Jasper National Park Travel Forum

I will be tent camping for a week. I am planning to book the weekend nights in Jasper - We are traveling July 25 through August 1. Friday night through Thursday night. I would like to find quiet, relaxing places to camp - showers are nice, but not necessary every night. Not really interested in being in Banff -the town.

I am thinking of starting on the outer campgrounds - Pocahontas - two nights (but I have read that a lot of people recommend Snaring River (but I don't think they take reservations and it will be a Friday and Saturday night, then near Jasper at Wapiti two nights - would like to stay one night, Tuesday, between Jasper and Lake Louise - no reservations accepted along there however - if I arrive early would I be able to get camping? which one is good?

also should I go to Lake Louise or Banff? A lot of people seem to thing Tunnel Mountain is nice. - what about Johnston Canyon?

Thanks - Michelle

Okay, the only thing I can really help you with in regard to Jasper is to advise that you need a reservation on the weekend! I wouldn't risk it without an advance reservation, unless you don't mind camping in the back country, in which case you can find plenty of places. But if you want to be in a campground, get a reservation.

On the road from Jasper to LL, during the week, you shouldn't have a problem finding a nice spot as long as you're flexible on where you stop. If you have your heart set on one particular campground you may end up disappointed. there are lots of nice camping spots along the Icefields Parkway - Mosquito Creek is very nice, but much closer to Banff than Jasper, I don't know if that matters.

I would avoid the tent campground at LL - it is right beside the railroad tracks and trains thunder through there all night long! Unless you're a sound sleeper.... Tunnel Mountain is nice and is very close to the Banff townsite. Don't confuse it with Tunnel Mountain Trailer CG, though. The trailer CG is not nearly as nice! There is a really nice campground right across from the Johnston Canyon parking lot, along the Bow Valley Parkway. Protection Mountain CG is also along the Bow Valley Parkway and is nice. It tends to be one of the last to fill up, so keep that in mind when you're looking! Two Jack is also nice, but fills up quickly, as does Tunnel Mountain.

Johnston Canyon is beautiful. I would recommend you make the hike there, it's really pretty. I have some pictures from a winter hike in there on my Banff page, if you want to have a look.

for tent camping i really like snaring river. there are no showers or flush toilets but the pit toilets are kept very clean and the sites are good. it is quiet since there is no power. if you planned on getting there before 3 p.m. on the friday, i think you'd be fine getting a spot.
i haven't stayed at the campground across from johnston canyon but it looks really nice. just know that it is a ways to drive to either banff or lake louise so bring supplies if you don't want to use the car for a day.
i liked the tent camping at tunnel mountain. we had a very large site with lots of trees around. another one to consider, further away is two jacks.
trains are a fact of life in the rockies. bring a set of ear plugs in case they bother you.