Canada is the land of vast nature, beautiful lakes and many animals. To experience this to the fullest and get the most out of your trip to Canada, you do it best by camping! Picture it: in the middle of nature, enjoying the surroundings by a crackling campfire under the clear starry sky. But maybe also have a lot of questions like: How do you reserve a campsite? What about wild bears? What facilities are available? Having traveled across Canada for several weeks, we give you the answer to all these questions and more practical tips before you go camping in Canada!
1) Before you go camping in Canada
Those who travel to Canada do so primarily for the beautiful nature. In Canada, then, there is no shortage of national parks. The most beautiful campsites are also located in these national parks such as Banff or Jasper , and we recommend always staying at one of them. Those who want access to the national parks are required to have a “Parks Canada Pass“ which gives you access to all national parks in Canada. The most economical pass is a “Discovery Pass” that is valid per vehicle. It costs $151.25 CAD or €102 and is valid for one year after purchase. You buy such a pass online or at one of the toll booths in the national parks.
2) By tent or by motor home?
Those who want to go camping in Canada have many options in this regard. You can rent a car and bring your own tent or buy it on site. By renting a car, you are often cheaper than renting an RV or mobile home. The advantage is also that it is easier to get around with a car and you can really go into the wilderness with your tent like backcountry camping.
Nevertheless, we ourselves have traveled around Canada in an RV and can highly recommend it! Again, you have several options. You can choose a campervan or converted van by looking on the rental platform Outdoorsy. On this platform, people rent out their RVs or mobile homes of all shapes and sizes on the spot. Do you really want to travel in comfort? Then go for a mobile home such as those offered by Cruise Canada. Here you feel like you are camping in a small hotel room. These mobile homes are equipped with a double bed, kitchenette with microwave and toilet and shower. In short, everything you need close to you on four wheels and that in the middle of nature! Keep in mind here that you will need to recharge your RV every few nights, so you should book campsites that provide this.
TRAVEL TIP : To travel around with these vehicles, a B driver’s license is sufficient. In Canada, however, you must be at least 21 years old to drive. Play it safe by applying for an international driver’s license.
3) Types of campsites
Now that you know what you will be traveling around Canada in, you can start looking for the nicest campsites! There is no shortage of campsites, but it is still important to get there in time. The finest campsites are located in national parks and are managed by Parks Canada. Prices can vary slightly by province but on average you will spend between $20 CAD and $50 CAD per night. These campsites are “basic” and not like the campsites in Europe. You will often find a communal washroom block with toilets and showers and sometimes communal barbecues. Other than that, there is not much, sometimes no phone reception. But the sites at these campsites are very spacious, in the middle of nature and often you also have a campfire pit to light a campfire at night!
Frontcountry vs. backcountry camping
There is also another difference in the campsites of the national parks. Most campsites are “frontcountry campsites” as described above. These campsites are easily reached by car or RV. If you really want to go deep into the Canadian wilderness and deconnect for a while, then backcountry camping is for you. These campsites can only be reached on foot, or sometimes even by kayak, and for this you will need a tent. These campsites often consist of a platform for pitching your tent, picnic tables and a simple toilet. You won’t find anything else here, and often you won’t have coverage. This is only recommended if you have experience camping in the wilderness and you already have the right equipment with you.
RV parks
In addition to national park campgrounds, you also have private campgrounds, often called “RV parks” or “RV resorts. These campsites tend to be more expensive than national park campsites but also have a lot more amenities. Often you will find restaurant or store, washing machines, there is WiFi and sometimes even a swimming pool or playground. The downside is that you won’t be sleeping in the middle of nature and you’ll have less of that idyllic setting for which Canada is so well known.
4) Booking campsites
Those who want to go camping in Canada need to get there early! The most popular campsites such as in Banff and Jasper national parks are often fully booked months in advance. So first plot your route for your round trip in Canada and then secure your campsites early. If you travel off-season in the months of June or September, you don’t need to book all your campsites in advance. For backcountry camping, though, this is recommended.
If you want to stay at one of the campsites of the national parks in Canada you can make all your reservations on the official Parks Canada website . Here you can filter by province and national park and then see which places are still available. When booking, you should also specify what kind of vehicle you are traveling in and how long it is. Most campsites are equipped with a campfire pit, but to use it you often have to purchase an additional “fire permit” when booking your campsite. At some campsites this is mandatory, at others you can choose whether to take it or not. Wood is often found at on-site campsites and can be purchased for a small additional cost.
You will find that some campsites have “first come, first serve” signs. You cannot book these campsites in advance. If you want a seat, it is best not to arrive too late in the day because whoever arrives first has a seat first. Paying is therefore done on the spot with the ranger. For this type of camping, it is convenient to have some cash in your pocket. To reserve a spot at an RV park, it is best to book by phone or look for a website where you can book.
5) Camping and bears
Canada wouldn’t be Canada without its many animals. When you travel around Canada, chances are you will encounter animals such as squirrels, deer and bears. These are the animals that also like to come and have a look at the campsites, which is of course quite exciting! We ourselves were nervous at the idea of a bear coming sniffing our camper or tent at night. But the chances of this happening are incredibly small if you take the right measures.
How do I keep bears away from my campsite?
First of all, bears are often more afraid of you than you are of them. Bears have a strong sense of smell, which is the main reason a bear would pass by where you are camping. Therefore, it is very important not to leave anything lying around that gives off odor! Keep all your food, drinks and toiletries such as toothpaste in your car or RV or in a bear locker that is often provided at campgrounds. Make sure no food leftovers are left at your campsite and throw everything in the bins with a special bear lock. There are also fines for this and rangers strictly monitor this. So always make sure the place is tidy, for your safety and that of the bears.
What if I encounter a bear?
The chance of encountering a bear, whether you are hiking or camping, always exists. By making enough noise, however, you reduce that chance. Most bears go away when they hear people and won’t do anything to you. If you go hiking make enough noise by talking loudly. You are often not alone at campsites, and there are always people on most hikes as well, so that makes the chances of encountering a bear very slim.
In addition, it is highly recommended that you carry a canister of bear spray with you when traveling around Canada (even when not camping). Bear spray is a type of pepper spray that you can use as a last resort to keep a bear at bay. However, you should only use this if there is really no other way, in the unlikely event that a bear attacks you. Be sure to check out how to use bear spray beforehand, as it often comes with a safety pin and you also need to consider how the wind sits. Bearspray can be found in stores such as Canadian Tire.
6) Helpful tips for camping in Canada
Finally, we’d like to give you some helpful tips before you go camping in Canada:
- For a complete listing of all campgrounds in Canada, use apps such as “WikiCamps Canada. If you rent an RV, you also often get a booklet with tips for camping in Canada and where.
- Most campsites do not have cooking facilities. So make sure you bring enough of your own, such as a gas stove (usually present in RVs), plates and cutlery and, of course, food and drinks.
- At night it can get very chilly so provide plenty of layers to dress against the cold nights
- Don’t forget to bring anti-mosquito spray
- Also provide a flashlight for when you need to go to the bathroom at night
With these tips, you’ll be all set to go on your own camping adventure in beautiful Canada! By the way, did you know that Canada is the second largest country in the world? Discover the world’s greatest countries here.
Still have questions about camping in Canada? Let us know in a comment below! Looking for more information about your next trip? Please do not hesitate to contact us or send an email to snoezelsontheroad@gmail.com
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