The best camping near Jasper National Park

Jasper National Park is the largest park in the Canadian Rockies, with great hiking, scenic lake tours, natural hot springs, canoeing, kayaking, and white-water rafting. More remote than Banff National Park, which is about 290 kilometres (180 miles) to the south via the scenic Icefields Parkway, Jasper is still Canada’s second-most visited park. Yet with some 11,000 square kilometres of mountainous terrain, it feels much less crowded, even during the busy summer season. The closest major airport is in Edmonton, Alberta, a four-hour drive to the east. It’s an eight- to nine-hour road trip from Vancouver, 800 kilometres (500 miles) to the west.

• Best for year-round adventures: Wapiti Campground
• Best for sleeping by a glacier: Icefield Campground
• Best for hot springs lovers: Pocahontas Campground

1. The Parks Canada reservations service opens in early January when you can book for the entire season. Book your Jasper campsite as soon as reservations become available at the Whistlers, Wapiti, Wabasso, and Pocahontas campgrounds, particularly if you’re visiting from June through September.
2. Overflow Campground has both reservable and non-reservable sites, while Snaring, Kerkeslin, Honeymoon Lake, Jonas, Icefield, Icefields Centre RV, and Wilcox are first-come, first-served. Wapiti, open year-round, is first-come first-served during the mid-October to early May winter camping season.
3. If you get to Jasper without a reservation, arrive as early in the day as possible to claim a campsite.

The best time to explore Jasper is during the crisp, clear autumn, September through early October. July and August, when the sun doesn’t set till after 10pm, are Jasper’s busiest months; plan ahead for a summertime visit and come mid-week if you can. May and June are typically less crowded, although often cooler and rainier (or snowier). Winter in Jasper, with heavy snow and freezing temperatures, can start in October and continue into May.

• Jasper is a huge park, so plan plenty of time to get to its different areas.
• You can take the train to Jasper. Via Rail, Canada’s national rail carrier, stops in the town of Jasper on its cross-country Vancouver-Toronto route. Several companies rent cars in Jasper.
• Pack layers, including warm clothes and rain gear. Though snow is uncommon in summer, it can snow here anytime, particularly at higher elevations.
• You can often spot bears in Jasper. Keep food and toiletries in your car or RV, don’t hike alone, and carry bear spray.

• Experience the magic of camping at Abraham Lake, where pristine waters meet majestic mountains. With wild winds creating beautiful ice bubbles in winter, Abraham Lake is an unforgettable camping experience.
• Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Canadian Rockies when camping near Columbia Icefield. Glacial vistas and icy wonderlands create an otherworldly setting for your Columbia Icefield camping experience.
• Find your perfect getaway while camping at Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area. The thunderous falls and lush forest trails will make your Crescent Falls camping trip an outdoor adventure full of natural wonder and tranquility.