Banff 
There are five National Parks in Alberta.
Credit: Matthew Fournier/ Unsplash
A visit to the northernmost National Park, Wood Buffalo, requires a detour through the Northwest Territories with the campground located at Pine Lake in Alberta. In addition to Wood Buffalo, there are four more National Parks within Alberta: Elk Island, Jasper, Banff, and Waterton Lakes!
All of these parks offer a place to camp in the spring, summer, or fall. Plus, Parks Canada also operates a campground at the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site.
It is almost time for the reservation dates to open for National Park campgrounds in Alberta. Each of our parks is open for reservation on different dates.
If it is your first time visiting or camping in the National Parks in Alberta, here’s more information about each park:
Elk Island National Park
This central Alberta National Park is about 45 minutes east of Edmonton and on the north side of the Trans Canada Highway. This smaller of Alberta’s National Parks is still the best for wildlife viewing. Elk Island is a conservation area for several types of wildlife, but most notably bison. During any given time of year, a drive up and down the Elk Island Parkway will offer opportunities for seeing the bison quite close up from the vehicle. Besides the large and mostly docile wildlife around the park, there are several recreational opportunities during a camping trip:
- Canoeing and kayaks with rentals on-site
- Cycling
- Photography
- Hiking and trail running
- Star gazing
- Picnics
Camping:
All camping at Elk Island is open mid-May to Thanksgiving Day.
- Astotin Lake Campground
- Oster Lake Backcountry Campground
- Comfort camping at oTENTik, a hybrid of a tent and an A-frame cabin
2026 Reservation Launch: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 8 am MT
Jasper National Park
As Canada’s second-largest dark sky preserve, Jasper National Park is enjoyable any time of year and any time of the day. During a camping trip, sit back and enjoy the stars by the fire. And, be watchful and mindful of wildlife. Jasper has an abundant wildlife population often visible from the car window. You could spot black bears, moose, elk, deer, or bighorned sheep. Several more spring, summer, and fall activities are permitted in the park for the next camping trip:
- Maligne Lake boat tours
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Horseback riding
- Hiking
- Hot springs
- Rock climbing
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Gondola rides
Camping:
Jasper offers five reservable campgrounds and eight first-come-first-served campgrounds over the summer months, as well as the glamping oTENTiks, and the Wapiti Winter Campground. The dates vary, but in general, are from May-September or October.
2026 Reservation Launch: Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 8 am MT
Banff National Park
Spend your summer camping trip in Canada’s oldest and, therefore, first-ever National Park! Banff set the stage for the rest of Canada’s National Parks and the entire system. The original attractions, like the Sulphur Mountain hot springs and the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, are still open to visitors today. The park offers campers dozens of other activities, many dining options, and Alberta’s only Parks Canada Shuttle.
Leave your vehicle at the campsite and take advantage of the shuttle, or the Roam Transit bus lines. Banff is also home to the world-famous Lake Louise, about 45 minutes from Banff. This area, along with Moraine Lake, is accessible via the public transit options, too.
- Lake Minnewanka boat tours
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Hot springs
- Horseback riding
- Hiking
- Rock climbing
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Gondola rides
Camping:
There are 11 reservable campgrounds in Banff National Park along with two more campgrounds for first-come first-served camping. oTENTiks are also located in two different campgrounds, while the Tunnel Mountain Village II is open year-round. The dates vary, but in general, are from May-September or October.
2026 Reservation Launch: Friday, January 23, 2026 at 8 am MT
Waterton Lakes National Park
Alberta’s southernmost Rocky Mountains are the home of Alberta’s southernmost National Park. Waterton Lakes National Park, which also adjoins an American National Park, is set up around the large Upper, Lower, and Middle Waterton Lakes.
The area offers unique landscapes, opportunities for scenic drives, and amazing backcountry hiking experiences. Waterton also offers excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, as it is generally a quieter park. Even if you’re visiting for a camping trip, be sure to walk around and view the iconic Prince of Wales Hotel, which overlooks the lakes.
- Boat tours
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Hiking
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Horseback riding
- Rock climbing
Waterton offers two front-country campgrounds at the Townsite and Belly River, as well as backcountry opportunities. And winter camping is available at the Pass Creek Day Use Area. Campsites are reservable for April-October.
2026 Reservation Launch: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 8 am MT
Wood Buffalo National Park
Wood Buffalo National Park covers the northeast corner of Alberta and the southern border of the NWT. This is Canada’s largest National Park, too, helping to protect a huge part of Canada’s boreal forest. The park has a varied abundance of wildlife, including wood bison and wolves. Along with the title of the largest National Park, Wood Buffalo also receives the title of the largest dark sky preserve in Canada. This helps with stargazing, but also catching the aurora borealis in this northern spot. Camping is located at Pine Lake, a perfect base camp for the other activities:
- Hiking
- Stargazing
- Guided experiences
- Fishing
- Powerboating on the river
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Swimming
- Birding and wildlife viewing
Camping
Camping is available at the Pine Lake Campground, open May-September long weekend.
Reservations Launch: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 8 am MT
