Complete Guide to Camping in Jasper National Park in 2023

Imagine waking up to singing birds, fresh mountain air mixed with the smell of pine trees and sun rays shining through the trees. That’s what camping in Jasper National Park is all about. We’ve camped in most of Jasper’s campgrounds, and this is our guide to help you plan your trip (including secret local tips).

We visited many times over the last decade and always utilized campgrounds in Jasper. The connection to nature is unbeatable when you’re camping in Jasper.

While the rules are getting more strict and demands are higher every year, I’m glad to see campgrounds being improved to accommodate more visitors. There are a lot of campgrounds in Jasper to choose from, and in the event that all campgrounds are full, I’ve got you covered with alternate spots.

Let’s get right into it.

This guide to camping in Jasper National Park covers:

• basic rules and safety tips for camping in Jasper & beyond
• 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

 

Jasper National Park has 11 official campgrounds with over 1,800 sites.

Most campgrounds are seasonal and open from mid-May to September/October. July and August are the busiest months, and for the most enjoyable trip, I recommend booking your campgrounds in advance (reservations open in March). Campgrounds close to the town of Jasper are usually fully booked months in advance for the summer season.

UPDATE for 2023 season
Reservations for 2023 season open March 16, 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.

While you have the option of camping all year round, I would not recommend it unless you have a heater in your campervan. Let’s face it, you’re 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. It’s a budget-friendly option to see the Canadian Rockies and a perfect companion for camping in Jasper.

*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!

Map of campsites in Jasper 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 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:

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 16.75 CAD – 32.25 CAD per night per campsite.
Jasper campgrounds with showers cost 29.25 CAD – 50 CAD per night per campsite.
oTENTik (glamping) campsite costs 128 CAD per night per campsite.

Reservable campgrounds in Jasper

Whistlers Campground

Location: 4 km from Jasper

Operating dates: May 3 – October 9, 2023

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

Fees: 24 (walk-in) – 50.25 (full hook up with fire pit) 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

The Whistlers Campground is the biggest campground in the Rockies, and after a huge construction, it’s now open. 

This campsite has everything you might need including hot showers, electricity, and full hookups. New washrooms are always within 250 meters from any campsite.

It’s 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). And all campsites have incredible mountain views, at least until the newly planted trees grow tall.

There are 21 glamping tents, or oTENTiks, that cost 128 CAD per night. They’re wooden structures with beds, electricity & heating and showers.

Wapiti Campground

Location: 6 km south of Jasper

Operating dates: year-round (reservable period is from May 17 to October 8, 2023)

Amenities: toilet, picnic shelter, hot showers, hookups

Fees: 34.50 – 44 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

It’s 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 although it might not be as dense. Due to many dead pine trees (brown trees on the pictures) affected by the pine beetle, Parks Canada removed lots of trees.

Every site has privacy with some trees around. If you really want to camp here and don’t have a reservation, show up at 8 am when the park rangers open the booth, and they might have a spot if someone cancels or is leaving early.

Wabasso Campground

Location: 17,5 km south of Jasper; located along 93A highway

Operating dates: May 17 to September 18, 2023

Amenities: toilet & running water, picnic shelter, outdoor washing sink, drinking water

Fees: 32.50 – 38.75 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

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 the proximity to bathrooms and drinking water. There’s 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.

Miette (former Pocahontas) Campground

Location: 45 km north of Jasper

Operating dates: June 14 to September 4, 2023

Amenities: toilets & running water, shelters, hookups

Fees:  32.50 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 140

Popular nearby attractions: Miette Hot Springs, Sulphur Skyline Hike

A little hidden away from it all is a secluded Miette Campground. This is usually the only reservable campground that isn’t fully booked for summer months in advance. If you’re looking for a quiet place, this is it!

The trailhead to the incredibly popular hiking trail Sulphur Skyline starts at the Miette Hot Springs, and it’s 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 beating the crowds.

First come first serve campgrounds in Jasper

• You will self-register at the kiosk when you arrive and find an available site.
• The 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 it’s 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 5 CAD or at SnowDome, a coffee bar with private showers, internet, and laundromat.

Snaring Campground

Location: 17 km north of Jasper, along Snaring Road

Operating dates: May 17 to September 25, 2023

Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, drinking water

Fees:  26.25 CAD per night per campsite (including a fire pit)

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 – 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 you’re staying in Jasper for a few days. The reason is simple – many of Jasper’s 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 you’ll have the best view every morning (you might need bug spray in the evening though).

Kerkeslin Campground

Location: 36 km south of Jasper along Icefields Parkway (198 km from Lake Louise)

Operating dates: May 31 to September 4, 2023

Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, drinking water

Fees: 26.25 CAD per night per campsite (including a fire pit)

Number of sites: 42

Popular nearby attractions: Athabasca Falls, hiking trails at Mt. Edith Cavell, hiking trails for Geraldine Lakes & Lookout

One of our favourite campgrounds in Jasper is Kerkeslin Campground. It’s 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 providing a lot of privacy. And if you’re nicely equipped, the drinking water provided at the campground is all you need.

Big thumbs up to Parks Canada who equipped every single site with a picnic table in campgrounds.

Honeymoon Lake Campground

Location: 52 km south of Jasper along Icefields Parkway (182 km from Lake Louise)

Operating dates: May 17 to September 18, 2023

Amenities: outhouse, shelter, drinking water

Fees: 26.25 CAD per night per campsite (including a fire pit)

Number of sites: 35

Popular nearby attractions: Honeymoon Lake, Sunwapta Falls

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 there’s 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.

Jonas Campground

Location: 77 km south of Jasper along Icefields Parkway (156 km from Lake Louise)

Operating dates: June 7 to September 8, 2023

Amenities: outhouse, shelter, drinking water

Fees: 26.25 CAD per night per campsite (including a fire pit)

Number of sites: 25

Popular nearby attractions: Columbia Icefield, Stutfield Glacier

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, it’s also a great spot on the Icefields Parkway where you can camp to break your trip into two days.

Icefields Centre RV (trailers, RVs, and campervans only)

Location: right beside the parking lot for the Icefields Discovery Centre, 105 km south of Jasper along Icefields Parkway (128 km from Lake Louise)

Operating dates: May 18 to October 10, 2023

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

Conveniently located right by the Icefields Discovery Centre, this is a big parking lot for trailers and RVs only. The view can’t be beaten by any other campground as you directly see the Columbia Icefield and Athabasca Glacier.

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 of Jasper along Icefields Parkway (128 km from Lake Louise)

Operating dates: June 14 to October 9, 2023

Amenities: toilet, picnic shelter, drinking water

Fees:  26.25 CAD per night per campsite (fire pit included)

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).

Wilcox Campground

Location: 107 km south of Jasper along Icefields Parkway (126 km from Lake Louise)

Operating dates: June 14 to September 18, 2023

Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, drinking water, dumping station

Fees: 26.25 CAD per night per campsite (fire pit included)

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

This is the campground I would recommend the most if you’re driving the Icefields Parkway over the span of 2 days. For the best view of the Athabasca Glacier, hike the first few kilometres of the trail to Wilcox Pass, and I assure you, you won’t be disappointed. You don’t even have to hike the whole 8 km trail, 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 most scenic trail in Jasper

What you will need is to purchase a backcountry permit for 12.75 CAD per person per night online or in the Visitor Centre (it costs 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 March 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 doesn’t attract wildlife.

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

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. We’ll 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?

Snaring River Overflow

Location: 17 km north of Jasper, along Snaring Road (a bit further from the Snaring Campground after you cross the bridge)

Operating dates: As needed

Amenities: outhouse, picnic shelter, drinking water

Fees:  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 – great for swimming, kayaking, SUP, biking or hiking; the road to Medicine Lake & Maligne Lake (with plenty of hiking options)

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 they rebuilt it with designated camping sites.

If you’re 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.

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 you’re 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.

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.

Tips & rules for camping in Jasper

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 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, you’re in a bear country. There’s 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 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 Jasper

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 nighttime 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.

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 16.75 CAD for a basic first come first serve campground to 50 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.

Firewood is included in the cost of camping in Jasper National Park. If there’s 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 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.

Campsite reservations

Popular campgrounds closest to Jasper (Whistlers, Wapiti, Wabasso) need to be booked in advance for the summer. When reservations for summer opened last year, most sites were booked within minutes. So you really need to prepare.

But if you are like us and don’t like planning half a year in advance, you will still have a place to stay, either at the overflow campground or one of the other options we listed above.

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

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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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