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Jasper National Park calls fall camping its best kept secret. Learn tips on layering, wildlife safety, stargazing, and campground dates for a late-season trip.
Jasper National Park is encouraging campers to take advantage of fall camping, which it calls its best kept secret. With daytime highs expected in the mid- to high teens over the next few weeks, the park says it is a great time for quieter trails draped in orange and gold. The park offers crisp mountain air, clear night skies, and fewer crowds.
Why Fall Camping in Jasper Shines
Brad Halsey, interim executive director of the Alberta Camping Association, said the colours are the biggest thing that always sticks out, as well as no bugs or very minimal bugs. He added that campfires just hit differently in colder weather.
Halsey described the warmth and comfort of a campfire on a cool night, wrapping yourself or a loved one in a blanket, as a very nice, special experience. He has been camping across all four seasons for more than two decades.
While daytime temperatures might be warm enough to break a sweat, nights are going to be cold, even dipping below freezing. Snow can fall unexpectedly.
Essential Gear and Safety Tips
Halsey advised planning for the worst and hoping for the best. He said that if you are going to Banff, Jasper, Canmore, or anywhere in the mountains where the weather changes so quickly, you should bring extra warm layers from head to toe.
A good layering system, Halsey explained, is made up of a moisture-wicking base, topped by an insulating mid-layer and a waterproof top layer. You will also want a warm sleeping bag.
He cautioned against simply going to Canadian Tire and saying that a big sleeping bag is good enough. Instead, look at temperature ratings. Another cold-weather consideration is your phone’s battery. To prevent waking up with a dead device, Halsey recommends sleeping with it tucked into your sleeping bag.
Wildlife and Seasonal Hazards
While one of the benefits of fall camping is increased animal activity, Parks Canada says it can be a stressful time for some species. Halsey noted that animals’ behaviours are changing and bears are preparing for winter.
He said this may be one of the times they are most aggressive because food is limited and they are looking for it, so it is much more important to be bear-aware of how you are storing your food. Alberta has both grizzly and black bears. Safety tips for visiting bear country can be found on the Alberta Parks website.
It is also elk rutting season, which runs from Sept. 1 until Oct. 15. Jasper National Park warns that elk are particularly belligerent during this time and can attack people and vehicles without warning. Elk safety information can be found on the Parks Canada website.
Stargazing and Local Activities
Halsey said one of the best things about fall camping is the longer nights, especially for kids. He said stargazing is a lot easier because they do not have to stay up till 11 p.m. or midnight to see the stars. It is going to be cold, but you get to see all these other things you otherwise would not get to see.
Jasper National Park is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. Parks Canada says stargazers can find wide open views of the Milky Way at Pyramid Island, Jasper Lake, or Old Fort Point.
Halsey added that camping does not have to mean staying outside all the time. Local events and amenities are a great way to keep kids entertained and give them a break. For example, on a trip to Canmore, he took a day to hit the rec centre and sit in the hot tub.
He explained that could be really nice in the fall. You get a family pass, you go in, the pool is there, and you can still have some things to allow them to appreciate the outdoors but have some warm-up time.
If you are in Jasper, the Miette Hot Spring will be open until Oct. 12, and Jasper’s Dark-Sky festival takes place from Oct. 16 to 25. The park’s Wapiti summer loops campground will be open until Oct. 28, while the Whistler and Icefields campsites run until Oct. 12.
Halsey said Elk Island and Kananaskis are also great spots for later-in-the-season camping trips, as well as countless other lesser-known locales. He said that basically anywhere in the Rockies, you are always going to find something great any time of year, but especially in the fall.
Parks Alberta has dozens of campgrounds that remain open through October or November, including Wabamun Lake and Miquelon Lake near Edmonton. For a full list, visit the Parks Alberta website.
Jasper National Park Fall Camping Brad Halsey Alberta Camping Association Parks Canada Elk Rutting Season Dark Sky Preserve
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