Last updated on August 12th, 2021 at 11:43 pm
It can often be hard to get a camping spot in Banff and Lake Louise, but just a short distance away you’ll find a whole number of equally as amazing locations and campsites to visit and allow you to enjoy the mountains. Here are my top five campgrounds close to Banff for when you want a little more peace and space.
1.) Waterfowl Lakes, Icefields Parkway
Located just under an hour north of Lake Louise on the Icefields Parkway this has to be one of my all time favourite campgrounds close to Banff! The campsite is located on the shores of Waterfowl Lake and a series of trails will take you to three further lakes. Upper Waterfowl Lake, Chephran Lake and Cirque Lake. This campsite is well maintained by Parks Canada with clean drop toilets and drinking water available. The views are unbeatable and the site is always full on a summer weekend, as a first come first serve site I would recommend arriving early! Check out my full post about camping at Waterfowl Lakes Campsite here.
2.) Redstreak, Radium Hot Springs
Perched just above Radium Hot Spring this Parks Canada managed campsite has all the comforts you need from flushing toilets to hot showers and firewood. The views from some of these sites down the Columbia Valley can be spectacular , particularly some sites in loops A and B which sit on the edge of the bluff. Almost all the sites enjoy considerable privacy surrounded by trees, with some being walk in campsites. These walk in campsites are just a few hundred meters from your car but often have the best views and with many discouraged from being so far from their vehicle you’ll often not be able to see or hear any neighboring campers.
The other great thing about this campsite is the number of family friendly trails which take you through and border the campsite. With the added bonus that a short 2km walk through the forest will take you to the Radium Hot Springs. All this makes Redstreak my number two in the list of campgrounds close to Banff you have to explore.
3.) Wapta Falls Recreation Site, Just outside Yoho National Park
This tiny, free campsite is a short way down a forestry road and is basic at best. The Wapta Falls campsite is designated as a BC recreation site, so its legal for you to camp here but there are very few amenities. (If you are interested in finding other campsites on recreation land, I like to use the Backroad Mapbooks.)
The Wapta Falls campsite has two camping spots looking down the valley at the Falls and there is drop toilet. Other than that it is just you and nature. This is the smallest and most basic campsite in my list of top campgrounds close to Banff. The views are unbeatable and falling asleep to the sound of a waterfall crashing down is unforgettable. Don’t be surprised if you don’t find a spot available here though, arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Please be aware, you aren’t able to access Wapta Falls from this campsite, the falls can be accessed from a turn off on Highway 1 once you enter Yoho National Park, from the parking area it is a short walk to the waterfalls viewpoint.
4.) Interlakes, Kananaskis
Located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Interlakes campsite is one of the smaller in the park and sandwiched between Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes. Many of the site’s look out over the lake and give campers direct access to the water. The perfect base for water sports and hiking on a hot summer day this is a great family friendly spot and a one of the most popular campgrounds close to Banff. Getting a spot at Interlakes campground can be notoriously difficult, make sure to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
5.) Spray Lakes, Kananaskis
The last of my favourite campgrounds close to Banff is the Spray Lakes Campground. This is the closest campground to Banff on the list. Head off highway one, through Canmore and along Highway 742 and there, nestled in the mountains next to Spray Lake you’ll find the campsite. Nearly all spots have a view out over the lake and direct access to the water for those who wish to go for a paddle. If you like to scramble your options in the area are never ending!
