Our guide to camping in the national parks of Alberta and the Canadian Rockies has Parks Canada reservation launch dates, tips on booking campsites, and fun outdoor activities to help you plan the best camping trip ever in Banff, Jasper, Waterton, Elk Island, Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site, or Wood Buffalo, Yoho, and Kootenay National Park.
Parks Canada camping reservation launch dates for summer 2024 are just around the corner! Start planning your trips now, so you can be ready on launch day (dates are staggered, see below). We have tips and tricks for booking coveted campsites, O’TENTIKs (cabin tents), and backcountry sites; plus recommended outdoor activities for each national park in Alberta and the Canadian Rockies, to help you plan an amazing camping trip. Mark your calendars and set your alarms – unforgettable adventures in Canada’s most breathtaking landscapes await!
Table of Contents
Parks Canada Camping Reservation Launch Dates (for Alberta’s national parks + Yoho NP and Kootenay NP)
Parks Canada Campsites (frontcountry and backcountry), O’TENTiks, tipis, and cabins may be booked through the Parks Canada Reservation Service on the following dates at 8 am for the entire season. You can also reserve by phone: 1-877-737-3783 (dial 1-519-826-5391 from outside North America). Note that some Group Camping Areas may only be booked through the local Visitor Information Centre.
| Launch Date | Park | Reservable Campgrounds |
|---|---|---|
| January 23, 2024 | Kootenay National Park: Frontcountry | – Redstreak (unserviced, power, full hookup) – Redstreak O’TENTIKs (unserviced) – Marble Canyon (unserviced) – McLeod Meadows (unserviced) – Crook’s Meadow Group Camping Area (unserviced): Only available to schools and non-profit organizations. Email ko***********************@pc.ca to reserve |
| January 23, 2024 | Yoho National Park: Frontcountry | – Kicking Horse (unserviced) – Takakkaw Falls Walk-In Camping (unserviced) |
| January 24, 2024 | Elk Island National Park: Frontcountry and Backcountry | – Astotin Lake Campground (unserviced frontcountry and walk-in sites) – Astotin Lake O’TENTiks (battery powered lantern, electric baseboard heater), – Oster Lake Backcountry – Astotin Lake Group Camping Area must be booked by phone: 780-922-5790 |
| January 24, 2024 | Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site: Frontcountry | – Heritage Camping (trapline cabins, tipis, Métis trapper tents) – Rocky Mountain House Campground (unserviced) – Equipped Camping (unserviced) |
| January 24, 2024 | Waterton Lakes National Park: Frontcountry and Backcountry | – Waterton Lakes Townsite campground – Backcountry Camping – Belly River Group Camping Area can only be booked by phone (after April 1): 403-859-5133 |
| January 24, 2024 | Wood Buffalo National Park: Frontcountry | – Pine Lake Campground – Kettle Lake Group Campsite (Check Park Bulletins for road/day use/trail closures due to 2023 wildfires) |
| January 25, 2024 | Lake O’Hara Backcountry Campground, Yoho National Park | – Lake O’Hara Backcountry Campground: maximum stay: 3 nights, bookings include shuttle bookings. |
| January 26, 2024 | Banff National Park: Frontcountry | – Tunnel Mountain Village I (unserviced) – Tunnel Mountain Village II (power sites, open year round) – Tunnel Mountain Village II O’TENTik (lights and heat) – Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court (full hookup) – Lake Louise Hard-sided Equipment Only (power sites) – Lake Louise Soft-Sided Tents/Trailers (unserviced) – Johnston Canyon (unserviced) – Two Jack Lakeside (unserviced) – Two Jack Lakeside O’TENTik (lights and heat) – Two Jack Main (unserviced) – Two Jack Main Equipped Camping (unserviced) – Rampart Creek (unserviced) – Silverhorn Creek (unserviced) |
| January 29, 2024 | Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho Backcountry (EXCEPT Lake O’Hara) BC | – Banff Backcountry Campgrounds – Kootenay Backcountry Campgrounds – Yoho Backcountry Campgrounds (EXCEPT Lake O’Hara) |
| January 30, 2024 | Jasper National Park: Frontcountry | -Whistlers (unserviced, power, or full hookup sites) – Whistlers oTENTiks (lights and heat) – Miette/Pocahontas (unserviced) – Wapiti (unserviced and power sites) – Wabasso (unserviced and power sites) – Whirlpool Group Camping Area (unserviced) – Palisades Centre (cabins and rustic accommodations, open year round; lights, heat and electrical outlets) |
| February 1, 2024 | Jasper National Park: Backcountry | Backcountry Camping |
Tips & Tricks for Booking Parks Canada Campsites
With unprecedented demand for campsites in the national parks, it’s best to be prepared on launch day. There are a few things you can do in advance to make campsite booking less stressful.
THE NIGHT BEFORE: Test log-in and gather contact info for permit holders
- Log in the night before and update your password if necessary. Also, if you did not book Parks Canada campsites in 2023, you will need to create a new account (Parks Canada Reservations moved to a new platform last year). Knowing your log-in details will make the checkout process faster.
- Write down the name of the park and campground (and favorite campsites) before you book so you don’t waste precious time. Popular campgrounds are fully booked within minutes on opening day!
- Note that provincial campgrounds are reservable at Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca 90 days in advance. Only the parks in the table above are national parks!
- Note that provincial campgrounds are reservable at Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca 90 days in advance. Only the parks in the table above are national parks!
- Get acquainted with the reservation system the night before so you can get in and get your campsite as quickly as possible. When booking backcountry camping, in addition to your “Access Point” (trailhead), you need to select the right option – Backcountry Zone, Backcountry Campsite, or West Coast Trail – to find your desired campground. See backcountry camping booking instructions below for more info.
- If you are booking more than one campsite for the same date, you will need contact info for the other permit holder(s). You can’t have more than one booking in your name for the same day.
- For backcountry bookings, you will be required provide the names of all permit holders and their emergency contacts (people who will not be camping with you).
RESERVATION LAUNCH DAY: Log in on a laptop before 8 am!
Book campsites at Parks Canada Reservation Service.
- Use a laptop! Parks Canada does not recommend logging in on a phone or tablet (higher chance the system will glitch).
- Log in between 7:30 am and 7:59 am to be placed in the queue. At 8 am, you will be assigned a random spot in the queue. If you log in after 8 am, you will be placed at the end of the line. There is no benefit to logging in super early since all spots are randomized before 8 am.
- Reserve up to FIVE campsites, then pay for them within 20 minutes. You can make up to FIVE reservations on Parks Canada, but you only have 20 minutes from when you put the first campsite in your cart. After you pay for your last campsite, you will be placed back in the queue.
- Know before you book:
- Overlapping dates: You can’t be the permit holder for more than one reservation on a given date. So if you are booking multiple campsites for the same weekend, they must be under different names.
- Lake O’Hara Bus Reservations: Maximum one Lake O’Hara Bus Reservation in your cart at a time. Day use shuttle tickets will be available by random draw – dates to be announced in February. If you are camping at Lake O’Hara, bus tickets are included with your reservation.
- Bruce Peninsula Grotto Parking: Maximum 3 bookings per transaction for the same date and time.
- For more information see the Parks Canada Reservations FAQs.
How to Book Parks Canada Backcountry Camping
1. Click the Backcountry tab from the menu, then choose backcountry zone, backcountry campsite, or West Coast Trail to find a backcountry campground/campsite.
- Select Backcountry Zone if you’re booking an undesignated campsite (a campsite will be reserved for you, but you will not be assigned a site number) in a backcountry campground in: Banff/Kootenay/Yoho, Forillon, Glacier, Grasslands, Jasper, Mount Revelstoke, Pacific Rim, or Waterton.
- For all other national parks including Elk Island, select Backcountry Campsite to reserve a specific campsite.
- West Coast Trail has its own special button.
| BACKCOUNTRY ZONE: Select Park and Access Point | BACKCOUNTRY CAMPSITE: Select Park and Campsite |
|---|---|
| Banff (AB) | Bruce Peninsula (ON) |
| Kootenay (BC) | Cape Breton Highlands (NS) |
| Yoho (BC) | Elk Island (AB) |
| Forillon (QC) | Fathom Five (ON) |
| Glacier (BC) | Fundy (NB) |
| Grasslands (SK) | Georgian Bay Islands (ON) |
| Jasper (AB) | Kejimkujik (NS) |
| Mount Revelstoke (BC) | Riding Mountain (MB) |
| Pacific Rim (BC) | Terra Nova (NL) |
| Waterton (AB) |
2. Select the park you’d like to stay in, enter your arrival date, party size, and number of tent pads required.
3. For “Backcountry Zone” bookings, you will need to select the park and Access Point (trailhead), then click Search to select your desired campground from the map. Tip: Knowing both trailheads will help you in case you need to start the trail from the opposite direction. For a Backcountry Campsite, select the park and campsite.
4. Scroll down to “Build Your Stay” : Select the next campground/campsite for your trek from the map or dropdown list.
5. When it’s time to reserve/pay, you will be required to provide the names of all permit holders and their emergency contacts (people who will not be camping with you).
Campground Amenities + Fun Things to Do in Alberta’s National Parks
BANFF: See our Banff Summer Fun Guide for the best things to do in Banff National Park this summer from scaling the cliffs of Mount Norquay (on the Via Ferrata) or biking the Bow Valley Parkway, to soaring to the top of Sulphur Mountain on the Banff Gondola or horseback riding.
RESERVABLE BANFF CAMPGROUNDS
- The Tunnel Mountain campgrounds – Tunnel Mountain Village I (unserviced), Tunnel Mountain Village II (power sites), Tunnel Mountain Village II O’TENTik (Lighting, heating and electric outlets), Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court (full hookup) – are the closest to the town of Banff. Public transit is available to take you to/from town and top attractions. Amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, interpretive programs, food storage lockers (except at trailer court), and sanidumps. There are also cook shelters at Tunnel Mountain Village II.
- Two Jack Lakeside (unserviced) has lakeside campsites and O’TENTiks (lighting, heating and electric outlets). Amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, cooking shelter, picnic shelter, food storage locker, and sanidump. You can take Roam Transit from Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive, or drive 15 minutes to town.
- Two Jack Main (unserviced) has campsites and equipped camping across the road from the lake. Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, cooking shelter, picnic shelter, and food storage locker. You can take Roam Transit from Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive.
- In Lake Louise, you can choose from the Lake Louise Hard-sided Equipment Only (power sites) or Lake Louise Soft-Sided Tents/Trailers campgrounds just 4 km from the lake. Amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, picnic shelters, interpretive programs, food storage locker, and sanidump. Note that private vehicles are no longer permitted on Moraine Lake Road, so you will need to book shuttle tickets and take the Connector Shuttle from near the campground, or the Moraine Lake/Lake Louise Shuttle from Lake Louise Ski Resort. See our story Visiting Moraine Lake for details.
- Johnston Canyon is located halfway between Banff and Lake Louise, near the popular Johnston Canyon waterfall hike. Suitable for tents and small RVs (less than 27 feet), amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, cooking shelter, picnic shelter, interpretive programs, food storage locker, and sanidump.
- Rampart Creek and Silverhorn Creek are rustic campgrounds on the Icefields Parkway. Rampart Creek has drinking water, outhouses, cooking shelter, picnic shelter, and food storage lockers. Silverhorn Creek only has outhouses (bring your own water) and food storage lockers.
ELK ISLAND: Enjoy 14 Fun Things to do at Elk Island National Park with Astotin Lake Campground as your home away from home, only 45 minutes from Edmonton. Don’t miss the nearby Ukrainian Heritage Cultural Village for a tour (and tasty lunch). Costumed interpreters bring the past to life!
Astotin Lake Campground (unserviced frontcountry & walk-in) has drinking water, showers, flush toilets, a cook shelter, and sanidump. Each Astotin Lake O’TENTik has a battery powered lantern, electric baseboard heaters, and USB charging port. The O’TENTiks and Group Camping Area are walking distance to the showers, flush toilets, and cook shelter.
JASPER: Drive the legendary Icefields Parkway to Jasper National Park and hike to Wilcox Pass, Toe of the Glacier, Athabasca Falls, Valley of the Five Lakes, Cavell Meadows & Path of the Glacier, and Maligne Canyon. The Maligne Lake Cruise and Jasper Skytram are also amazing!
RESERVABLE JASPER CAMPGROUNDS
Many trees have been cut down in Jasper campgrounds to control the spread of mountain pine beetles. While it makes for less privacy and shade, the mountain views are nice.
- Whistlers Campground has unserviced, power, full hookup, and walk-in sites; and O’TENTiks with lights and heat 3 km from the town of Jasper. Amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, kitchen shelter, playground, outdoor theatre, food storage locker, and sanidump.
- Wapiti has unserviced and power sites 4 km from the town of Jasper. Amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, kitchen shelter, playground, food storage locker, and sanidump.
- Wabasso has unserviced and power sites suitable for tents and small RVs. Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, kitchen shelter, playground, interpretive programs, food storage locker, and sanidump. 16 km from Jasper and 17 km from Athabasca Falls.
- Whirlpool Group Camping Area (unserviced) can accomodate up to 20 vehicles including a few trailers/RV’s up to 25’. Amenities include drinking water, cook shelter with woodstove (winterized), food storage lockers, 5 picnic tables, 10 tent pads, outhouses, group fire pit with firewood.
- Palisades Centre has an assortment of cabins and rustic accommodations with lights, heat, and electrical outlets that sleep 2-30 people. It’s open year round.
- Miette (formerly known as Pocahontas) has unserviced sites on the east side of the park that are suitable for tents and small RVs (less than 27′). Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, and food storage lockers.
KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK has beautiful sights around every corner as you drive south on Highway 93S. Hike Marble Canyon to the Paint Pots, Juniper-Sinclair Canyon, Stanley Glacier, or Floe Lake; then go for a soak at Radium Hot Springs, and camp in one of the park’s scenic campgrounds.
RESERVABLE KOOTENAY CAMPGROUNDS
- Redstreak (unserviced, power, full hookup) has unserviced, power, or full hookup sites for units up to 35′; and O’TENTiks (unserviced – no power) 4 km from Radium. Amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, kitchen shelter, cook shelter, playground, amphitheatre, interpretive programs, sanidump, and food storage lockers.
- Marble Canyon (unserviced) is located on Hwy 93S, 19 km south of Castle junction and 88 km north of Radium. Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, kitchen shelter, cook shelter, sanidump, and food storage lockers. 60 sites suitable for tents and units under 15′.
- McLeod Meadows (unserviced): is located on Hwy 93S, 77 km south of Castle junction and 28 km north of Radium. Amenities include drinking water, flush toilets, kitchen shelter, cook shelter, theatre, sanidump, and food storage lockers. 88 sites suitable for tents and units under 30′.
- Crook’s Meadow Group Camping Area (unserviced): This group campground is available to SCHOOLS AND NON-PROFITS ONLY. Located on Hwy 93S, 70 km south of Castle junction and 35 km north of Radium. Amenities include drinking water, outhouses, kitchen shelter, cook shelter, and food storage lockers. Suitable for tents and units under 21′. Minimum group size: 20 people. Maximum group size: 50 people.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE: Discover Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site (read about our Heritage Camping experience), learn about Canada’s fur trade history and explorer David Thompson, and explore beautiful David Thompson Country!
CAMPING AT THE HISTORIC SITE
- Heritage Camping is the premiere experience here. Stay in a trapline cabin (sleeps 6) with lights, mini fridge, induction burner, and microwave; tipi (sleep 8); or trapper’s tent (sleeps 5). You can drive up to your unit to unload/pack up at the end of your stay, but must park about 50 metres away to keep the road clear. Amenities include outhouses and a cook shelter in the walk-in tent camping area. Water and flush toilets are at the Visitor Centre (1.3 km away).
- Trailer Campground has unserviced sites for units up to 27′. Water and outhouses, no showers.
- Walk-in tent camping and Equipped Camping area has a shared picnic shelter. Water and outhouses, no showers.
WATERTON: In Waterton Lakes National Park, hike the Bear’s Hump, take the Lake Cruise (and hike to Crypt Lake if you’re up for big hike), walk the lakeshore trail to Cameron Falls, explore Red Rock Canyon and hike to Blakiston Falls, do some star gazing, and have Afternoon Tea at the Prince of Wales Hotel.
RESERVABLE WATERTON CAMPGROUNDS
Waterton Lakes Townsite Campground has unserviced, power, full serviced, and walk-in sites on the shore of Upper Waterton Lake, walking distance to shops and restaurants. Amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, kitchen shelters with wood burning stoves, interpretive programs, sanidump, and food storage lockers. Since it is extremely windy here, campsites do not have fire rings and fires are not permitted. On the plus side, views are fantastic!
Belly River Group Camping Area has outhouses, a kitchen shelter, communal area, picnic tables, fire pit, picnic tables, and grey water disposal. There is no drinking water here – bring your own!
WOOD BUFFALO: Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada’s largest national park, is shared with the Northwest Territories and is home to the largest herds of wood bison in the world as well as wolves, whooping cranes. Swim, paddle, and camp at Pine Lake; picnic at Salt River Day Use; watch wildlife; and stargaze. If you go in late summer, you may see Northern Lights!
RESERVABLE WOOD BUFFALO CAMPGROUNDS
Pine Lake Campground has 20 unserviced sites with fire rings and picnic tables (10 sites are reservable). Campground amenities include flush toilets, non-potable water, food storage lockers, sandy beach, cook shelter, playground, and change rooms. Note that there are no showers or potable drinking water. Bring a filter or tablets so you can treat lake water.
Kettle Point Group Campsite accommodates 8-50 people and has a spacious, wheelchair-accessible log shelter with a wood stove and picnic tables, grassy tent camping area, semi-private beach, fire circle, picnic tables, flush toilets, and playground. Non-potable water is available from Pine Lake Campground. Bring your own drinking water or treat/filter lake water.
2023 wildfires damaged infrastructure, trails, and forests in Wood Buffalo National Park (including access to the Salt Plain), so check Park Bulletins before you plan your trip.
YOHO NATIONAL PARK: Visit Spiral Tunnels National Historic Site, Takakkaw Falls, Emerald Lake, and the Natural Bridge; hike Sherbrooke Lake, Hunter Fire Lookout, or the Iceline Trail; or enter the Parks Canada draw for Lake O’Hara shuttle tickets and hike around Lake O’Hara.
RESERVABLE YOHO CAMPGROUNDS
- Kicking Horse (unserviced): is located 5 km east of Field and is suitable for tents and trails up to 50′. Amenities include drinking water, showers, flush toilets, kitchen shelters, picnic shelters, pay phone, playground, theatre, interpretive programs, sani-dump, and food storage lockers.
- Takakkaw Falls (unserviced, walk-in): This walk-in campground is located 5 km east of Field and is suitable for small or medium-sized tents (max size: 4 person tent, maximum people per site: 4). It’s a 300 metre walk to camp. Wheelbarrows are available to help you bring camping gear to camp, but pack everything in backpacks in case there isn’t a wheelbarrow near the parking lot when you arrive. Amenities include drinking water, outhouses, food storage locker, cook shelter, and picnic shelter.
Know Before You Go
- A Parks Canada Discovery Pass / daily admission fee is required to stop in all national parks. Your park pass/admission fee includes admission to national historic sites like Cave and Basin and Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site.
- Parking is limited in downtown Banff and at the Banff Gondola, and Parks Canada Shuttles are recommended for visiting Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. See our Getting Around Banff Guide for info re: free parking, public transit, and shuttles.
- You are in bear territory. Review our Bear Safety Tips and keep bear spray accessible (NOT in your backpack). Every adult in your party should have their own bear spray, and know how to use it.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash. For your safety, Parks Canada and bear safety experts recommend leaving your dog at home.
- If you can’t wait until summer, check out our guide to Winter Camping in Alberta!
What to Bring
Our Camping Pack List has everything you need for a fun trip! Print it and check it off, so you don’t forget anything.
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Alberta Parks camping (frontcountry and backcountry) reservations may be made online up to 90 days in advance at 9 am. Comfort camping and group camping can be booked up to 180 days in advance. Here are some provincial parks we recommend:
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- Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Recreation Guide
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