Lake Louise Overflow Camping

We don't do reservations as we can always find a place to park for the night. We didn't realize how many people were in the Lake Louise area, until we wanted a place to camp. We ended up at the overflow lot for our first night in the area. It's not pretty, it;s a big gravel lot. The down side is the lot sits close to Hwy ! which carries alot of truck traffic at night. You are about two miles from Lake Louise.

I stayed here on June 1st. For convenience, cleanliness and location, I rated 4 stars. A big open parking lot with a vault toilet and trash bin. You used to be able to take the shuttle bus from the parking lot connected to this lot, but they have turned that area into a boat inspection station. If you want to take a shuttle to downtown Lake Louise and don't want to haul your trailer (there is very limited parking downtown), you have to go further south down the highway to the Ski Resort. They have parking for maybe 20 RV's along one side road (only for the day, no overnight). The shuttle is $8 to downtown (and if the driver allows, you may take small dogs inside a carrier (I have a shoulder bag for my 15 lb Cavalier King Charles). It worked out well for me, I did the day parking, took the dog with me to walk around Lake Louise and eat lunch. Then drove back down the road a few miles and spent the night in the overflow lot. I was the only one there until about 10pm when another camper pulled in and a couple car campers showed up. Quiet - even though close to the highway. All dollars paid were CA$.

Arrived on the Friday of the May long weekend around 4pm. Overflow campground was open and available even though the Lake Louise Trailer campground still had plenty of space, probably due to cold, rainy weather. There is an attendant to direct vehicles and answer questions. Payment of $10.80 is by iron ranger and you can pay by credit card by writing your credit card info on a sheet of paper provided. There is a garbage dumpster and recycling plus pit toilets available.

Located right beside Hwy 1 but the parking area is behind a small hill with trees - we parked in the back corner and the hill did a good job blocking the highway noise. Great affordable base to explore Lake Louise and Lake Moraine areas. There is a large parking area adjacent and south of the overflow camp for car parking for people taking the shuttle to Lake Louise. The parking areas at Lake Louise fill up in peak times so the shuttle is a good option. Dogs are not allowed on the shuttle though they are allowed on some trails by Lake Louise. If you go early enough or later in the day, you can drive yourself and park if you want to walk your pooch.

Generator hours are pretty tight - 9am - 10:30am and 5pm - 7pm. Since it is dry camping, you can expect some people with be running their genny's during this time frame. Cell service was okay, better with a booster. The towers seemed to get bogged down somewhat at peak times.

No dump station but there is a huge dump station at the Lake Louise Trailer Campground. It is inside the gate so you need to ask permission.

We had 1 day in banff / lake louise on what happened to be a canadian long weekend. Thus no campsites available. I had read about the overflow campground but the Tourist office said on the phone it was "overflowing". We spent day in banff (parking our massive beast next to the train station) and then took a gamble and drove up to Lake Louise to spend the night. We arrived around 4pm at the overflow which was only 1/2 full. We paid our $10, detached the truck and drove to lake louise. A free shuttle leaves from the parking lot but we opted to drive. Right call! The bus line coming back was at least a 1 hour wait. Crowds were starting to leave lake louise by now, so we lucked out with a parking spot close to the entrance. After a 1 hour hike to the tea house, we had a delish dinner at Deer lodge and drove back to a now full overflow. We met a few of the neighbors, had a few cocktails and went to bed. No train or street noise. Bathrooms available. We were up and out early without issue.