Front and backcountry camping in the Canadian Rockies in August

Depends on the campsite. In 2013 we stayed in some campgrounds that we had reservations (like Lake Louise – very nice site) and some without reservations in Jasper and in Banff. There were also “overflow” sites near Lake louise and just East of Jasper where you should be able to find a basic place to camp if the campgrounds are full. The site below list all sites in Banff NP, along with reservation/walk in sites:

https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/camping.aspx

I dont know if tbis will help but i am looking for a few backpackers to join me and anotherguy for a 3 njght Skylkne trail July 24-27. I also have room for 1 tent in banff the 19-22 July. Let me know if your interested

Cary

In the last few years backcountry and frontcountry sites in the Canadian Rockies have been at a premium during the summer months. Many of the sites book up early in the year. Having said that sites do become available in the backcountry and frontcountry on a daily basis. This occurs as a result of cancellations or people failing to show up for reservations.

You would need to have flexibility in your schedule to show up at any given campground or trails office to see if there are openings. Since you will have a vehicle there are a number of other options. If you are planning on concentrating on the Jasper and Banff area you can stay in frontcountry campgrounds outside the park and still access many of the highlights along the Icefield Parkway between Jasper and Banff.

The area I would recommend on the Alberta side of the Rockies is off Highway 11 (David Thompson Highway). This highway intersects the Icefield Parkway. You are about 80 miles north of Banff , 45 miles north of  Lake Louise ,  95 miles south of Jasper and 25 miles south of the Columbia Icefields. from the intersection of Highway 11 and the Icefields Parkway. There is one provincial campground within 10 miles (east) of the junction and another about 30 miles east. Although these sites have become more popular in the last few years you still may have a better chance of obtaining a car camping site. They are basic sites with pit toilets and run about $20 US per night.

Another bonus to staying in this area is the ability to access many day and backcountry hikes that are situated on Provincial Land. None of these hikes require reservations or permits and are first class destinations. The backcountry sites are more rustic and random camping is allowed.

Many of the best day hikes in the Rockies can be accessed from this area , if you dont mind driving from 30 to 90 minutes.

About 1hr (50 miles) west of Lake Louise in BC is the town of Golden. I am unfamiliar with campsites near the town but there are a number of hotels in this town of about 4000. I dont know the pricing on Hotels , but, I would think they would be cheaper than Banff or Jasper.