With crisp mountain air, clear night skies and fewer crowds, Jasper National Park says fall camping is its “best kept secret.” With daytime highs in Jasper expected to hit the mid- to -high teens over the next few weeks, the park said it’s a great time to take advantage of quieter trails draped in shades of orange and gold. If you are considering a late-season trip, here are a few things one camping expert says you should know. First: there’s a lot to love. “The colours are the biggest thing for me that always sticks out, as well as no bugs or very minimal bugs,” said Brad Halsey, interim executive director of the Alberta Camping Association. “As well as campfires. I think campfires just hit differently in colder weather,” he added. “The warmth and comfort on a cool night of a campfire and wrapping yourself or a loved one in a blanket … is a very nice, special experience.” While daytime temps might be warm enough to break a sweat, nights are going to be cold – even dipping below freezing. And you really never know when it might snow. “Plan for the worst and hope for the best,” said Halsey, who has been camping across all four seasons for more than two decades. “If you’re going to Banff, Jasper, Canmore, anywhere in the mountains where the weather changes so quickly, bring those 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’ll want a warm sleeping bag, too. “Not necessarily just going to Canadian Tire and saying, ‘Oh, this is a big sleeping bag. That’s good enough.’ Look at temperature ratings,” Halsey said. Another cold-weather consideration: your phone’s battery. To prevent waking up with a dead device, Halsay recommends sleeping with it tucked into your sleeping bag. While one of the benefits of fall camping is increased animal activity, Parks Canada says it can be a stressful time for some species. “Animals’ behaviours are changing. Bears are preparing for winter,” Halsey said. “This may be one of the times they’re most aggressive because food is limited and they’re looking for it, so it’s much more important to be bear-aware of how you’re storing your food.” Alberta has both grizzly and black bears. You can find safety tips for visiting bear country on the Alberta Parks website. It’s 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. What to do Halsey said one of the best things about fall camping is the longer nights – especially for kids. “Stargazing. It’s a lot easier,” he said. “They don’t have to stay up till 11 p.m. or midnight to be able to see the stars … It’s going to be cold, but you get to see all these other things you otherwise wouldn’t get to see.” Jasper National Park is the second-largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world, and Parks Canada says stargazers can find wide open views of the Milky Way at Pyramid Island, Jasper Lake or Old Fort Point. Halsey said camping also doesn’t have to mean staying outside all the time. Local events and amenities, he added, are a great way to keep kids entertained and give them a break. For example, on a trip to Canmore, Halsey said he took a day to hit the rec centre and sit in the hot tub. “That could be really nice in the fall,” he explained. “You get a family pass, you go in, the pool’s there … you can still have some things to allow them to appreciate the outdoors but have some warm up time.” If you’re 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. “Basically anywhere in the Rockies, I find you’re always going to find something great any time of year, but especially in the fall,” he said. 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.
