Has anyone actually stayed at the Icefields Centre parking lot as I am getting conflicting reports with regards to overnight parking. Some say that parking is only allowed if you are staying at the hotel others say that you will get fined for staying overnight in any parking lot in Banff National Park or any other National Park.
wu687 wrote: Has anyone actually stayed at the Icefields Centre parking lot as I am getting conflicting reports with regards to overnight parking. Some say that parking is only allowed if you are staying at the hotel others say that you will get fined for staying overnight in any parking lot in Banff National Park or any other National Park.
They are correct that you are not allowed to overnight in a parking lot in any National Park; however, a portion of the parking lot at the Icefield Centre has been designated an official temporary Parks Canada campground. You have to pay a camping fee to stay there. It was set up, I believe, due to a shortage of places to camp in the area for those with large rigs. I haven't been there for 2 years now, but that's the way it was then and I believe it still is that way.
On edit: I called Parks Canada and was informed this site is now only available when all others in the area are full. It is used as an overflow campground only.
* This post was
edited 05/30/08 09:37am by MurrayD *
I sent off a couple of emails with regards to overnight parking of large RVs in the RV parking area at the Icefield Centre.
The first was to Parks Canada. The reply,
"The parking lot at the Icefields Centre is for day use only. There are twocampgrounds in the immediate area. One of them, Wilcox Creek is where the
motor homes stay. I will forward you message to our campground supervisor for more detail on just how large a motorhome may be accommodated there."
The other was to Brewster Tours the operator of the Icefield Centre. I asked,
"Is overnight parking for large RVs permited in the RV parking area at the Icefield Centre?"
Thank you for your email and inquiry. We have an overflow RV parking lot to the north of our Icefield Centre car parking lot. The cost is approximately $10.00 to stay overnight. You can pay upon arrival. If there is anything else I can help you with please let me know.
I was able to talk to Parks Canada Information, located at the Icefield Centre (Tel 780-852-6288), they said that overnight parking in self contained RVs is most welcome, park in the RV parking area. A portable toilet is located at the lot, as well as donation box. It is considered as an overflow camping area as the campsites in the area have very limited RV camping. The main Icefield Centre building is open 24 hours a day.
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