Notable Campgrounds
- Best for history buffs: Illecillewaet Campground follows an old railroad grade and is big on rail history.
- Best for hikers: Backcountry campsites are great options for experienced campers and hikers.
- Best for families: Loop Brook Campground is an intimate campground with only 20 campsites.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- Campsites at Illecillewaet Campground are first-come, first-served, while Loop Brook campsites can be booked in advance. Backcountry camping requires a permit.
- Glacier’s campgrounds can be reserved for stays between late June and early September.
- Holiday weekends are always busy—Victoria Day (third Monday in May), Canada Day (July 1), BC Day (first Monday in August), and Labour Day (first Monday in September).
When to Go
Glacier National Park is busiest in July and August, but the vast majority of traffic on the Trans-Canada highway is passing through en route to Calgary or Vancouver and does not stop overnight. High alpine trails are often snow-covered until mid-July, but low-elevation trails are suitable for snowshoes in winter. Backcountry skiing is popular from November to May. Subalpine wildflower meadows are a riot of colour in mid-summer and into fall.
Know Before You Go
- The Trans-Canada Highway is subject to closure due to avalanche control in winter.
- Grizzly bears, black bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats can often be seen and appreciated, but visitors need to keep their distance.
- None of Glacier’s campgrounds have shower facilities.
Nearby Attractions
- For a refreshing, serene getaway, camping near Johnson Lake is a must. Plunge into the crystal clear waters and enjoy the unique Johnson Lake camping experience, full of relaxing swims, calming nature trails, and enchanting lakeside picnics.
- For those seeking tranquility and incredible scenery, camping near Maligne Lake is a dream. The Maligne Lake camping experience encompasses the awe-inspiring beauty of glacier-fed waters, lush forests, and abundant wildlife, creating an unforgettable getaway.
Glacier National Park
Lofty peaks, picturesque freight trains, and tumbling glaciers await.
Glacier-clad mountains welcome campers in Canada’s Glacier National Park, not to be confused with the U.S. park of the same name in Montana. Accessed via the Trans-Canada Highway and set near Rogers Pass, the park’s primary campgrounds are in a relatively flat area of the park and prime starting points for treks along wildflower-studded trails to reach snow-covered glaciers. Backcountry campsites are also available with a permit. Near the park’s western entrance, the Hemlock Grove boardwalk trail encircles towering trees located in an interior rainforest.
Glacier-clad mountains welcome campers in Canada’s Glacier National Park, not to be confused with the U.S. park of the same name in Montana. Accessed via the Trans-Canada Highway and set near Rogers Pass, the park’s primary campgrounds are in a relatively flat area of the park and prime starting points for treks along wildflower-studded trails to reach snow-covered glaciers. Backcountry campsites are also available with a permit. Near the park’s western entrance, the Hemlock Grove boardwalk trail encircles towering trees located in an interior rainforest.
Notable Campgrounds
- Best for history buffs: Illecillewaet Campground follows an old railroad grade and is big on rail history.
- Best for hikers: Backcountry campsites are great options for experienced campers and hikers.
- Best for families: Loop Brook Campground is an intimate campground with only 20 campsites.
Read more...Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
Glacier National Park is busiest in July and August, but the vast majority of traffic on the Trans-Canada highway is passing through en route to Calgary or Vancouver and does not stop overnight. High alpine trails are often snow-covered until mid-July, but low-elevation trails are suitable for snowshoes in winter. Backcountry skiing is popular from November to May. Subalpine wildflower meadows are a riot of colour in mid-summer and into fall.
Know Before You Go
Nearby Attractions