Discovery collection

Best National Parks for Camping

Drive-in loops, oTENTik villages and lake-edge tent pads — these are the parks where camping is the experience, not an afterthought.

Who it's for

Tent and RV campers, families.

Best season

June–September; reservations from January.

Editor's tip

Book the day reservations open — Banff and Pacific Rim sell out in minutes.

Filter by province

RockiesUNESCO

Alberta

Banff National Park

Canada's first national park — and still the one against which the rest are measured.

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RockiesUNESCO

Alberta

Jasper National Park

The wilder, quieter, darker-skied sibling of Banff.

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RockiesUNESCO

British Columbia

Yoho National Park

'Yoho' is a Cree expression of awe — and the park earns it.

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RockiesUNESCO

British Columbia

Kootenay National Park

From cactus to glacier in a single afternoon.

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RockiesUNESCO

Alberta

Waterton Lakes National Park

Where the prairie meets the peaks — abruptly and beautifully.

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Rockies

British Columbia

Glacier National Park

131 glaciers, the wettest mountain weather in Canada, and the storied Rogers Pass.

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Pacific

British Columbia

Pacific Rim National Park Reserve

Surf-pounded sand, rainforest cathedrals, and the West Coast Trail.

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Pacific

British Columbia

Gulf Islands National Park Reserve

Arbutus-fringed islets between Vancouver Island and the mainland.

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Prairies

Alberta

Elk Island National Park

Free-roaming plains and wood bison on Edmonton's doorstep.

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BorealUNESCO

Alberta / Northwest Territories

Wood Buffalo National Park

Canada's largest national park — and the world's largest dark-sky preserve.

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Boreal

Saskatchewan

Prince Albert National Park

Where the boreal forest, aspen parkland and prairie meet.

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Prairies

Saskatchewan

Grasslands National Park

Canada's only mixed-grass prairie park — and one of its darkest skies.

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Common questions

Best National Parks for Camping — FAQ

Which national park has the best camping in Canada?+

Banff and Jasper are the marquee answers — but Fundy, Prince Edward Island, Pacific Rim and Riding Mountain rival them with smaller crowds. The 'best' depends on what you want: oTENTiks, RV hookups, beachfront, or true backcountry.

When do Parks Canada campground reservations open?+

Mid-January through early March, staggered by park. Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay typically open first; Atlantic parks in February.

Is camping cheaper at provincial parks?+

Often yes — provincial sites typically run $25–$40 versus $30–$45 for federal. See our provincial park camping guide for region-by-region picks.

Other collections

Keep exploring.

Best National Parks for Wildlife Best National Parks for Families Best National Parks for RV Travel Best National Parks for Photography Best Hidden Gem National Parks Best National Parks for Hiking National Parks by Province

Need help choosing?

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