Every year I make a trip to the Canadian Rockies to go backpacking. I love the glacier views, turquoise lakes, and alpine meadows. Here’s my list of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies. I’ve done about half of the trips on this list and the rest are at the top of my to-do list!
The destinations in this post are all world-class. If you had to pick just one Canadian Rockies backpacking trip, you would love any of the trips on this list.
I’ve chosen trips in Jasper, Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay National Parks as well as ones in Mount Robson and Mount Assiniboine Provincial Parks. The trips range from two to seven days long. Most trips are rated moderate, but a few are challenging.
A quick note: All of the trips on this list are popular destinations in fragile ecosystems. To protect these special places from overcrowding, you must make advance reservations. Info on how to reserve each trip is below.
This is a sensitive wilderness area. Learn how to Leave No Trace to keep the wilderness wild. Make sure you are prepared by bringing the 10 Essentials. Get ready for adventure with this checklist of things to do before every hike.
Curious about where all of these trips are located? I made a handy Google Map for you that shows where you can find each of my picks for the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies. Click on the map to zoom in.
Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park
Heads up: The Berg Lake Trail is partially closed. It suffered extensive damage due to flooding in 2021. In summer 2024, the trail will be open up to Whitehorn Camp only. BC Parks plans to reopen the full trail in 2025.
Duration: 2 to 4 days
Distance: 42 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 800 m
Best Months: July to early September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via BC Parks four months before your trip.
The Trail: The beautiful Berg Lake Trail follows the Robson River uphill past turquoise Kinney Lake and lots of waterfalls. Your destination is Berg Lake where glaciers from Mount Robson calve icebergs into the lake. I was happy we planned a couple extra days at the lake to day hike to Snowbird Pass, Hargreaves Lake, and Toboggan Falls.
More Info: Read my Berg Lake Trail guide.
Did you know you can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group
Tonquin Valley, Jasper National Park
Duration: 2 to 5 days
Distance: 43 km point-to-point hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 900 m
Best Months: mid-July to mid-September.
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada starting on February 1, 2024 at 8 am MT.
The Trail: This is one of the most popular backpacking trips in Jasper National Park thanks to the incredible views of the Ramparts mountain range. The horseshoe-shaped trail lets you do it as a point-to-point hike so you can enjoy new scenery each day. I haven’t done this one yet, but it’s at the top of my to-do list.
More Info: See Jasper National Park for trail info and reservations.
Skyline Trail, Jasper National Park
Duration: 2 to 4 days
Distance: 44 km point-to-point hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1330 m
Best Months: Mid-July to mid-September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada starting on February 1, 2024 at 8 am MT.
The Trail: I loved the Skyline Trail since it spends almost its entire length above the treeline. You get to wander across ridgelines and through high meadows. The trail crosses three passes, and each one has incredible views. I was also lucky enough to spot tons of marmots and some big horn sheep.
More Info: Read my Skyline Trail guide.
Heads up! Thanks to a hiker shuttle, you can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Brazeau Loop, Jasper National Park
Duration: 5 to 7 days
Distance: 81 km loop
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation Gain: 1880 m
Best Months: mid-July to mid-September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada starting on February 1, 2024 at 8 am MT.
The Trail: This lollipop-shaped loop is one of the more challenging backpacking trips in Jasper National Park. The route crosses three wildflower-filled mountain passes and includes several river fords. It is also a great place to spot wildlife including endangered caribou.
More Info: See Jasper National Park for trail info and reservations.
Yoho Valley Loop/Iceline Trail, Yoho National Park
Duration: 2 to 3 days
Distance: 28 km loop
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation Gain: 1700 m
Best Months: Mid-July to mid-September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada on January 29, 2024 at 8 am MT. (See my list of Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know for details.)
The Trail: This beautiful hike in the Yoho Valley incorporates the Iceland and Whaleback Trails to make a loop. Along the way, you will pass by several waterfalls and get great views of glaciers. There are several backcountry campgrounds and huts to stay at.
More Info: See Yoho National Park for trail info and reservations.
Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park
Duration: 2 to 4 days
Distance: 0-22 km round trip
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Elevation Gain: 0-400 m
Best Months: July to September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada on January 25, 2024 at 8 am MT. (See my list of Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know for details.) Or book online via the Alpine Club of Canada 3-6 months before your trip for the Elizabeth Parker Hut.
The Trail: Lake O’Hara isn’t really a backpacking trip, but it is backcountry camping in a pretty stunning location, so I thought it was worth including on this list. If you reserve a campsite at Lake O’Hara or a bunk in the nearby Elizabeth Parker Hut, your booking includes a guaranteed spot on the hard-to-book bus to the lake. From there, you can do the most spectacular hike in the Canadian Rockies: the Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit. If you visit outside of the summer season, you can walk the road (11 km each way) and stay in the hut. This is by far my favourite place in the Canadian Rockies and should be on everyone’s must-do list.
More Info: Get details on this hike in my Lake O’Hara guide. For reservation info, see Yoho National Park. For the Elizabeth Parker Hut, see the Alpine Club of Canada. And join the Lake O’Hara Facebook group for trail conditions and updates.
Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group
Skoki Loop, Banff National Park
Duration: 3 to 4 days
Distance: 37 km loop
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 780 m
Best Months: Mid-July to mid-September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada on January 29, 2024 at 8 am MT.
The Trail: This lollipop loop trip starts near the Lake Louise ski area, and then heads up into the mountains. Your route makes a loop past several picturesque lakes and Skoki Lodge, a National Historic Site. There are lots of options to extend your trip with scrambles up peaks or hikes to nearby lakes.
More Info: See Banff National Park for trail info and reservations.
Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Sawback Trail, Banff National Park
Duration: 4 to 7 days
Distance: 74 km point-to-point hike
Difficulty: Challenging
Elevation Gain: 730 m
Best Months: Late July to September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada on January 29, 2024 at 8 am MT.
The Trail: This is one of the longer backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies. It leads through the mountains between Banff and Lake Louise in a region that sees a bit less traffic than other parts of the park. The route crosses three mountain passes and spends of time in gorgeous alpine meadows.
More Info: See Banff National Park for trail info and reservations.
Egypt Lake (Gibbon, Whistling, and Healy Passes), Banff National Park
Duration: 2-4 days
Distance: 24 km round trip to Egypt Lake only or 40 km point-to-point hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 900 to 1740 m
Best Months: Mid-July to September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada on January 29, 2024 at 8 am MT.
The Trail: This trip takes you up the popular Healy Pass Trail to beautiful Egypt Lake. You can make a base camp there and day hike to nearby lakes and peaks. Another option is to keep hiking on a point-to-point traverse that takes you over Whistling and Gibbon passes to end on Highway 93 at Arnica Lake
More Info: See Banff National Park for trail info and reservations.
Did you know that you can get to this hike without a car?! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
Rockwall Trail, Kootenay National Park
Duration: 3 to 5 days
Distance: 55 km point-to-point hike
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 2260 m
Best Months: Late July to mid-September
Reservations Required: Yes. Book online via Parks Canada on January 29, 2024 at 8 am MT. (See my list of Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know for details.)
The Trail: So far, the Rockwall is my favourite backpacking trip in the Canadian Rockies. It traverses the mountains of Kootenay National Park beside the imposing cliffs of the Rockwall. Almost the entire hike has amazing views of glaciers, alpine lakes, and wildflowers.
More Info: Get details on this hike in my Rockwall Trail guide. For reservation info, see Kootenay National Park. And join the Rockwall Trail Facebook group for trail conditions and updates.
Join the Backpacking in BC Facebook Group
Mount Assiniboine, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park
Duration: 4 to 6 days
Distance: 52 to 55 km round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 430-480 m
Best Months: Mid-July to mid-September
Reservations Required: Yes. For sites at Magog and Og Lakes (the main destination) book online via BC Parks four months before your trip. For sites in Banff National Park on the way to Assiniboine, book online via Parks Canada on January 29, 2024 at 8 am MT. (See my list of Backpacking Reservation Dates You Need to Know for details.)
The Trail: The hikes around Magog Lake in Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park are incredible. But it’s a long hike to get there – most groups hike in from either the Sunshine or Mount Shark trailheads over two days. Thankfully both options have incredible scenery along the way.
More Info: More Info: Get details in my huge Mount Assiniboine hiking guide. See Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park for reservations. See Banff National Park for info on access trails and reservations for camping on those trails. Join the Mount Assiniboine Facebook group for the latest updates and trail conditions.
Psst! You can get to this hike without a car! It’s on my list of car-free backpacking trips in BC.
How many of these backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies have you done? And what other trips should be on this list? Leave them in the comments.
READ NEXT:
- Berg Lake Trail: The Ultimate Hiking Guide
- Lake O’Hara Camping and Hiking Guide (Yoho National Park)
- Rockwall Trail Guide: Everything You Need to Know
- Hike the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park
- Mount Assiniboine Hiking Guide
- 31 Best Backpacking Trips in BC
- Backpacking Checklist: Gear You Need To Go Backpacking
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Rebecca
Thursday 4th of April 2024
Appreciate this guide, thank you for it. I'd like to note that the bus ride for camping reservations is not free and suggest you update that point. I have a reservation for this summer and my booking included a bus ride fee of $24 RT.
Taryn Eyton
Thursday 4th of April 2024
Good point Rebecca and poor wording on my part. What I meant was that you get a guaranteed bus ride as part of your camping or hut booking. But yes, you still have the pay for the bus. I've updated the post to reflect that. And my Lake O'Hara guide, which is linked from that section, has lots more details about booking the bus, campground, and hut.