Discovering the BEST Lake Louise Campground or Close by

Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta crew

Final up to date on Might 3, 2024

Tenting in Lake Louise might be one of many nicest spots on the planet to both arrange the trailer or pitch a tent. Though only a few campgrounds are literally “in” Lake Louise, there are some close by and lots of inside Banff Nationwide Park. Relying on the place you need to spend your time within the nationwide park might dictate the place you arrange camp. That being mentioned, if you wish to discover a spot at Lake Louise Campground in the summertime or any close by campground in Banff Nationwide Park, you’ll should e-book early. Reservations open up in January and e-book up quick. When you’re fortunate sufficient to get one, savour tenting in probably the most stunning spots on the planet.

The Finest Lake Louise Campgrounds

Lake Louise Campground – Laborious-Sided/Trailer

Campground highlights:

• Open year-round – Reservations Required for stays from June to September
• Dimension: 189 websites
• Facilities: Washroom and bathe services together with flush bathrooms, potable water, firepits, electrical energy, cooking shelter, wheelchair accessible, sani-dump

Divided from the Lake Louise tent campground (typically known as the “soft-sided campground) by the Bow River, the Lake Louise Trailer Campground is a unbelievable spot for these trying to discover Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. With entry to quite a few climbing trails and close by points of interest, the forested campground is simply a brief drive from the Icefields Parkway and the Bow Valley Parkway, making it an ideal base to discover Banff Nationwide Park.

The campsites are shared double-length websites greatest fitted to items as much as 15 metres (50 toes) and are serviced with 15-30-50 amps. For teams that need to camp collectively, please word that there are hearth and no-fire websites accessible.

One other advantage of staying on the Lake Louise Laborious-Sided Campground is that there’s a Parks Canada shuttle cease. You possibly can go away your automobile on the campground and use the Park and Journey Connector Service to go into Lake Louise Village (though the village is simply a couple of 15-minute stroll away).

As with each Lake Louise campground, we suggest reserving as far prematurely as attainable, particularly for the busy summer time months.

Lake Louise Campground – Delicate-Sided/Tent

Campground highlights:

• Open from June to September – Reservations required
• Dimension: 206 websites
• Facilities: Washroom and bathe services together with flush bathrooms, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter, wheelchair accessible, sani-dump

One other unbelievable base to discover the Lake Louise space is the Lake Louise Tent Campground. Excellent for these wanting quick access to a number of the greatest hikes in Banff Nationwide Park, the campground additionally affords free entry to the Park and Journey Connector service, linking it with Lake Louise Village in an effort to simply go to its points of interest. This “soft-sided” part is enclosed by an electrical fence and permits tents, soft-sided trailers, and tenting gear with soft-sided pop-outs.

Campsites are unserviced and greatest fitted to tents, tent trailers, or small motorhomes and trailers as much as 7 metres (24 toes). For teams desirous to camp collectively, please word that there are hearth and no-fire loops when deciding on a web site.

The Lake Louise Campground books up rapidly, so mark your calendar and attempt to e-book as far prematurely as attainable.

Campgrounds Close to Lake Louise

When you don’t thoughts a little bit of a drive, listed below are a number of extra campgrounds close to Lake Louise. Be certain to additionally take a look at our information to tenting in Banff Nationwide Park.

Safety Mountain Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 15 km / quarter-hour

Campground highlights:

• Open June to September 6 – First come, first served foundation
• Dimension: 72 websites
• Facilities: Washroom services together with flush bathrooms, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter, wheelchair accessible

Safety Mountain Campground is a couple of 15-minute drive south of Lake Louise on the Bow Valley Parkway. It affords superb views of each the Safety and Citadel Mountains and can be identified for its unimaginable stargazing within the night. Campsites are unserviced and greatest fitted to tents, motorhomes, or trailers as much as 10 metres (35 toes), and RV campers might use the sani-dump situated on the Lake Louise Campground. Be aware that cell service is restricted right here, and, because it’s a reasonably new campground, there aren’t as many bushes round as a number of the different Lake Louise campgrounds.

One other bonus to staying at Safety Mountain Campground is that there’s a Roam Transit Cease, which helps you get round Banff Nationwide Park with the benefit of public transportation.

Mosquito Creek Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 27 km / 22 minutes

Open June to October – First come, first served foundation

Campground highlights:

• Dimension: 32 websites
• Facilities: Outhouse services, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter

Solely twenty minutes from Lake Louise, Mosquito Creek Campground affords stunning views and a way more secluded tenting expertise than should you had been to remain in one of many fundamental Lake Louise campgrounds. Campsites are unserviced and greatest fitted to tents, motorhomes, or trailers as much as 10 metres (35 toes). RV campers might use the sani-dump situated on the Lake Louise campground.

With attractive views of the Rocky Mountains and lots of climbing trails close by, Mosquito Creek Campground is nice for these in search of extra genuine and rustic tenting (there isn’t a cellular phone service, for instance). And don’t fear… mosquitos aren’t any worse right here than in another spot in Banff Nationwide Park!

Johnston Canyon Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 33 km / 24 minutes

Campground highlights:

• Open July – September – Reservations required
• Dimension: 132 websites
• Facilities: Washroom and bathe services together with flush bathrooms, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter, wheelchair accessible, sani-dump, interpretive packages

Johnston Canyon Campground is roughly a thirty-minute drive south of Lake Louise and is an effective choice for individuals who want a extra rustic tenting expertise. It’s about equidistant from each Banff and Lake Louise, making it a unbelievable base to discover each areas (particularly if you wish to spend a while on the Johnston Canyon Path, the most effective hikes in Banff). Websites can be found for tents and small RVs as much as 8.2 metres (27 toes), and there’s a public transit cease that may take you to Banff Townsite in summer time.

Silverhorn Creek Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 54 km / 43 minutes

Campground highlights:

• Open from June to September – First come, first served foundation
• Dimension: 45 websites
• Facilities: Outhouse services, firepits, picnic shelter, meals storage locker

Discovered alongside the Icefields Parkway roughly 40 minutes north of Lake Louise, Silverhorn Creek Campground is greatest fitted to tents, motorhomes, or trailers as much as 20 metres (70 toes). This RV-friendly campground is unserviced and doesn’t have any cellular phone service, nevertheless it’s simply minutes from Waterfowl Lakes, Bow Lake, and the Peyto Lake viewpoint. RV campers can fill with potable water and use the sani-dump station situated on the Waterfowl Lakes campground.

Waterfowl Lakes Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 60 km / 46 minutes

Campground highlights:

• Open from June to September – First come, first served foundation
• Dimension: 110 websites
• Facilities: Washroom services with flush bathrooms, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter, wheelchair accessible, interpretive packages

Situated roughly 45 minutes north of Lake Louise, the Waterfowl Lakes Campground sits between Higher and Decrease Waterfowl Lakes on the Mistaya River, placing you within the good place to spend a while on the water. Spend your days paddling, canoeing, or kayaking on the glacier-fed lakes, or take the quick drive to Saskatchewan Crossing, Bow Lake, and the Peyto Lake viewpoint. There is no such thing as a cellular phone service right here, making it a great spot to totally unwind and join with nature.

The campsites are unserviced and greatest fitted to tents, motorhomes, and trailers as much as 9 metres (31 toes) in size. Be certain to ask in regards to the free Saturday night interpretive packages hosted by Parks Canada on the campground theatre.

Tunnel Mountain Village 1 Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 63 km / 41 minutes

Campground highlights:

• Open from Might to October – Reservations required
• Dimension: 618 websites
• Facilities: Washroom and bathe services together with flush bathrooms, potable water, hearth pits, wheelchair accessible, sani-dump, interpretive packages

Discovered just a few kilometres from the Banff townsite, this is among the largest campgrounds within the nationwide park. A forty five-minute drive from Lake Louise, Tunnel Mountain Village 1 Campground affords a extra conventional tenting expertise with firepits for cooking; a most of two automobiles, two tents and 6 individuals are permitted on every web site. Fortunately, there are stunning mountain views in addition to unimaginable entry to close by climbing trails.

Tunnel Mountain Village 2 Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 65 km / 43 minutes

Campground highlights:

• Open year-round (oTENTik Tenting – Might to October) – Reservations Required
• Dimension: 209 websites
• Facilities: Washroom and bathe services together with flush bathrooms, potable water, hearth pits, wheelchair accessible, electrical energy, cooking shelter, sani-dump

One of many closest campgrounds to Banff Townsite (solely 2.5 kilometres), Tunnel Mountain Village 2 Campground is nice for folks wanting energy with out full hook-ups or those that want area for bigger items, as there are a number of websites that accommodate RVs which might be 12+ metres (40+ toes). One of many few spots that gives tenting year-round close to Lake Louise, Tunnel Mountain Village 2 Campground has three-season tenting in 21 oTENTiks and year-round tenting for tents and RVs.

Tunnel Mountain Trailer Courtroom

Distance to Lake Louise: 65 km / 45 minutes

Campground highlights:

• Open Might to October – Reservations required
• Dimension: 321 websites
• Facilities: Washroom and bathe services together with flush bathrooms, potable water, wheelchair accessible, full RV hookups, sani-dump

For trailers and bigger items, the Tunnel Mountain Trailer Courtroom has some websites that may accommodate RVs which might be 15+ metres (50+ toes) in size. Solely 2.5 kilometres from Banff Townsite, the campground affords unbelievable entry to close by points of interest in addition to climbing and biking trails.

Two Jack Primary Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 65 km / 44 minutes

Campground highlights:

• Open June to September – Reservations Required
• Dimension: 313 websites + 30 geared up websites
• Facilities: Washroom services with flush bathrooms, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter, sani-dump

Situated simply minutes from Lake Minnewanka and close by points of interest, Two Jack Primary Campground is roughly 45 minutes from Lake Louise. This rustic, no-service campground has websites accessible for tents or RVs as much as 7.3 metres (24 toes), in addition to a number of geared up campsites. These geared up campsites are good for these travelling with none tenting gear, as they supply tents, sleeping pads, stoves with propane, and some different facilities. The campground itself can be beautiful, with loads of bushes and mountain views.

Two Jack Lakeside Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 65 km / 44 minutes

Campground highlights:

• Open Might to October – Reservations required
• Dimension: 64 websites + 10 oTENTiks
• Facilities: Washroom and bathe services with flush bathrooms, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter

Maybe the closest factor you’ll discover to backcountry tenting in Banff Nationwide Park with out truly backcountry tenting, the Two Jack Lakeside Campground is among the park’s hottest campgrounds attributable to its goergous setting on the lake. Accommodating tents or small RVs as much as 8.2 metres (27 toes), it has superb entry for non-motorized recreation on the lake in addition to close by climbing and biking trails.

Rampart Creek Campground

Distance to Lake Louise: 92 km / 1 hr 10 min

Campground highlights:

• Open June to September – Reservations required
• Dimension: 50 websites
• Facilities: Outhouse services, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter, picnic shelter, and meals storage lockers

One of many extra rustic campgrounds close to Lake Louise, the Rampart Creek Campground is discovered alongside the Icefields Parkway, simply over an hour’s drive from Lake Louise Village. With beautiful views of the North Saskatchewan River and surrounding mountains, campsites are unserviced and greatest fitted to tents, motorhomes, and trailers as much as 10 metres (35 toes). Be aware that some loops are unsuitable for motorhomes or trailers over 8 metres (25 toes). RV campers can fill potable water and use the sani-dump station situated at Waterfowl Lakes Campground, which is about 30 kilometres (18 miles) away.

Sadly, not like each Lake Louise Campgrounds, Rampart Creek Campground doesn’t have a Parks Canada shuttle cease, nor does it have any cellular phone protection. That being mentioned, this campground is good for individuals who need to get away from all of it.

Citadel Mountain Campground – CURRENTLY CLOSED

Distance to Lake Louise: 27 km / 19 minutes

Campground highlights:

• On a primary come, first serve foundation when open
• Dimension: 43 websites
• Facilities: Washroom services, potable water, hearth pits, cooking shelter

Excellent for individuals who love a extra rustic and intimate campground, Citadel Mountain Campground is roughly 20 minutes from Lake Louise. Appropriate for tents or small RVs as much as 7.3 metres (24 toes), this no-service campground is in a lovely wooded space off the Bow Valley Parkway. Head right here for nice climbing and huge starry skies at night time.

Backcountry Tenting in Banff Nationwide Park

For individuals who love an actual journey, there’s loads of backcountry to discover in Banff Nationwide Park. With a lot pure magnificence to find – suppose snowcapped mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and fields of wildflowers – backcountry tenting is nice for individuals who aren’t afraid to sort out the weather. Fortunately, there are a number of alpine huts or different shelters across the park to go to, too. Journey concepts for various lengths of time will be discovered right here.

A backcountry allow is obligatory for anybody planning an in a single day journey into the backcountry of Banff Nationwide Park and should be bought prematurely. Campers should carry a duplicate of their allow when within the park (paper copy or a screenshot) and current it to Parks Canada workers if and when requested.

The backcountry permits should be bought prematurely. Nightly charges are $13.50 per individual, plus an extra reserving charge relying on the way you do it ($11.50 per reserving on-line, $13.50 per reserving by cellphone – name 1-877-RESERVE).

Winter Tenting in Lake Louise

For individuals who aren’t afraid of somewhat snow, there are a few winter tenting websites accessible in Banff Nationwide Park – one close to Banff Townsite and the opposite close to the village of Lake Louise. Each Lake Louise Trailer and Tunnel Mountain Village II are each open for the winter months.

For extra data, see our information to winter tenting in Alberta.

Pete is a co-founder of Highway Journey Alberta. Rising up in Edmonton he has an in depth information of Alberta and every little thing the province has to supply. He likes to eat good meals, hike (particularly within the winter), play tennis and curl. Other than working Highway Journey Alberta, he’s a director with HMI, a digital media company, half of the Hecktic Travels duo, and a co-creator of the favored card recreation Journey Chaser.