6 essential tips for camping in Banff

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Summer travel planning is heating up, and that means it’s time for camping season. Camping remains one of the most affordable, family-friendly holidays you can enjoy. And there’s no better place than in one of Canada’s amazing National Parks. Our six essential tips for camping in Banff will help you plan and enjoy a memorable camping holiday with your family.

moraine lake in banff
Moraine Lake, Banff National Park (Credit: Parks Canada)

6 essential tips for camping in Banff

Canada has some of other finest national and provincial park campgrounds anywhere on the planet. They are beautifully situated in nature, on lakes, rivers and mountainsides. There’s really nothing more Canadian than taking a camping trip – pitching a tent in the forest or by a lake, starting up a campfire, cooking outdoors and telling ghost stories or tall tales. It’s practically a right of passage.

vw camper van camping in banff
Luxe Camping in the VW Vanagon Westfalia (Credit: C Laroye)

Get a Parks Canada Discovery Pass

If you want to camp or visit Banff or Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies, or any of Canada’s 100+ National Parks, you will need to purchase a Discovery Pass. For a family or group up to seven people, the cost is approximately $140 CAD.

Make camping reservations

Like a hotel in summer season, campgrounds in national parks are busy places that require reservations.

Parks Canada makes it easy to reserve your campsite with its online reservation system for 27 of its national parks and historic sites, including camping in Banff.

rv camping in banff
A campsite with a view at Tunnel Mountain campground (Credit: Parks Canada S. Gignac)

There are 13 campgrounds in Banff National Park, offering 2,468 campsites. How you choose a campsite is up to you.

Would you like to be near hundreds of other campers (but close to Banff town centre and flush toilets) at Tunnel Mountain Village II? Camp further up Icefields Parkway at Johnston Canyon campground, Mosquito Creek campground, or at Lake Louise Campground?

Are you camping with an RV and need more space? Or would you like to test out one of the 10 oTENTik ‘tent cabins’ equipped campsites in Banff National Park at Two Jack Lakeside campground?

Choose the camping areas that works best for you. Just book your campsite early to avoid disappointment.

Read more > How to Explore Beautiful Banff with Kids

No Tent? No Problem!

The oTENTik is exclusive to quite a few Parks Canada campgrounds across the nation. They’re all about helping you feel comfortable in the great outdoors.

The oTENTik features an A-frame cabin/tent hybrid, mounted on a raised wooden floor. There are beds for up to 6 people, lighting, electricity, hot showers, indoor heat, an outdoor firepit and BBQ.

oTENTik camping in banff
A Parks Canada oTENTik tent makes camping easy peasy (Credit: Parks Canada)

Try equipped camping

If you’re a newbie to the camping experience, fear not! Parks Canada and Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) have partnered to offer an exciting new service at Banff’s Two Jack Main Campground – Equipped Camping.

There are five such reservable equipped camping walk-in sites, fully kitted out and set up with tents, sleeping bags and pads, cooking equipment and fire pit. This is the perfect way to ease into the camping experience, especially if you’re not sure whether your family will love it, and you don’t wish to buy all of the necessary equipment yourself.

lady seated in parks canada red chair
Every Parks Canada National Park has red chairs to relax in nature and enjoy spectacular views. (Credit: S Laroye)

Read more > Where to Eat in Banff: the best restaurants in town

Bathe in the beauty of nature

Camping in Banff opens up unparalleled outdoor recreation opportunities in the 6,640 km2 of valleys, mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows and rivers. 

You may notice elk walking past your tent as you sip early-morning coffee, or see a black bear during a day hike to see the golden larches in fall. Do no harm, respect nature, and enjoy the great outdoors in Canada’s first and finest national park.

people enjoying banff hot springs
Dip into the thermal hot springs overlooking Banff. You’ll be glad for the soak! (Credit: C Laroye)

And don’t forget to enjoy a dip in the Banff Hot Springs as a special, unforgettable treat. Beware, the hot springs are uber-popular and crowded at any time of day. You may be waiting your turn if the facility is at capacity.

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Summer season is camping Banff season. How to pitch a tent and plan your camping adventure in beautiful Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. | summer vacation | camping

Have you camped at Banff National Park? Did you see any wildlife? Share your experiences in the comments below.

Claudia Laroye
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