Kananaskis Backcountry Camping | Best Spots for Backpacking

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Kananaskis Country is a sublime section of Rocky Mountain wIlderness that provides some incredible opportunities for backcountry camping and overnight hiking. Situated just south of Banff National Park, Kananaskis receives far fewer visitors than its world famous neighbor, but offers up an incredible array of jaw dropping peaks, lakes, and glaciers. For the intrepid backpacker, Kananaskis Country offers a myriad of established backcountry campsites that are accessible by trails appropriate for beginners and experts alike. The backcountry campsites in Kananaskis are well maintained and come equipped with pit toilets, tables for cooking/eating, defined tent pads, and bear caches making it easy for beginners to cut their teeth on overnight backpacking without the added stress of storing food, finding a level tent site, or digging a hole to poo . If you’re ready to adventure into some of the Canadian Rockies’ most spectacular scenery, let’s take a look at a few of the incredible backcountry camping spots in Kananaskis.

First, let’s go over a few of the basics.

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Do you need a permit for backcountry camping in Kananaskis?

Yes permits are required for backcountry camping in Kananaskis and you must make a reservation on the Alberta Parks Reservation website up to 90 days in advance of your visit. All permits must be obtained in advance as there are no walk-up permits offered.

Once you have a permit all sites/tent pants are first-come-first serve. You do not reserve the sites themselves.

Do you need a park pass for backcountry camping in Kananaskis?

You will need to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass, if you park a vehicle during your backcountry camping adventure. The cost of this pass is as follows (2024):

Day pass – $15 (registers one vehicle)
Yearly pass – $90 (registers up to 2 vehicles)

How much does it cost to camp in the backcountry in Kananaskis?

Backcountry permits cost $12 per person, per night plus a non-refundable reservation fee of $12 per booking transaction. Up four permits can be reserved per transaction.

Can you have fires while backcountry camping in Kananaskis?

The majority of Kananaskis backcountry campsites allow fires, when local conditions permit (i.e. no fire bans). When you book your permit online, double check the individual site rules for guidance and make sure to check for any local restrictions before heading out.

Can you random camp in Kananaskis?

Random camping is not permitted in any provincial parks and provincial recreation areas in Alberta. That means that you are not allowed to pick campsites at will in large swathes of Kananaskis country including Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. That said, there are several locations in Kananaskis where random camping is allowable. Consult this page for more details if you’re looking to camp off the beaten track.

What gear should you pack for backpacking in Kananaskis?

Backpacking gear is a subjective subject and everyone has a different opinion on what works best for them. If you’re new to backpacking, try to borrow gear from a friend or rent to decide what works for you before making any major investments. You might gravitate towards minimalist ultralight gear or decide that certain creature comforts are literally worth their weight. With this in mind here are few of my recommendations:

Don’t Forget

Travel Insurance with Emergency Medical (if travelling from outside Canada)
Bear Spray (know how to use it!)
Copy of your Backcountry Reservation/Booking
Kananaskis Conservation Pass

Essential Items

Tent
Backpack
Sleeping Mat
Backpacking Pillow
Sleeping Bag or Quilt
Water Purification
Trowel(for emergencies) TP & Hand Sanitizer
Swiss Army Knife
Stove & Fuel Canister
Lighter & Matches
Compact Backcountry Cookset & Spork
Water Bottle or Reservoir
Extra Water Storage Container
First Aid Kit
Trekking Poles
Headlamp with red light mode
GPS app (I like GAIA), Compass & Map
Battery Bank & Charging Cable

Clothing and Accessories

Additional Items

Microspikes (early season only)
Sunscreen & SPF lim balm
Bug Spray
Tooth Brush & Toothpaste tabs in ziplock
Duct Tape (for repairs and blisters)
Food (I love these soups/chilis)

Luxury Items (very optional)

Kananaskis Backcountry Camping Sites

To help you decide on where to go, I’ve sorted the Kananaskis Backcountry campsite sites by difficulty level. Hiking difficulty level is subjective and highly influenced by your fitness level, experience, and pack weight, so use your own judgment to decide which trips/sites may be best for you. If you’re new to backpacking or backcountry camping, start slow. You’re likely to overpack and you may forget a thing or two, fortunately the consequences of your mistakes are much lower when you have the option of hiking out easily if you’re in a bind.

Beginner Friendly Kananaskis Backcountry Camping Spots

These sites are accessible via short trails with limited elevation gain and are the perfect introduction to overnight hiking.

Elbow Lake

Situated only 1.3 km (130 m elevation gain) from the trailhead on highway 40, Elbow lake is an excellent base camp site for backcountry exploration in Kananaskis. Set up camp for a few nights at one of the tent pads around this stunning emerald green lake, and set out on one of the many day hikes in this area including Rae Lake, Tombstone Mountain or Piper Pass. For hikers looking for longer adventures, it is possible to hike to Tombstone or access the Little Elbow – Big Elbow loop. .

Number of sites: 15
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 1.3 KM from trailhead on Highway 40 (Kananaskis Trail)

Jewell Bay

Jewell Bay campground is a popular backcountry camping spot situated on a small bay within the Barrier Lake reservoir. This site is one of the most accessible backcountry sites in Kananaskis lying just inside park boundaries. Although Jewell Bay lacks the remote backcountry feel of some of the other sites on this list, it makes up for it by being accessible by foot, kayak or canoe. If you’re looking to hike in, it’s just over 4 km of flat walking from the Barrier Dam Day use area. Note: This site is presently closed for construction.

Number of sites: 11
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 4 KM from Barrier Dam Day Use Area

Point Campground

The Point campground sits on the shores of Upper Kananaskis Lake with epic lakefront and mountain views. Situated a mere 3.5 KM from the interlakes parking lot with negligible elevation gain, this is one of the best spots for first time backpackers to try their hand at backcountry camping in Kananaskis. For those looking to try their hand at winter camping, this site is one of the few that is open year round.

Number of sites: 20
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 3.5 KM North Interlakes

Quaite Valley

This site often receives lackluster reviews for limited views and road noise, given its proximity to Highway 1. The most common route to access Quaite Valley is via a 4.5 km hike starting from the Heart Creek Parking Area (180 m elevation gain). You’ll spend the first 2.5 km parallelling Highway 1 before cutting up the Quaite Valley to this backcountry campground. The site can also be accessed via a longer hike from Barrier Lake. While the backcountry site is acceptable, the approach hike is one of the worst on this list. There are better options on this list, even if you’re just getting started with backpacking.

Number of sites: 20
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 4.5 KM from Heart Creek Parking Area.

Intermediate Kananaskis Backcountry Camping Spots

Campsites in this section are accessed via slightly longer hikes in and my be more appropriate for those that have a trip or two under their belt.

Big Elbow

Nestled alongside the Elbow river, Big Elbow backcountry campground is an easy 8.5 KM hike (140m elevation gain) from the LIttle Elbow Campground at the end of Highway 66. The sites are well equipped with picnic tables and firepits (firewood provided). Big Elbow campground (along with Romulus and Tombstone)is a great option for those looking to make an extended backcountry trip out of the Big Elbow – Little Elbow Loop. An out and back trip to Big Elbow is a great choice for an introductory backpacking trip.

Number of sites: 10
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 8.5 KM from Little Elbow Campground

Forks

Forks campground is nestled alongside the Upper Kananaskis River and just before the junction where Three Isle Lake Trail and Maude Lawson (Great Divide Trail) meet. This gorgeous little campground provides a wonderful taste of Kananaskis backcountry camping with a low work-to-reward ratio. Lying only 7.7 relatively flat kilometers (only 160m elevation gain) from interlakes parking lot, Forks is an excellent alternative to the more frontcountry feel of the Point campground. An out-and-back trip here is a great option for anyone new to backpacking.

Number of sites: 20
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 7.7 KM from North Interlakes.

Lillian Lake

Typically accessed via the 6.1km Galatea Creek Trail, Lillian Lake is a beautiful mountain lake with 17 campsites. While the distance from highway 40 is very manageable the trail does gain nearly 500m of elevation making it better suited to individuals with some backpacking experience. This site is a great option as a base camp to explore the nearby Galatea Lakes, hike to Lost Like or summit Mount Kidd South.

Number of sites: 17
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 6.1 KM from Galatea Creek Trailhead on Highway 40.

Mount Romulus

Situated on the banks of the Little Elbow River, Mount Romulus is the first backcountry campsite for those making a counter-clockwise circuit of the Little Elbow – Big Elbow loop. It’s an easy 10.2km of walking along a double track/service road that follows alongside the little elbow river with limited (190 m) elevation gain. For those looking to make a multi-day trip, a stay at Mount Romulus can be combined with stops at either Tombstone or Big Elbow to close out the loop.

Number of sites: 10
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 10.2 KM from Little Elbow Campground along Little Elbow Trail.

Ribbon Falls

If you imagine falling asleep to the sound of roaring water, Ribbon Falls campground has your name written all over it. Many of the 10 sites here are within earshot of the incredible Ribbon Falls. To get here it’s an 8.8KM hike into the Ribbon Fall Campground that gains around 370m of elevation as it follows the Ribbon Creek drainage.

Number of sites: 10
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 8.8 KM from Ribbon Creek Parking Area

Tombstone

Tombstone campground provides a convenient spot to camp for exploring the Tombstone lakes (2.5 KM one-way) or as a stopover when completing the Elbow loop. Typically accessed via the Elbow Lake Trailhead it’s a casual 7.5 km hike in with 170m of elevation gain to the campsite. The site provides an incredible work reward ratio with fantastic wide open views and the opportunity for a detour to Edworthy falls. For those with more time, it’s also possible to basecamp from Tombstone and make worthwhile day trips to Piper Pass or Rae Lakes.

Number of sites: 11
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: No
Nearest trailhead distance: 7.5 km from Elbow Lake Trailhead

Kananaskis Backcountry Camping Spots for Experienced Backpackers

These backcountry sites are accessed via lengthy hikes often with significant elevation gain and are recommended for backpackers with higher levels of experience.

Aster Lake

Arguably one of the more challenging backcountry campsites to access in Kananaskis country, Aster lake is commonly used as basecamp site for multiple summit routes that start within striking distance of this subalpine camp. Although the trail beta itself is not overwhelming (11 km with 700 m elevation gain), this hike is best suited to experienced backpackers as it traverses an unmaintained trail along several steep scree sections.

Number of sites: 6
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: No
Nearest trailhead distance: 11 KM North Interlakes

Ribbon Lake

Ribbon Lake Campground lies less than 2 KM from Ribbon Falls, but requires a significant ascent of over 250 m that negotiates the Ribbon headwall with a series of chains and steel rungs. The Ribbon Lake campground is also accessible via a 10.8 km (870 m elevation gain) hike from the Galatea Day Use Area or via a 10.1 km hike from the Buller Mountain Day Use Area (670 m of elevation gain).

Number of sites: 20
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: Yes, but check for restrictions.
Nearest trailhead distance: 10.7 KM from Ribbon Creek Parking Area

Three Isle Lake

Three Isle Lake campground is a lakeside backcountry camp situated at over 2200m and approximately 2 KM from South Kananaskis Pass. This site is broken up into 2 distinct areas with 8 sites per section. The sites located to the south of Three Isle Creek offer lakeside camping options and the northern area is situated in the forest above Three Isle Lake. This is a popular campsite for backpackers looking to complete the Three Isle Lake to Turbine Canyon loop through Height of the Rockies Provincial Park, a great multi-day alternative to the Rockwall Trail. Three Isle Lake is 11km from the Interlakes Parking with 600m of elevation, of which over 350 meters of elevation is gained in the final 2km. Brace yourself for a bun burner…

Number of sites: 16
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: No
Nearest trailhead distance: 11km Interlakes Parking Lot

Turbine Canyon

Situated in the forest to the North of Maude Brooke, Turbine Canyon is another popular site for backpackers looking to complete a loop over North and South Kananaskis pass.A journey to this backcountry campsite takes you up along the Great Divide Trail through alpine meadows and past lawson lake with views of the Haig Glacier to the North. Like it’s cousin Three Isle Lake to the South, the journey up to the campsite is no joke as it gains over 700m of elevation over the 15.4 km from the Interlakes Parking Lot. Turbine Canyon underwent an extensive renovation in 2022, basically ensuring you find a nice level tent pad.

Number of sites: 15
Amenities: Pit Toilet and Bear Lockers
Fires Permitted: No
Nearest trailhead distance: 15.4 km Interlakes Parking Lot

Final Thoughts

Kananaskis country offers an incredible setting for all types of backcountry camping adventures with incredible variety for beginners and seasoned backpackers. As always feel free to drop me a line in the comments below if you have any questions or on this post. Happy trails friends!