BACKCOUNTRY CAMPGROUNDS
JASPER
WHITE GOAT
Nigel
Pass
NATIONAL
PARK
pta
Sunwa
Pass
Mount
Snowdome
WILDERNESS AREA
LD
E
FI Saskatchewan
O
RT
H
r
cie
a
Gl
93
CE
GRID REF .
82 N/8
82 0/4
82 J/14
82 J/13
82 J/13
82 J/13
82 0/4
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 C/3
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 0/5
82 0/4
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 N/15
82 N/9
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/5
82 0/6
82 0/6
82 0/6
686-003
802-771
072-367
043-387
041-396
016-414
944-600
022-827
978-896
862-958
815-935
857-703
825-608
772-619
951-826
923-766
897-834
868-904
114-528
463-144
820-830
771-882
764-882
737-932
098-815
107-819
125-815
*
*
*
*
*
N
LU
CO
TOPO MAP NO .
Ba15
Bo1c
Br9
Br13
Br14
Br17
Bw10
Cr6
Cr15
Cr31
Cr37
Cs
E5
E13
Ek13
Fm10
Fm19
Fm29
Gl 9
He5
Jo9
Jo18
Jo19
Jo29
Lm8
Lm9
Lml1
*
◊
Abraham
Lake
Mount
Athabasca
A
BI
M
CAMPGR OUND
Pinto Lake
I
Mount
Coleman
Mount
Saskatchewan
Cs
Sun
s
Pas et
s
◊
No 5
H
C
AT
Amery
AN
EW
Mount
Wilson
N.
RI
*
◊
ER
V
RI
SASKA
TCHE
◊
WAN
VE
Mount
Lyell
Lyell
Icefield
*
*
11
SK
a
ex
Al
ra
nd Mount
SA
River
R
Saskatchewan
Crossing
Mount
Erasmus
◊ HEAVIL Y USED CAMPGR
Mi
Mount
Sarbach
WILDERNESS
sta
e
ws
Ho
Mount
Chephren
k
e Pa
ss
Mount
Malloch
Isabella
Lake
Mistaya
Lake
Martin
Lake
◊
*
*
*
Helen
Lake
berr
Bo
w
La
k
Katherine
Lake
Mo5
uito
Ck
Bl
ae
Devon
Lakes
q
Peyto
Lake
y
Rive
r
Freshfield
Icefield
Mo
18
TOPO MAP NO .
Mount Costigan
The Narrows
Ghost Lakes
Mystic Valley
Mosquito Creek
Molar Creek
Fish Lakes
Norman Lake
Paradise Valley
Lost Horse Creek
Shadow Lake
Pharaoh Creek
Ball Pass Junction
Hidden Lake
Baker Lake
Merlin Meadows
Red Deer Lakes
Siffleur
Mount Rundle
Rink’s Camp
Eau Claire
Mount Fortune
Howard Douglas Lake
Taylor Lake
Twin Lakes
Birdwood
Burstall
GRID REF .
82 0/3
82 0/6
82 0/6
82 0/5
82 N/9
82 N/9
82 N/9
83 C/2
82 N/8
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 N/8
82 N/8
82 N/9
82 N/9
82 N/16
82 0/4
82 0/4
82 J/14
82 J/14
82 0/4
82 N/8
82 0/4
82 J/14
82 J/14
187-783
200-790
210-789
886-824
483-240
555-154
556-217
071-706
528-898
784-714
743-691
768-654
723-652
626-029
672-049
635-093
667-098
441-356
030-647
040-555
067-505
123-425
880-546
636-832
713-737
108-276
118-247
* LIGHTL Y USED CAMPGR OUNDS
OUNDS
TRAILS
er
at
rw
Hiking Only
k
r
ive
R
Condor
Peak
lea
C
* Horse use not
Hiking, Horse Use
permitted in
Alberta Wilderness
areas
Hiking, Commercial Horse Use
BANFF
NATIONAL
PARK
Mount
Hiking, Horse, Mountain Biking
Limited Access Road
Tomahawk
Mt.
Clearwater
Mt.
Sf
k
ee
Cr
D
Glacelta
ier
mite
Mount
Freshfield
Dolo
r
ve
Banff National Park offers many more
backcountry opportunities than those
described here. It is always possible to add
◊
◊
◊
◊
ad
Ri
LOOKING FOR
TRIP IDEAS?
*
Lm20
Lm22
Lm31
Ml22
Mo5
Mo16
Mo18
No5
Pa8
Re6
Re14
Re16
Re21
Sk5
Sk11
Sk18
Sk19
Sf
Sp6
Sp16
Sp23
Sp35
Su8
Ta6
Tw7
Us15
Us18
MAP LEGEND
Icefall
Mt.
r
ve
Hows
AREA
Ri
Coronation
Mt.
*
◊
*
◊
*
ee
Mount
Noyes
Chephren
Lake
s Cree
be
r
Fo
◊
he
Cr
Siffle
ur
ya
River
Mount
Forbes
CAMPGR OUND
*
*
SIFFLEUR
ake
ier L
n
dia
In
A
RT
BE
H
AL
IS A
IT BI
BR LUM
CO
Gl 9
Glac
Wildflower Creek
Bow River/canoe
Big Springs
Marvel Lake
McBride’s Camp
Allenby Junction
Brewster Creek
Cascade Bridge
Stony Creek
Flints Park
Block Lakes Junction
Castleguard
Healy Creek
Egypt Lake
Elk Lake Summit
Mount Cockscomb
Mystic Junction
Sawback Lake
Glacier Lake
Hector Lake
Larry’s Camp
Johnston Creek
Luellen Lake
Badger Pass Junction
Aylmer Pass Junction
Aylmer Canyon
Mount lnglismaldie
CAMPGROUNDS
Ya Ha Tinda
Trailhead
Fires Permitted
Fires Not Permitted
(Note: Campground designation number indicates
approximate distance from nearest TRAILHEAD.
e.g. Lm9 is 9 km from trailhead)
Red
Deer
River
Trail Shelters
Backcountry Lodges
Isabella
Lake
Mistaya
Lake
Ri
ter
a
rw
Martin
Lake
Condor
Peak
lea
C
River
r
ola
kP
ow
Sn
Ba15
Temple
Creek
dg
Ba ss
Pa
Cr 31
Cr37
Cr15
Mount
Aylmer
r
ve
Mi
le
K
W
A
1a
Y
Pilot
Mt.
Banff
1
Re16
Re 21
Mount
Rundle
Bw 10
Riv
er
Sp16
TR
ra
Sp
k
ee
Cr
Fatigue
Su 8
Canmore
r
Sunshine
Ski Area
w
Bo
ly
ea
E5 H
ste
Four Day Trips
Sp 6
k
Cree
ew
Egypt L.
Mount
Bourgeau
Br
Ck
E13
93
AN
S
1
CA NA DA
y
Ck
Citadel
Peak
Sp23
COUNTRY
er
Riv
MOUNT
Allenby
Pass
ASSINIBOINE
Br17
nt
PROVINCIAL
Sp35
ya
Sawback Trail 73.5 km
This trip takes you over three spectacular
mountain passes. The trail traverses a
HIGH
KANANASKIS
Five Days Plus
Br
Assiniboine Loop 55 km
The trail begins and ends at the Mt. Shark
trailhead in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
Travel through two parks, two provinces and
behold the beauty of the sixth highest mountain
in the Canadian Rockies. Campsites: Br14
McBride’s Camp (Night 1); Lake Magog
campground, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park
(Night 2), where a separate B.C. Parks
campground fee will be collected on-site; Br13
Mt.
Norquay
Ski
Area
R
Ball
A
Re14
Lm31
k
h
PARK
Pharao
ow
d
Sha.
L
Mount
th
r
Ea
Lm 20
ee
P
Tw 7
Re 6
Twin
Lakes
Red
Ck
River
Lm 22
Lm11
Lake
Minnewanka
Cascade
Mt.
Fm10
Cr
Storm
Mt.
Ri
EY
Bo1c
NATIONAL
Lm8
y
Ml 22
Ghost
Lm 9
Cr 6
t
For
VALL
ek
AY
93
KOOTENAY
Fm19
Elk
Lake
Ek13
Jo9
Cre
L.
BOW
n
HW
to
G
ns
Boom
1
Ta6
HI
de
h
Jo
A
Taylor
Lake
Castle Rockbound
Mt.
Lake
sca
Fm 29
Sawback
Lake
Jo18
Jo19
Luellen
Lake
AD
Moraine
Lake
GHOST
RIVER
WILDERNESS
AREA
Ca
AN
NATIONAL
PARK
Jo29
C
Pa8
Pulsatilla
Pass
Baker
e
d is
ra
Pa
Mount
S
Lake
O'Hara
1
k
Flints
Peak
Bonnet
Peak
r
e
Co
Ck
AN
ria
ctocier
i
V la
G
TR
Mount
Victoria
ee
ne
pe
Pi
Sk11
Lake
Louise
Lake
Louise
Field
r
the
Mount
Douglas
Merlin
Lake
Skoki
Lakes
Lake Sk 5
Louise
Ski Area
YOHO
Mountain Peak
n
Pa
Cr
Douglas
Lake
Sk19
Glacier
Dormer
Mt.
er
Riv
ee
Cr
ow
Mount
Daley
ss
Sn
Sk18
;
Backcountry Lodges
Random Camping Areas
Mount
Drummond
Cyclone
Mt.
Creek
Y
Mystic Pass 36.8 km; elevation gain:
395 m
From the trailhead at the Mt. Norquay
eld
Red
Trail Shelters
River
Deer
Drummond
Glacier
93
WA
Palliser Pass 54.4 km; elevation gain:
400 m
Departing from the Mt. Shark trailhead
in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, this
trip follows the upper reaches of the
Spray River, through subalpine
meadows to Palliser Pass (at the
extreme southern tip of Banff National
Park). Enjoy Palliser Pass as a day
hike, and return via the same route to
Mt. Shark.
Campsite: Us18 Burstall (2 nights).
Topographic map: 82 J/14
M
Elk Summit-Cascade Mountain
Loop 35.8 km; elevation gain: 610 m
The Upper Bankhead picnic area on
the Lake Minnewanka road serves as
the trailhead for this trip, which begins
with a hike up the old Cascade fire
road. At Stony Creek, the trail heads
over Elk Summit to Elk Lake and
exits at the Mt. Norquay Ski area.
Campsites: Cr15 Stony Creek (Night
1) Ek13 Elk Lake Summit (Night 2), .
Topographic maps: 82 O/4, 82 O/5
ke
RK
Bryant Creek area 45 km +;
elevation gain: 455 m
Beginning at the Mt. Shark trailhead in
Kananaskis Country, Alberta, this trail
brings hikers to a meadow campsite (or
trail shelter). Day trips can then be
made to Wonder, Allenby or
Assiniboine Passes. Be prepared for
intermittent noise from helicopters.
Campsite: 2 nights at Br14 McBride’s
Camp, Br13 Marvel Lake or Bryant
Creek trail shelter. Topographic maps:
82 J/14, 82 J/13
ik
Icefi
La
Mo16
Fires Permitted
Fires Not Permitted
(Note: Campground designation number indicates
approximate distance from nearest TRAILHEAD.
e.g. Lm9 is 9 km from trailhead)
Mount
McConnell
PA
Wap
ut
Hiking, Horse, Mountain Biking
Ya Ha Tinda
Trailhead
a
FIELDS
He 5
Hector
Hiking, Commercial Horse Use
CAMPGROUNDS
Fish
Lakes
ICE
Icefield
Three Day Trips
Mo
18
uito
ke
l C
k
La
sto
Wapta
Ck
Bl
rra
Bo
w
ae
Katherine
Lake
Mo5
Mosq
r
Rive
berr
y
Helen
Lake
BANFF
NATIONAL
PARK
Devon
Lakes
k
Glacier Lake 8.9 km one way; elevation
gain: 210 m
This trail departs from a trailhead north of
Saskatchewan Crossing on the Icefields
Parkway and brings travellers to a campsite at
Peyto
Lake
ee
Egypt Lake 12.4 km one way; elevation
gain: 655 m
A 2-day trip can be made from the Sunshine
Village ski area gondola base to the Egypt
Lake campsite or trail shelter and back. Stay
2 nights if possible, to further explore the
wonders of the area.
Campsite: E13 Egypt Lake or Egypt Lake trail
shelter. Topographic map: 82 O/4
Cr
Paradise Valley 9.7 km one way; elevation
gain: 291 m
The trailhead is located on the Moraine Lake
access road. A more strenuous option for the
return route is to arrange a vehicle or pick-up
at Moraine Lake and return via dramatic
Sentinel Pass and Larch Valley. Campsite:
Pa8 Paradise Valley. Topographic map:
82 N/8
Freshfield
Icefield
permitted in
Alberta Wilderness
areas
Tomahawk
Mt.
Clearwater
Mt.
Sf
mite
Lake Minnewanka 8 km one way; elevation
gain: nil
A good early or late season hike along the
lakeshore. The trail departs from the trailhead
at the Minnewanka day use area and returns
by the same route. Stay an extra night and
explore Aylmer Pass or Aylmer Lookout.
Campsite: Lm8 Aylmer Pass Junction.
Topographic map: 82 O/6
D
Glacelta
ier
Dolo
Two Day Trips
r
ve
Banff National Park offers many more
backcountry opportunities than those
described here. It is always possible to add
more days to your trip in any given area too –
the number of nights indicated is really a
minimum. There are several excellent
guidebooks available, including The Canadian
Rockies Trail Guide by Brian Patton and Bart
Robinson, and Graeme Pole’s Classic Hikes in
the Canadian Rockies. Visitor Centre staff
would also be pleased to advise you on your
trip selection. Interested in day hikes? Some
of the 2-day hikes can be done in a single day,
or pick up a copy of Parks Canada’s Drives
and Walks brochure at a Park Visitor Centre.
Mount
Freshfield
Hiking, Horse Use
Limited Access Road
Ri
LOOKING FOR
TRIP IDEAS?
* Horse use not
Br 14
Resevoir
e Pa
ss
r
ve
Hows
Hiking Only
r
ve
Mount
Malloch
Ri
Coronation
Mt.
Icefall
Mt.
Mount
Noyes
Chephren
Lake
k
ee
k
AREA
Lake
Fo
Mount
Chephren
s Cree
e
rb
Cr
Siffle
ur
River
Mount
Forbes
WAY
Four Day Trips
Riv
er
Sp16
TR
AN
ra
Sp
k
ee
Cr
S
1
CA NA DA
y
93
Citadel
Peak
Sp23
Allenby
Pass
Resevoir
er
Riv
MOUNT
Lake
Gloria
l
Cre
rve
ek
MaLake Owl
Lake
Sp
Br 13
PARK
Mount
Assiniboine
Sp35
Br 14
ray
Br17
nt
PROVINCIAL
Lake
ASSINIBOINE
ya
Br 9
40
Mt Shark
Trailhead
Marvel
Pass
ay
Spr
762
Us15
er
Riv
Mystic Pass – Flint’s Park - Badger Pass
76.4 km
Allow about 7 days for this journey, which
begins and ends at Johnston Canyon.
Explore the subalpine meadowland of
Flint’s Park and climb over remote Mystic
and Badger Passes. Badger Pass can be
blocked by a snow cornice well into the
summer months. Campsites: Jo9 Larry’s
Camp (Night 1), MI22 Mystic Valley
(Night 2), Cr31 Flint’s Park (Night 3), Cr37
Block Lakes Junction (Night 4), Jo29
Badger Pass Junction (Night 5), Jo18
Johnston Creek (Night 6), Jo9 Larry’s
Camp (Night 7). Topographic maps:
82 O/4, 82 O/5.
WAY
COUNTRY
Br
Sawback Trail 73.5 km
This trip takes you over three spectacular
mountain passes. The trail traverses a
good portion of Banff National Park,
linking the town of Banff with Lake
Louise. Trailheads are located at
the Mt. Norquay and the Lake Louise
ski areas. There are many camping
options - a possible 7-day itinerary is
provided here. Campsites: Fm19
Mystic Junction (Night 1); Jo9 Larry’s
Camp (Night 2); Jo18 Johnston Creek or
Jo19 Luellen Lake (Night 3); Jo29 Badger
Pass (Night 4); Ba15 Wildflower Creek
(Night 5); Sk11 Baker Lake (Night 6).
Topographic maps: 82 O/4, 82 O/5,
82 N/8
HIGH
KANANASKIS
Five Days Plus
A
RT
BE
H
AL
IS A
IT BI
BR LUM
CO
Sunshine – Vista Lake 40.4 km
A series of high country trails links the
Sunshine Village ski area (access on foot or via
a privately run shuttle bus) to the Vista Lake
viewpoint on Highway 93. Explore the Egypt
Lake area en route. After climbing over
Gibbon Pass, the trail meanders past a series of
scenic lakes before final descent to the highway. Campsites: E13 Egypt Lake (Night 1);
Re14 Shadow Lake (Night 2); Tw7 Twin Lakes
(Night 3). Topographic maps: 82 O/4, 82 N/1
Su 8
Canmore
Bw 10
Ck
Sunshine – Assiniboine – Bryant Creek
55.7 km
Mt. Assiniboine can also be reached from the
Sunshine Village ski area via the rambling
alpine meadows of Citadel Pass. Take the
privately run shuttle bus up the limited access
ski area road to avoid a 6.5 km walk. The trip
exits via Bryant Creek at the Mt. Shark
trailhead in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
Campsites: Porcupine campground, Mt.
Assiniboine Provincial Park (Night 1); Lake
Magog campground, Mt. Assiniboine
Provincial Park (Night 2), where a separate
campground fee will be collected on-site; Br13
Marvel Lake (Night 3). Topographic maps:
82 O/4, 82 J/14, 82 J/13
Sunshine
Ski Area
Fatigue
Assiniboine Loop 55 km
The trail begins and ends at the Mt. Shark
trailhead in Kananaskis Country, Alberta.
Travel through two parks, two provinces and
behold the beauty of the sixth highest mountain
in the Canadian Rockies. Campsites: Br14
McBride’s Camp (Night 1); Lake Magog
campground, Mt. Assiniboine Provincial Park
(Night 2), where a separate B.C. Parks
campground fee will be collected on-site; Br13
Marvel Lake (Night 3). Topographic maps:
82 J/14, 82 J/13
k
w
Bo
Egypt L.
Cree
r
Fish Lakes 14.8 km one way; elevation gain:
760 m
This trail begins at the Mosquito Creek
trailhead (off the Icefields Parkway) and
climbs over North Molar Pass through some
of the most extensive alpine meadows in
Banff National Park. Campsite: Mo18 Fish
Lakes. Topographic map: 82 N/9
Skoki Loop 34.3 km; elevation gain:
1,136 m
Beginning at the Fish Creek trailhead
(next to the Lake Louise ski area), this
trip starts with a 4 km hike up the
Temple access road. Climb over aptlynamed Boulder Pass and pass by
Ptarmigan Lake before descending to
Baker Lake. The second day involves
travelling around Fossil Mountain and
past historic Skoki Lodge to Merlin
Meadows. After climbing Deception
Pass, re-join the access trail at
Ptarmigan Lake. Campsites: Sk11
Baker Lake (Night 1), Sk18 Merlin
Meadows (Night 2). Topographic
maps: 82 N/8, 82 N/9, 82 O/5,
82 O/12
ly
ea
E5 H
ste
Elk Lake 11.5 km one way; elevation gain:
610 m
Departing from the Mt. Norquay ski area, the
first few km of the trail climbs through dense
forest. The campsite is located in the open
subalpine meadows of Elk Pass, about 2 km
from Elk Lake. Campsite: Ek13 Elk Lake
Summit. Topographic maps: 82 O/4, 82 O/5
Bourgeau
ew
Twin Lakes 8.7 km one way; elevation gain:
605 m
Twin Lakes can be reached by two trails. The
first departs from the Vista Lake viewpoint on
Highway 93, while the second begins at
Altrude Creek on the Trans Canada Highway
and follows a less strenuous route. Campsite:
Tw7 Twin Lakes. Topographic maps: 82 O/4,
82 O/5
Mystic Pass 36.8 km; elevation gain:
395 m
From the trailhead at the Mt. Norquay
ski area, the first part of this trail
follows the rushing waters of Forty
Mile creek. On the second day, pass by
Mystic Lake and ascend toward the
open alpine country of Mystic Pass.
After joining the Johnston Creek trail,
enjoy a relatively easy hike out to
Johnston Canyon on the Bow Valley
Parkway, via the Ink Pots. Campsites:
Fm19 Mystic Junction (Night 1), Jo9
Larry’s Camp (Night 2). Topographic
maps: 82 O/4, 82 O/5
E13
Br
Glacier Lake 8.9 km one way; elevation
gain: 210 m
This trail departs from a trailhead north of
Saskatchewan Crossing on the Icefields
Parkway and brings travellers to a campsite at
one of the largest backcountry lakes in Banff
National Park. Campsite: Gl9 Glacier Lake.
Topographic map: 82 N/15
Departing from the Mt. Shark trailhead
in Kananaskis Country, Alberta, this
trip follows the upper reaches of the
Spray River, through subalpine
meadows to Palliser Pass (at the
extreme southern tip of Banff National
Park). Enjoy Palliser Pass as a day
hike, and return via the same route to
Mt. Shark.
Campsite: Us18 Burstall (2 nights).
Topographic map: 82 J/14
Ck
Egypt Lake 12.4 km one way; elevation
gain: 655 m
A 2-day trip can be made from the Sunshine
Village ski area gondola base to the Egypt
Lake campsite or trail shelter and back. Stay
2 nights if possible, to further explore the
wonders of the area.
Campsite: E13 Egypt Lake or Egypt Lake trail
shelter. Topographic map: 82 O/4
Us18
Burstall
Pass
Leman
Lake
Dolomite – Isabella - Siffleur –
Fish Lakes Loop 67.6 km
This trip, which takes about 5 days, begins at
the Helen Lake trailhead on the Icefields
Parkway and ends at the Mosquito Creek
trailhead. In between the trail passes
through long stretches of open alpine tundra,
braided rivers and past craggy summits.
Hikers must be able to ford streams, find
their own routes and make their own
minimal impact camps. Use restrictions may
apply. Campsites: Mostly random camping.
One designated campsite near the Dolomite
Creek/Siffleur River junction. Last night at
Mo18 Fish Lakes campsite. Topographic
maps: 82 N/9, 82 N/16.
PETER
LOUGHEED
Palliser
PROVINCIAL
HEIGHTPass
OF-THEROCKIES
PROVINCIAL
PARK
0
0
4
2
PARK
Kilometres
8
12
5
16
20
10
Miles
THIS IS NOT A TOPOGRAPHIC MAP AND
IS NOT SUITABLE FOR ROUTE FINDING