Waterfowl Lakes Campground🏕️

This is definitely in my top 2-3 favourite campgrounds on the icefields. Wooded, glacier-valley campground between Upper and Lower Waterfowl Lakes. The perfect base midway along the icefields between Banff & Jasper. Great for relaxing by the lakes and soaking in the views.

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📅 SEASON

• Typically open from June 18 to September 6

• First-Come, First-Served Campground

• Unserviced

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🏕️ SITES

• 110 unserviced sites for tents & RVs (max 9 meters long)

• Each site includes a fire pit and picnic table

• Pets Allowed?: Yes - Must be leashed at all times

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💵 FEES

• Stay: $26.75 CAD (per night)

• Fire permit: $12.00-$17.00 CAD (per day)

• Parks Pass: Parks Canada Pass Required

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FACILITIES & SERVICES

• 🚻 Toilets?: Yes (flush toilets) & Outhouse

• 💧 Drinking water?: Yes

• 🚻 Showers?: No

• ♿ Accessible facilities?: Yes

• 🛖 Shelter (cooking/picnic)?: Yes

• 🔥 Firepits?: Yes

• 🔒 Food storage lockers?: Yes

• 🗑 Sani-dump?: On-site

• 🛜 Cell service?: No

• 🗒 Note: Ask about the free Saturday evening interpretive programs hosted by Parks Canada at the campground theatre

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🛶🏊 PADDLEBOARDING & SWIMMING

You might see some people jumping in the lake for a short and quick dip too. It will be on the cold side since it's glacial, so don't stay in too long unless you want hypothermia - but on a hot summer day, it can for sure be a refresh from the 30 degree heat!

Although you can't rent any at the lake itself, there are a few places in Banff and Canmore that you can rent paddleboards & kayaks from. In this case, it's probably best to do a quick google of "Banff/Canmore paddleboard rental" and go with one that suits your location best, whether you are staying in Banff or Canmore.

Be sure to check the Banff Water Activity Advisory before heading out onto any lake.

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🔗 BOOKINGS & DETAILS

• Click: Banff Camping for more details.

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✅ TIPS FROM DEV, LINKS & SAFETY

• Pack bear spray and store food properly - you are in bear country.

• Bring an axe if you’re planning fires. The included wood often needs splitting.

• Great home base for trails like Chephren Lake, Cirque Lake, quick lakeside wanders, and more.

• High bear and moose activity area - Always keep your distance from wildlife, carry bear spray, and travel safely.

• There little to no cell coverage along the Icefields Parkway (Although, you 'might' get a brief signal at the nearby Saskatchewan River Crossing Resort).

• Not only is this campground very popular in the summer, its also a first-come, first-served campground, so I highly recommend getting here earlier in the day to be sure you get a spot. For more details see: Banff Camping