Monarch Campground

We stayed here during the 1st week of September when all the sites are on a first come, first serve basis. We arrived in early afternoon and got a great site (large and level, good solar)but by supper time, arrivals were being put in the overflow parking lot. We’d originally gone to Kicking Horse but they could only accommodate us for one night and site wasn’t very nice. We liked both this site and campground - plus it was $10/night less. The only drawback for us was that there are no fires allowed at Monarch.
The campground is fairly close to the road and during the day there was noticeable highway noise. At night, the noise from the trains was pretty eerie - screeching as they wind through the tunnels. In a motorhome it isn’t bad but it could be pretty loud in a tent.
The location was fantastic - close to a number of hiking trails in Yoho and an easy drive to Lake Louise and some hiking on Hwy 93.

Monarch is a small 44 site “overflow” type campground next to its big sister next door, Kicking Horse. Monarch is closer to the highway and the trains running alongside the cliffs on the opposite side of the valley. Kicking Horse is bigger, set back from the highway backing onto the Kicking Horse River, and has better amenities than Monarch. However, Kicking Horse costs ten dollars Canadian more per night. And it was still closed in the first week of June! However if you arrive when KH is open and has availability, choose that over Monarch for the extra $$!

Location of both is great for exploring nearby Takakkaw Falls and Emerald Lake. Have dinner or lunch at the charming Truffle Pig Bistro in Field. And you are only 20 minutes away from Lake Louise. A much quieter option than staying in the campgrounds there!