Where To Camp In Jasper National Park
Jasper National Park, nestled in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is a breathtaking destination renowned for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The park offers a wealth of camping options that cater to all types of adventurers.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly way to explore its towering mountains, pristine lakes, and expansive forests, camping is the way to go. Some campgrounds have electrical hookups for RVs while others have basic amenities for seasoned backpackers.
In this guide, we will explore the different camping locations within Jasper National Park, highlighting the unique features of each site, essential amenities, and tips for making the most of your outdoor experience.
Whether you arrive with just a small tent or traveling in style with a motorhome, there is a large selection of campgrounds. Keep in mind that most campgrounds remain open for the summer only.
Should you find Jasper and Banff overly crowded, consider camping at Yoho National Park further south. While it has limited campgrounds, it attracts fewer people but still has amazing hikes. So, if you’re spending 3 days in Jasper or longer, here are your choices for camping.
Whistlers Campground
Whistlers Campground is the largest camping ground in Jasper National Park with almost 800 camping spots. As large as it is,
Recently, Whistler’s Campground underwent a major overhaul of its buildings, an upgrade to 50 amp electrical, widening of roadways, and improvement to campsites. Campers can now enjoy its new facilities.
Over the years, I have stayed at Whistlers Campground many times. It has always been my “go-to” place to camp in Jasper National Park, seeing as it gives access to many of Jasper’s hikes and trails. Don’t expect to have too much privacy with over 700 campsites in the summer.
If you choose to forego the campfire dinner, you’ll have easy access to the town. Here, you can enjoy great food at one of Jasper’s top restaurants.
Interestingly enough, the campsite is built in the valley and takes up a large footprint along the highway. Its location is also the migration path for some animals like elk. So, don’t be surprised to see a large herd of elk walk through the campground at any moment during the day.
Every day we witness the elk walk through the campground, then crossed back the other way in the evening.
Bears are sometimes a problem as hundreds of barbeques are fired up in the evening, causing enticing smells up into the woods. As a result, backpackers with tents are placed near the road and security, and recreational vehicles take the spots further back.
During one of my stays, a persistent black bear came down into the campground at 5 pm every evening. I witnessed it destroy my neighbors’ barbeque like it was a house made of cards. With the aid of dogs, park wardens had to tranquilize it and move it away from the campground.
Honeymoon Creek Campground
No, this campground is not reserved for honeymooners. This is a small campground with only 35 sites. If you’re lucky enough to get sites 30 to 35, you will back onto the picturesque lake. Honeymoon Creek is warm enough in summer to swim in the lake.
Wapiti Campground
Wapiti campground is located on the Athabasca River and across the highway from Whistler’s Campground. It’s unique in that it offers year-round camping for hardy campers. So if you’re driving from Banff to Jasper, consider staying at Wapiti.
Complete with electrical hook-ups, hot showers, and fire pits, it has 362 sites in the summer and 75 in the winter. Since it’s only 5.5 km to the tiny town of Jasper, you could bike it into town.
Wapiti Campground can accommodate most sizes of campers and trailers. Again, this campground is on the elk migration path so expect to see elk wandering through at any given time. Those that don’t stay at Whistler’s generally choose Wapiti to camp in Jasper National Park.
Kerkeslin Campground
Kerkeslin is a small campground with just 42 sites. These shady sites are away from the highway, so it’s peaceful for those that like some solitude. There is no electricity or flush toilets. You could say this is a “roughing it” campground, lol.
Jonas Creek Campground
Jonas Creek offers 25 campsites close to the creek with 11 walk-in sites for those that like a little bit of solitude. Like Mount Kerkeslin, this site has no electricity and no flush toilets.
Icefields Tent Campground
Very close to the world-famous Columbia Icefields, this tenting-only campground offers 33 sites with the most spectacular views you could imagine. Almost all camping sites offer glacial views across the valley.
Wabasso Campground
Located next to the Athabasca River, this quiet campground has 228 campsites with flush toilets, fire pits, and some with electrical hook-ups.
Some spots along the river offer pristine views of the rushing water, which will lull you to sleep at night. Wabasso Campground is best suited for tenting, campers, and trailers under 27 feet.
Wilcox Campground
Like Icefields campground, this amazing campground lies across the highway from the Columbia Icefields. Where else can you camp and have fantastic views of glaciers from your tent or trailer?
While this 46-site campground is best suited for campers and trailers under 27 feet, you can also tent here. Keep in mind; it’s close to an icefield, where the weather is unpredictable.
In July, I had camped when the day temperatures reached 36 Celsius (97F) and woke up the next morning shivering cold with snow on the ground. Prepare for drastic weather changes and bring a warm sleeping bag and layers because the glacier’s winds can be bitterly cold.
Wilcox Campground is a great place to camp in Jasper National Park for those that love the outdoors and majestic mountains. If you’re exploring the Columbia Icefield, this campground gives great access without a lengthy drive.
Wilcox Campground is a favorite place during the day for a must-do hike in Jasper. The Wilcox Pass hike is almost 10 km and travels into the alpine meadows. Be sure to get your selfie with the iconic red Adirondack chairs which overlook the Columbia Icefields.
From Wilcox Pass, I savore the views of Mt Athabasca (3,491m), Snow Dome (3,456m), and a 180-degree view of Athabasca Glacier. While Columbia Icefields attracts thousands of people to ride the snow buses, I enjoyed a unique view of the glacier without the crowds of tourists.
Snaring Campground
Snaring campground, as the name suggests, is located on the Snaring River. It offers 62 sites from quiet, well-treed sites to open and sunny spots, perfect for RVs and trailers under 27 feet. There are some spots along the river with beautiful views of the river and the rugged peaks above.
Pocahontas Campground
Pocahontas campground is not located on the Icefields Parkway but Highway 16, 45 km north of Jasper. It’s a significant size with 140 campsites for both tents and smaller RVs.
Its amenities include flush toilets, fireboxes and are wheelchair accessible. The campground’s location is perfect for those that wish to visit Punchbowl Falls and Miette Hot Springs.
Campin In Jasper National Park
Always remember that when you’re camping, you’re in bear country. To stay safe, store all food, toiletries, and anything that might attract wildlife in a vehicle or hard-sided camper whenever they’re not in use.
Tent trailers and coolers do not provide secure food storage. If you’re backpacking or tent camping, take advantage of bear-proof food storage lockers provided at some campgrounds.
Be sure to read campground notices, as they contain important updates on fire hazards, trail closures, and bear activity.
If you prefer to reserve your campground, you can book Wapiti, Wabasso, and Pocanhontas online at reservation.pc.gc.ca or by telephone at 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783). All other campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
