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Advisories

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Total number of campsites
Total groupsites: 1
Total wilderness sites: 75
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Reservations

Campsite reservations

Due to increasing demand, reservations are required for all overnight stays at Magog Lake and Og Lake campgrounds. 

Additional campsites are available throughout the park. These offer a mix of reservable and first come, first served camping.

For detailed information on reserving a BC Parks campsite, see the Mount Assiniboine reservations page. To book a site, use the BC Parks reservation service.    

Groupsites and picnic shelter reservations

Group campsites and picnic sites can be reserved through the Assiniboine Lodge. These are not BC Parks sites and cannot be booked through our reservation service. To book one of these sites, visit the Assiniboine Lodge website.

Naiset Cabins and Hind Hut reservations

The Naiset Cabins and Hind Hut can be reserved through the Assiniboine Lodge. These are not BC Parks sites and cannot be booked through our reservation service. To make a reservation, visit the Assiniboine Lodge website.

Reservations for the Naiset Cabins are recommended in the summer and are mandatory in the winter. If you wish to use these huts on a first come, first served basis, bring a tent in case they are full. 

For more information, see cabins and huts, below.

Banff National Park backcountry permits

Banff National Park offers several campgrounds and a primitive sleeping shelter along Bryant Creek for backcountry visitors on their way to Mount Assiniboine via the Bryant Creek, Brewster Creek, or Sunshine Meadows-Citadel Pass trails. 

To stay in the Bryant Creek Shelter or camp in Banff National Park, you must get a backcountry permit and any other necessary permits before starting your trip. You can reserve a backcountry permit by calling Banff National Park at 403-762-1556. Trail reports and detailed backcountry trip planning information are available on the Banff National Park website.

Backcountry camping

There are approximately 75 backcountry campsites in Mount Assiniboine Park. Campsites are available at Magog Lake and Og Lake in the core area of the park, Porcupine Camp near Citadel Pass, and Mitchell Meadows and Rock Lake near Ferro Pass. 

Reservations are required year-round for overnight stays at Magog Lake and Og Lake campgrounds. Reservations must be made through our online reservation service. For more information on booking a campsite, see the Mount Assiniboine reservations page 

Core area camping

Magog Lake

The largest and most popular camping area in the park is located on a bench above the west side of Magog Lake. This campground has 40 tent pads, a semi-enclosed cooking shelter, an open-air cooking area, several food storage lockers, two grey-water pits, three water taps, and four pit toilets. 

Og Lake

There is a campground located at the north end of Og Lake, approximately five kilometres from Magog Lake. This campground is equipped with 10 tent pads, an outhouse, and a central cooking area with food storage lockers and a grey-water pit. Water is available from Og Lake.

Fees

  • $10 per person per night (16 years old and up)
  • $5 per child per night (six to 15 years old)
  • Children under six camp for free

For more information on core-area camping, see the Mount Assiniboine reservations page.

Non-core areas

Several non-core areas in Mount Assiniboine Park also offer campsites that can be booked in advance. These areas cannot be reserved through the BC Parks reservation service. Reservations must be made through Assiniboine Lodge.

Other non-core areas offer year-round camping on a first come, first served basis, with no reservations or fees required. For detailed information on camping areas in Mount Assiniboine Park, download the campground and cabins information sheet [PDF].

For more information on non-core-area camping, see the Mount Assiniboine reservations page.

Cabins and huts

There are a number of rustic cabins located in the more outlying areas of Mount Assiniboine Park. For detailed information on specific cabins, download the campgrounds, huts, and shelters information sheet [PDF].

First come, first served cabins

Rustic public cabins are located at the Surprise Creek-Simpson River confluence, Police Meadows, and along the Mitchell River approximately six kilometres upstream from the park boundary. As use of these cabins is entirely on a first come, fist served basis, bringing a tent is recommended, in case the cabins are occupied when you arrive.   

No camping fees or transaction fees are charged to stay in first come, first served cabins. 

Reservable cabins

The Naiset Cabins and R.C. Hind Hut located in the core area of Mount Assiniboine are open to the public and can be reserved through Assiniboine Lodge. Reservations cannot be made through the BC Parks reservation service. 

These cabins are often available for use on a first come, first served basis. If you wish to stay at these huts on a first come, first served basis, we recommend bringing a tent, in case they are full. 

Reservations for the Naiset Cabins are recommended in the summer and mandatory in the winter. 

Fees

Cabin user fee per person $20 per night
Cabin user fee per family $50 per night
Transaction fee (non-refundable)$5 per night (maximum $15 per reservation)
Group camping

There is a group campsite at O’Brien Meadows that can accommodate 15 to 25 people. It has food storage lockers and there is a creek nearby for water. Open fires are prohibited. This groupsite cannot be booked through the BC Parks reservation service. All reservations must be made through Assiniboine Lodge.

A minimum of 15 people are required to book this groupsite. 

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets located at each designated campground. There are no flush toilets.

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Hiking

Hiking is a popular pastime in Mount Assiniboine Park. To learn more about specific opportunities, visit the Mount Assiniboine Park: Hiking page.  

To get up-to-date information on the condition of specific trails, check the park advisories. You can also download the trail conditions report [PDF]. This document is updated regularly between June and August as the snow melts. The most recent report is from September 2, 2023

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Taking shortcuts destroys plant life and soil structure. 

Fishing

Angling in the glacial lakes and waterways of Mount Assiniboine Park is unpredictable. Rock Isle, Larix, and Grizzly Lakes are closed to angling. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Wildlife viewing

Wildlife viewing is available at this park.

Pets on leash

Pets must be leashed at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for pets due to the potential for problems with bears and other wildlife.

Horseback riding

If you are planning to go horseback riding in the park, we recommend reading the Mount Assiniboine Park horse use policy and information [PDF] and downloading the horse use map [PDF]

Horseback riders are required to carry a letter of permission. Please use our letter of permission for horse use form to get your letter no less than seven days before entering the park. 

For more specific information on riding horses in the park, contact the BC Parks Kootenay office at 250-489-8540.

There is no horse access to Assiniboine Lodge, the Naiset Cabins, Wonder Pass, or Citadel Pass. 

Climbing

Mount Assiniboine is a world-class mountaineering destination, and several neighbouring peaks, faces, and ridges are also worthwhile challenges.

Climbing tips

  • Only experienced mountaineers, properly roped and equipped, should attempt mountain climbing or venturing onto glaciers and snowfields. 
  • Always consult with Assiniboine Lodge staff before attempting a climb. 
  • The basic structure of the mountains is decaying limestone, resulting in frequent rockfall. The frequency of rockfall is intensified by climbers. If more than one party is climbing a peak, they should schedule themselves to be close together. Parties one or two hours apart are exposed to increased danger. Always wear a safety helmet when climbing. 
  • The Gmoser Highway is the only route that should be used to access the Assiniboine bowl and Hind Hut from Magog Lake. The snow couloir has a waterfall underneath it, creating dangerous conditions. Access from the Assiniboine Creek drainage involves route-finding up a scree gully above Assiniboine Lake, then across morainal terrain and a small-but-crevassed glacier to the Mount Assiniboine-Mount Strom Col.
  • A climbing shelter known as the R.C. Hind Hut is located in the Assiniboine Bowl. The hut accommodates 12 and serves as a basecamp for mountain climbers. The Hind Hut is $20 per person per night plus a $5 transaction fee. Climbers must make a reservation for Hind Hut through Assiniboine Lodge.
  • A permit is required if you plan to camp overnight in the adjacent national parks. Permits are available from national park staff. 
  • The rappel stations on the Classic Mount Assiniboine North Ridge Route were upgraded to permanent fixed (two bolt plus chain) anchors by our partners at public safety, Parks Canada (Visitor Safety Program) in July 2015.
Hunting

Hunting is not allowed in the core area of Mount Assiniboine Park. 

Parts of Mount Assiniboine Park outside the core area may be open to hunting (limited-entry hunting for B.C. residents and two guide-outfitter operations for non-residents). For more information, see the fishing and hunting page.

Winter recreation

World-class cross-country skiing and ski touring is available at Mount Assiniboine Park. For more information see the Mount Assiniboine Park: Skiing page.

For information on Mount Assiniboine Lodge or Naiset Cabin, see the cabins and huts section.