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Open Roads Forum  >  RVing in Canada and Alaska  >  Canada

 > Will I find an available camping spot - Banff/Jasper

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rrthor50

Camas, WA

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Posted: 07/24/12 01:07pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I was hoping someone on the forum might have some experience camping in the Canadian Rockies. My wife and I are planning a vacation. We are going to Whistler BC and then we are going to the Northern Lite factory where our camper was made to get a tour.

After seeing the factory we plan on heading up into the Jasper / Banff area. We would arrive just north of Lake Louise mid-afternoon on Wed. Sep 5th, 2 days after Labor Day. The below listed campgrounds are places we might like to stay at. It looks like they are all first come first serve. My questions are, are we going to have hard time finding a camping spot. Will they all be full this time of year. Can anyone recommend a specific campground.

Tunnel Mountain Campground.
Two Jack Main Campground
Two Jack Lakeside Campground
Johnston Canyon Campground
Protection Mountain Campground
Lake Louise Campground
Waterfowl Lake Campground
Rampart Creek

We will be pulling a 15ft. utility trailer. We don’t mind dry camping and of course would prefer something scenic. We will have our bicycles with us so some trails would be nice also. Thanks in advance for any information someone could give us. Rick

five'er

Canada

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Posted: 07/24/12 01:29pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I think it's Jonston Canyon Campground that is on the 1A (across from Johnston Canyon). We enjoyed it there. Mid week you may be ok without reservations, honestly I'm not sure that you CAN make reservations at many of the parks there (provincial Parks). The parks on tunnel mountain have nice views but if I recall not much for sites themselves. The advantage is they are closer to the Banff town site.

Artum Snowbird

Campbell River, B.C., Canada

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Posted: 07/24/12 01:57pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

After Banff try to take the Kananaskis route if at all possible, camp at Waterton. That road closed early, mid September, so find out when it's closing. The scenery along the way and in Waterton is superb.

gkenworth

Alberta

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Posted: 07/24/12 02:04pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

In my experience, you wont have a problem finding a site after labour day. 2 jack lakeside is beutiful, tunnel mountain is convienient. They wouldn't take reservations after labour day long weekend when I tried 4 years ago. Typing this while at whistler campground in Jasper.


IMHO

Mexnut

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Posted: 07/24/12 02:31pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

rrthor50 wrote:


After seeing the factory we plan on heading up into the Jasper / Banff area. We would arrive just north of Lake Louise mid-afternoon on Wed. Sep 5th, 2 days after Labor Day. The below listed campgrounds are places we might like to stay at. It looks like they are all first come first serve. My questions are, are we going to have hard time finding a camping spot. Will they all be full this time of year. Can anyone recommend a specific campground.

Tunnel Mountain Campground.
Two Jack Main Campground very good
Two Jack Lakeside Campground excellent
Johnston Canyon Campground excellent
Protection Mountain Campground not recommended
Lake Louise Campground OK in a pinch
Waterfowl Lake Campground very good
Rampart Creek good

We will be pulling a 15ft. utility trailer. We don’t mind dry camping and of course would prefer something scenic. We will have our bicycles with us so some trails would be nice also. Thanks in advance for any information someone could give us. Rick


See my ratings above. If you want to stay just north of Lake Louise, you'd probably like Waterfowl Lake (58 km to LL) or Mosquito Creek (28km north of LL). Midweek you will have no difficulty at any of these campgrounds, providing you arrive reasonably early in the day (no later than 4:00 or 5:00 pm)
Have a great trip.

pianotuna

Regina, SK, Canada

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Posted: 07/24/12 05:18pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi,

Lake Louise does accept reservations and is the busiest campground in North America. You will find solid 30 amp power there.


Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.

rrthor50

Camas, WA

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Posted: 07/24/12 08:11pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Thanks for you responses. We need to do a little more homework. I am going to start searching the Parks Canada web site. One more question. Can I bring fire wood across the border. I know that sounds silly but currently Minnesota parks are not letting anyone bring firewood in from somewhere else. I think it is some kind of bug problem.

Also are bicycle racks attached to the front of the truck allowed.

Thanks

Rick And MaryJo

pianotuna

Regina, SK, Canada

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Posted: 07/24/12 08:14pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Hi,

Not legally.

rrthor50 wrote:

Can I bring fire wood across the border.

Thanks

Rick And MaryJo


Mexnut

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Posted: 07/24/12 08:22pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Firewood from outside is a no-no. Front mounted bikes are fine.
Go to Alberta Campgrounds the Albertawow website for excellent info on campsites in Alberta (both Provincial and Federal). Note: there is a glitch on the website that tells you a script is not responding. Just click on Stop Script and conntinue on. Page down to get to the Nat'l Park Campgrounds, complete with descriptions, pictures, and campground maps.

PackerBacker

Montreal (Qc) Adirondacks (NY) Myrtle Beach (SC)

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Good Sam RV Club Member


Posted: 07/25/12 06:01am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Firewood and weapons are the two of the most frequent asked questions at the border (crossing either way).


Eric
2009 Holiday Rambler Admiral 33SFS (34' 3")
2008 Jeep Liberty - North Edition (4x4 auto)
FQCC/Camping Quebec, KOA, Good Sam, Coach-Net


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