Staying right in the middle of the oldest national park in Canada has its charm. That is if you’re away from busy streets and constant crowds. Camping in Banff National Park is a great option to enjoy nature to the fullest, and we’re sharing the best campgrounds in Banff and all our tips for your enjoyable stay.

Having lived in Banff and visiting the Canadian Rockies for the last decade has taught us a lot of valuable lessons about national parks, wildlife, backcountry and camping rules. We camped in almost all the campgrounds mentioned below, and that’s why we created the ultimate guide for camping in Banff.

And while there’s a lot of information online saying you need to book a campsite 6 months in advance (which is not always true), that is very little mentioned in terms of last-minute camping or alternate campgrounds near Banff.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find:

• a map of all campgrounds in Banff & beyond
• a detailed breakdown of each reservable & first come first serve campsite in Banff National Park, including photos
• other camping options when campgrounds in Banff are full
• tips for reservations and last-minute camping
• important rules and safety tips for camping in Banff

Banff National Park has 14 campgrounds with over 2,400 sites (the majority of them are reservable).

While most of them are seasonal, open roughly from mid-May to mid-October, there is one campground in Banff and one in Lake Louise that is open year-round:

• Tunnel Mountain Village II Campground in Banff
• Lake Louise Trailer Campground

So if you’re visiting in winter for skiing, you can still go camping in Banff.

UPDATE for 2023 season
Reservations for summer 2023 open March 23, 2023 at 8 am Mountain Time, and most sites in popular campgrounds are likely to be booked within hours. If you’d like a specific campsite during summer (especially during Canada’s holidays), I suggest you book as soon as possible.

The busiest season in Banff is July & August, which might be no surprise. What is a surprise to many people is that Banff is busy all year round. There are plenty of activities you can do around Banff, and therefore Banff is never a “ghost town”. Read more here: 100 things to do in Banff National Park & beyond.

If you’re arriving in Banff with an RV/trailer and want to stay in town, you need to book in advance when registration opens in March 2023. But if you’re flexible and don’t mind driving a bit further, there’s plenty of space in first come first serve campgrounds. And if you’re lucky, you might score a campsite in Banff last minute as well due to cancellations of other campers.

Most of the travellers using our Smile Campervans didn’t book in advance for the summer and had no problem finding an available campsite in Banff National Park.

If you like adventurous trips, book a Smile Campervan from us. It’s a budget-friendly option to see the Canadian Rockies and a perfect companion for camping in Banff.

Camping with Smile Campervan

*In the spirit of full disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, we receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. See more details here. We appreciate your support!

Let’s break down all the camping options you have when you visit Banff.

Map of campsites in Banff National Park

Green – First come first serve campgrounds
Blue – Reservable campgrounds
Orange – other options if all of the above is unavailable/full

All campgrounds on the map are accessible by car. The full breakdown of each is further below.

Camping in Banff National Park

Due to the unbelievably astronomical prices for hotels in Banff, many travellers rather go camping to keep their visit budget-friendly. It’s also our favourite option as you can move around the park without having to worry about returning to a hotel and rather stay by the river at a campsite and wake up with the immediate dose of fresh mountain air.

There are 3 different types of campgrounds in Banff National Park:

1. Reservable campgrounds – RESERVE HERE (there’s an 11.50 CAD fee for online reservation & 13.50 CAD for reservation by phone). Parks Canada has moved the reservation system to a new platform in 2023, so even if you booked campsites before, you need to create a new account.
2. First come first serve campgrounds
3. Backcountry campgrounds

QUICK SUMMARY
Basic first-come-first-serve campgrounds cost 11.50 CAD – 23 CAD per night per campsite.
Campgrounds with showers cost 29.25 CAD – 40.75 CAD per night per campsite.
Equipped campgrounds cost 74.75 CAD – 128 CAD per night per campsite.

Reservable campgrounds in Banff

The below 3 Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds are next to each other within walking distance from downtown Banff, or you can use a free shuttle bus to town. They all have a view of Rundle Mountain.

Tunnel Mountain Village I Campground

Location: 4.5 km from downtown Banff

Operating dates: May 11 – October 2, 2023

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water, outdoor theatre, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees:

• 29.25 CAD per night per campsite with washroom, toilets & showers available (for tents and campervans)
• 40.75 CAD per night per campsite with water, sewer, electrical, washroom, toilets & showers included (for RV’s that require hook-ups)

Number of sites: 618

If you’re staying at the Tunnel Mountain Village Campground in summer, you get a free bus ride to town, and only pay return fare 2 CAD.

Popular nearby attractions: Hoodoos Viewpoint, Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens, Johnson Lake, Cascade Ponds, Legacy biking trail, Tunnel Mountain hiking trail, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain hiking trail, Vermilion Lakes, Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka, Tunnel Mountain biking trails

Tunnel Mountain Village I Campground has a very convenient location in Banff; it’s huge and located in the forest with a view of Rundle Mountain. A nice feature is a Raven’s Nest Theatre, where you can attend an evening program at 7:30 pm daily from June 22 to September 1, 2023.

View just across the road from Tunnel Mountain Campground

Tunnel Mountain Village II Campground

Location: 2.5 km from downtown Banff

Operating dates: year-round

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, cooking shelters, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water, outdoor theatre, equipped luxury 21 campsites oTentik, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 

• 29.25 CAD per night per campsite with washroom, toilets & showers available (for tents and campervans)
• 40.75 CAD per night per campsite with water, sewer, electrical, washroom, toilets & showers included (for RV’s that require hook-ups)

Number of sites: 209

If you’re staying at the Tunnel Mountain Village Campground in summer, you get a free bus ride to town, and only pay return fare 2 CAD.

Popular nearby attractions: Hoodoos Viewpoint, Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens, Johnson Lake, Cascade Ponds, Legacy biking trail, Tunnel Mountain hiking trail, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain hiking trail, Vermilion Lakes, Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka

Outdoor theater with daily evening program

When coming from Banff, this is the first campground which is open for tents and RVs all year round. There’s a Wolf’s Den Theatre where you can attend an evening program at 7:30 pm daily from June 22 to September 1.

Another option in this campground is called oTentik (it’s like glamping). Wooden structures with beds, electricity & heating and showers. They cost 128 CAD per night and are open May 11 – October 10, 2023.

luxury camping in oTentik in Banff

Tunnel Mountain Trailer Campground

Location: 2.5 km from downtown Banff

Operating dates: May 11 – October 2, 2023

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water

Fees: 34.50 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 322

Popular nearby attractions: Hoodoos Viewpoint, Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens, Johnson Lake, Cascade Ponds, Legacy biking trail, Tunnel Mountain hiking trail, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain hiking trail, Vermilion Lakes, Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka

This is a campground for the masses with trailers and RVs. Privacy between sites doesn’t exist as the sites are located along the road next to each other to fit as many as possible. If you’re travelling in our Smile Campervan (or not in a giant RV in general), I would suggest camping in Tunnel Mountain I or II.

Two Jack Main Campground

Location: 11 km from Banff

Operating dates: June 22 – September 5, 2023

Amenities: toilets, cooking shelters, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water, 32 equipped tent campsites (includes setting up a 6-person tent, bunk beds, stove & propane, sleeping bags and pots & pans are not included)

Fees: 23 CAD per night per campsite (74.75 CAD per night for an equipped tent site)

Number of sites: 380

Popular nearby attractions: Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka and a hiking/biking trail to Aylmer Lookout, Cascade Ponds, Johnson Lake, in Banff – Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens, Legacy biking trail, Tunnel Mountain hiking trail, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain hiking trail, Vermilion Lakes

A popular campground given its distance to Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka and Banff. It’s a walking distance to Two Jack Lake, but it’s located in the forest. Even though it doesn’t have showers, the beautiful surroundings make up for it.

They also have equipped campsites that include – 6 person tent, bunk beds, stove & gas, and you’ll need to rent a sleeping bag in Banff. It costs 74.75 CAD, and you can find more information on the Parks Canada website.

Cooking shelter

Two Jack Lakeside Campground

Location: 10 km from Banff

Operating dates: May 11 – October 2, 2023

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, cooking shelters, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water, 10 equipped luxury campsites oTentik, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 29.25 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 64

Popular nearby attractions: Two Jack Lake, Lake Minnewanka and a hiking/biking trail to Aylmer Lookout, Cascade Ponds, Johnson Lake, in Banff – Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens, Legacy biking trail, Tunnel Mountain hiking trail, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain hiking trail, Vermilion Lakes

One of the most beautiful campgrounds in Banff National Park is located by the famous Two Jack Lake. Two Jack Lake is usually a calm lake, great for stand-up paddleboarding but might be too cold for a swim for most people. If you want to book a campsite in advance, make it this one. It’s close to Banff but still secluded to enjoy the quietness while being surrounded by mountains.

Another option for staying here would be glamping – staying in oTentik equipped sites featuring wooden structures with beds, electricity & heating and showers. They cost 128 CAD per night and are open May 11 – October 2, 2023. You can find more information on the Parks Canada website.

There’s a bus stop along the main road with shuttles to Lake Minnewanka or Banff.

Johnston Canyon Campground

Location: 24 km from Banff along Bow Valley Parkway

Operating dates: May 25 – September 25, 2023

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, cooking shelters, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 29.25 CAD

Number of sites: 132

Popular nearby attractions: Johnston Canyon hike to Ink Pots, Rockbound Lake hiking trail, Vermilion Lakes, Mt. Norquay, in Banff – Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens, Legacy biking trail, Tunnel Mountain hiking trail, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain hiking trail

It’s located just across the road from a very popular attraction, so if you’re camping here, you don’t have to worry about finding parking. And even if you’re not camping here, I suggest you drive the Bow Valley Parkway early in the morning or around sunset when you can see the most wildlife.

Johnston Canyon Lower Falls

Lake Louise Soft-sided Campground

Location: 58 km northwest of Banff

Operating dates: June 1 – September 24, 2023

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, drinking water, hook-ups & dump station for trailers, fire pits in tent campground (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 29.25 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 206 for tents

Popular nearby attractions: Lake Louise and surrounding hiking trails (I suggest Mt Saint Piran), Moraine Lake and surrounding hiking trails, Lake Louise ski resort with gondola operating in summer, Herbert Lake, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Icefields Parkway

TIP
Plan your visit with our Moraine Lake guide to avoid parking issues and disappointment.

Soft-sided campground means it’s meant for tents or rooftop tents (hence the soft-sided name). Even though it is right next to the hard-sided part of the campground, this soft-sided part has an electric fence around it, which doesn’t allow wildlife to wander around.

Lake Louise Campground is located 4 km from the lake, which gives you a huge advantage of visiting the lake without driving. Parking is hard to come by at Lake Louise in the summer. Staying at the Lake Louise campground also allows you a free bus ride to Lake Louise Village and Park & Ride (where buses to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake depart).

Lake Louise

Lake Louise Hard-sided Campground

Location: 58 km northwest of Banff

Operating dates: open year-round (reservable sites available May 19 – October 1, 2023)

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, drinking water, hook-ups & dump station for trailers, fire pits in tent campground (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 34.50 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 189

Popular nearby attractions: Lake Louise and surrounding hiking trails (I suggest Mt Saint Piran), Moraine Lake and surrounding hiking trails, Lake Louise ski resort with gondola operating in summer, Herbert Lake, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Icefields Parkway

This hard-sided part of the Lake Louise Campground is for RVs, campers, and cars. If you rent a Smile Campervan from us, you can book hard-sided or soft-sided (with an electric fence). However, if you’re renting our campervan with a rooftop tent, you need to book the soft-sided part of the campground.

Staying at the Lake Louise campground also allows you a free bus ride to Lake Louise Village and Park & Ride (where buses to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake depart).

Rampart Creek Campground

Location: 148 km from Banff & 92 km from Lake Louise along Icefields Parkway

Operating dates: June 2 – September 24, 2023

Amenities: outhouse, no picnic shelters, drinking water, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 18.75 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 51

Popular nearby attractions: south of Rampart Creek – Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Glacier Lake hiking trail, Chephren Lake hiking trail; north of Rampart Creek – Weeping Wall, Parker Ridge Hike, Wilcox Pass Hike, Columbia Icefield (these last 2 already belong to Jasper National Park)

A very basic campground with almost no amenities, but it rather serves as a good option to stay when travelling along the scenic Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper.

Note that there’s no wi-fi or cell service in campgrounds along Icefields Parkway. The closest wi-fi is at Columbia Icefield building.

Icefields Parkway scenic road from Lake Louise to Jasper

Silverhorn Creek Campground

Location: 111 km from Banff & 56 km north of Lake Louise along Icefields Parkway

Operating dates: June 2 – October 9, 2023

Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 16.75 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 45

Popular nearby attractions: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Glacier Lake hiking trail, Chephren Lake hiking trail, Weeping Wall, Parker Ridge Hike, Wilcox Pass Hike, Columbia Icefield (these last 2 already belong to Jasper National Park)

A scenic location and a quiet campground that is what campers need, I believe. Even though it’s a very basic campground, the views along the creek are amazing.

Peyto Lake, Banff National Park

First come first serve campgrounds in Banff

• You will self-register at the kiosk when you arrive and find an available site.
• The camping fee (and optional fire permit) is payable either by cash (you need to have the exact change) or you can fill out the paper slip with your credit card info.
• Every campground has fire rings with firewood, picnic tables at each site, and drinking water. Outhouses are well maintained with toilet paper and hand sanitizer.
• Check-out is at 11 am, and I recommend arriving before that to get a site. You can still leave and explore for the day as long as you paid for the site and your paper slip is attached to the wooden pole in front of each site (so others know it’s been taken).

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All first come first serve campgrounds are basic without showers. Public showers in Banff are located at the Fenland Recreation Centre (available May to September only), Banff Upper Hot Springs (for daily admission fee 16.50 CAD), or Banff Centre (only 5.50 CAD if you visit during public swim hours). In 2023, The Banff Centre hasn’t fully opened their aquatics centre, so showers are only available if you buy a day pass for 20 CAD.

Castle Mountain Campground – closed in the 2023 season

Location: 33 km from Banff along Bow Valley Parkway

Operating dates: Temporarily closed due to upgrading and reconstruction

Amenities: washrooms with hot running water, flush toilets, drinking water, picnic shelters

Fees: 23 CAD

Number of sites: 43

Popular nearby attractions: Johnston Canyon hike to Ink Pots, Rockbound Lake hiking trail, Vermilion Lakes, Mt. Norquay, in Banff – Bow Falls, Cascade Gardens, Legacy biking trail, Tunnel Mountain hiking trail, Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain hiking trail

A nice campground with a lot of popular attractions nearby. Visit Moraine Lake and Lake Louise and drive the Bow Valley Parkway in the evening for a chance to spot wildlife.

There is a bus stop along the Bow Valley Parkway with a shuttle bus to Lake Louise or Banff.

Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park

Protection Mountain Campground

Location: 44 km from Banff along Bow Valley Parkway

Operating dates: June 21 – September 4, 2023

Amenities: washrooms with hot running water, flush toilets, drinking water, picnic shelters, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 23 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 72

Popular nearby attractions: Johnston Canyon hike to Ink Pots, Rockbound Lake hiking trail, Lake Louise and surrounding hiking trails (I suggest Mt Saint Piran), Moraine Lake and surrounding hiking trails, Lake Louise ski resort with gondola operating in summer, Herbert Lake, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake

Another nice campground along the scenic Bow Valley Parkway. It’s also a good strategic location for 2 days if you want to visit both Banff and Lake Louise. There is a bus stop along the Bow Valley Parkway with a shuttle bus to Lake Louise or Banff.

Bow Valley Parkway, Banff National Park

Mosquito Creek Campground

Location: 83 km from Banff & 27 km north of Lake Louise along Icefields Parkway

Operating dates: June 8 – October 9, 2023

Amenities: outhouse, drinking water, picnic shelter, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 18.75 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 38

Popular nearby attractions: Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake, Lake Louise, Moraine Lake

Located under the peaks of the Rockies, Mosquito Creek Campground has camping spots by the creek with beautiful views.

Mosquito Creek Campground

Camping with Smile Campervan

Waterfowl Lakes Campground

Location: 116 km from Banff & 60 km north of Lake Louise along Icefields Parkway

Operating dates: June 22 – September 4, 2023

Amenities: washroom with hot running water & flush toilet, outhouses, drinking water, picnic shelters, outdoor theatre, fire pits (permit costs 9.50 CAD/day)

Fees: 23 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 116

Popular nearby attractions: Peyto Lake, Bow Lake, Glacier Lake hiking trail, Chephren Lake hiking trail, Cirque Lake hiking trail

One of the most scenic campgrounds along Icefields Parkway. The sites are spacious and mostly in the forest. There are picnic tables and benches on the shore of Waterfowl Lakes and also hikes to Chephren Lake (with a view of Mount Chephren) and Cirque Lake (with a glacier view) start from here.

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There are even more first come first serve campgrounds on Icefields Parkway when you continue north to Jasper. You can see more info and pictures in our guide about camping in Jasper National Park.

Waterfowl Lakes Campground

Backcountry campgrounds in Banff

Banff National Park offers numerous backcountry trails. The most popular trekking routes are:

• Lake Minnewanka to Aylmer Lookout
• Glacier Lake
• Healy Pass to Egypt Lake
• Mount Assiniboine

For campground details and a map, download brochure Backcountry Trails in Banff National Park. For some routes, you can also stay in a shelter.

Backcountry camping in Banff National Park

What you will need is to purchase a backcountry permit for 9,80 CAD per night online or in the Visitor Centre (a bit more if reserved by phone). If you’re planning one of the above-mentioned treks, book your campground as early as possible because they go fast. The reservation opens in late January and most of the campgrounds for the summer weekends are booked that day.

Many of the backcountry campgrounds are maintained which means they will have food storage cables or bear poles where you need to store all your food so it doesn’t attract wildlife.

You can find more information about backcountry camping on the Parks Canada website.

Backcountry shelter in Banff National Park

Frequently asked questions

Which are the best campgrounds in Banff?

These are my recommendations for the best campgrounds in Banff:

• Two Jack Lakeside Campground (reservable)
• Lake Louise Campground (reservable)
• Waterfowl Lakes Campground (first come first serve)
• Lake Louise Overflow (first come first serve)

Where to camp when campgrounds in Banff are full?

If you find out shortly before you arrive in Banff that all campgrounds are fully booked, don’t worry. There’s still plenty of space to be found. One option is to visit the campgrounds early in the morning (registration booths open at 8 am) and ask if they have availability. Some travellers cancel their sites last minute or leave earlier than planned, and you can get their spot.

If that doesn’t work, here are all the options outside of official campgrounds in Banff National Park where you can camp as well:

Lake Louise Overflow – vehicles only

Location: 51 km northwest of Banff

Amenities: outhouse

Fees: 11.50 CAD per night per vehicle

Popular nearby attractions: Lake Louise and surrounding hiking trails (I suggest Mt Saint Piran), Moraine Lake and surrounding hiking trails, Lake Louise ski resort with gondola operating in summer, Herbert Lake, Hector Lake, Bow Lake, Peyto Lake

Lake Louise overflow

If you’re driving from Banff, Lake Louise Overflow Parking is about 6 km before you reach Lake Louise.

This is just one of the reasons I call this blog post the ultimate guide to camping in Banff – Lake Louise overflow is now a secret campground! But since you’re reading my camping guide, you know about it. It has changed in recent years.

The overflow campground is not signed and is not even on the official Parks Canada website. When we were trying to get a last-minute campsite at the Lake Louise campground, and they told us they were full, this overflow wasn’t even mentioned as an option.

You can only see the Lake Louise overflow on the Banff/Lake Louise map, which you can pick up at the Visitor’s Centres.

It used to be full of cars and campers early in the day, but now that hardly anyone knows about it, it’s often almost empty (the picture below was taken years ago when it was a popular campground).

Camping in Canmore – an alternative option to camping in Banff

The mountain town of Canmore is located only 25 km from Banff, just outside the national park boundary. So when you’re considering camping in Banff, this is the best close-by option, especially during the high summer season. It is less crowded than Banff, and accommodation is generally cheaper. Enjoy the Canmore to the fullest with our post of 47 fun outdoor things to do.

• Wapiti Campground

It’s right next to the Travel Alberta Information Centre in Canmore, and all tent sites & RV sites are first come first serve. You can arrive any time and self-register at the kiosk: the fee for a tent site is 32 CAD per night per campsite, and the fee for powered RV sites is 42 CAD.

The campground has hot running water, flushable toilets, drinking water, and hot showers (3 CAD per 1 shower token). Free Wi-Fi is available at the Information Centre. Even though it’s close to the highway, we enjoyed the mountain views all around us.

• Bow River Campground

It’s a reservable campground with 7 unserviced sites (31 CAD + reservation fee 12 CAD) and 59 power+water sites (47 CAD + reservation fee 12 CAD). You can reserve a site here.

• Three Sisters Campground

– first come first serve campground located 12 km east of Canmore on Highway 1. There are 36 sites for both RVs and tents for 31 CAD per night per campsite.

Bow River Campground & Three Sisters Campground are located in Bow Valley Provincial Park, and from June 2021 all vehicles parking at the provincial park and on public land in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley must purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. You can buy it online or in person at Kananaskis Visitor Centers & Canmore Nordic Centre. The day pass costs 15 CAD for one vehicle, and the yearly pass costs 90 CAD for two vehicles.

Wapiti Campground in Canmore

TIP
If you’re staying in Canmore or Banff in a campground without showers, public showers in Canmore are located at Elevation Place (for the daily admission fee to the pool 17 CAD) or in Daylodge at Nordic Centre (until 4:45 pm).

Even if you’re visiting Banff National Park, you can stay at neighbouring national parks Kootenay and Yoho. Campgrounds are a short driving distance away and offer beautiful surroundings.

Camping between Calgary and Canmore

Stoney Nakoda Resort & Casino is located 75 km west of Calgary and 31 km east of Canmore along the Trans-Canada Highway. They offer complimentary parking for recreational vehicles when you register at the front desk.

It’s a good spot for your first night when coming from Calgary, so you can explore Canmore the next day. Or even for the last night before returning your campervan to Calgary.

Camping in Kootenay National Park

• Marble Canyon Campground – both reservable and first come first serve sites are available. It’s open from June 22 to September 4, 2023, and the camping fee is 23 CAD (fire permit costs 9.50 CAD/day).

Camping in Yoho National Park

• Kicking Horse Campground

Both reservable and first-come, first-serve sites are available. This scenic campground is open from May 18 to October 9 and offers sites by the river, in the forest or a meadow. The campsite fee is 29.25 CAD/night, including hot showers and flush toilets.

• Monarch Campground

Only first-come, first-serve sites are available. It’s a basic campground open May 4 to September 18 for a fee of 18.75 CAD/night.

• Takakkaw Falls Campground

Walk-in campsite with a view of the 2nd tallest waterfall in Canada. It’s open from June 15 to October 9 for a fee of 18.75 CAD/night. Only tents are allowed (parking is about 500 meters from the campground, with trolleys available to carry your gear).

Takakkaw Falls Campground

• Hoodoo Creek

Hoodoo Creek Campground is furthest from Takakkaw Falls and other Yoho attractions. It’s open from June 15 to September 4 for a fee of 18.75 CAD/night.

• A fire permit costs 9.50 CAD/day, and firewood is provided
• Online reservation, modification or cancellation costs 11.50 CAD

TIP
Popular attractions in Yoho – Natural Bridge, Takakkaw Falls & Emerald Lake. Emerald Lake offers the most budget-friendly canoeing in the Rockies for 90 CAD/hour per canoe.

Explore Yoho National Park with our comprehensive Adventure travel guide to Yoho National Park.

Can you camp anywhere in Banff?

For Banff National Park, the answer is no. You can only stay at a designated campground. It is illegal to camp without a permit, so you can’t stay at highway parking lots, trailheads or alleys in town.

Car camping in Banff (also called overnight parking) is not allowed outside the campgrounds. However, if you’d like to car camp in the campground because you’re worried about bears, you can book our Smile Campervan.

For backcountry camping, you can random camp only with a valid permit obtained from the Banff National Park Trail office.

Where can I camp for free in Banff?

You can only camp for free outside the boundaries of Banff National Park. The closest free overnight parking is at the Casino between Canmore and Calgary, as mentioned above. Another (almost) free option would be camping on public land. The closest public land to Banff is Abraham Lake in the Bighorn Country or Ghost. You need to purchase Public Land Camping Pass before you camp online here.

Tips & rules for camping in Banff

Camping in the Rockies is very different from what you might have experienced before. There are lots of bears and other wildlife. I’m sure you will see some during your trip, but with wildlife come rules to keep them and you safe.

Wildlife

Wild animals are everywhere. When you are visiting the Rockies, you’re in a bear country. There’s no fence around campgrounds (except in Lake Louise), and wildlife likes to wander around, most commonly elk, deer and bears.

TIP
See our post about wildlife in Canada for the best tips.

Look around wherever you go in the campground and stay bear aware. This is not to scare you but to make your visit as safe as possible. Bears are generally scared and run away but they don’t like to be surprised.

Feeding wildlife or approaching them for selfies is strictly prohibited. Unfortunately, this happens more often than you might think. Park rangers are on patrol and can fine you up to 25,000 CAD.

Packing list for camping in Banff

These are just a few of the camping essentials we bring whether we camp in a tent or in our campervan. If you’re planning to go hiking, check out our Hiking packing list for summer in the mountains.

• Lifestraw bottle with filter (or Thermos if you’re visiting in winter)

You can fill up drinking water in most campgrounds with a reusable Nalgene bottle, which I find is the most lightweight bottle. Or use a filter, and you can drink from any lake, river or waterfall during your daily adventures. We always carry LifeStraw bottles for all of our trips.

• Sunscreen

One of the best-rated sunscreens from EWG, which I use and highly recommend, is Thinksport and Attitude mineral sunscreen. Alternatively, you can pack a sunscreen stick to re-apply during the day without getting your hands messy.

• Repellent

If you’re like me and don’t like DEET repellent’s smell or skin stickiness, you can make your own. It’s been effectively tested in the Canadian backcountry and smells incredible!

My recipe for DIY repellent – combine 200 ml Witch hazel, 5 drops of Lemon essential oil, and 5 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil and pour it into a glass spray bottle. Shake well before each use and spray on your skin or clothes a few times a day.

Alternatively, you can buy biodegradable repellent.

• Headlamp

An essential item in any campground when moving around your tent/campervan or just heading to the washrooms. A reliable waterproof headlamp with different modes for light strength is light and small and makes a huge difference in your night time camping experience.

• Bear spray

Bear Spray Repellent is an essential item in the Canadian Rockies. If you’re flying in, you cannot take it on an airplane, but it can be purchased in most outdoor stores or rented at your hotel. Make sure you know how to use it, and keep it close.

Despite popular belief, Parks Canada stated that bear bells are ineffective in deterring bears, and you should make noise while hiking to let bears know you’re there.

Bare campsite

This is the most important rule of all. All food, food-related items (grills & dishes), and anything that has a scent might attract bears to your site. You should never leave any of these items unattended for even a minute.

Everything must be stored inside your vehicle or in bear-proof storage lockers that every campground provides.

Download this brochure from Parks Canada for more info.

Bare campsite = no food left around

Camping fees & permits

National Park Pass

To visit any national park in Canada, you are required to purchase a Park Pass (daily or yearly).

• 10.50 CAD per person for a daily pass, 21 CAD for a group/family
• 72.25 CAD per person for a yearly pass, 145.25 CAD for a group/family

The yearly Discovery Pass is valid for all National parks in Canada. You can purchase it at the gate when you enter the national park, in the Visitor’s Centre or online here.

Camping fees

Fees for camping range from 11.50 CAD for a basic first come first serve campground to 40.75 CAD for a campsite with an electrical hook-up.

While camping fees for the first come first serve campgrounds are payable at the self-registration kiosk, reservable campgrounds can be paid in advance when booking online or at the gate to the campground directly to Parks Canada staff (cash or card).

Fire Permit

IMPORTANT NOTE
If you’re booking a campsite with a fire pit, you must pay for the fire permit, and it’s automatically added to your shopping cart. Whether you use it or not, you still have to pay for it (firewood is included). If there’s a fire ban, which happens often, you do get a refund.

If there’s no fire ban in place, you can have a campfire at your site when you purchase a fire permit for 9.50 CAD/day. You can only use the firewood provided. Even though we’re used to just gather dead wood from the ground for campfires, this is not allowed in National Parks.

Wild/random camping

Wild camping is not allowed in any National Park, only in campgrounds. You can, however, wild camp for free on public land, review the rules here for Alberta. British Columbia has more options for free camping in Provincial Parks and Recreational Sites. You can use this website to find them.

Wild camping in British Columbia

I hope you enjoyed our guide to camping in Banff and it helps you plan your trip. Wishing you the best time in the Canadian Rockies!

Additional reading about the Canadian Rockies

Day hikes in Banff National Park:

• Boom Lake

For amazing bike trips in the Rockies, read these:

• Biking the highest paved pass in Canada
• Biking to Snake Falls, off the beaten path in Jasper

Hikes in Canmore & Kananaskis

• Little Lougheed Hike in Kananaskis
• Comparison of hiking Ha Ling Peak vs. Mount Lawrence Grassi
• Galatea Lakes
• Grassi Lakes

More hiking ideas:

• Hiking in Jasper National Park: 17 best hikes for all levels
• Hiking in Yoho National Park

Plan your trip to the Rockies:

• Epic travel guide to the Canadian Rockies
• Adventure travel guide to Jasper National Park
• Western Canada road trip itinerary

Do you have any questions about camping in Banff? Let us know in the comments below.

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