Banff & Yoho Backcountry Camping Elopement
Ideas & Hikes
I’m going to let you in on a little secret as someone who came out to the mountains nearly every summer weekend as a child, and who has lived in Canmore for seven years. The mountains are best in the early morning and the couple hours leading up to sunset. Between 8AM and 6PM the park is for the masses to explore and enjoy. Between those hours you either want to be already an hour onto a trail, tucked away at home planning your next day, or taking a nap between your morning and evening excursions. Not only will you be able to enjoy the views and the wilderness in solitude, but the light of the morning and evening are the golden hours.
If you are a couple planning an elopement in Banff National Park or the surrounding area and have a love for hiking you may want to consider spending a couple of nights in the backcountry. This allows for you to do the bulk of the hiking beforehand, to access trails that will be far less busy, to utilize the best light of both early morning and evening for photographs and what a truly unique experience! I have compiled lists of best campgrounds, huts, and lodges for all levels of hiking experience and comfort levels.
Backcountry Campsite Booking in Canadian National Parks
To search for availability and locations in the Canadian National Parks use their Reservation Service. I find it easiest to select the reservation type, Backcountry Camping, pick the park, Banff, Kootenay, and Yoho Backcountry. You are then required to select an arrival date, but you can change this when searching for a campsite so don’t worry too much about this. Select a party size, consider if you are having a celebrant, photographer or cinematographer joining and select corresponding party size and tent pads. Search by map. Now, don’t worry if your desired campgrounds show up as red. Select your desired campground and then hit Site Calendar for a better idea of availability.
Keep an eye on the availability of firepits (rarely for backcountry, but places like Glacier Lake allows you to collect deadfall for a fire), and if dogs are allowed (if you have a canine companion).
Parks Canada Reservation Service typically opens in January. For 2020, all campgrounds are closed until June 21. I will update when 2021 information comes available. Fees and general backcountry information may be found here. Select campgrounds can be booked only in person within 24 hours of the start of your trip. For an elopement that a celebrant, photographer or cinematographer is joining, I’d recommend a reservable campsite to ensure everyone can join on your desired date.
Lake O’Hara Backcountry Camping
Lake O’Hara is perchance the most sought after exploration grounds for the Canadian Rockies. A preserved jewel with serious exclusivity to get into. Every year the bus and campground reservation date is anticipated with bated breath.
Many choose to simply book the Lake O’Hara Bus which transports you up the 11km long road with roughly 400m of elevation gain – saving you precious hiking time for when you are at day hiking Lake O’Hara. To stay and fully experience the area I would recommend booking a camping spot at the Parks Campground, staying at the Elizabeth Parker Hut, or Lake O’Hara Lodge. I have not had the pleasure of experiencing it myself on account of busy wedding summers, however, I’d recommend checking out this resource by Happiest Outdoors.
Trails include the Lakeshore Trail, a 3km flat loop; the Lake O’Hara Valley to Lake Oesa (6.4km and 250m elevation gain), Odaray Grandview (8.2km and 500m elevation), Obapin Plateau (7.5km and 250m elevation gain) or Lake McArthur (7km and 290m elevation gain); and the Lake O’Hara Alpine Circuit, a 13.3km loop with a total of just under 1000m of elevation gain best only done for experienced hikers. I’d recommend purchasing the Don’t Waste Your Time in the Canadian Rockies: The Opinionated Hiking Guide book for reference.
Lake O’Hara would be an ideal place to elope or have a micro wedding with a variety of accommodations for all levels of comfort with numerous easy trails to some of the grandest and most delightful spots in the Canadian Rockies. Can you imagine writing your vows the night before along the Lake O’Hara lakeside, then hiking to Lake Oesa for an intimate ceremony, before continuing onto a ridge with a view taking it all in?
Twin Falls Campground, Laughing Falls Campground & Little Yoho Campground
This is for those that aspire to hike the glorious Iceline Trail. A far less known destination with the gloriousness feeling like you have left planet Earth. Endless views of ice and rock, and remnants of glaciers that once dominated the area. Laughing Falls Campground is located a flat 4.4km trail through the Yoho Valley between Laughing Falls and the Yoho River – easily accessible and a marvellous starting off point for the Iceline Trail. Twin Falls Backcountry Campground is nestled in a forest near the Yoho River and is an additional 1.5km down the Yoho Valley. Lastly is the Little Yoho Campground which is at a higher elevation but may allow for more epic ceremony and portrait locations when the light is at its best.
Imagine having a ceremony at the base of Laughing Falls, or perhaps at the top of Twin Falls overlooking the Yoho Valley towards Takakkaw Falls. If you are keen on glacier backdrop without the crowd of Athabasca Glacier, with the addition of chirping pika guests, the Iceline Trail and surrounding campsites may be absolute perfection.
To see elopement photos at Takakkaw Falls see Erin and Matthew’s day after portraits in Yoho National Park.
Hidden Lake Campground, Merlin Meadows Campground & Baker Lake Campground
Behind the Lake Louise Ski Hill is another backcountry gem of a location with glacial lakes and numerous trails unknown to most. In 2018, during the smokiest week in the past decade, I photographed an intimate wedding that their guests hiked into, along the shores of Hidden Lake near Skoki Lodge. Despite the hazy atmosphere and greenish/yellow tinge light, it was glorious and made me fall in love with the area.
A large portion of the trail is a service road used by the Lake Louise Ski Hill, and gently goes upwards before becoming a more proper backcountry trail. If you are lucky and the Lake Louise shuttle van that carries guests to the trailhead for Skoki Lodge has room, they may stop to help you up that portion – but don’t count on it. Near the Halfway Hut to Skoki Lodge is Hidden Lake Campsite – the tent pads are small and close together but minutes from it is Hidden Lake, a glacial cirque to explore and meadows with gorgeous views. The ceremony could be had lakeside, or further up the scree with epic views looking back towards Lake Louise.
As you continue to Skoki Lodge you can go to Baker Lake or Merlin Lake Campgrounds. Having not camped at either myself, Merlin Lake Campground seems to have access to more unique landscapes with small waterfalls and rocky passes.
The vast majority of the hikes in this year are of moderate difficulty and less frequented than ones such as Lake O’Hara and are therefore a great option for those that may not feel confident in hikes with lots of elevation gain. For those that want more of a glamping experience, consider Skoki Lodge.
Additional backcountry campgrounds are available and I will continue to update as I visit them myself.
You may also be interested in other Banff wedding and elopement planning resources below
Things to Consider when Planning a Hiking Elopement
Unique Banff, Yoho, Canmore and Kananaskis Venues for a Small Wedding
Banff and Canmore’s Best Private Dining Restaurants for Weddings & Elopements
Best Activities for Wedding Guests Guide in Banff & Canmore
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