Imagine waking up to singing birds, fresh mountain air mixed with the smell of the pine trees and sun rays shining through the trees. Thatβs what camping in Jasper National Park is all about. Weβve camped in most of Jasperβs campgrounds and this is our guide to help you plan your trip (including secret local tips).
This guide covers:
- basic rules and safety tips for camping in the Rockies
- tips for reservations
- a detailed breakdown of each reservable & first come first serve campsite in Jasper National Park, including photos
- other camping options when campgrounds in Jasper are full
- plenty of reasons why we think camping in Jasper is the best option when visiting
Visiting Jasper National Park? Read these:
Adventure travel guide to Jasper National Park
65 adventurous things to do in Jasper National Park
Icefields Parkway itinerary: a scenic drive from Lake Louise to Jasper
This can be your view!
Jasper National Park has 11 official campgrounds with over 1,800 sites.
Most campgrounds are seasonal and open from mid-May to mid-October. July and August are the busiest months and for the most enjoyable trip, I recommend booking your campgrounds in advance (reservations open in January). Campgrounds close to the town of Jasper are usually fully booked months in advance for the summer season.
UPDATE for 2022 season
Reservations for summer 2022 open January 31, 2020 at 8 am Mountain Time, and most sites in popular campgrounds are likely to be booked within hours. If youβd like a specific campsite during summer (especially during Canadaβs holidays), I suggest you book as soon as possible.
While you have the option of camping all year round, I would not recommend it unless you have a heater in your campervan. Letβs face it, youβre in Canada, and it can get -25C at night very often.
Camping in Jasper National Park is, in our humble opinion, the best way to enjoy the outdoors and embrace the sounds and smells of nature.
If you like adventurous trips, book a Smile Campervan from us. Itβs a budget-friendly option to see the Canadian Rockies.
Camping with Smile Campervan
Camping tips & rules for Jasper
Camping in the Rockies is very different from what you might have experienced before. There are lots of bears and other wildlife. Iβm sure you will see some on your trip but with wildlife come rules to keep them and you safe.
You will find below some basic rules for camping in Jasper National Park.
Wildlife
Wild animals are everywhere. When you are visiting the Rockies, youβre in a bear country. Thereβs no fence around campgrounds 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 donβt 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.
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 into 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.
Common sight in Jasper. Please give them space and take only pictures from distance.
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 Visitorβs Centre or online here.
Camping fees
Fees for camping range from 16.75 CAD for a basic first come first serve campground to 50 CAD for a campsite with 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
As of 2022, firewood is included in the cost of camping in Jasper National Park. If thereβs no fire ban in place, you can have a campfire at your site if there’s a fire pit. You can only use the firewood provided. Even though weβre used to just gather dead wood from the ground for campfires, this is not allowed in National Parks.
How a bare campsite should look like (also no food in tents).
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.
Campsite reservations
Popular campgrounds closest to Jasper (Whistlers, Wapiti, Wabasso) need to be booked in advance for the summer. When reservations for summer 2019 opened, most sites were booked within minutes. So you really need to prepare.
But if you are like us and donβt like planning half a year in advance, you will still have a place to stay, donβ worry and continue reading for all options.
Map of campsites in Jasper
Green β First come first serve campgrounds
Blue β Reservable campgrounds
Orange β 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 Jasper National Park
Camping is a popular budget-friendly option in Jasper. You can either make a reservation online or at any Visitor Centre. We always use first come first serve campgrounds to have more freedom.
There are 3 different types of campgrounds in Jasper National Park:
- Reservable campgrounds β reserve here
- First come first serve campgrounds
- Backcountry campgrounds
TIP
Basic first-come first-serve campgrounds cost 16.75 CAD β 21.97 CAD per night per campsite and campgrounds with showers cost 28 CAD per night per campsite.
Reservable campgrounds in Jasper
Whistlers Campground
Location: 4 km from Jasper
Operating dates: May 4 – October 10
Amenities: hot showers, toilets, shelters, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water
Fees: 24 – 50 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 781
Popular nearby attractions: town of Jasper, Jasper SkyTram & Whistlers Peak, Marmot Basin ski resort, Valley of the Five Lakes Hike
Valley of the Five Lakes Hike, Jasper National Park
This is the biggest campground in the Rockies and the grand opening celebration after reconstruction is in spring 2022.Β
This campsite has everything you might need including hot showers, electricity, and full hookups. New washrooms are always within 250m from any campsite.
Itβs closest to town, has extensive facilities, playgrounds, biking trails, and even glamping tents. The trail connecting the campground to Jasper makes the access incredibly easy without using your car (which is very rare in Canada).
There are 21 glamping tents, or oTENTiks, that are reservable for dates not yet announced.
Wapiti Campground
Location: 6 km south of Jasper
Operating dates: year-round (May 4 to October 10 for summer & October 10, 2022 to May 3, 2023, for winter)
Amenities: toilet, picnic shelter, hot showers, hookups
Fees: 34.50 β 43.75 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 363 in summer, 75 in winter
Popular nearby attractions: Jasper SkyTram & Whistlers Peak, Marmot Basin ski resort, Valley of the Five Lakes Hike
- Entrance to Wapiti Campground
- Camping site at Wapiti
Itβs located right by the Athabasca River and just walking within the campground is a nice and peaceful evening activity. The picture of the Wapiti campsite above shows you how secluded you’ll be from other campers, and surrounded by forest.
Every site has privacy with lots of trees around. If you really want to camp here and donβt have a reservation, show up at 8 am when the park rangers open the booth and they might have a spot if someone cancelled or is leaving early.
- Washroom with outdoor sink
- Dump station
Snaring River Overflow
Location: 17 km north from Jasper, along Snaring Road, (a bit further from the Snaring Campground after you cross the bridge)
UPDATE
As of 2020, it is no longer first come first serve campground but they offer a mix of reservable and first come first serve sites.
Operating dates: May 18 to September 11
Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, drinking water
Fees: Β 16.75 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 280
Popular nearby attractions: Snake Indian Falls (amazing backpacking or biking trip), Pyramid Lake & Pyramid Island, Patricia Lake, Maligne Canyon, Edith Lake & Annette Lake β great for swimming, kayaking, SUP, biking or hiking; the road to Medicine Lake & Maligne Lake (with plenty of hiking options)
- Scenic space at Snaring River Overflow
- Campsites for vehicles
This is the best campground in Jasper, at least for us. It used to be a big field where you could park wherever you wanted but now with the biggest campground in Jasper closed, they rebuilt it with designated camping sites.
If youβre in a tent, your campsite will be in the forest with privacy but all camping vehicles have sites side by side to fit as many as possible.
Morning view from Smile Campervan
Wabasso Campground
Location: 17,5 km south from Jasper; located along 93A highway
Operating dates: May 18 to September 19
Amenities: toilet & running water, picnic shelter, outdoor washing sink, drinking water
Fees: 32.25 – 38.50 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 231
Popular nearby attractions: hiking trails at Mt. Edith Cavell, Athabasca Falls, Valley of the Five Lakes Hike
- Washroom with outdoor sink is always close by
- Big site at Wabasso
Another big campground near Jasper along the Athabasca River is Wabasso. As you drive along the 93A highway from Jasper, you will notice the giant area this campground occupies.
We loved the spacious sites and proximity to bathrooms and drinking water. Thereβs almost no phone signal but also no shortage of wildlife. Park rangers mentioned a local black bear who particularly likes this campground so remember to pack all your food when leaving your site.
- Always leave a bare campsite…
- ..you never know who is watching (can you spot the moose?)
Mt. Edith Cavell Hike, Jasper National Park
Pocahontas Campground
Location: 45 km north of Jasper
Operating dates: June 15 to September 5
Amenities: toilets & running water, shelters, hookups
Fees: Β 32.25 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 140
Popular nearby attractions: Miette Hot Springs, Sulphur Skyline Hike
Scenic drive in Jasper
A little hidden away from it all is a secluded Pocahontas Campground. This was the only reservable campground (in 2019) that wasnβt fully booked for summer months in advance. If youβre looking for a quiet place, this is it!
The trailhead to incredibly popular hiking trail Sulphur Skyline starts at the Miette Hot Springs and itβs quite a drive to get there from anywhere else. Staying in this campground gives you a big advantage of starting the hike early in the morning and beat the crowds.
First come first serve campgrounds in Jasper
- You will self-register at the kiosk when you arrive and find an available site.
- Camping fee 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 itβs been taken).
TIP
All first come first serve campgrounds are basic without showers. Public showers in Jasper are located at the Fitness & Aquatic Centre in Jasper for 4 CAD or at SnowDome, a coffee bar with private showers, internet, and laundromat.
Snake Indian Falls in Jasper National Park
Snaring Campground
Location: 17 km north from Jasper, along Snaring Road
Operating dates: May 18 to September 26
Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, drinking water
Fees:Β 26 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 62
Popular nearby attractions: Snake Indian Falls (amazing backpacking or biking trip), Pyramid Lake & Pyramid Island, Patricia Lake, Maligne Canyon, Edith Lake & Annette Lake β great for swimming, kayaking, SUP, biking or hiking; the road to Medicine Lake & Maligne Lake (with plenty of hiking options)
Despite the campground being a bit further from town, this is the one campground I would recommend if youβre staying in Jasper for a few days. The reason is simple β many of Jasperβs lakes and other popular attractions are located closest to this campground (you can see the exhausting list of attractions above). You can set up a camp here for 3 nights and go exploring around.
If you come early enough, ask for a campsite by the Snaring River and youβll have the best view every morning (you might need a bug spray in the evening though).
Edith Lake in Jasper National Park
Kerkeslin Campground
Location: 36 km south from Jasper along Icefields Parkway (198 km from Lake Louise)
Operating dates: May 18 to September 5
Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, drinking water
Fees: 26 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 42
Popular nearby attractions: Athabasca Falls, hiking trails at Mt. Edith Cavell, hiking trails for Geraldine Lakes & Lookout
- Self registration at kiosk
- Spacious site in Kerkeslin
One of our favourite campgrounds in Jasper. Itβs by the Athabasca River and the best part is the sandy beach, a great place to relax after an adventurous day.
Also, the smell of the pine trees never gets old. The sites are in the trees providing much-needed shade in summer and still provide a lot of privacy. And if youβre nicely equipped, the drinking water provided at the campground is all you need.
Big thumbs up for Parks Canada who equipped every single site with a picnic table in campgrounds.
- Beach at Kerkeslin Campground
- Camping in comfort with Smile Campervans
Athabasca Falls, Jasper National Park
Honeymoon Lake Campground
Location: 52 km south from Jasper along Icefields Parkway (182 km from Lake Louise)
Operating dates: May 18 to September 19
Amenities: outhouse, shelter, drinking water
Fees: 26 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 35
Popular nearby attractions: Honeymoon Lake, Sunwapta Falls
- Self registration in Honeymoon Lake Campground
- Honeymoon Lake
Yes, it’s as romantic as the name suggests. Just look at the pictures. Campground nestled in the forest, by the lake, and with a view of the mountains. Even though thereβs no beach, the rocky shore provides a nice launch for a kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard. And if you just want to relax, take advantage of the bench, bring a picnic and enjoy the view.
- Moody sky at Honeymoon Lake
- Campsites at Honeymoon Lake
Sunwapta Falls, Jasper National Park
Jonas Creek Campground
Location: 77 km south from Jasper along Icefields Parkway (156 km from Lake Louise)
Operating dates: June 15 to September 5
Amenities: outhouse, shelter, drinking water
Fees: 26 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 25
Popular nearby attractions: Columbia Icefield, Stutfield Glacier
- Jonas Creek Campground
- Picnic shelter at Jonas Creek
The smallest campground in Jasper National Park provides very secluded and quiet sites. It is located right by the creek and the fresh air it provides with the nice smell of the trees is indescribably rejuvenating.
Given its distance from Jasper and Lake Louise, itβs also a great spot on the Icefields Parkway where you can camp to break your trip into two days.
Icefields Centre RV (trailers and RVs only)
Location: right beside the parking lot for the Icefields Discovery Centre, 105 km south from Jasper along Icefields Parkway (128 km from Lake Louise)
Operating dates: May 18 to TBA
Amenities: outhouse only
Fees: 16.75 CAD per night per site
Number of sites: 100
Popular nearby attractions: Wilcox Pass Hike, Columbia Icefield, Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Hike, Stutfield Glacier, Parker Ridge Hike & Panther Falls just outside the border in Banff National Park
- Camping at Icefield Centre
- The view is definitely one of the best!
Conveniently located right by the Icefields Discovery Centre, this is a big parking lot for trailers and RVs only. The view canβt be beaten by any other campground as you directly see the Columbia Icefield.
TIP
This is the only place on Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper with (free) Wi-Fi. (You need to go inside the building to have a signal.)
Icefield Campground (tents only)
Location: 105 km south from Jasper along Icefields Parkway (128 km from Lake Louise)
Operating dates: June 15 to TBA
Amenities: toilet, picnic shelter, drinking water
Fees:Β 26 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 33
Popular nearby attractions: Wilcox Pass Hike, Columbia Icefield, Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Hike, Stutfield Glacier, Parker Ridge Hike & Panther Falls just outside the border in Banff National Park
A good option for tents as you also see the Columbia Icefield from this campground. The surrounding hikes and attractions make it a good place to stay even for 2 nights. Just make sure to stock up on food in Jasper, Banff, Canmore or Calgary before your trip (shops in Lake Louise are very overpriced).
Driving towards Columbia Icefield, Jasper National Park
Wilcox Creek Campground
Location: 107 km south from Jasper along Icefields Parkway (126 km from Lake Louise)
Operating dates: June 8 to September 19
Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, drinking water, dumping station
Fees: 26 CAD per night per campsite
Number of sites: 46
Popular nearby attractions: Wilcox Pass Hike, Columbia Icefield, Toe of the Athabasca Glacier Hike, Stutfield Glacier, Parker Ridge Hike & Panther Falls just outside the border in Banff National Park
Wilcox Pass Hike with Athabasca Glacier, Jasper National Park
This is the campground I would recommend the most if youβre driving the Icefields Parkway over the span of 2 days. For the best view of the Athabasca Glacier, hike the 8 km trail to Wilcox Pass and I assure you, you wonβt be disappointed. The trail is even shorter if you just hike to the viewpoint with red chairs. Mountain sheep also love this spot.
Backcountry campgrounds in Jasper
Jasper National Park offers more than 1,000 km of backcountry trails. The most popular trekking routes are:
- Fryatt Valley
- Tonquin Valley
- Jacques Lake (also possible on bikes)
- Canoeing around Maligne Lake
- Skyline Trail, the highest in Jasper NP
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 youβre 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. You can book them online here.
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 doesnβt attract wildlife.
You can find more information about backcountry camping on the Parks Canada website.
Backcountry camping in Jasper National
Frequently asked questions
Which are the best campgrounds in Jasper?
These are my recommendations for the best campgrounds in Jasper:
- Wabasso Campground (reservable)
- Snaring Campground (first come first serve)
- Wilcox Creek Campground (first come first serve)
- Icefields Centre (first come first serve)
Where to camp when campgrounds in Jasper are full?
As we always travel without a plan, we learnt to be resourceful. Weβll show you campgrounds that are not that obvious but are a great option. Summer weekends and long weekends in Canada are extremely busy so you might have to camp a bit further from Jasper.
Better have a further campsite than no campsite at all, am I right?
Campgrounds near & in Hinton
Once you drive north of Jasper and leave the boundaries of the national park, there are several campgrounds towards Hinton:
- Wildhorse Lake Campground
- Maskuta Creek Campground
- Hinton Campground
Campgrounds in Mount Robson Provincial Park
West of Jasper, right outside the Jasper National Park when youβre driving the Yellowhead Highway, is Mount Robson Provincial Park offering campgrounds as well:
- Lucerne Campground
- Robson Meadows Campground
- Robson River Campground
And I will now tell you a secret which will make camping in Mount Robson Provincial Park a brilliant idea. You will see Mount Robson (3,954m), the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies. Furthermore, there is a popular multi-day trail to Berg Lake where you can see a glacier with a mesmerizing blue pool underneath (backcountry campgrounds need to be reserved in advance). And if you just feel like day hiking, head to Kinney Lake.
Can you camp anywhere in Jasper?
For Jasper 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. Some of our Smile Campervans guests were fined.
Car camping in Jasper (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 Jasper National Park Trail office.
Where can I camp for free in Jasper?
You can only camp for free outside the boundaries of Jasper National Park. Either at the Walmart parking lot in Hinton (74 km from Jasper) near the sign RV parking or camping on public land. The closest public land to Jasper is Bighorn Country or Brule Lake, east of Banff and Jasper National Parks. You need to purchase Public Land Camping Pass before you camp online here.
Read more about the Rockies
Adventure travel guide to Banff National Park
Epic travel guide to Canadian Rockies
Western Canada road trip itinerary
What do you think? Does camping in Jasper National Park sound like a great idea? Let us know if you have any questions below.
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