Camping the Rockies: Banff Camping Guide

Banff National Park has some of the best lodging in the world, even when that lodging is your own tent or RV. Very few places, even in the Rockies, offer such amazing sites, opportunities to see wildlife, waterfalls and wildflowers, and great hiking as Banff. What better way to enjoy these activities on your Banff vacation than by sleeping with park as your back yard? [caption id="attachment_7345" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Banff, Alberta offers some of the best camping in the Rockies."][/caption] Below you'll find our helpful guide on where to camp in Banff.

Banff Area Campgrounds

Two Jack Main Campground Camp in the wilderness, beautiful wooded area, secluded campsites (381), lots of wildlife. Situated on the scenic Minnewanka Lake loop drive. Explore the ruins of Bankhead, sheep in the area may be on the roadways, so drive with care. Flush toilets, no showers. Kitchen shelters available. Only 12 km from Banff. Waterfowl Lake Campground Near the Waterfowl Lake Campground's 116 sites, the bubbling Mistaya River enters Waterfowl Lake. A trail leads to Cirque and Chephren lakes for great hiking. Flush toilets, no showers. A 73 km drive from Banff. Rampart Creek A small campground with 50 sites, on the way to the Columbia Icefield. Great area for viewing wildlife and scenic grandeur. Flush toilets, no showers. A 147 km drive from Banff. Two Jack Lakeside Campground Right across the road  from the main camp is a small (77) site campground. Awake to the sound of water flowing and birds cooing. Showers available. Tunnel Mountain Campground Situated 2.4 km from Banff on Tunnel Mountain, within walking distance (or trolley distance) of downtown Banff. Services, such as food, laundry and a waterslide are close by. There are 320 full service sites in the Trailer Court, 188 power only sites in Village II, plus 619 non-serviced sites in Village I. There is an unbelievable view of the valley, the Hoodoos, and the Banff Springs Golf course. Tunnel Mountain Village II is open year round. Johnston Canyon Campground Across from Johnston Canyon is a picturesque campground with 132 sites. A creek flows nearby and the scenery is awesome. Take a walk up Johnston Canyon and view the two waterfalls. There is also a lot of wildlife in the area. Take the scenic route from Banff for wildlife sightings. Showers available. This campground is 25 km from Banff. Protection Mountain Campground Protection Mountain Campground has 89 sites, in a great area for hiking, lots of wildlife. No showers. Flush toilets. This campground is 48 km from Banff. Lake Louise Campground Lake Louise Campground has 189 trailer sites and 216 tenting sites next to the jewel of the Rockies, Lake Louise. Take the scenic route from Banff, which includes a drive by Johnston Canyon. No showers. The campground is 58 km from Banff. Mosquito Creek Campground From the 32 sites of Mosquito Creek Campground, you can see the sandstone cliffs of Bow Peak. The rugged cliffs of Mount Hector dominate the southeast skyline. Flush toilets, no showers. Open all year. The campground is 83 km from Banff.

Additional information

Campground	# Sites	Full H-U	Elec Only	Flush Toilet	Showers	Sani Dump	Dis Acc	Fire Pits $8.80	Interp Prog	Fee
Tunnel Mt Village IMay 2 - Oct 1	618			X	X	X	X	X	X	$27.40
Tunnel Mt Village IIOpen Year Round	188		all	X	X	X	X		X	$32.30
Tunnel Mt TrailerMay 2 - Oct 1	321	all		X	X	X	X		X	$38.20
Two Jack MainMay 16 - Sept 2	380			X		X		X		$21.50
Two Jack LakesideMay 16 - Sept 16	74			X	X		X	X		$27.40
Johnton CanyonMay 30 - Sept 16	132			X	X	X	X	X		$27.40
Castle MountainMay 16 - Sept 2	43			X				X		$21.50
Protection MountainJune 27 - Sept 1	89			X			X	X		$21.50
Lake Louise Trailer*Year Round	189		all	X	X	X	X		X	$32.30
Lake Louise TentMay 15 - Sept 28	206			X	X	X	X	X	X	$27.70
Mosquito CreekYear Round	32			Dry Toilet			X	X		$15.70
Waterfowl LakesJune 20 - Sept 8	116			X		X	X	X		$21.50
Rampart CreekJune 27 - Sept 1	50			Dry Toilet			X	X		$15.70
* Soft-sided camping in winter only (mid-November to mid-April)

Open dates are weather dependent. Arrive early - sites assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: Campground opening and closing dates may vary as National Park Campgrounds operate depending on the weather. Fees may increase without notice. * FULL H-U = full hook-up * DIS ACC = disabled access * INTERP PROG = Interpretive program * FIRE PERMIT REQUIRED where fireboxes and firewood are provided. * Boil water advisories may be posted. For More Information General camping information contact: Banff National Park Box 900 Banff, AB Canada, T1L 1K2 Phone: (403) 762-1550 Other campgrounds in the National Parks are on a first come, first serve basis. Check out time is 11 a.m., which is a good time to stop by and get a site. Overnight camping of any type (tent, vehicle, or RV) outside designated campgrounds is not permitted.