Popular Alberta RV routes and camping areas: Banff, Jasper, Kananaskis, Drumheller and Waterton

Alberta tip: Conditions, closures and rules change. Wildfires, floods, construction and wildlife activity can close campgrounds and roads with little notice. Always check the official sites linked below and 511 Alberta before you leave.

General advice for Alberta mountain RVing

• Passes: National parks (Banff, Jasper, Waterton and others) require a Parks Canada pass. Parking in Kananaskis Country and the Bow Valley corridor requires a Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
• Reservations: Book popular campgrounds early through Parks Canada or Alberta Parks.
• Grades: Mountain roads have long climbs and descents. Use lower gears, watch engine and transmission temperatures and avoid riding your brakes. Check hub temperatures at pull-outs (Travel trailer brakes not working: electric brakes, controller and breakaway checks).
• Wildlife: Elk, deer, bighorn sheep and bears are often on or near roads. Slow down, don't stop in traffic lanes, and never feed or approach wildlife. Some campgrounds restrict soft-sided camping (tents, tent trailers) because of bears. Check each campground's rules. See Alberta BearSmart.
• Cell coverage: Patchy or absent on many highways. Download maps and campground details before leaving.
• Fuel: Fill up when you can in remote areas.
• Fire: Check Alberta fire bans for provincial lands. National parks set their own fire restrictions, so check Parks Canada.
• Altitude and cold: Nights can drop below freezing even in summer at higher elevations. Bring extra propane.

Banff National Park

Getting there: West of Calgary on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1), roughly an hour and a half to the Banff townsite under good conditions.

Why RVers love it: Large campgrounds near the townsite and Lake Louise, with access to world-famous scenery, hot springs and trails.

Practical notes:

• Campgrounds near the townsite and Lake Louise are very popular. Book as soon as reservations open. Some campgrounds have size limits, so check your RV's length against the campground's listing.
• Parking for large RVs in the townsite and at popular spots (such as Lake Louise and Moraine Lake) is limited, and access may be restricted to shuttle or transit in peak season. Check Banff National Park for current arrangements and leave the RV at camp.
• Lake Louise has campground areas with rules related to bears and hard-sided units. Read the campground details before booking.
• The Bow Valley Parkway (Highway 1A) between Banff and Lake Louise is a slower, scenic alternative to the Trans-Canada, with seasonal travel restrictions on some sections. Check before you go.

Icefields Parkway and Jasper National Park

Getting there: The Icefields Parkway (Highway 93 North) runs from near Lake Louise to Jasper, about 230 km of mountain highway.

Why RVers love it: Glaciers, lakes and some of the most spectacular roadside scenery anywhere.

Practical notes:

• Services are very limited along the Parkway, and cell service is mostly absent. Fuel up before leaving Lake Louise or Jasper, and carry food, water and warm clothing.
• Weather can change fast, and snow is possible in any month at higher points. Check 511 Alberta and Parks Canada before travelling, especially in spring and fall.
• Take your time: pull-outs are frequent, but use them carefully with a large rig.
• Jasper wildfire recovery: A major wildfire in 2024 affected the town of Jasper and parts of the park. Some campgrounds, trails and facilities have been affected or rebuilt. Check Jasper National Park for current campground status and conditions before planning.

Kananaskis Country

Getting there: Southwest and west of Calgary. Highway 40 (the Kananaskis Trail) runs south from the Trans-Canada Highway into the heart of Kananaskis. It's often under an hour from the city's western edge to the northern parts of Kananaskis.

Why RVers love it: Close to Calgary, with many provincial park campgrounds, lakes, trails and less crowding than Banff on many days.

Practical notes:

• A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for vehicles parked in the pass area. The pass is registered to the licence plate, and per alberta.ca there's no extra charge for trailers. Check the current rules.
• Campgrounds in places like Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and the Bow Valley area are booked through Alberta Parks. Popular weekends fill early.
• The Highwood Pass section of Highway 40 closes seasonally each winter and spring for wildlife and safety. Check the current dates and status before planning a loop route.
• Random camping is not the same as camping in Kananaskis parks. Provincial parks and recreation areas only allow camping in designated sites, and special rules apply to public land in the area. See Crown land camping.

Drumheller and the Badlands

Getting there: Northeast of Calgary, typically about an hour and a half by highway.

Why RVers love it: Dramatic badlands, hoodoos and dinosaur fossils, including the Royal Tyrrell Museum. A good early or late-season trip, when the mountains are still cold.

Practical notes:

• The road descends steeply into the Red Deer River valley. Use a lower gear and take it slow with a heavy rig.
• Summer heat in the valley can be intense compared with Calgary. Check your A/C before you go (RV air conditioner not cooling: what to check before calling for service) and carry plenty of water.
• Dinosaur Provincial Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Brooks, is a further drive southeast and makes a great addition to a badlands trip. Its campground is booked through Alberta Parks.
• Badlands soil turns very slippery when wet. Stay on paved and designated roads, especially after rain.

Waterton Lakes National Park

Getting there: In the southwest corner of Alberta, typically around three hours south of Calgary.

Why RVers love it: Where the prairies meet the mountains, with a quieter feel than Banff, a lakeside townsite and big views.

Practical notes:

• Wind: Waterton is known for strong winds. Secure awnings and loose gear, retract awnings when you leave the site, and be careful with high-profile rigs on exposed roads.
• A wildfire in 2017 (the Kenow fire) affected large parts of the park. Some areas and facilities have been rebuilt since. Check Waterton Lakes National Park for current conditions and campground details.
• Combine it with a southwest Alberta loop through the foothills and Crowsnest Pass area.

Before you go

• Check your RV's height for low-clearance spots and fuel stations.
• Work through the pre-trip checklist.
• Plan drive days conservatively. Mountain travel with an RV is slower than map apps suggest.