Canadian Rockies Backpacking
Canada / Alberta & British Columbia
Yoho and Kootenay National Parks, Kananaskis Country
Discover the beauty of the Canadian Rockies
Overnight backcountry backpacking at its best
Options for backcountry camping, hut stays, backcountry lodge overnights, heli-assistance
Backpacking in the Canadian Rockies should be on any outdoor enthusiast’s bucket list. The Canadian Rockies need little introduction: It’s simply spectacular! Moreover, the Banff, Jasper, Yoho and Kootenay National Parks as well as the adjacent Alberta and BC Provincial Parks offer a perfect infrastructure of hiking trails and campgrounds to immerse yourselves in the beauty of the Canadian Rockies away from the overcrowded hot spots of the Parks. In addition to camping, we also offer itineraries with lodging in huts or backcountry lodges. By backpacking, you won’t just “see” the Rockies, you will “experience” them.
2026 Pricing
from$225CAD + 5% GST
HIGHLIGHTS
- Majestic mountains, scenic glaciers, lovely alpine flowers, surreal lakes
- Many destinations offered, both famous and little-known
- You pick the days that suit you
- All levels welcome – beginner to advanced
- All ages welcome
DIFFICULTY
- We can create trips for all levels, from beginner to advanced backpackers
Canadian Rockies Backpacking Itinerary
All our trips are custom trips that largely depend on the availability of campsites at the time of your inquiry and your group size. We are happy to take you on classics like the Rockwall or Iceline Traverse. Still, our strength is putting together itineraries in less travelled terrain and at times when the busy campsites in the National Parks are booked up.
Here are some of the classic backpacking trips that we love in the Rockies:
Rockwall
Iceline Traverse
Tumbling – Helmet – Ochre Loop
Sunshine to Assiniboine
Lake Minnewanka
Egypt Lake
Baker Lake and the Skoki Region
Sawback
Giant Steps and Paradise Valley / Moraine Lake
Turbine Canyon
Elk Lakes and Petain Basin
Big Elbow Loop
Inclusions
Included:
- A certified ACMG Hiking, Alpine, Mountain Guide and/or Apprentice Hiking Guide under supervision
- All guide expenses
- Overnight camping fees
- Canada Parks’ overnight wilderness fees
- Lightweight breakfasts and dinners
- Use of common gear, like cookware and dishes
Not Included:
- Airport pick up
- Transport from Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise to trailhead and back
- Pre and post-trip lodging in Canmore
- lunches and snacks
- Any additional cost due to changes in the itinerary, may they be caused by weather, mountain/avalanche conditions or personal preferences
- Insurance
Add-On Services ($):
- Transport from Canmore, Banff or Lake Louise to trailhead and back (we can usually carpool or arrange a ride in the guides’ car)
- Calgary Airport pick up and drop off (CD$ 110 / person return trip)
- Pre and post-trip lodging in Canmore
Trip Details
Recommended accommodation in Canmore, AB:
Best Season, Weather, Temperatures
The best season for backpacking in the Canadian Rockies is from early June through the end of September, although the season is often longer at both ends. Temperatures can vary between 0°C (32°F) to +30°C (85°F), therefore you should always have a pair of gloves, a warm hat, shorts, and a t-shirt at the ready! Mornings are usually cool, and afternoons usually have absolutely perfect hiking temperatures – not too hot and not too cold.
Weather in the Rockies can be glorious blue skies, raining, or both on the same day. It occasionally snows early and late in the season, especially at higher elevations. Be prepared for everything!
Medical/Rescue and Trip Cancellation Insurance
We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance package that does cover adventure travel. Common policies sold by travel agents or policies included in your credit card contract tend to exclude “mountaineering” if you read through the fine print. We recommend an adventure travel policy on our website at http://ontopmountaineering.com/travel-insurance/ which our clients had good experiences with in the past. *NEW: we now recommend including covid-19/pandemic coverage with your insurance policy.
Transportation
Meeting Point
Your pre-trip meeting will be hosted by the Wilz family in Canmore, AB on the evening before your backpacking trip.
Closest Airport / Transport options
Calgary International Airport is located about 1¼ hours from our base in Canmore, AB, 1½ hours from Banff and 2 hours from Lake Louise.
There are several private shuttle services providing hourly transport from the Calgary Airport to the Bow Valley – Canmore, Banff, and Lake Louise. A convenient and popular airport shuttle service is Banffairporter.com, which stops centrally in both Canmore and Banff.
Rental cars are also available in Calgary, Banff, or Canmore.
Gear List
Backpacking Gear List as Downloadable .PDF
Please download a PDF copy to use as a checklist when preparing for your trip.
Considerations
Packing for any backcountry trip is always a balancing act. You want your pack to be as light as possible so you can enjoy the hiking instead of just suffering through it. But you also want to have enough gear to be warm and comfortable around the hut or campsite in the evening. When buying, renting, or borrowing gear for the trip, please keep weight, performance, and function in mind.
Backpacking equipment
- Collapsible, lightweight hiking poles
- Large backpack (55-70 liters). You will also have to carry some group gear
- Rain cover specific to your pack
- Spare parts specific to your equipment
- Sturdy approach shoe or light trekking boot with a fairly stiff sole for walking over rocky terrain
- Lightweight shoes or Crocs for river crossings and for wearing in the hut or around camp
Clothing
Temperatures in the Canadian Rockies vary hugely even in the summer months. Between June and September, temperatures can range from lows of 0°C overnight to +15°C during the day, or from +15°C overnight to +30°C during the day. Somewhere in between is normal and having several clothing layering options is important. Bring light, technical clothing that doesn’t take much space in your backpack and dries quickly when sweaty or wet.
- Wind and waterproof shell jacket with hood (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Lightweight wind and water-resistant over-pants (Gore-Tex or similar)
- Lightweight hiking pants or zip-offs (no cotton pants or jeans)
- Comfortable, synthetic shorts (unless you have zip-off pants)
- Thick fleece or wool pullover, or PrimaLoft jacket
- Medium weight fleece shirt
- Thin, synthetic or wool base layers, top and bottoms
- Synthetic or wool t-shirt
- Quick-drying sports bra
- Lightweight gloves
- 2-3 pairs good quality hiking socks (synthetic or wool)
- Warm hat that covers your ears
- Light, summer gaiters (unless pants seal tightly to your boots)
- Sun hat, preferably with a wide rim
- Bandana or Buff (optional)
Around the hut or campsite
- Spare underwear and socks (no cotton)
- Light down jacket or vest
- -10°C to +5°C sleeping bag with stuff sack, depending on your comfort level, trip destination, and whether it
- is hut-based or tent-based.
- Lightweight, technical sleeping pad (for backcountry camping trips)
- Lightweight, packable pillow (optional)
- Earplugs (recommended)
- Toiletries (keep to a bare minimum)
Other items
- Lunch and snacks (eg. sandwiches, candy bars, dried fruit, nuts, etc.)
- Sunglasses with high UV protection
- Sunscreen and lip protection with high SPF
- Bear spray and holster
- Small container bug spray or cream
- One-litre water bottles. Water bladders not recommended in case of breakage.
- Water purification tablets or small personal water filtration system (optional)
- Headlamp with spare battery
- Personal first aid kit and other needs (eg. blister kit, prescription medicine, anti-inflammatory, contact
- lenses, prescription glasses, etc.)
- Pocket knife (optional)
- Health and travel insurance documents
- Light stuff sacs or Ziploc bags to keep your backpack organized and important items dry (optional)
- Two lightweight garbage bags for extra waterproofing
- Camera, spare batteries (optional)
- Compass, maps, GPS (optional)
- Personal amount of toilet paper in a Ziploc bag
- Hand sanitizer or sanitary hand wipes
- Feminine hygiene supplies
- Toilet paper – small amount for daytime emergencies
- Comfortable clothing and shoes to leave in the car for return to civilization
Group gear – will be supplied by OnTop Mountaineering and split amongst the participants to carry
- Tents
- Tarps
- Stoves, fuel, lighters
- Pots, eating utensils, cups, bowls
- Maps, compass, GPS, altimeter watch
- Phone with power bank, radio, satellite phone or other emergency communication device
- First-aid kit
- Large capacity water storage bags
- Large capacity water filter
- Biodegradable soap
- Dishcloths and/or paper towels
- Breakfasts, dinners, coffee, tea, powdered drink mix
- Dry bags and rope for hanging food at night
- Toilet paper
- Toilet trowel
- Safe transport box for bear sprays
- General repair kit and Leatherman
- Hand sanitizer
FAQ
Do I need to sign a Release of Liability & Assumption of Risk Agreement (a.ka. liability waiver)?
Yes, you do. Mountaineering, skiing, climbing, hiking, via ferrata and all other wilderness and adventure travel activities are inherently risky with potential for injuries or even death.
It is very important to us that you are aware of those risks before you start the booking process, which includes filling out a booking form and paying a deposit.
With signing the liability waiver, you confirm that you understand the potential risks and hazards, and are willing to accept the risks, which includes giving up legal rights you may have.
This would also be the time to ask questions or address concerns before you book.
For your reference here is a link to our Liability Waiver. Our booking terms & cancellation policy with more details can be found here
Can I Do It?
To enjoy your backpacking trip, you should be ready to walk steadily up and downhill in mountainous terrain, at times on narrow trails with rocks, while carrying a backpack weighing 7-10 kg/16-24 lbs. We recommend wearing high-ankle support shoes (i.e. hiking boots) and using hiking poles. We can cater your backpacking trip to your group’s ability.
Daily hiking times are usually 4-7 hours with 10-15 km / 6-10 miles distance and a vertical gain of 300-600 metres / 1,000-2,000 ft.
2026 PRICES
1 participant: CAD 600 / day
2 participants: CAD 380 / person / day
3 participants: CAD 330 / person / day
4 participants: CAD 295 / person / day
5 participants: CAD 275 / person / day
6 participants: CAD 255 / person / day
*please add GST (5%) all pricing
Please inquire about larger group pricing and hut-to-hut or backcountry lodge trips in the Canadian Rockies
CUSTOM TRIP DEPARTURES
Custom trips at any time from mid-May to end-October!
Minimum 3-day trip duration
GROUP TRIP SIZE
any group size
TRIP INCLUSIONS
- A certified ACMG Hiking, Alpine, Mountain Guide and/or Apprentice Hiking Guide under supervision
- All guide expenses
- Overnight camping fees
- Canada Parks’ overnight wilderness fees
- Lightweight breakfasts and dinners
- Use of common gear, like cookware and dishes
For a full list of services included, not included, and add-ons, please select our “Trip Inclusions” Tab.
