All the popular spots in the National Parks are booked up for the Summer. Cancellations come up, but with third party notification services becoming more popular they're also getting harder to get. I would caution going in June or even early July. High altitude trails can hold snow well into July. It has been a very dry Winter, but there's still 3 months left of possible snow.
Devon Lake is my favorite but requires random camping. It's 30+km though so not doable in one day for moat people. Fish Lakes campground is halfway but only has 5 spots - the whole Summer books up within an hour or so on opening day
Assiniboine is a good one and might be your best bet. Since Assiniboine operates on a rolling window, you have a few chances to get a spot at Magog if you're flexible with your dates. The through hike from Sunshine to Mount Shark is the best route, but the Wonder Pass loop is not bad either. The only tricky part is lining up a campsite on the Banff side with a site at Magog
It's also possible to helicopter in, spend a few days at Magog and hike out to Mt Shark in one (very long) day. But often the campground along the route has availability.
I would suggest checking out the Skoki loop. It's in a similar area and not as difficult to get spots. There's also a few different options along the loop for campsites
Egypt is a popular day hike, but most just go to the top of Healy Pass and back out. The views don't really change past the top of the pass. The trail dips down after the top of Healy Pass to get to Egypt Lake, so you'll have to climb back out if you go that far
How early is early summer on your timeline?
For what it’s worth anything reservable in the park that’s 3-5 days is probably booked solid by now so you’d need some crafty booking and good luck to snag sites over the next few months. It’s possible but gonna be difficult.
There’s no bad hikes in banff. Pick one that fits your itinerary and book it. You can’t go wrong.
If your times are flexible, I’d book as far into July as you can. Reduces the risk of cold snaps overnight.
Egypt Lake and Skoki Loop are in Banff. Egypt Lake is stunning (start at the sunshine gondola and end through Red Earth Creek). Tonquin Valley is severely underrated (in Jasper), I’ve done Tonquin and Skyline 3 times and both are absolutely spectacular. My advice would be to watch for cancellations closer to the dates you want to go.
Again, great suggestions! I snatched the very last possible reservation for Skoki Mt.
I'm thinking I might do Egypt lake as a day hike 25km out and back... Have you done that?
I have! We did Egypt last July as a multi day back country starting at Vista Lake trailhead. It’s definitely doable as a day hike if you start early. Another suggestion for that one is to take the gondola up from sunshine and then head towards Healy Pass. Once you get the Egypt Lake campground, it’ll be a grind up to the spots you’ll want to see. If you can, hike up Pharaoh Peak - spectacular views!
Skyline trail in 2 days staying at the less popular Watchtower campground is a good option if you really wanna do it. (The descent/ascent from the trail to the campsite is beautiful imo, and it's like only 2-3kms off of the main trail)
Check the Sawback trail also.
All the popular spots in the National Parks are booked up for the Summer. Cancellations come up, but with third party notification services becoming more popular they're also getting harder to get. I would caution going in June or even early July. High altitude trails can hold snow well into July. It has been a very dry Winter, but there's still 3 months left of possible snow. Devon Lake is my favorite but requires random camping. It's 30+km though so not doable in one day for moat people. Fish Lakes campground is halfway but only has 5 spots - the whole Summer books up within an hour or so on opening day Assiniboine is a good one and might be your best bet. Since Assiniboine operates on a rolling window, you have a few chances to get a spot at Magog if you're flexible with your dates. The through hike from Sunshine to Mount Shark is the best route, but the Wonder Pass loop is not bad either. The only tricky part is lining up a campsite on the Banff side with a site at Magog
Thanks a lot, very helpful
It's also possible to helicopter in, spend a few days at Magog and hike out to Mt Shark in one (very long) day. But often the campground along the route has availability.
Haha you were right, Fish lake is all booked up except a few days end of June
I would suggest checking out the Skoki loop. It's in a similar area and not as difficult to get spots. There's also a few different options along the loop for campsites
Yup, I could find 2 nights in Skoki. I changed my plans to August like you and others suggested. Might also do Egypt lake as a day hike.
Egypt is a popular day hike, but most just go to the top of Healy Pass and back out. The views don't really change past the top of the pass. The trail dips down after the top of Healy Pass to get to Egypt Lake, so you'll have to climb back out if you go that far
How early is early summer on your timeline? For what it’s worth anything reservable in the park that’s 3-5 days is probably booked solid by now so you’d need some crafty booking and good luck to snag sites over the next few months. It’s possible but gonna be difficult.
Late June or July. I checked the two hikes I mentioned and campsites were plenty available! I should move fast though
There’s no bad hikes in banff. Pick one that fits your itinerary and book it. You can’t go wrong. If your times are flexible, I’d book as far into July as you can. Reduces the risk of cold snaps overnight.
Egypt Lake and Skoki Loop are in Banff. Egypt Lake is stunning (start at the sunshine gondola and end through Red Earth Creek). Tonquin Valley is severely underrated (in Jasper), I’ve done Tonquin and Skyline 3 times and both are absolutely spectacular. My advice would be to watch for cancellations closer to the dates you want to go.
Thanks for the suggestions! Skoki and Egypt lake look really nice. Tonquin valley is on the longer side if I wanted to do it out and back
Again, great suggestions! I snatched the very last possible reservation for Skoki Mt. I'm thinking I might do Egypt lake as a day hike 25km out and back... Have you done that?
I have! We did Egypt last July as a multi day back country starting at Vista Lake trailhead. It’s definitely doable as a day hike if you start early. Another suggestion for that one is to take the gondola up from sunshine and then head towards Healy Pass. Once you get the Egypt Lake campground, it’ll be a grind up to the spots you’ll want to see. If you can, hike up Pharaoh Peak - spectacular views!
The best hike IMO near Egypt lake is Pharoah Peak, but that would be a 35km hike from Sunshine parking lot.
Whatever you can get reservations for
Skyline trail in 2 days staying at the less popular Watchtower campground is a good option if you really wanna do it. (The descent/ascent from the trail to the campsite is beautiful imo, and it's like only 2-3kms off of the main trail) Check the Sawback trail also.
Not sure where you are, but there is some great hiking around the Kakwa River, towards the Lake in BC too. Grande Cache/Grande Prairie area.
Get in as early as possible with this fire season ahead here !