The Canadian Rockies’ Best Backpacking Trips

A deep valley in which a river flows. The Icefields Parkway follows the river.
Along the Icefields Parkway. Photo by Jordan Vincent

The Canadian Rockies are just as wild and rugged as their American counterparts. Luckily, Parks Canada has made the best parts of it accessible to backpackers.

With its turquoise lakes, massive glaciers, towering peaks, and abundant wildlife, you can’t help but feel touched by the beauty of this place.

Here are my six favorite backpacking trips. They’re conveniently located near the towns of Banff and Jasper, the perfect basecamps for adventures.

When to go? The best time to go is from July to September. Every month has its pros and cons. You might encounter leftover snow in July. August is the most crowded, while September is when it starts getting chillier.

Permits. All these trips require wilderness permits. See below for current availabilities and permit requirements. Permits open up in January/February and run out quickly, but we can notify you when we find cancellations.

#1

Mount Assiniboine

Mount Assiniboine and Sunburst Peaks at sunrise in front of Og Lake.
Mount Assiniboine and Sunburst Peaks from Nub Peak. Photo by Jordan Vincent

Mount Assiniboine, nicknamed the “Matterhorn of the Rockies”, is the classic backpacking trip near Banff. It’s also an extremely popular hike, so you’ll want to book your campsite at Lake Magog early.

For an easier start, the Sunshine Village Gondola can bring you up to the top of the resort and save 3 miles and 1,500 feet of elevation gain.

If you prefer loops, you can start from Bryant Creek Trailhead. It’s a little harder to plan since you must book campsites in both Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park and Banff National Park.

Map and permit info

Permit availability

Updated every 10 min

September
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
Reservations have passed

Click for details

2
Reservations have passed

Click for details

3
Reservations have passed

Click for details

4
Reservations have passed

Click for details

5
Reservations have passed

Click for details

6
Reservations have passed

Click for details

7
Reservations have passed

Click for details

8
Reservations have passed

Click for details

9
Reservations have passed

Click for details

10
Reservations have passed

Click for details

11
Reservations have passed

Click for details

12
Reservations have passed

Click for details

13
Reservations have passed

Click for details

14
Reservations have passed

Click for details

15
Reservations have passed

Click for details

16
Reservations have passed

Click for details

17
Reservations have passed

Click for details

18
Reservations have passed

Click for details

19
Reservations have passed

Click for details

20
Reservations have passed

Click for details

21
Reservations have passed

Click for details

22
Reservations have passed

Click for details

23
Reservations have passed

Click for details

24
Reservations have passed

Click for details

25
Reservations have passed

Click for details

26
Reservations have passed

Click for details

27
Reservations have passed

Click for details

28
Reservations have passed

Click for details

290
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

300
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

#2

The Rockwall Trail

Tumbling Peak looming over the trail.
Tumbling Peak. Photo by Jordan Vincent

I wouldn’t be surprised if this trail inspired The Wall in Game of Thrones. For 20 miles, the Rockwall follows an impassable cliff from which hanging glaciers tumble down. A challenging, but rewarding hike.

It’s a point-to-point hike, so you’ll need to find a way to get back to your car. Hitch-hiking is a common option.

Map and permit info

Permit availability

Updated every 10 min

September
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
Reservations have passed

Click for details

2
Reservations have passed

Click for details

3
Reservations have passed

Click for details

4
Reservations have passed

Click for details

5
Reservations have passed

Click for details

6
Reservations have passed

Click for details

7
Reservations have passed

Click for details

8
Reservations have passed

Click for details

9
Reservations have passed

Click for details

10
Reservations have passed

Click for details

11
Reservations have passed

Click for details

12
Reservations have passed

Click for details

13
Reservations have passed

Click for details

14
Reservations have passed

Click for details

15
Reservations have passed

Click for details

16
Reservations have passed

Click for details

17
Reservations have passed

Click for details

18
Reservations have passed

Click for details

19
Reservations have passed

Click for details

20
Reservations have passed

Click for details

21
Reservations have passed

Click for details

22
Reservations have passed

Click for details

23
Reservations have passed

Click for details

24
Reservations have passed

Click for details

25
Reservations have passed

Click for details

26
Reservations have passed

Click for details

27
Reservations have passed

Click for details

28
Reservations have passed

Click for details

290
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

300
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

#3

Lake O’Hara

View of the Lake O’Hara valley as seen from the Yukness Ledges. A dense forest surrounds Lake O’Hara and Mary Lake. Snow-capped mountains are visible in the background.
Lake O’Hara and Mary Lake viewed from Yukness Ledges. Photo by Jordan Vincent

Lake O’Hara is most often done as a day-hike. A shuttle can drop you of at the lake to avoid the 7-mile approach. Getting a seat on the shuttle is competitive, but spots are reserved for those staying at the Lake O’Hara campground.

From the Lake O’Hara campground, the Yukness Ledges Alpine Route offers the best views of Lake O’Hara. It’s a short 7.5-mile loop with 2,500 feet of elevation gain.

Map and permit info

Permit availability

Updated every 10 min

September
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
Reservations have passed

Click for details

2
Reservations have passed

Click for details

3
Reservations have passed

Click for details

4
Reservations have passed

Click for details

5
Reservations have passed

Click for details

6
Reservations have passed

Click for details

7
Reservations have passed

Click for details

8
Reservations have passed

Click for details

9
Reservations have passed

Click for details

10
Reservations have passed

Click for details

11
Reservations have passed

Click for details

12
Reservations have passed

Click for details

13
Reservations have passed

Click for details

14
Reservations have passed

Click for details

15
Reservations have passed

Click for details

16
Reservations have passed

Click for details

17
Reservations have passed

Click for details

18
Reservations have passed

Click for details

19
Reservations have passed

Click for details

20
Reservations have passed

Click for details

21
Reservations have passed

Click for details

22
Reservations have passed

Click for details

23
Reservations have passed

Click for details

24
Reservations have passed

Click for details

25
Reservations have passed

Click for details

26
Reservations have passed

Click for details

27
Reservations have passed

Click for details

28
Reservations have passed

Click for details

290
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

300
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

#4

Tonquin Valley Trail

Horse and rider overlooking Tonquin valley.
Amethyst Lakes and The Ramparts. Photo by Robert Berdan

Tonquin Valley is one of the jewels of Jasper National Park. Camp at Amethyst Lakes to enjoy the reflection of The Ramparts at sunrise.

The trail starts and ends at different trailheads, so you’ll need to find a way to get back to your car after the hike (hitch-hike or bring two cars).

Map and permit info

Permit availability

Updated every 10 min

September
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
Reservations have passed

Click for details

2
Reservations have passed

Click for details

3
Reservations have passed

Click for details

4
Reservations have passed

Click for details

5
Reservations have passed

Click for details

6
Reservations have passed

Click for details

7
Reservations have passed

Click for details

8
Reservations have passed

Click for details

9
Reservations have passed

Click for details

10
Reservations have passed

Click for details

11
Reservations have passed

Click for details

12
Reservations have passed

Click for details

13
Reservations have passed

Click for details

14
Reservations have passed

Click for details

15
Reservations have passed

Click for details

16
Reservations have passed

Click for details

17
Reservations have passed

Click for details

18
Reservations have passed

Click for details

19
Reservations have passed

Click for details

20
Reservations have passed

Click for details

21
Reservations have passed

Click for details

22
Reservations have passed

Click for details

23
Reservations have passed

Click for details

24
Reservations have passed

Click for details

25
Reservations have passed

Click for details

26
Reservations have passed

Click for details

27
Reservations have passed

Click for details

28
Reservations have passed

Click for details

290
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

300
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

#5

The Skyline Trail

Desolate valley with two lakes and a peak (The Watchtower) in the background.
The Watchtower viewed from the Skyline Trail. Photo by Jordan Vincent

The Skyline Trail starts at the beautiful Maligne Lake and follows a ridge line for most of its length. With most of the hike above treeline, the trail rewards you with 360-degree views of Jasper National Park.

It’s a point-to-point hike, so you’ll need to find a way to get back to your car (hitch-hike or bring two cars).

Map and permit info

Permit availability

Updated every 10 min

September
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
Reservations have passed

Click for details

2
Reservations have passed

Click for details

3
Reservations have passed

Click for details

4
Reservations have passed

Click for details

5
Reservations have passed

Click for details

6
Reservations have passed

Click for details

7
Reservations have passed

Click for details

8
Reservations have passed

Click for details

9
Reservations have passed

Click for details

10
Reservations have passed

Click for details

11
Reservations have passed

Click for details

12
Reservations have passed

Click for details

13
Reservations have passed

Click for details

14
Reservations have passed

Click for details

15
Reservations have passed

Click for details

16
Reservations have passed

Click for details

17
Reservations have passed

Click for details

18
Reservations have passed

Click for details

19
Reservations have passed

Click for details

20
Reservations have passed

Click for details

21
Reservations have passed

Click for details

22
Reservations have passed

Click for details

23
Reservations have passed

Click for details

24
Reservations have passed

Click for details

25
Reservations have passed

Click for details

26
Reservations have passed

Click for details

27
Reservations have passed

Click for details

28
Reservations have passed

Click for details

290
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

300
No spots available online

Click to get notified when we find any

#6

Berg Lake Trail

Mount Robson overlooking Berg Lake at sunrise.
Berg Lake and Mount Robson. Photo by Colin Yen

And last but not least, Berg Lake. It doesn’t get more epic than camping in front of the magestic Berg Glacier tumbling down from Mount Robson.

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait to visit. The trail is closed for maintenance and won’t reopen until 2025.

Map and permit info

Permit availability

Updated every 10 min

September
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
1
Closed

Click for details

2
Closed

Click for details

3
Closed

Click for details

4
Closed

Click for details

5
Closed

Click for details

6
Closed

Click for details

7
Closed

Click for details

8
Closed

Click for details

9
Closed

Click for details

10
Closed

Click for details

11
Closed

Click for details

12
Closed

Click for details

13
Closed

Click for details

14
Closed

Click for details

15
Closed

Click for details

16
Closed

Click for details

17
Closed

Click for details

18
Closed

Click for details

19
Closed

Click for details

20
Closed

Click for details

21
Closed

Click for details

22
Closed

Click for details

23
Closed

Click for details

24
Closed

Click for details

25
Closed

Click for details

26
Closed

Click for details

27
Closed

Click for details

28
Closed

Click for details

29
Closed

Click for details

30
Closed

Click for details

And that’s a wrap! Canada has a lot more to offer. Check out the full list of backpacking trips.

Next issue on the 25th

Never miss a permit deadline ever again!

Once a month, receive the list of top permits that are opening up