along the way, camping might be a better alternative here.
Icefields Centre RV and Icefield Tent Campground are near the Athabasca Glacier, and especially the tent site offers stunning views of Mount Andromeda and Athabasca.
Be prepared for cold nights, though, as the area around Columbia Icefield is at a high altitude.
Only a short drive from these two campgrounds is Wilcox Campground, an excellent place to stay before hiking Wilcox Pass or even Parker Ridge.
Honeymoon Lake, Kerkeslin, and Jonas are small and quiet Jasper's campgrounds best suited for tenting and smaller motorhomes working on a first-come, first-served basis, offering a taste of backcountry experience while still being easily accessible by car.
YOHO NATIONAL PARK
Home to some of the most beautiful lakes in the Canadian Rockies, Yoho National Park deserves your attention.
Yoho can't compete with its more famous counterparts in terms of the total amount of campgrounds.
Yoho National Park has only four campgrounds with 197 sites, making it quite difficult to find an empty camping spot in the peak season. All campgrounds in Yoho are seasonal, usually open from May to September or June to October.
If the Lake Louise area is full, you might want to consider staying in one of Yoho's campgrounds, depending on your Canadian Rockies itinerary. It might come as a surprise, but it takes only twenty minutes to get from Kicking Horse to Lake Louise.
YOHO'S CAMPGROUNDS
The only reservable campground in Yoho National Park is Kicking Horse. With 88 sites, Kicking Horse is the best campground in Yoho National Park.
Monarch is an unserviced campground right next to the Kicking Horse that offers a very rustic and noisy experience (it's close to the highway and train tracks). As a result, you can sometimes find there a spot if other campgrounds are full.
Takakkaw Falls Campground is located at the end of scenic Yoho Valley Road next to the stunning Takakkaw Falls. This is a small seasonal campground with only 35 sites, and we believe it's one of the best places to camp in Yoho if you want to escape the crowds or locations near noisy roads.
If you are wondering if you can stay overnight on the shore of the Emerald Lake, then note there is no campground, only a quite expensive Emerald Lake Lodge.
When entering Yoho National Park from Golden, Hoodoo Creek is the first campground along the way. A small unserviced campground, Hoodoo Creek, offers only a little privacy, and it is just an okay place to spend the night in Yoho.
When talking about the best places to stay in Yoho National Park, we can't fail to mention the Lake O'Hara area.
Sitting in the forest on the edge of one of the most beautiful places in the Canadian Rockies, Lake O'Hara Campground is a perfect combination of frontcountry and backcountry camping.
The campground is only accessible by a shuttle bus and requires a reservation. Due to its enormous popularity, Parks Canada came up with a random draw reservation system to make the process fairer for everyone.
As a result of limited access, the Lake O'Hara area is one of the best-preserved places, and the scenery is absolutely mind-blowing.
There are a few more backcountry campsites in Yoho National Park, usually used by multi-day trekkers.
KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK
Often skipped by first-time visitors, Kootenay National Park is a perfect place to escape the crowds. With top places such as Marble Canyon, Paint Pots, Stanley Glacier, or Radium Hot Springs Pool, Kootenay can keep you busy for at least two or three days.
Kootenay National Park has only three seasonal campgrounds with 383 sites, so camping here is a bit limited.
Radium Hot Springs is known as the gateway to Kootenay National Park, and you can find some private campgrounds there as well.
KOOTENAY'S CAMPGROUNDS
With 242 sites, Redstreak Campground in Radium Hot Springs is your safest bet for camping in Kootenay.
Redstreak Campground is located less than three kilometers from the village and offers a lovely camping experience, potable water, open kitchen shelters, electric hook-ups, fire pits, and much more.
McLeod Meadows and Marble Canyon are open and available by reservation only from June to September, with the latter campground being a better camping option out of these two.
CAMPING GEAR
What you need for camping is tightly connected with the way you are going to travel around the Canadian Rockies.
First, you need to decide whether you want to enjoy only a frontcountry camping experience or you are ready for a more challenging backcountry camping.
When you rent a car (or drive your own car), then it's very simple. No camping gear is included, and you have to bring your own. From a cooking set and gas cans to a tent with sleeping pads, you really need to bring everything.
It's a little bit more complicated with the rental RVs. Before you go, always check what's included and what's not in your rental fee.
Sometimes, all camping gear is included, and you don't have to worry about it. However, more often, the rental companies charge extra fees even for the most basic things.
One of the biggest pet peeves is that some of the fees can be not per your rental period but per day. And even if the rental fee is per the whole stay, it can be inadequately expensive.
For example, when you pay thirty dollars for camping chairs, which you can buy for 50 dollars and use them multiple times on future camping trips.
Also, don't make any mistake that the frontcountry camping is somewhat less challenging; this assumption would be wrong and you still need proper gear.
Even during the summer, it can rain anytime, and the temperatures can easily drop below zero Celsius at night. Especially tent camping can be hard when the weather doesn't cooperate, and proper gear can make your trip much more bearable.
For more detailed information, make sure to read our Canadian Rockies Packing List for All Seasons.
TENT CAMPING
For backcountry camping, consider investing in a lightweight tent. The thing about lightweight tents is that they are not cheap rather the opposite.
Being said that, we believe it's worth spending some extra money on high-quality gear to make your life easier. On top of that, a good tent will last years, so it's also a good investment.
A good sleeping bag is equally important as a proper tent. We prefer to use down sleeping bags over synthetic ones, as they are incredibly light, compressible, and warm.
You will appreciate all these features any time, but especially for hiking and backcountry camping.
A common beginner's camping mistake is to buy an expensive sleeping bag but a cheap foam pad.
A good sleeping pad is not only for your comfort, but most importantly, it provides essential insulation. There is nothing worse than the cold coming from the ground when sleeping in the wilderness.
We've been using self-inflating pads ever since we bought them and couldn't be happier.
Sure, when the weight is not an issue, you can bring one of those big comfortable air pads to get a good night's sleep.
COOKING
One of the best things about camping in nature is the necessity to cook your own food. Sure, you can always eat out in a restaurant, but there is no charm in that, and it sort of loses the point of staying outside.
Not only is cooking your own food one of the best ways to save money when traveling, but it also adds another layer to this incredible experience.
There are some essential things to bring with you for every camping trip.
Firstly, bring a ultralight cooking stove or portable cooking stove , gas cans, stove screen, and a cooking set.
Also, having a sharp knife is very important when camping. In our opinion, a small-sized foldable knife is the only knife you need as you can carry it with you also for backcountry hikes.
Years and years ago, we always brought regular food for backcountry camping for budget reasons and were always jealous of hikers who brought their instant dried food. Not only it tasted better, but it was way much lighter and easier to prepare.
One day, we decided to give it a try, which changed our way of preparing meals when camping in the wilderness.
In our opinion, dried food is worth the extra money, and we always can't wait to try new types of meals on top of our all-time favorite classics, such as Mac and Cheese or Beef Stroganoff.
SHELTER
For frontcountry camping, make sure to bring a large tarp to create a shelter. You can use it as a cooking and tent shelter if the tarp is big enough. Believe us, this is 101 camping advice, and you can buy it in every hardware store along the way.
Fortunately, Canadian campgrounds are usually located in the forest, so it's typically easy to set it up (unlike at campgrounds in Iceland, for instance).
So, how about backcountry camping? We don't expect you to carry a heavy and big tarp for multi-day hikes as we also like to pack as light as possible.
Remember how we always say that nothing can beat a good rain poncho?
A rain poncho has many uses and benefits and allows you to use it also as a temporary shelter. Don't forget to bring a paracord to tie it between the trees. If there are no trees around the campsite, use trekking poles instead.
Sure, it's not perfect, but it's one of the most ingenious camping solutions given the circumstances.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
