Kootenay National Park campgrounds

Some of the best wilderness adventures in all of BC are those in Kootenay National Park (KNP) campgrounds. The park is camper-friendly,  the scenery spectacular, wildlife is abundant and it’s within an easy drive of Alberta.

KNP has a camping adventure for you and your family this summer. Whether you like camping under the stars, in a tent, a trailer, a motorhome or even something a little more comfortable (like an oTENTik), you and thousands of other outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy a perfect summer vacation right here.  You can choose from 3 Kootenay National Park campgrounds, each with magnificent scenery, plenty of hiking trails, abundant wildlife for viewing – and all of them close to the hot pools at Radium Hot Springs BC.

Redstreak Campground

Redstreak Campground

Redstreak is the largest of the Kootenay National Park campgrounds, located only 2km north of Radium Hot Springs, with shopping, golf, restaurants and the hot pools, etc. close at hand. A network of trails supplies campers and hikers with lots of choices. Be sure to hike the Sinclair Canyon Trail for spectacular views.

  • Open from May 6 to October 10
  • National Parks entry pass required (FREE in 2017)
  • 50 campsites with electricity, water & sewer
  • 38 campsites with electricity
  • 144 campsites with none
  • Flush toilets
  • Hot showers
  • Sani-dumps
  • Disabled accessibility
  • Interpretive program
  • Advance reservations required
  • Firepits available for $8.80 (includes permit)
  • Cost per night – $27.40 – $38.20
Redstreak Campground, Kootenay National Park
oTENTik at Redstreak Campground in Kootenay National Park (Photo by Parks Canada)

Redstreak oTENTiks

  • Open May 6 to October 10
  • National Parks entry pass required (FREE in 2017)
  • Flush toilets
  • Hot showers
  • Interpretive program
  • Advance reservations required
  • Firepits available for $8.80 (includes permit)
  • Cost per night $120.00
Marble Canyon

Marble Canyon

Its high altitude gives access to a network of trails leading to the Castle Junction and Lake Louise area of Banff National Park and the east part of Yoho National Park. Make your base camp at Marble Canyon and enjoy a hiking vacation in some of the most breath-taking spots in KNP.

  • Open June 24 to September 5
  • National Parks entry pass required (FREE in 2017)
  • 61 campsites which are first-come-first-served
  • Flush toilets
  • Sani-dump
  • Advance reservations suggested
  • Cost per night – $21.50
McLeod Meadows
Crook's Meadow Campground, Kootenay National Park
View of Crook’s Meadow Campground in Kootenay National Park (Photo by Parks Canada)

McLeod Meadows

The McLeod Meadows campground sits in a quiet wooded area on the banks of the Kootenay River. With open grassland, forest and river, it is a great place for viewing the abundant wildlife in KNP. Take an easy hike to a peaceful lake via the Dog Lake trail.

  • Open June 24 to September 5
  • National Parks entry pass required (FREE in 2017)
  • 80 campsites which are first-come-first-served
  • Flush toilets
  • Sani-dump
  • Disabled accessibility
  • Advance reservations required
  • Firepits available for $8.80 (includes permit)
  • Advance reservations suggested
  • Cost per night – $21.50
Crook’s Meadow Group Camp

Crook’s Meadow Group Camp

This campground is situated on one of the oldest former homesteads in Kootenay National Park. The open meadow provides plenty of opportunities to view wildlife and there’s easy access to hiking and biking trails in the area. Reservations are required for this campsite.

  • Open late June to early September
  • National Parks entry pass required (FREE in 2017)
  • 1 campsite
  • Minimum of 20 people / maximum of 60 people
  • Cost per person per night – $5.80

A camping trip to a Kootenay National Park campground can be a great opportunity to re-connect with nature, listen to the birds, breathe the fresh mountain air, sit beside a campfire in the evenings and really relax from the busyness of life.

The ‘Bare’ Campsite Program

The ‘Bare’ Campsite Program

Because campers share the national parks with numerous wildlife species, and wild critters become dependent upon humans if food is carelessly or deliberately left for them, Parks Canada has instituted the “Bare” Campsite program for the safety of campers and wildlife. All campers are required to adhere to the guidelines in the program. Because we are the key to the survival of our wildlife, please observe these simple but sensible instructions:

  • Ensure that no wildlife attractants are ever left unattended
  • Stow in a locked vehicle anything with an odor that could be considered food. All scented products such as toothpaste, scented candles, dish soap, shampoos, citronella should be locked away because any item with a scent could be perceived as dinner!
  • Don’t leave coolers, either full or empty, where they can be accessed
  • Stow food items, open or closed, garbage and its wrappings, dishes and pots, bottles and cans and pet food/bowls.

For more information about the Bare Campsite program, go to: https://pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/mtn/ours-bears/securite-safety/camping-propre-bare-camp

Protect your pet. Keep it on a leash at all times. Do not leave it unattended or outside at night.

Never approach or feed wildlife, regardless of size. If you are viewing wildlife, remain 30 to 100m away.

For more information about Kootenay National Park campgrounds, visit Parks Canada website at: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/bc/kootenay/activ/camping

Here is an article by Stephanie Young on how to keep animals out of your campsite.