Campground & Activity Recommendations for Banff/Jasper July/August 2017

I can't provide any advice on the logistics of camping grounds, however I can strongly recommend the Sentinel Pass Trail starting from Moraine Lake - it was outstanding in September, and very alpine at the top.

The other trail we really enjoyed was at Lake Louise itself, up past the (very crowded) Tea House to Little Beehive and beyond ... not very long, and the views were superb, and with almost nobody on the trail.

And thirdly, there is the trail up to the summit of Sulfur Mountain in Banff, and it was great. Or you can take the cable car up and walk down.

The trail to the face of Mt Edith Cavell outside Jasper we liked too.

Thank you Sunbird9! Great recommendations! Anything else you did in the area?

Outside Banff there are some wonderful lakes, especially Lake Minnewanka.

Stop at all the falls and overlooks on the Icefield Parkway (a stunning drive).

We also liked Maligne Lake east of Jasper, but it snowed quite a lot on our day (6 September), so we didn't see it at its best. Nice walks.

Lake Louise is under a thick blanket of snow now, so no flooding issues at the moment. I think there was some damage done in the summer/early fall, but would expect them to sort that out by the summer. If they can't, you would certainly get your money back. They won't make you pay if you can't camp there.

End of July and early August will be VERY busy, especially the long weekend - August 5-7. Other than maybe midweek, I would expect all the reservable campgrounds to be completely booked, if not now, by the time you arrive. The first come, first serve campgrounds are just that, but check out isn't until around 11am, so you generally can't get a campsite until then. You also would want to arrive by Friday or even Thursday for a weekend, and by Wednesday for the holiday weekend. And don't move over the weekend.

All campgrounds will be full and busy - the smaller the campground, the quieter, but you won't be secluded anywhere other than in the backcountry. Both campgrounds you've reserved are tent and RV, so will be bustling, and you'll be within the electric fence at Lake Louise, so not the largest campsites.

Sentinel Pass is great, and +1 on the teahouses at Lake Louise. Start early for both - to avoid afternoon storms and beat the crowds. I like to time my hike to get to Lake Agnes in time for opening so I can get the first baked goods out of the oven and a good cup of tea.
On the parkway, Wilcox Pass and Bow Glacier Falls are great. In Jasper area, you can hike from the top of the tram, also Sulphur Skyline and many others. Edith Cavell Meadows is not to be missed.
For Banff, I would not hike up Sulfur Mtn, other than from the gondola station. Mostly in the trees - many other hikes that are much better "bang for your buck", better views and less stress on your knees. Sunshine Meadows is beautiful, and also good hikes in Canmore area.

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