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Compiled by the Road Trip Alberta team
Updated February 25, 2021
It’s that moment when you’re snuggled inside a cozy sleeping bag, listening to the sound of a crackling fire, overwhelmed by millions of stars piercing the dark night sky that you realize: this is why you camp.
At 11,000 square km, Jasper National Park is the second-largest dark sky preserve in the world, which gives you more space and more stars to fulfill that perfect camping moment.
There are more campgrounds in Jasper than you can pitch a tent at, so, to help you find the best jasper camping spots, here’s a list of some of the best places to camp in the park! From RV camping (and glamping) to rough and tumble tent camping, you’re bound to find the perfect spot for you and your loved ones.
But remember, spots fill up fast, so be sure to book your Jasper camping reservation early to avoid disappointment!
RESERVATIONS OPEN APRIL 9th, 2021!
Tip:
If you need to rent an RV to make all of your camping dreams a reality, read out extensive guide on RV Rentals in Alberta.
Jasper National Park Camping: everything from tenting to fully-serviced RV hookups
Below, we’ve compiled a list of our favourite campgrounds. Even with strict criteria, and a heavy hand cutting out anything that didn’t meet our expectations, there are still quite a few available for you to set up camp.
Wapiti Campground Jasper
Reservation Required: Open May 5 – October 11, 2021
Nestled on the shores of the Athabasca’s babbling river, Wapiti Campground is close enough to Jasper’s townsite to make it convenient, but far away enough to feel like you’re in the middle of the wilderness. There are 363 sites available to reserve, and a babbling river to keep you company.
If you’re hungry but don’t want to venture into town, there’s a neat little restaurant just south of Wapiti Campground called Becker’s Gourmet Restaurant (open May 1st – October 11), with rave reviews on their food and service!
Winter camping at Wapiti Campground
Currently the Wapiti campground is closed for the winter. Normally, Wapiti operates year-round, sporting 75 winter camping spots with amenities such as electricity, hot showers and fire pits so you can stay toasty, no matter the temp! Wapiti is a welcome spot for Jasper RV camping too, with plenty of electrical hook-up spots for RVs. Come early even in the off-season as spots are first-come, first-served in the wintertime.
Wapiti Campground Highlights:
- Size: 362 campsites (75 winter spots)
- Cost: $33 to $41 per night
- Amenities: Washroom and shower facilities, RV electrical hookups, fire pits
Book a Wapiti camping reservation early to ensure you get a spot!
Wabasso Campground Jasper
Reservation Required: Open May 19 – September 20, 2021
Just 20 minutes south of Jasper townsite you’ll find the quiet riverfront campsite, Wabasso, with 231 campsites, and tons of hiking trail access. There are basic amenities like fire pits and toilets but few hookups and no showers. That makes Wabasso best-suited for campers that are ready to ‘rough it’ at least a little in tents and modest RVs, trailers, and motorhomes (under 35 feet).
A titch more rugged than other sites, Wabasso is still clean, and plenty spacious which keeps the noise levels down, and your camping experience more private. Rustic, charming and beautiful – if you don’t mind not having showers, this is your spot to stay. And with the gorgeous Athabasca River flowing nearby, you can always go for a bath au naturel!
Wabasso Campground Highlights:
- Size: 231 campsites
- Cost:$31 to $37 per night
- Amenities: Washroom facilities, fire pits, RV electrical hookups
Book a Wabasso camping reservation early to ensure you get a spot!
Pocahontas Campground Jasper
Reservation Required: Open May 19 – September 6, 2021
This is a primitive camp spot that is rugged yet beautiful with a scenic, 25-minute drive to the townsite of Jasper. There are flushable toilets, fire rings, and plenty of chances to see wildlife since it’s so secluded and quiet. Pocahontas Campground is also very close to the Sulphur Skyline Trail hike, so if you want to get a jump on your day on this hike, this is the campsite to choose!
While there is running water here, there are no showers available, so be sure you know that going in! It’s a nice and quiet spot for tents, RVs, trailers and motorhomes under 27 feet.
Pocahontas Campground Highlights:
- Size: 140 campsites
- Cost: $31 per night
- Amenities: Flushable toilets, fire rings
Book a Pocahontas camping reservation early to ensure you get a spot!
Whistlers Campground Jasper
Reservation Required: Reopening 2021
With just under 800 campsites available to reserve, Whistler Campground is Jasper’s largest campsite. It’s located just minutes outside of Jasper’s townsite, and it’s right next to Jasper’s Skytram, a major tourist attraction with hiking access to Whistlers Peak, making it a hotspot for locals and visitors alike.
With great proximity comes great facilities. Whistler Campground boasts well-maintained washrooms, hot shower facilities, and even kitchen shelters (if the weather doesn’t permit you to cook over a campfire). That may sound like city-camping with not much in the way of a true Jasper experience, but in this neck of the woods, the wildlife comes to you. Campers regularly report elk sightings in this prime Jasper camping spot.
Whistlers Campground Highlights:
- Size: 781 campsites
- Cost: $23 – $48 per night
- Amenities: Washroom and shower facilities, kitchen shelters, fire pits
Book a Whistlers camping reservation early to ensure you get a spot!
Whistlers oTENTiks
Reservation Required: Opening 2021
Love camping but don’t like buying or hauling all the gear? This is the option for you. New to the Whistlers Campground is a comfort camping option for 2021.
Each tent can hold up to 6 people (a maximum of 4 adults). The comfort tents have all the basic comforts including wooden floors, beds, seating and even heaters to keep you warm for the cold nights.
Whistlers oTENTiks Campground Highlights:
- Size: 21 sites
- Cost: $120 per night
- Amenities: Washroom and shower facilities, kitchen shelters, fire pits
Book a Whistlers oTENTiks reservation early to ensure you get a spot!
Cheap Jasper Camping Options
For these first-come, first-serve locales, you’ll truly be at one with nature. While most have potable and running water, it’s best to bring most of your supplies, including extra water with you and be prepared for a rough and tumble type of camping experience. (And if you want to check-out some truly off-the-grid camping that is also free, we have a guide to Alberta crown land camping.)
Columbia Icefield Campground
First Come, First Served: Open June 9 – October 11, 2021
Just minutes away from the epic Canadian icefields, the Columbia Icefields Campground gives you a view of some of the most amazing scenery on the planet. Most sites, along with the log cookhouse, offer glacier views. Alternatively, if this site is full, there’s also Wilcox Creek Campground closeby.
Columbia Icefield Campground Highlights:
- Tents only
- Size: 33 campsites
- Cost: $25 per night
Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre
First Come, First Served: Open May 19 – September 20, 2021
If you’ve got an RV but want those same glacier views, then this is your spot! Though it’s not much more than a parking spot, the Discovery Centre acts as something of a lighthouse, a comforting sight through the long, cold nights. It’s also the most central, ideal location if you want to head out on a tour of the icefields during your stay.
Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre Highlights:
- RV and trailer parking only
- Size: 100 sites
- Cost: $16 per night
- Water not available
Wilcox Creek Campground Jasper
First Come, First Served: Open June 9 – September 20, 2021
This secluded spot offers picturesque views and trailhead access to Wilcox Pass, a breathtaking hike in the area. It’s also just minutes away from the Columbia Icefields. Wilcox Campground is best suited for tenting and those with RVs under 27 feet.
Wilcox Creek Campground Highlights:
- Size: 46 campsites
- Cost: $25 per night
- Amenities: Potable water, toilet facilities, cooking shelters
Snaring Campground Jasper
First Come, First Served: Open May 19 – September 27, 2021
Enjoy a striking mountain setting as you set up camp in this gorgeous area. Snaring offers 62 campsites ranging from fully treed and private, to sprawling, wide-open spaces with plenty of sunshine. It’s best suited for tenting and RVers with units under 27 feet.
Snaring Campground Highlights:
- Size: 62 campsites
- Cost: $25 per night
- Amenities: Potable water, toilet facilities
Mount Kerkeslin Campground Jasper
First Come, First Served: Open May 19 – September 20, 2021
Just 30 minutes away from Jasper townsite sits this humble campsite at the base of Mount Kerkeslin. This quiet, secluded spot offers a nice amount of shade and is a great stop off for cyclists and RV owners with units under 25 feet. Mount Kerkeslin also offers a short jaunt down to the river, too, so be sure to enjoy it, and even take a dip if you dare, while you’re there!
Mount Kerkeslin Campground Highlights:
- Size: 42 campsites
- Cost: $25 per night
- Amenities: Potable water, toilet facilities
Honeymoon Lake Campground Jasper
First Come, First Served: Open May 19 – September 20, 2021
You don’t have to be on your honeymoon to head here. 😉 Get back to nature and enjoy the sweet, sweet sounds Honeymoon Lake has to offer at this low-key lakeside campsite. This spot is best suited for tenting and RVs under 25 feet.
Honeymoon Lake Campground Highlights:
- Size: 35 campsites
- Cost: $25 per night
- Amenities: Potable water, toilet facilities
Jonas Creek Campground Jasper
First Come, First Served: Open June 9 – September 6, 2021
Beside the eponymous (and quite frigid) creek, there’s not much at Jonas Creek Campground, which is part of its charm. Offering a cook shelter for when the weather turns nasty, potable water, and toilet facilities, Jonas Creek has everything you need and nothing you don’t. It’s a campground best suited for tenting and RV trailers under 25 feet.
Highlights
- Size: 25 campsites
- Cost: $25 per night
- Amenities: Potable water, toilet facilities, cooking shelter
Winter Camping in Jasper National Park
There are only two front-country options for winter camping in Jasper National Park.
- Wapiti – currently closed
- Whirlpool – currently closed
For backcountry winter camping it requires a permit from the National Park or by calling 1-877-737-3783. The options for backcountry winter camping are:
Hidden Cove
- 8km return. campground 4km down the trail
- Trailhead: End of Maligne Lake Road
- Amenities: 4 tent pads, a fire pit, picnic tables, cook shelter, food storage lockers
- Cost: $11.50 per person per night
Big Bend
- 14km return. campground 4km down the trail
- Trailhead: Sunwapta Falls accessible by skis or snowshoes
- Amenities: 4 tent pads, picnic tables, a fire pit, food storage cables
- Cost: $11.50 per person per night
Wilcox Winter
- 14km return. campground 4km down the trail
- Trailhead: Sunwapta Falls accessible by skis or snowshoes
- Amenities: 4 tent pads, picnic tables, a fire pit, food storage cables
- Cost: $11.50 per person per night
Don’t Forget:
Need some help planning your itinerary while you are camping in the area? Check out our guide for all the things to do while visiting Jasper.
ALSO, don’t forget that while you’re on the road, you can download our FREE Road Trip Alberta bingo cards, to make it just that much more fun!
