TheSamba.com :: View topic - Stealth camping between Banff and Jasper?

Mon Aug 06, 2012 1:01 am

So, we want to show the kiddos these two neat areas and all that is in between. But we'd like to avoid staying in established campgrounds simply because it is our style to be totally self contained and self sufficient.

Anybody have recommended spots to sneak off the 93 along that beautiful stretch of highway? My wife and I have travelled the world and consider the stretch from Lake Louise to Jasper as the most consistently picturesque in the world. We will stop at Lake Maligne to canoe a bit as well.

We'll be traveling in a fully locked LandCruiser wagon with roof tent, so if someone is thinking about a spot that requires a bit of offroad travel to get to - we can handle it. We are very respectful of places we stop, always having a trash bag handy when we run across other people's leavings on the trail.

It will be just one night at each spot as we will travel through this beautiful valley.

Thanks in advance.

Mon Aug 06, 2012 6:56 am

Dude that is in a National Park. I really wouldn't recomend it.

You might like to do the drive as a day trip and camp outside the park, either down past Field, or around Valemount, in BC.

Mon Aug 06, 2012 7:26 am

240Gordy wrote: Dude that is in a National Park. I really wouldn't recomend it.

It seems the term "stealth" was used correctly then!

After all, "stealth camping" is camping where you are not supposed to.

IdahoDoug wrote: My wife and I have travelled the world and consider the stretch from Lake Louise to Jasper as the most consistently picturesque in the world.

Duly noted 8)

THat does look quite nice! Maybe there is some dispersed camping off highway 11 a little to the northeast? You don't have to go far up 11 to get out of the park.

http://goo.gl/maps/SwkoA

Edit- up 11 a bit there is a spot, it looks like there might be a van there in the google sat image, http://goo.gl/maps/UzajP

.

Mon Aug 06, 2012 9:24 am

look out for national forest areas, you usually can find disbursed camping, essentially free camping in the wilds, if you go to the national parks visitor center and ask them where the disbursed camping it, they will tell you

we have been on the road for almost 10 months, and have only spent 1 night in a camp ground, and that was to hang out with friends who were camping there already

Mon Aug 06, 2012 10:54 am

Do not drive your car off the road in that park. There are beautiful campgrounds all through there meant to minimize our impact on that fragile environment. Please just don't do it.

If you want to wild camp I would suggest taking the 5 from Kamloops up to the 16. It's the same environment, beautiful, far fewer people than in the park, and many more side roads and deactivated logging roads to duck up.

Within the park everything is locked down. There aren't any unmonitored roads, there aren't any 4x4 trails, and for good reason. It sees millions of visitors every year, and if every one of them tread lightly off the beaten path the place would be a trash heap.

I stealth all the time in cities where it is truly possible to have no lasting impact. But national parks are the focus of so much intense human activity that it is impossible to tread lightly enough. Your one set of tire tracks will be seen and followed by thousands.

Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:01 am

I also would not recommend stealth camping in these National parks. Firstly very few roads off highway 93, usual short to trail heads or campgrounds. They tend to check them real early in the morning and kick you out if nice, or give you a ticket as well if not. Secondly you are not allowed to drive off road at all, a real no no.
However there is lots of free camping to the south and east of the Parks. I would recommend going to Coleman / Crowsnest Pass, almost to Alta/ B.C border on highway 3, then go north on highway 940 (Gravel). Approx 35 km up 940 is dutch creek road, 42km up is Oldman river road, both go west into the front ranges and have free camping everywhere. You also can camp anywhere along 940 as long as you are south of Kananaskis country.

Once in Kananaskis it is camping in campgrounds only. Continue north, turn left on highway 40 at Highwood house. Highway 40 (paved) will take you over highwood pass to Highway 1, just east of Banff. Spectacular drive as well.

Halfway between Banff and Jasper on 93 is the Saskatchewan River crossing. Go east out of the Parks on Highway 11, at Nordegg go south on 940 (gravel) to around Ram Falls, lots of free camping again.

Go back to the Parks head north to Jasper, again head east out of the Park on highway 16, go north on 940 towards Willmore Wilderness area/ Grande Cache. Again lots of free camping.

Highway 940 basically run parallel to Highway 93 but is East of the National Parks, all still in the the mountains and very nice. It is 940 when gravel and 40 when paved.

Mon Aug 06, 2012 11:17 am

Just a heads up on the fines they impose for stealth camping in a national park. If they found your vehicle off of an established road, you can be sure that this would be much, much, worse for you.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/N-14.01/FullText.html

PARK LANDS
No disposition or use without authority

13. Except as permitted by this Act or the regulations,
(a) no public lands or right or interest in public lands in a park may be disposed of; and
(b) no person shall use or occupy public lands in a park.

24. (1) Every person who contravenes section 13 or a provision of the regulations designated by regulations made under paragraph 16(1)(y) is guilty of an offence and liable
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) in the case of an individual,
(A) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $15,000 and not more than $1,000,000, and
(B) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than $2,000,000

Mon Aug 06, 2012 1:47 pm

The whole country is full of beautiful places for wild camping. In many, you might be the only person there all year, so the impact of your presence can be minimal.

This particular park sees nearly 4 million people each year. It's not crazy to protect a park by preventing people from using it in ways that increase their impact. When 4 million people a year pass through, people where they aren't supposed to be are a serious problem.

It's a national park. It is completely irreplaceable, so it needs protection. It is full of great campgrounds that are well worth the price for a night or two.

Mon Aug 06, 2012 2:21 pm

I have no doubt that Doug could and would be totally responsible in the park. How do I know? I just have a a good gut feeling. I agree however,that in our Natioanl Parks we need to respect and follow the rules of our slightly insane governments.

We just spent 5 nights at Fundy in New Brunswick. It's one of my favorite parks and that includes Banff and Yoho and Jasper! On more than one occasion we were surrounded by idiots with either loud and rude behavior or dogs off leash. All the situations were taken care of but it makes me want to scream and go hide with Doug!

The rules are clear. The fees are high. I am willing to pay to stay. I wish that more would respect the parks and the rules.

Enjoy the drive Doug! It is truly spectacular. (my wife slept the whole way)Jasper is a busy spot but the sites are nice. Two Jack Lake in Banff is beautiful.

Brian

Mon Aug 06, 2012 4:49 pm

Thanks for bringing the Park aspect to my attention. I'm sure I would have realized it after further research, but thanks as I had no idea. Recall seeing small gravel roads here and there wandering off the 93, but absolutely will not stealth camp in the Park now that I'm looking at a map and seeing the boundaries. Hmmm.

Like the tips - am looking at the 11 right now for places to go off and park. We're super low impact as we plan to just pull up, pop the roof tent, put up an awning and some chairs and watch the meteor shower that starts this weekend. I guess that's why I'm hoping to find somewhere to stay that's natural. I worry that the reservation system will push us into an RV park if I list our sleeping accomodations as "in vehicle" and I'm just not into that type of experience. Of the hundreds of nights I've spent camping, just once every other year have they been in an improved campground setting...

Thanks!

Tue Aug 07, 2012 2:31 pm

Strongly recommend Kootenay Plains. A remarkable place, just east of the park on the highway to Rocky Mountain House.

Once you're out of the park, camp where thou whilst. Plenty of back roads and beautiful things to wake up to.

Tue Aug 07, 2012 5:49 pm

If you want a little bit of a challenge, try crossing Gray Creek Pass between Kimberly and Crawford Bay. Road pretty much goes straight up and over a mountain and there is a beautiful view from the top. :)