When it comes to incredible backpacking trips in Banff National Park, an Egypt Lake backpacking trip is most often top of the list. With incredible views over Healy Pass, blankets of wild flowers in July and golden Larch trees in the fall, this is a trip that keeps giving!
For beginners there is a campground to split the hike in, for those with more experience, Egypt Lake campground can be a jumping off point for longer trips, such as the through hike to Twin Lakes.
Many people book a night or two at Egypt Lake as a basecamp for day hikes in the area, such as the scramble up Pharoah Peak or a hike to Scarab and Mummy Lakes. This is a spot that is accessible and in an absolutely stunning location, you can never have a bad trip here.
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Quick Stats For An Egypt Lake Backpacking Trip
Trail Distance: 12.4km one way
Elevation: 695m gain to Healy Pass, 375m loss down to Egypt Lake
When To Hike: July to September. Snow can linger at higher elevations well into the summer months. Visit in July for peak wildflowers or mid to late September to see the Larch trees.Â
Do you need to book a site: YES, Egypt Lake is one of the most popular backcountry camping spots in Banff National Park, your best bet is to get a spot when reservations open in January online with Parks Canada. If that fails, keep checking for cancellations.
How much does it cost to complete an Egypt Lake Backpacking trip:
Backcountry camping permit: $13.50 per person per night.
Reservation fee: $11.50 is booking online, $13.50 over the phone.
Parks Admissions Fee: $11 per day or $75.25 annually for an adult.
How Many Days Do You Need: It can be done as an overnight trip but if you can, aim to spend at least two nights at Egypt Lake to be able to explore this stunning area.
The Egypt Lake Hike
Make no mistake, despite its popularity, the Egypt Lake hike isn’t overly easy with a full pack, there is plenty of elevation to be gained.
Most people start at the Sunshine Ski Resort Parking lot, beside the lower lodge on the right hand side is a smaller parking area and the trailhead for Healy Pass and Egypt Lake.
Follow the wide trail as it gains elevation from the parking lot. There are limited views as it’s mostly in the forest. Shortly after there is a junction in the Egypt Lake hike, keep right and continue through the forest.
At just after 5km you reach Healy Creek backcountry campground. This is the perfect spot to spend a night for those hitting the trail late in the day or for beginners getting out for one of their first trips. The campground is right beside the trail and offers all the usual amenities you find at a backcountry campground in Banff National Park.
For those continuing on for an Egypt Lake backpacking trip, the trail continues onwards and upwards through the forest. Soon the trees start to thin though and the Meadows of Healy Pass open up. A great spot to enjoy a picnic and take a break. The Meadows are filled with wildflowers in July and there are larch trees to take in come the fall.
The views from here only get more and more amazing and this is the highlight of the hike in Egypt Lake for many. Enjoy stunning views in all directions when you reach Healy Pass.
What goes up, must come down though and from the pass the trail starts to rapidly descend. You get glimpses of the lakes in the valley below. Poles were handy for the descent though as it was steep in spots. The trail heads down back into the trees towards the valley bottom. At the junction at the base of the valley, the right hand turn goes to the Park Warden cabin and left will take you through the valley and across the river before a small climb up to the Egypt Lake backcountry campground.
Alternate Routes For An Egypt Lake Backpacking Trip
It is also possible to start your Egypt Lake backpacking trip by riding the Sunshine Gondola up to Sunshine Meadows. One at the top it is possible to follow the Simpson Pass trail out of the village and this eventually joins up with the Healy Pass trail near the top of the Pass. This section of the trail is part of the much larger Great Divide Route which follows the Continental Divide through Canada.
Egypt Lake Campground
The Egypt Lake campground is one of the larger backcountry sites in Banff National Park. NOTE it is not located at Egypt Lake, the lake is a short walk away.
The Egypt Lake campground consists of 15 tent pads which are spread out across a plateau above Pharaoh Creek. As you crest the hill from the river you’ll come across a map of the campground, a good way of understanding where the tent pads are located throughout the site. The tent pads are clearly defined by wooden boarders which makes it clear where your tent should be pitched.
There used to be a shelter located within the campground but it was getting old and so was removed. There was talk of replacing it, however as of the summer of 2024, it was still just a patch of grass in the campground.
There are two raised outhouses in the middle of the campground which are in pretty good condition considering how much use they get.
The cook area at the Egypt Lake campground is close by, surrounded by trees, there are a few picnic benches to use, but you’ll likely have to share. There are also bear lockers which for each tent pad, they are located in two areas of the cooking space.
Water is pulled from Pharoah Creek, there is a path directly from the cooking area or it can be access from the campground by backtracking on the main trail. Make sure to remember your bear spray when you go to grab water, we heard the shouts of people who could see a bear while filtering water during our dinner.
Trailhead
The most popular trailhead for an Egypt Lake backpacking trip is to start at Sunshine Village. It’s a short 7km drive along Highway 1 from Banff and then turn off on to the Sunshine Village road and follow it all the way to the ski resort base where there is lots of parking!
The trail starts from the right side of the lodge, there is limited parking behind the lodge for hikers, otherwise park in the main parking area.
If you don’t have a vehicle, you can still do the Egypt Lake backpacking trip by catching the Sunshine Village summer shuttle which drops you off at the base.
Day Hikes In The Egypt Lake Area
It is worth spending a few days camping at Egypt Lake as it is a great base point for some beautiful day hikes.
One of the most popular day trips in the area is a scramble up Pharoah Peak. This is not a hike but a scramble and a steep one at that! Follow the trail towards Egypt Lake from the campground and then start gaining elevation on the Whistling Pass trail, once the trail levels out, Pharoah Peak is on your right, navigate around its base as it you are heading to Haiduk Lake, you’ll see the well worn trail straight up the scree before you reach the top of the pass. From here is a scree scramble to the ridgeline and then follow the ridge to the peak. Good shoes and hiking poles are a must for this day trip!
Heading towards Pharoah Peak, you’ll pass a trail sign once you’ve completed the switchbacks and the trail has leveled out. Follow the signs and head left for a great day hike to Scarab and Mummy Lakes, a worthwhile trip for those not interested in going for a scramble. Pack a lunch to enjoy at the lake and make a full day out of it.
Around a 1km hike from the Egypt lake campground is Egypt Lake itself. An easy, short hike which winds through the forest from the far end of the campground will get you there. Follow the trail to Whistling Pass for a short way before turning left and continuing on through the forest. Shortly after you pop out at the lake! An easy hike to complete if you only have one night for your Egypt Lake backpacking trip.
Continue The Adventure
If you want to extend an Egypt Lake backpacking trip to a multi-day backpacking trip there are a number of options. We started at Sunshine Village and hiked into Egypt Lake campground for the night. From here we headed up and over the pass, past Haiduk Lake and into the Ball Pass Junction campground for a night. From here we headed towards Shadow Lake and then out over Gibbon Pass to the Arnica Lake trailhead, an awesome three day backpacking trip. From Ball Pass Junction it is also possible to hike out over Ball Pass and end at the Floe Lake trailhead.
It is also possible to head from the Egypt Lake campground, via the Pharoah Creek trail, there is the Pharoah Creek campground approximately 5km from the Egypt Lake campground and then the trail eventually joins the Red Earth Creek trail where you can access the Red Earth Creek trailhead and parking right off Highway 1.
Things You Might Need For An Egypt Lake Backpacking Trip
Tent: A good but lightweight tent is a must for a Egypt Lake backpacking trip. We took our Marmot Tungsten 2p tent and although not the lightest on the market, help strong when we ended up sleeping through a long thunderstorm complete with heavy downpours and sleet!
Hiking Boots: I always hike in boots, I like to have my ankles covered and the higher top helps keep dirt and sticks out of my shoes!
Hiking Poles: Black Diamond hiking poles are perfect for long days on the trail. The handle grips are super comfortable and they are lightweight and fold down when they aren’t being used.
Water Filter: Our water filter of choice is the Katadyn BeFree, it’s great for using while you are on the go and need to filter water but also works at camp. We pair it with a Platypus GravityWorks which we use at camp.
Stove: Nothing beats the lightweight, super packable MSR Pocket Rocket 2. We take it on all our backpacking adventures.
Bear Spray: An Egypt Lake backpacking trip is in bear country, make sure to pack bear spray and know how to use it!
