Banff National Park Rv Camping

Campgrounds Closest To The Town Of Banff

If you want to explore the town of Banff, the closest campgrounds are the Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds and the Two Jacks Campgrounds, followed by Johnston Canyon. 100% of the sites at these campgrounds are reservable .

Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds

If you want to be able to hop on a quick bus and head to town, then the Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds are the best choice. The Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds also have showers, while the Two Jacks campgrounds do not. The Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds are also the only campsites near Banff with hookups. So if you need electricity youll need to stay here. At the Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds, there are over 700 sites, and you kind of feel like you are in a giant parking lot. These campgrounds do have pretty views of the mountains if you dont mind looking past the pavement and your neighbors RV. You are paying for convenience and amenities at Tunnel Mountain.

Two Jacks Main and Lakeside Campgrounds

The Two Jacks Main and Lakeside Campgrounds feel a little wilder. Its harder to get to town by public transportation, but youre right next to Two Jack Lake which is a great spot for sunset. Lake Minnewanka is also right around the corner with a lot of nice trails to explore.

Two Jack Lakeside campgrounds also has equipped campsites that includes the full shebang a 6 person tent, 6 sleeping pads, a stove with propane, a lantern, and even a broom with a dustpan. Dont forget food, sleeping bags, and your clothes!

Johnston Canyon

Best Time To Visit Banff And Jasper National Parks

Spring and Fall are definitely the best time to visit Banff and Jasper! Winter in the rockies makes it very difficult to navigate the parks, and in the summer the hordes of tourists may ruin your trip.

When I say hordes of tourists, I mean it. We visited Banff and Jasper in the Fall shoulder season, and even then we had to have a strategy to avoid the crowds !

In Spring and Fall the weather is manageable, and there wont be quite as many tour buses unloading at the most popular sites.

Lake Louise Campground Tent

Open from June to September â Reservations required

Just across the river from the highway , camping at Lake Louise Campground offers a little slice of luxury just outside of town. The tent Campsites are quiet and very private , along with access to great trails that follow the rushing Bow River. Those concerned about wildlife can rest assured as the entire campground is surrounded by an electric fence to ward off any curious animals.

The campground itself is just 1 km from the village of Lake Louise, and just 4 kms from the Lake itself, making booting around this scenic area quick and simple!

Campground highlights:

• Cost per night: $27.40 + $8.80 for a fire pit.
• Amenities:Washroom and shower facilities, potable water, fire pits, cooking shelter, wheelchair accessible, sani-dump.

Lake Louise â Banff National Park

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What To Pack For A Canadian Road Trip

Weather can change very quickly in the Canadian Rockies, and it is important you are prepared. I suggest bringing rain gear, regardless of the predicted forecast for your travels, and I recommend carrying it with you on your day hikes along with your other day hike essentials.

The average high temperature during the day in spring and summer ranges from 50° to 65° though temperatures at night can drop below freezing. In late June, we got everything from hot sun to rain to snow. Some days were quite warm and nights got into the 30s . While you might be camping during the summer you need to ensure your sleeping bag has a good rating for temperatures below freezing. Packing extra blankets to be safe is a great idea, along with a groundsheet for your tent to provide extra insulation with dropping temperatures.

Remember to be bear aware, and always carry your bear spray. The Parks suggest hiking in groups, and if you choose to hike alone, they recommend talking out loud and clapping before you turn any corners. The worst thing you can do is surprise a bear on the trail.

Dont forget that the Canadian Rockies are high in elevation so youll want adequate sun protection with sunscreen and a sun hat. Trekking poles were very helpful on the steeper hikes.

For hiking clothing, youll want lots of layers, including an insulated jacket, a hat, and gloves.

Vermilion Lakes, in Banff National Park

When To Visit & Camp In Banff National Park

While the warmest season of the year in Banff is summer, Banff is open all year! In my opinion, the best time to visit Banff is in the spring or the fall, when the weather is warm enough to stay outside for extended periods of time but the summer crowds have subsided. Its also a great time for hiking in Banff.

Most of the tourists flock to Banff in July and August, so if you want to avoid massive tourist crowds, avoid those months.

If youre visiting in the winter, be sure to check the Parks Canada website so you know which parts of the park are open .

However, you can actually camp in Banff year-round at certain sites.I wouldnt recommend doing this in a tent , but if you have a campervan or are planning on renting one, you can access some of the campsites in the area all year.

Ill go into this a bit more in-depth later in the post.

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Camping Fees & Permits

National Park Pass

To visit any national park in Canada, you are required to purchase a Park Pass .

• 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 Visitors 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 .

Fire permit

If theres no fire ban in place, you can have a campfire at your site when you purchase a fire permit for 9.25 CAD/day. You can only use the firewood provided. Even though were used to just gather dead wood from the ground for campfires, this is not allowed in National Parks.

Lake Louise Campground Trailer

Open year-round â Reservations Required for stays from June to September

The Lake Louise Trailer Campground is a haven for those with large RVs that the quaint, smaller sites just donât have the faculties for. With plenty of full-serviced, pull-through sites for big motorhomes and trailers, this site is ideal for those carrying more than just their pack on their back, and one of the most popular spots for camping in Banff National Park. Note that all soft-sided units must use the Lake Louise Tent campground.

Situated right on the Bow River, a scenic trail follows the rushing water for the length of the campground, offering a peaceful walk. And, with Lake Louise just a 3-minute drive , thereâs a lot to do nearby â like Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Lake Louise!

Campground highlights:

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Camping In Provincial Parks Near Banff

There are several Provincial parks near Banff offer a great way to experience the beauty of the area while getting some exercise and fresh air. Provincial parks provide an opportunity to learn about the local flora and fauna, as well as the history of the area. provincial parks also offer a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy, from hiking and camping to fishing and bird watching. If youre looking for a beautiful place to camp that is close to Banff, one of these provincial parks is sure to be perfect for you.

The Best Banff Campgrounds

Most visitors will have the greatest enjoyment with the front country Banff campgrounds. This is not a comprehensive overview of every campsite in Banff, and we suggest you visit Parks Canada for an overview. Its also the best way to reserve a campsite which you should do, unless this is a last-minute trip.

Camping reservations for Banff National Park opened on January 26, 2022 at 8:00 am MST. For reservations, visit reservation.pc.gc.ca

Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds

This is a series of Banff campgrounds located at the base of Tunnel Mountain. If you want convenient access to the town of Banff, nice facilities, and a beautiful campsite. Just because the campground is just outside of town does not detract from its natural beauty or opportunity to spot wildlife.

In fact, the campground is famous as visitors spot elk, bears, and occasionally the Bow Valley wolf pack every year. Nature is quite literally at the doorstep in Banff because of this, it vitally important that campers practice proper wildlife awareness.

There are three separate campgrounds of Tunnel Mountain Campground I, II, and III that are all adjacent to one another. These are the best facilities for camping in Banff, and the Tunnel Mountain Campgrounds are the only campsites that offer electricity hookups. Most importantly, they also have hot showers, which are a pretty sweet deal and not found at all the campgrounds in the park.

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Alberta Provincial Park Reservations

Reserve.AlbertaParks.cayear-round service. There is still a 90-day booking policy for regular campsites and backcountry campsites,comfort camping can be booked 180 days in advanceHow it works in a nutshell:

Group camping areas can also be booked 180 days in advance starting on January 12th! Why the changes? Alberta Parks reservation site. ** And note that Alberta Parks has also gone to the queue system so you may have to wait to get onto the parks reservation website in the morning.

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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: 5 km from downtown Banff

Operating dates: May 12 October 2

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water, outdoor theatre, fire pits

Fees: 40.75 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 618

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 very convenient location in Banff, its huge and located in the forest with a view of the Rundle Mountain. A nice feature is a Ravens Nest Theatre where you can attend an evening program at 7:30 pm daily from June 22 to September 1.

View just across the road from Tunnel Mountain Campground

Tunnel Mountain Village II Campground

Location: 3 km from downtown Banff

Operating dates: year-round

Amenities: hot showers, toilets, cooking shelters, hook-ups, dump station, drinking water, outdoor theatre, equipped luxury campsites oTentik, fire pits

Fees: 34.50 CAD per night per campsite

Number of sites: 188

Outdoor theater with daily evening program

luxury camping in oTentik in Banff

Tunnel Mountain Trailer Campground

Location: 3 km from downtown Banff

Cooking shelter

Bow Valley Park Campground

The Bow Valley Park Campground is located in the stunning Bow Valley Provincial Park, just a short drive from Calgary. The campground offers a wide range of amenities, including flush toilets, showers, and laundry facilities. There are also over 100 campsites available, making it the perfect place to pitch a tent and enjoy the great outdoors. The campground is open from May to September, and reservations can be made online. Whether youre looking for a weekend getaway or a longer vacation, the Bow Valley Park Campground is sure to offer something for everyone.

No matter what your camping style may be, youre sure to find a campground that suits your needs in and around Banff National Park. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your adventure today!

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Tunnel Mountain Village I And Ii Campgrounds

Indeed, Tunnel Mountain Village I and II are some of the best RV campgrounds in Banff, Canada. Just a couple of miles from the town of Banff, they offer a wilderness feel without getting too far off the beaten path. Village 1 has 618 sites, all unserviced, while Village 2 has 188 sites, all with electricity, making it perfect for RVers who want to power up.

Importantly, common amenities in both campgrounds include washroom and shower facilities, potable water, disabled access, fire pits, cooking shelter, and dump stations. You can enjoy walking, biking, an outdoor theater, and evening interpretive programs in the summer. In addition, village 2 is open year-round.

Making A Reservation On The Parks Canada Website

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Tunnel Mountain Village Campground

Tunnel Mountain Village Campground is the closest campground to the actual town of Banff. It is just a couple miles from the center of town, and you can hop a shuttle into town if you dont want to drive your camper .

The campground is HUGE with hundreds of sites. You can choose whether you would like a site with a fire pit , a site with water/electric hookups, or just a basic site with neither of these options.

We stayed in a basic site that did not have hookups or a fire pit. In Canadian national parks if you want to have a campfire you pay for a nightly campfire permit, and then you can use as much of the provided firewood as you want throughout the night.

We chose not to spend the extra $8 for a fire permit, but we did feel that this system was FAR superior to U.S. national parks because it insures that visitors only burn local wood, AND it allows you to have a fire all night for a set price.

The bathrooms in Tunnel Mountain Village were modern and clean with hot showers. There were also food lockers available for tent campers, or anyone who wanted to stow food safely away from animals.

Grizzly bears are commonly spotted in Banff and Jasper National Parks so the campgrounds are very serious about educating the public on clean campsite practices. Banff campsites must be kept free of food and coolers anytime you are not present OR anytime youre sleeping.

Campgrounds Closest To Lake Louise

Lake Louise has a large campground right off the highway and next to the train tracks, and it is separated into two areas one area for trailers and another for tent campers and small RVs . The tent-camping area is surrounded by a fence to keep the bears out, and you are not allowed to pitch a tent in the trailer area. The trailer area includes hook-ups.

The Lake Louise campgrounds have hot showers and flush toilets and consists of pull-through sites where you share a parking spot with your neighbor. Its not the most scenic, but it is the most convenient to Moraine Lake, Lake Louise, and the surrounding trails.

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