Forest camping near Lake Louise with campfires
Crisp glacier-fed waters refresh the senses when adventuring to Lake Louise, Alberta.
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3 top forest campgrounds near Lake Louise with campfires
Forest camping near Lake Louise with campfires guide
Overview
A two-hour trip from Calgary through the Canadian Rockies with endless pit stops, Lake Louise is an essential destination for Hipcampers. It’s set in Banff National Park—a UNESCO World Heritage Site well known for its luxury chateau perched against the turquoise-tinged water as you enter. Lake Louise campgrounds include drive-in RV campsites, cabin retreats, and tent campsites with access to showers and flush toilets. Summer offers epic swimming spots and hiking trails, but this area transforms into a winter wonderland throughout colder months when ski chalets and cozy cabins are most popular. Don’t forget to buy a national park day pass and a tent camping permit if you’re pitching your own inside the park.
Where to go
Moraine Lake
Lesser known than Lake Louise but just as beautiful, Moraine Lake is one way to escape the crowds—especially in the middle of summer. Personal vehicles are not allowed at Moraine Lake, but shuttles run from the town of Banff between June and October. Rugged adventurers can take the 10-hour hiking trail from Lake Louise—a challenging but rewarding route.
Castle Provincial Park
Halfway between Lake Louise and Banff’s town centre, Castle Mountain stretches 11 kilometres with steep shelves and cliffs that make it a prime spot for alpine rock climbing. Campers who like to keep their feet firmly on the ground can instead take advantage of the 7.4-km Castle Mountain lookout hike with 520 metres of elevation gain and a striking view of Bow Valley. Cabin camp nearby at the Blaeberry River or go glamping in the backcountry.
Johnston Canyon
Accessible from Lake Louise via Bow Valley Parkway, Johnston Canyon is an easy road trip add-on within Banff National Park. Wind your way down the elevated catwalks attached to canyon walls as the river gushes by. Then view the large waterfall from two platforms—a lower and an upper. It’s a 5-km round-trip walk with only a 30-meter elevation gain, so this is a prime spot for kids or campers looking for an easier hike.
Yoho National Park
Boasting 28 mountain peaks, Yoho National Park is set in British Columbia but only a 30-minute drive from Lake Louise (No public shuttles run in this area, so a private car is required). Take a break at Emerald Lake Lodge, or check out the Kicking Horse Pass National Historic Site—an engineering feat dubbed the “Big Hill” (and the highest elevation of the Canadian Pacific Railway). Watch trains from one of two Spiral Tunnel viewpoints as they head straight into Mount Ogden and Cathedral Mountain.
When to go
To experience the colour-saturated water, plan to arrive at Lake Louise before the lake ices over, any time between May and late October. June, July, and August are the best months for swimming, but the glacier-fed lake is chilly all year-round. December through March bring freezing temperatures, when winter activities are in full swing. The iconic lake generally draws big crowds—find a bit more room in the off-season, which includes late March, April, and November.
Nearby attractions
- Offering an extraordinary blend of history, wildlife, and majestic scenery, camping near Lake Minnewanka is a true Canadian wilderness adventure. Explore its beautiful trails by day and indulge in star-gazing by night for a profound Lake Minnewanka camping experience.
- Ascend to new heights while camping near Tunnel Mountain. Tunnel Mountain camping offers breathtaking panoramic views, scenic hiking trails, and star-studded nights, making it a truly uplifting and refreshing adventure.
