You are here: Home > Canadian Rockies Blogs

Canoeing Banff: From Castle Junction to Banff

Posted by The Mountain Man, Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010 at 7:14 pm

The mountain man isn’t always the most graceful traveler in the Canadian Rockies. I’ve fallen off of rafts, crashed on my skis, gone over the handlebars on my mountain bike, and even fell of a cliff on a golf cart one time.

sum0655 canoeing waterfowllake 194x300 Canoeing Banff: From Castle Junction to Banff

Canoeing is a great way to explore the Canadian Rockies.

So I naturally gravitate toward canoeing. Not that this is easier, or always completely safe and adrenaline free. The rivers of the Rockies can move fast and have plenty of rapids. But all in all, canoeing in the Canadian Rockies can be a great way to relax, kickback and enjoy some of Banff National Park‘s great scenery.

Before heading out on your canoe, be sure to scope out Banff and the weather with the free Banff webcam. Afterward, come back to town for great restaurants, hotels and brewpubs. Below you’ll find a guide to one of my favorite Banff canoe trips.

Castle Junction to Banff

This portion of Alberta’s Bow River lies on the east side of the Trans-Canada Highway and the west side of the Canadian Pacific Railway line and Highway 1A (Bow Valley Parkway). The Bow River runs steadily down the valley, with islands and side channels you’ll want give yourself time to explore. There are plenty of riffles and Class 1 rapids, along with one Class 3 rapid at Redearth Creek, some tight corners, sweepers and logjams, that will keep it interesting. Be sure to take care when canoeing this section.

Put in at the parking lot below the bridge over the Bow River at Castle Junction. After 6km of river you’ll reach Johnston Creek, flowing in from river left. On the downstream side of Johnston Creek you’ll find a sign for a backcountry campsite. Another 3km past Johnston Creek, a right bend in the river leads you towards the Trans-Canada Highway and the Castle Mountain Viewpoint.

This landmark indicates you are nearing Redearth Creek Rapids. As you paddle below the viewpoint, the river turns left, away from the highway. In just a few hundred metres, the river turns sharply right into the area of Redearth Creek Rapids. Rated Class 3, these rapids are a long section of fast water moving over rocks. The waves are non-stop, getting larger as you approach the end. Man a canoe has capsized or swamped here, but proper scouting and safety procedures, this rapid can be run by experienced canoeists.

If you have any doubts, portage the rapid. There is no marked portage route. But from the top of the rapid on river right, you can make your way along the shore to where Redearth Creek enters the Bow River. From there, wade across the creek and carry your canoe along the riverside trail to the end of the rapids.

A few km below Redearth Creek, the river becomes convoluted. It may not be obvious, but the river here branches into two or three channels. This is a risky section, with tight corners, endless sweepers and dangerous logjams. Pay attention and be safe!

The large gravel fan at the Wolverine Creek entrance on river right, is where you can finally rest a little, knowing the hardest parts are behind you. Another 5.5 km brings you back to the Trans-Canada Highway. This is a good place to take out as there is a gate through the fence to access a roadside parking area off the westbound lane of the highway.

Another 0.5 km brings you to the Trans-Canada Highway bridge over the Bow River. Careful going under the bridge as there are several sweepers on the left side of the river. From it’s a pleasant, 1.5 – 2 hour paddle to Banff. The river is broad and calm, allowing beautiful views of the lower Bow Valley. Take out at the canoe docks, at the junction of the Bow River and Echo Creek. Do not paddle past the canoe docks as Bow Falls is just around the corner.

Distance: 32 km (takes about 5 – 6 hours)

Level: intermediate

Canadian Rockies Mountain Biking: Jasper Trails

Posted by The Mountain Man, Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 at 6:36 pm

Jasper National Park is huge. It covers some of the best terrain in the Canadian Rockies, and seeing it all on a vacation, even in a lifetime, is pretty much impossible. But if you want to get out and see a huge part of this beautiful country, you should try mountain biking Jasper.

You’ll get around faster and cover more area than you would on foot, but enjoy a more quiet, natural experience than you would from your car.

Below you’ll find a selection of Jasper mountain bike trails. To see Jasper, live, check out the Jasper webcam. Also, you may want to visit this Rockies biking blog.

Jacques Lake

Distance: 13 km

Begin at Medecine Lake’s south end, at the Beaver Lake picnic area, and follow a lushly vegetated valley 5 km to the first Summit Lake. The going is pretty flat up to Beaver Lake, making for an easy ride suitable for just about anyone. The going to Jacques Lake can be somewhat difficult due to mud, if there’s been lots of rain or recent snowmelt.

Fryatt Trail

Distance: 10 km

Jump on this bike trail 2 km up the Geraldine Fire Road at the Fryatt Valley parking lot. The trail cuts through a somewhat thick forest at a low elevation for the first 8.2 km, the ride includes several creek crossings. From the lower Fryatt campsite, you can hike another 10 km to the upper Fryatt Valley on foot.

Whirlpool Fire Road

Distance: 11.5 km

Driving down Hwy. 93A catch the Moab Lake turnoff and go to the Moab Lake parking lot. From there it is 8.5 km to the end of the fire road. You can hike or bike another 3 km from here to Tie Camp on foot.

Snake Indian Falls

Distance: 48 km

Drive down Celestine Lake Road to the Celestine Lake parking area where the North Boundary Trail begins. A nicely-graded gravel road goes from here for 22 km to Snake Indian Falls. Just 1 kilometre past the falls, the road becomes a heavily-trafficed trail to the Willow Creek area and the Rock Lake exit.

Fortress Lake Trail

Distance: 25 km

This ride begins at Sunwapta falls and following an old fire road. The trail is great for the first 16k, all the way to the Athabasca Crossing suspension bridge. After the bridge the biking gets pretty rough, but it is possible hike another 9 km to Fortress Lake.

Here’s are 7 Rules of the Road for mountain biking in Jasper, or anywhere, really:

  1. Plan it, darn it! Know your equipment, be honest about your abilities, and check up on the riding trail, preferably with a park ranger. Prepare accordingly. A little planning is often the difference between a horrible day and an awesome day.
  2. Stay in Control. Don’t go faster, or attempt terrain that you know you can’t handle. Always be attentive and mind bicycle regulations and recommendations.
  3. Leave no trace. It’s everyone’s park, so treat it with respect by following a few simple rules. Stay on maintained  trails and don’t create new ones. Pack out what you pack in, and bonus points if you pack out some other jerk’s discarded rubbish.
  4. Don’t scare the wildlife. You don’t like it when someone sneaks up on you, and neither do wild animals. Usually, the repercussions of doing this with a bear are worse though. Avoid unannounced approaches, a sudden movements, or a loud a noises. These actions can be dangerous for you, others, and wildlife. Give wildlife space and time to adjust to you, and make some noise as you come down the trail.
  5. Ride open trails only. Respect the trail and avoid areas which are closed to bikes. They are closed for a reason. Seriously, no one is trying to hide trails from you just to ruin your vacation. Also, remember that the way you ride will influence Parks Canada trail management decisions and policies.
  6. Always yield the trail. Make your approach known well in advance. A greeting, a bell or some other noise is basic politeness; don’t startle others. Show respect when passing by, slowing to a walking pace or, if need be, stopping. Anticipate trail users around corners and in blind spots.
  7. Put a lid on it! Always wear a helmet.

Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.

Jasper National Park Mountain Biking Trails

Posted by The Mountain Man, Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010 at 4:31 pm

One thing about vacationing in the Canadian Rockies: you’ll never run out of outdoor activities to do. Rafting, mountain biking, climbing, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, it goes on and on when you find yourself in Jasper National Park, Banff National Park or Kananaskis Country.

mbi0018 mountainbiker 195x300 Jasper National Park Mountain Biking Trails

Mountain biking in the Canadian Rockies offers great views with a good dose of exercise.

If you want to get out and see a whole lot of the Canadian Rockies and get some exercise, try a mountain biking tour in Jasper. It’s fun, you’ll get some adrenaline, exercise and great sight seeing.

Below you’ll find a guide to  a few of Japser’s mountain biking trails. Check out conditions in and around Jasper with the free, live Jasper webcam. Also, you may want to check out this Rockies biking blog.

Athabasca River Trail

This ride begins at the Old Fort Point trail, and goes behind the beautiful golf course at The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge. The first 12 km have some solid uphill segments that’ll get your blood flowing. Remember, no bikes between the first and fifth bridges on the self-guided trail at Maligne Canyon. Avoid this by riding down Maligne Road to the Fifth Bridge turnoff 3 km below. Cross the bridge and pedal to Trail #7 on the far side. Take a left to Sixth Bridge and continue along the trail runs beside the Athabasca River to Old Fort Point, or head back to Jasper along Highway 16.

Distance: 23 km

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

The Mina-Riley Lake Loop

Trail guide: Start at the parking lot opposite Japser’s Aquatic Center. The trail climbs steeply to the left, then intersects with the Cabin Lake fire road. Cross the road and pedal past a big pond continuing on to Mina Lake. At about 3.5km from the lake a marked trail leads down a steep hill to Riley Lake. Turn around at the intersection with trail #6 (no bikes allowed on 6). Head back using the main trail by turning left onto the fire road at km 7. A right turn onto the paved Pyramid Lake Road will lead you back down to Jasper.

Distance: 9 km

Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Saturday Night Loop

Trail guide: The trail starts on the west side of Jasper just before The Cabin Creek West subdivision. Take the trail leading from the parking lot on the left. The trail takes you uphill, following a low ridge with nice views of the Athabasca and Miette Valleys.After  From High Lakes to Saturday Night Lake you’ll find swampy sections, but from there to Cabin Lake is easy riding.  After Cabin Lake, ride along the fire road to the intersection with Pyramid Lake Road and take a right to return to Jasper.

Distance: 27.4 km

Level: Advanced

The Overlander Trail

You’ll find the trailhead 20 km east of Jasper on Hwy 16. Look for the trailhead at the second parking lot when the highway crosses the Athabasca River. The trail parallels the river, which makes for great views. Close to the end of this trail you turn down a right-hand fork and cross a small creek (don’t worry, there’s a bridge). Continue on the edge of the river to the junction of the Maligne and Athabasca rivers at Sixth Bridge picnic area.

Distance: 14 km

Level: Beginner to Intermediate

Here’s are 7 Rules of the Road for mountain biking in Jasper, or anywhere, really:

  1. Don’t scare the wildlife. You don’t like it when someone sneaks up on you, and neither do wild animals. Usually, the repercussions of doing this with a bear are worse though. Avoid unannounced approaches, a sudden movements, or a loud a noises. These actions can be dangerous for you, others, and wildlife. Give wildlife space and time to adjust to you, and make some noise as you come down the trail.
  2. Plan it, darn it! Know your equipment, be honest about your abilities, and check up on the riding trail, preferably with a park ranger. Prepare accordingly. A little planning is often the difference between a horrible day and an awesome day.
  3. Stay in Control. Don’t go faster, or attempt terrain that you know you can’t handle. Always be attentive and mind bicycle regulations and recommendations.
  4. Leave no trace. It’s everyone’s park, so treat it with respect by following a few simple rules. Stay on maintained  trails and don’t create new ones. Pack out what you pack in, and bonus points if you pack out some other jerk’s discarded rubbish.
  5. Ride open trails only. Respect the trail and avoid areas which are closed to bikes. They are closed for a reason. Seriously, no one is trying to hide trails from you just to ruin your vacation. Also, remember that the way you ride will influence Parks Canada trail management decisions and policies.
  6. Always yield the trail. Make your approach known well in advance. A greeting, a bell or some other noise is basic politeness; don’t startle others. Show respect when passing by, slowing to a walking pace or, if need be, stopping. Anticipate trail users around corners and in blind spots.
  7. Put a lid on it! Always wear a helmet.

Keep trails open by setting a good example of environmentally sound and socially responsible off-road cycling.

Canmore Hiking: Three More for the Trail

Posted by The Mountain Man, Friday, June 18th, 2010 at 4:59 pm

I’ve been writing a lot about mountain biking the Rockies lately, but today I thought the mountain man should give it a rest and do some work on his old favorite past time, hiking. One of my favorite places for hiking, that sometimes gets overlooked by vacationers, is the Canmore, Alberta area.

can0075 canmore 300x201 Canmore Hiking: Three More for the Trail

Explore Canmore and Kananaskis Country with a great hike.

Canmore sits right on the edge of Banff National Park and Kananaskis Country, and has some of the most beautiful scenic peaks, rivers, flower meadows and waterfalls you’ll find in the Rockies.

Add that to great local pubs, restaurants and lodging, and you’ve got yourself an excellent place to spend some vacation time, whether you’re a mountain man or a tourist. If you want to check it out for yourself, visit the Canmore webcam. Anyway, here’s a couple quick local hikes to get you on your way in Canmore.


Heart Creek

My first selection is an easy trail that begins along the highway pull-off. Basically, you’ll follow the highway very shortly, then walk along Heart Creek. Heading upstream towards Bow River, this walk is nice and mellow, with a view of huge limestone rocks frequented by expert rock climbers. The finish line is at the small waterfall waiting for Heart Creek hikers, and it’s possible to get a closer look at the cascade if hikers can stand a little bit of wet feet afterwards.

Skogan Pass

Here’s a more moderate hike, located near Dead Man’s Flats and tackle Skogan Pass. From Alpine Resort Haven to the top of Skogan Pass, this is a 10-kilometer hike climbing 677 meters (2,221 feet) upwards. This hike has a nice, which can make the hiking much easier. As hikers ascend to the summit a beautiful view of the town of Banff and the rugged Cascade Mountain is their backdrop — an added touch of nature for pauses and lunch stops along the trail. On the way back, hikers can either return on the same trail or turn at marker 20.3 for a nice wander along Ribbon Creek Trailhead.

Heart Mountain

This final hike is a bit more challenging. Hikers who want to get some real exercise, the kind of exercise that makes you forget you ever worked in and office, will want to take this trail on. Basically, this is just a straight walk up a mountain, with no switchbacks. Begin at the Heart Creek Day Use Area and follow the Heart Creek Trail. Continue up the ridge and begin climbing upwards until arriving at the summit. It’s hard work, but the ending view is a magnificent shot of the Bow Valley.

Hiking Canmore: The Easy Way

Posted by The Mountain Man, Friday, June 18th, 2010 at 4:36 pm

Being a mountain man, you can probably guess what my favorite Canadian Rockies activity is. Yep, that’s right, hiking. What better way to enjoy the quiet beauty of one of the world’s best outdoor vacation spots than on your own two feet? And if you’re looking to take a hike, Canmore, Alberta is one of the best places in the Rockies.

can0005 downtowncanmore 300x205 Hiking Canmore: The Easy Way

Find some nice easy hikes near the town of Canmore.

Canmore sits right on the edge of both Banff National Park and the amazing Kananaskis Country, offering excellent mountain views, rivers, lakes and wildlife watching to keep the hikes interesting. After you’ve gotten a good walk in, come back to town for cozy lodging, restaurants, and Canmore pubs. To get a quick view of this area, check out the Canmore Webcam.

And now, without further babbling, here are the mountain man approved easy hikes in the Canmore area.

Policeman’s Creek — This is more of a stroll through town than a hike. But whatever you call it, it’s fun. Pass historic buildings and duck ponds, maybe pop into a cafe for a drink. It’s a relaxing walk combining the town charm with surrounding nature. Great way to get out if you’ve only got a short time.

Grotto Canyon — If you love waterfalls and rivers , you’ll enjoy the hike along Grotto Canyon. The hike starts with a trickling runoff and builds to an nice waterfall  at the trail’s end. There are also pictographs left by natives to the area. Many of these images have been worn away by from fingerprints and climbers.

No. 1 Minesite — This is a mellow and short walk through the area’s historic No. 1 mining site. It’s fun, quick, and exciting for those looking to go back in time. A further walk will bring hikers to waterfalls and cold sulphur springs Canmore is known for.

Riverside Loop — Another mosey through Canmore beside the Bow River, this loop is a scenic waltz in and around town. Park downtown or on River Road and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Canmore’s nature and beauty.

Hiking Canmore: The moderate way

Posted by The Mountain Man, Friday, June 18th, 2010 at 3:30 pm

Some of the best of the Canadian Rockies’ best hiking can be found in Canmore, Alberta and surrounding Kananaskis Country. It’s got everything you want in the Rockies: dramatic mountain vistas, pristine rivers, streams, waterfalls and lakes, abundant wildlife… It’s perfect for your Canadian Rockies hiking vacation.

can0010 threesisters canmore 300x195 Hiking Canmore: The moderate way

Canmore, Alberta. You know you want to hike here!

And when you’re done hiking, you’ll find plenty of great pubs, restaurants and lodging to regale you and prepare you for the next Canadian Rockies adventure.

One of the great things about this area is that there are a wide variety of hikes for all levels. Below, you’ll find the mountain man approved selection of “moderate difficulty” hikes. Also, be sure to check out the Canmore webcam to get a great view of the area!

Cougar Creek — Cougar Creek (let the jokes about mature women chasing young men begin) begins at the parking lot on Elk Run Blvd. and continues either up the mountain or along the canyon. Both choices will offer fantastic scenery and photo opportunities that are simply priceless. Watch out for the steep areas, and be sure to bring a hiking partner.

Gnassi Lakes — This 5k hike offers a lot to discover and see. Begin just after the Canmore Nordic Center at the bottom of Smith-Dorrian Spray Trail. Although the beginning is a fire road, a quick turn leads hikers through the luscious and peaceful forest. As the hike through the woods slowly begins to ascend a beautiful waterfall reveals itself. When hikers arrive at the summit they will be greeted by emerald green and turquoise-colored lakes. Additional pictographs can be spotted, and there’s a rock scramble to climb for a closer look.

Goat Creek — An 18k trail going from the top of Whiteman Pass to Banff Springs Hotel. The trail drops a fairly sharp 291 meters (957 feet), though to help ease the big up and big down the trail is mostly wise and smooth. It’s an ideal choice for mountain bikers, and the walk back up offers some incredible places to pause and soak up the scenery.

Biking in the Rockies

Posted by The Mountain Man, Monday, June 14th, 2010 at 6:57 pm

I think I’ve already made it clear in a past article on cycling that I’m a bit of a novice. Yet this great Rockies sport draws me, and so I’ve been looking for some good places to get info on biking in the Rockies. Right now I’m anticipating the start of a new column over at Rockies.com.

mbi0024 mtnbiker sunset 200x300 Biking in the Rockies

Cycling in the Rockies is a great way to spend your vacation.

Their writer, who goes by the name “Colorado Adventure Biker” plans to write, blog, tweet and photograph all sorts of great roads for cycling and mountain biking in Colorado, and perhaps in Montana and even in the Canadian Rockies down the road.

Right now, he’s getting ready to kick off his new column with a pretty incredible two weeks. First he’s going to hit the famous Ride the Rockies Colorado cycling tour. This ride has been going on for 25 years now, and these days goes for one week, and includes around 2,000 cyclists, riding some of the Colorado Rockies most amazing terrain.

When he’s done with that, he’ll immediately hit the Bicycle Tour of Colorado, another long-running and famous Rockies cycle tour. This one is in its 16th year, typically includes thousands of riders, and also runs for 7 days.

After that, I imagine the Colorado Adventure Biker will be pretty good and tired. Still I’m sure a day on your bike in the beautiful Rockies is much better than any day spent in an office, coffee shop, or cramped cabin typing away at your computer.

Look forward, once he’s gotten rested up after this two week tour, to continuing info on cycling and mountain biking in the Rockies. It’s truly one of the great ways to experience the amazing outdoors that this amazing mountain range offers, a great way to get some exercise, and all-in-all a fun way to enjoy you Rockies vacation time. Happy riding! I’ll see you out there as soon as I take off the training wheels.

Canadian Rockies RV Camping: Rampart Creek

Posted by Paul Peters, Thursday, June 10th, 2010 at 5:38 pm

Planning an RV camping vacation? It’s hard to beat the Canadian Rockies, a must-visit for anyone who enjoys getting out in their RV. In places like Banff, Jasper and Canmore, we’ve got great scenery, wildlife, rivers and activities.

bnp0757 cascademountain banffnationalpark 196x300 Canadian Rockies RV Camping: Rampart Creek

The sights of the Rockies make every road trip a pleasure.

We’ve also got plenty of great scenic drives, including the famous Icefields Parkway between Jasper National Park and Banff National Park, where you can see the Columbia Icefield. Add that to some awesome campgrounds, and you can see for yourself that this is a top RV vacation destination.

One of these great RV campgrounds is Rampart Creek in Banff National Park. Although you should know it only accommodates small RVs.The good news is campsites are all back-in and have lots of shade from the surrounding trees. There are no hookups, but they have well water (hand-pumped), pit toilets, fire rings, recycling bins and food storage containers. For a more full service campground in Banff, check out Tunnel Mountain.

About Rampart Creek Campground

Rampart Creek is a basic Banff National Park campground, with 50 sites. You’ll find it close to the Columbia Icefields (28 km away) along the Icefields Highway, making it a great stopping point for exploring this amazing part of the Canadian Rockies. It is 147 km from the town of Banff and 88 km from the town of Lake Louise.

Reservations cannot be made for this campsite. Like the majority of campsites in Banff National Park it is first-come, first served. Check out time is at 11 a.m., and is the best time to arrive to secure your site. Check here for reservable campsites.

Some of the sites have the privilege to overlook the North Saskatchewan River and the valley. The site is open from June 25-September 6, 2010 (weather dependent).

The campground consists of 4 loops including a walk-in tent section with dry toilets, water stations, sheltered camp kitchens with wood burning cook stoves, garbage containers and recycling bins. Remember: this is bear country, so all food items must be stored properly. Read all advisories when you arrive, as they may have information about dangerous wildlife and/or inform you if you need to boil the water.

Campground Services

  • Recycling bins
  • Food storage
  • Disabled access
  • Fees
  • $15.70 for the site and an additional $8.80 for use of the fire pit. Note: Parks Canada reserves the right to change the fees without notice.
  • Dry toilets
  • Well water (hand pump)
  • Kitchen shelters with wood cook stove
  • Fire pits and firewood (available when you get the fire permit)
  • Smoke-free loop

Banff Activities

Visit the Columbia Icefields, go hiking and try ice climbing in nearby famous spots in the winter.

Rampart Creek Campground

  • Icefields Highway
  • Banff National Park
  • Banff, AB T1L 1K2
  • (403) 762-1550

For general information contact:

  • Banff National Park
  • Box 900
  • Banff, AB
  • Canada, T1L 1K2
  • Phone: (403) 762-1550

To see all other national park campsites in Canada, visit Parks Canada.

Other RV sites in Banff National Park

Contact:(403) 762-1550

RV Camping in the Canadian Rockies: Tunnel Mountain

Posted by Paul Peters, Thursday, June 10th, 2010 at 3:47 pm

What could beat the Canadian Rockies as a place to go RV camping? Nothing, I’m betting. It’s got some of the world’s most famous scenic drives, including the Lake Louise to Jasper drive that takes you through the Columbia Icefields along the way.

bnf0018 banfftownsite 207x300 RV Camping in the Canadian Rockies: Tunnel Mountain

Come visit one of the world's greatest RV camping spots here in Banff.

It’s also got terrific camping in some of the world’s most beautiful national parks, including Banff National Park and Jasper National Park, and great towns, such as Canmore, Banff and Jasper. Here you’ll be able to enjoy great Rockies vacation activities such as rafting, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and horseback riding.

One great place to set up camp in Banff is the Tunnel Mountain campground.

The Tunnel Mountain campground is in Banff National Park, just outside of Banff townsite.

This is Banff’s largest RV camping area, with 320 sites. Staying here, you’ll get great views of the valley, the Hoodoos and the Banff Springs Golf Course. It is located on Tunnel Mountain, just 2.4 km from the town of Banff. Which means you’re in easy walking distance from town. This can be nice if you don’t feel like pulling up stakes with the RV and coming in, or could use some time on your feet after some long drives.

The Tunnel Mountain campground has good services itself, including food, laundry and even a waterslide are nearby! It is also the only campground in the national park that has full RV hookups available (15 and 30-amp electrical hookups, water and sewer). So it’s sort of the RV’ers mecca for camping. The sites can accommodate large RVs, up to 50-feet long, and are pull-through (not just back-in).

Some of the sites are reservable, while others remain open for visitors on a first-come, first served basis. The campground is open from early May to early October (reservable May 14- October 3).

Visit Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service or call toll-free to 1.877.737.3783 (1.877.RESERVE) to reserve your spot at the Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court in Banff National Park. Please note that reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

You may also want to visit Parks Canada for descriptions of all campsites (reservable and non-reservable) on national park grounds.

Additional Services

  • flush toilets
  • each site has a picnic table
  • disabled accessible
  • interpretive programs
  • fee: $38.20 (subject to change)
  • hot showers
  • pets allowed

Other RV Campgrounds in Banff National Park:

  • fire pits and picnic tables at each site
  • kitchen shelters located on grounds
  • pets allowed
  • fee: $32.30 (subject to change)
  • Tunnel Mountain Village II
  • 188 sites
  • open year-round (reservable May 14- October 3)
  • some sites available by reservation, others first-come, first served
  • 15 and 30-amp electric hookups at each site, (no water or sewer hookups)
  • can accommodate vehicles up to 50 feet long
  • flush toilets
  • hot showers

For more information about camping in Banff National Park:

  • Banff National Park
  • Box 900
  • Banff, AB
  • Canada, T1L 1K2
  • Phone: (403) 762-1550

See the Rockies on the Canmore Webcam

Posted by The Mountain Man, Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 at 7:10 pm
GetLiveImage 300x225 See the Rockies on the Canmore Webcam

Downtown Canmore as seen from the Canmore webcam.

Usually, when I want to get a good look at the weather in Canmore and the Canadian Rockies, or just want to gaze on these beautiful mountains for the sake of doing it, I just take a look out my window. Or, if the weather is nice, I’ll walk into my backyard and stand around for a bit to take it in.

But if you’re thinking about coming to Canmore, Alberta for a vacation, and want to take a good look at the town and the surrounding mountains, or are on the way and want to check the weather, I highly suggest you check out the Canmore webcam.

This cam is, first and foremost perfect for any budget, even a mountain man’s budget, because it’s totally FREE. You don’t even need to surrender your email address, phone, name, or any other personal data. It’s really just a free resource for people who like to look at beautiful things, like Canmore. Isn’t that nice.

The other thing about Canmore webcam is that it’s awesome. Really. First of all, you can control it from your own computer. Click the button, wait a few seconds, and you can turn the camera 360 degrees, move it up and down, and zoom in and out. You can also take little snapshot photos of the town, like the ones attached to this article.

Besides checking the weather, I just thought of another fun use for the Canmore webcam. Look for your friends while their on vacation in Canmore, and make them think your psychic. Imagine calling a buddy and saying, “Hey, I just had this funny image in my head of you standing in front of the Canmore Hotel. Could you run in and get some rates for me?”

There’s probably lots more interesting things you could do with the cam, but that’s just off the top of my head. Anyway, hope everyone finds this useful and takes the time to visit the Canmore webcam. Click here to see it now.

  • Enter your email address to receive Canadian Rockies blog posts in your Inbox.
  • Easy to unsubscribe. Spam Free!
Recent Posts
  • The Banff - Jasper Photography Blog


  • The Mountain Man


  • Paul Peters


  • John Andrew McKiernan