Permits | Quiet Hours | Campfires | Fishing
Alcohol & Campfires | Etiquette | Generators | Failure to Comply
Where to Camp
Permits
Campers must acquire the following permits to camp in Banff National Park:
-
Park Permit – available at Banff National Park entry gates, visitor centres and campground kiosks
-
Camping permit – available at campground or self-registration kiosks
Quiet Hours
Excessive noise is not permitted at any time of the day. Any disturbance should be reported immediately to Park Wardens or park staff.
- Quiet hours are in effect from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- During quiet hours, music, campfires and alcohol are prohibited.
- Only site occupants are allowed on a campsite after 11 p.m.
Campfires
In order to keep your campfire safe for you and for the environment, adhere to the following regulations:
-
Fire Permit - Each registered party wanting to have a campfire must purchase a fire permit for $8.80 per site per night (includes firewood). Permits are available at the campground or self-registration kiosk.
-
Fire Size - To reduce the negative impact of campfires on the environment, keep your fires to a reasonable size; fires must be contained within the firebox provided. It is illegal to have a fire outside of a designated location.
-
Wood - Use wood that is provided within the campground. Do not burn garbage or collect deadfall from the surrounding forest for burning.
-
Times - Campfires are not permitted during quiet hours (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.). Fires must be attended at all times. Please review the Alcohol and Fire Bans section for more information.
Fishing
A Parks Canada fishing permit is required. Permits are available at all mountain parks visitor centres.
Alcohol and Campfire Policies
From May to September, a number of policies are in place to ensure visitors get a good night's sleep. Daily alcohol consumption and fire bans are in effect at the campgrounds listed below. On long weekends, a full alcohol ban on the possession of alcohol will also be in effect at most campgrounds.
| Campground |
Daily Alcohol and Campfire Ban |
May Long weekend Alcohol ban |
Long Weekend Ban |
| Tunnel Mountain Village 1 |
X |
X |
X |
| Tunnel Mountain Village 2 |
X |
X |
X |
| Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court |
X |
X |
X |
| Two Jack Main |
|
X |
X |
| Two Jack Lakeside |
X |
X |
X |
| Johnston Canyon |
X |
|
X |
| Castle Mountain |
X |
|
X |
| Cascade Overflow |
X |
|
X |
| Lake Louise |
|
X |
X |
| Mosquito Creek |
|
X |
X |
| Protection Mountain |
|
|
X |
Alcohol and Campfire Ban: Campgrounds where alcohol consumption and fires are not permitted during quiet hours (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) Full Alcohol Ban on Long Weekends: Policies are in effect from 7 a.m. on Friday until noon on Monday.
May Long Weekend Ban: Friday, May 17 - Monday, May 20
Canada Day Weekend Ban: Friday, June 28 - Monday, July 1
Heritage Day Weekend Ban: Friday, August 2 - Monday, August 5
Labour Day Weekend Ban: Friday, August 30 - Monday, September 2
You can ensure you're a good neighbour, and guarantee a good camping experience for yourself, by respecting and adhering to the following guidelines:
-
Washing Dishes - Use the outdoor sink or a personal basin for washing dishes (not the bathrooms, where space is limited).
-
Washing Laundry - Please use your own tub and dump water down the outdoor sink or toilets. Laundry facilities are available in the Town of Banff.
-
Recycling - Bottles and cans (refundable containers) can be recycled in each campground near designated washroom buildings.
-
Children - To ensure the safety of your children, please supervise them at all times. Children may become lost in the campground or may unknowingly trespass on a neighbouring campsite.
-
Driving - Respect the posted speed limits and remain alert while driving in the campground. Trees may obstruct your view and pedestrians, especially children, may suddenly dart out onto the road.
-
Accessing Facilities - Please use roadways and pathways to access campground facilities (cook shelters, bathrooms, etc.) and your own campsite. Cutting through a neighbouring campsite will disturb other campers and may cause damage to the fragile vegetation.
Generator Use
Generator use is only permitted between the hours of 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. daily, in order to provide campers with a quiet and enjoyable experience.
Failure to Comply
Campers who fail to comply with the 'Bare' Campsite Program and the above regulations may have their camping permit revoked, without a refund, and may be charged under the Canada National Parks Act and National Parks Campground Regulations. The permit holder is responsible for ensuring the campsite is maintained in a satisfactory condition.