Happiest Outdoors

11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies

By: Author Taryn Eyton

Posted on Published: September 26, 2023  - Last updated: October 18, 2024

11 Best Backpacking Trips in the Canadian Rockies

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 most 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.

Google Map showing the locations of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies

Table of Contents

Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park

A hiker enjoying the view of glaciers at Berg Lake in 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

Maccarib Pass in the Tonquin Valley in Jasper National Park

Duration: 2 to 5 days

Distance: 43 km point-to-point hike

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

Hiking above treeline near Big Shovel Pass on the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park - one of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies

Distance: 44 km point-to-point hike

Elevation Gain: 1330 m

Best Months: Mid-July to mid-September

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 .

A woman wearing a large backpack walks along the Howe Sound Crest Trail with the Lions in the background.

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Brazeau Loop, Jasper National Park

View along the Brazeau Loop in 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

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.

Yoho Valley Loop/Iceline Trail, Yoho National Park

Three hikers with large backpacking packs on the Iceline Trail (part of the Yoho Valley Loop) in Yoho National Park. They are walking through a rocky landscape with glaciers on the mountain behind them.

Duration: 2 to 3 days

Distance: 28 km loop

Elevation Gain: 1700 m

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: Read my Yoho Valley Loop trail guide .

Lake O’Hara, Yoho National Park

View from Opabin Prospect at Lake O'Hara in Yoho National Park

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.

Skoki Loop, Banff National Park

Duration: 3 to 4 days

Distance: 37 km loop

Elevation Gain: 780 m

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

Luellen Lake on the Sawback Trail in Banff National Park

Duration: 4 to 7 days

Distance: 74 km point-to-point hike

Elevation Gain: 730 m

Best Months: Late July to September

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.

Egypt Lake (Gibbon, Whistling, and Healy Passes), Banff National Park

Egypt Lake, Scarab Lake, and Mummy Lake in Banff National Park seen from the top of Pharaoh Peak

Duration: 2-4 days

Distance: 24.6 km round trip to Egypt Lake only or 38.7 km point-to-point hike

Elevation Gain: 510 to 1270 m

Best Months: Mid-July to September

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 my Egypt Lake Trail guide for more info.

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

Floe Lake in Kootenay National Park

Duration: 3 to 5 days

Distance: 55 km point-to-point hike

Elevation Gain: 2260 m

Best Months: Late July to mid-September

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.

Mount Assiniboine, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park

Sunburst Peak from Nublet Peak at Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park - one of the best backpacking trips in the Canadian Rockies

Duration: 4 to 6 days

Distance: 52 to 55 km round trip

Elevation Gain: 430-480 m

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.

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.

  • 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
  • Egypt Lake, Banff Backpacking Guide
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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

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.

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Guided Hiking, Backpacking and Walking Tours and Trips in Banff and Jasper

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Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska offers scheduled hiking and backpacking trips to different areas of the Canadian Rockies. Each program has its own unique ambiance, beauty, and challenge. These trips can be arranged for private groups if our scheduled departures don’t suit you. Canadian Rockies Hiking by Yamnuska’s backpacking adventures are great escapes. As days… Continue Reading

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Hiking and walking in the Canadian Rockies is some of the best in the world! One experiences a unique ambiance of incredible scenery, mountain culture, and natural history. Access to beautiful terrain is easy and the scenery is second to none. Whether staying in comfortable hotels and lodges in the famous Canadian Rockies resorts of… Continue Reading

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Yamnuska Mountain Adventures offers a variety of specialty and custom programs. Our hiking and backpacking cross-over programs include scrambling, leadership, and wilderness first aid. Yamnuska Mountain Adventures also has an extensive course listing for rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, avalanche safety, backcountry skiing, and our flag ship program, the 3-month mountain skills semesters that are… Continue Reading

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Yamnuska offers a full schedule of winter adventure programs. The snow brings new beauty and challenges to the mountains, but with the correct equipment and knowledge, it also can make travel in the backcountry easier and return trips down the slopes much more fun! Winter is a beautiful time of year to be out exploring… Continue Reading

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The majestic Canadian Rockies are home to Canada's best front country and backcountry hiking. The mountain trails of Banff, Lake Louise, Jasper and Canmore offer stunning views with incredible guided hiking and walking experiences for the beginner and experienced hiker. Our Canadian Rockies Hiking programs are high quality hiking, trekking and walking trips throughout the national and provincial parks of Alberta and British Columbia, Canada lead by certified guides. We are a full service guiding company who has been operating in Banff and the Canadian Rockies since 1977 so our trips are truly the 'best of the Rockies'. Single or multi-day hiking and backpacking adventures are our specialty with guest service and safety as our main focus. Our low guide to guest ratios ensure you have the best possible experience.

We have trips designed for all levels of interest and ability. Explore the natural wonders of the Rocky Mountains with our certified and knowledgeable guides for an exceptional experience of personal growth, challenge, and unforgettable memories!

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