Wapiti Campground

Overview

About Wapiti Campground

Wapiti is Jasper’s year‑round workhorse: a big, convenient campground just south of town, tucked along the Athabasca River. It blends modern comforts (think hot showers and electrical sites) with a classic Rockies setting—mountains in view, river nearby, and wildlife often wandering past.

Why stop

Year‑round camping with hot showers and electrical sites
Riverside setting close to town for easy supply runs

Heads up

Post‑wildfire landscape means fewer trees, little shade, and more wind
High demand in summer—can feel busy and requires advance reservations

Map

Where it is

Loading the Jasper map

Full map

CampgroundWapiti Campground52.83385, -118.06192

Keep this map with you offline in the Parkwolf app

Local know-how

Tips for visiting Wapiti Campground

Reserve early for summer and for electrical sites—prime loops go fast.
Pick river‑adjacent loops for quieter nights and better views.
Expect wind and little shade; bring extra layers, sun protection, and sturdy tent stakes.
Use bear boxes and camp kitchens—keep a clean campsite at all times.
Showers are included in your site fee; hit them outside peak hours to avoid lines.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Summer (June–September): Peak season, best for long days and riverfront lounging—reserve early. Aim for weekday arrivals and early check‑ins for the better sites and shorter shower lines.
Fall/Spring: Calmer, cool nights, good chance for wildlife sightings.
Winter: Quieter and surprisingly comfortable thanks to electricity and hot showers; great for snow season bases. Sunsets over the river can be beautiful year‑round.

Logistics & Reservations

Summer is busy—book early, especially if you want electricity. Winter stays are quieter, and the fact that showers and power continue through the cold months makes Wapiti unusually comfortable for winter camping. Note that capacity has been reduced following the 2024 wildfire, so plan ahead.

8 active Jasper alerts

ClosureWildfire-impacted areas and facilities closedMentions this placeStay out of closed wildfire-impacted areas and facilities in Jasper National Park; closures protect public safety after the 2024 wildfire and remain in effect while recovery and safety work continues.Official details
Closure93A (Wabasso Road) no through travel during roadworkFrom mid-October to early November 2026, plan for 93A (Wabasso Road) to be accessible from the south entrance only; no through travel is expected during roadwork.Official details

See all 8 alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Jasper Tour Guide

Your drive to Wapiti Campground, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Jasper National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

See the Jasper audio tour

Recorded for this place

Wapiti Campground: Year-Round Riverside Camping

Listen

“You're about to pass Wapiti Campground, located right along the Athabasca River. What's special about this one is that it's open all year round, even offering hot showers and electrical sites in the winter.”

Plays as you drive up to Wapiti Campground in the Parkwolf Jasper Tour Guide.

More about Wapiti Campground

What Stands OutOpen all year, with roughly 362 sites in summer and 93 in winter, so you’ve got a legit base…

Open all year, with roughly 362 sites in summer and 93 in winter, so you’ve got a legit base for ski season or shoulder‑season trips.
Facilities are a cut above: flush toilets, hot showers (included in your site fee), fire pits, picnic tables, cooking shelters, and a mix of serviced and unserviced sites.
The location is gold—minutes from Jasper for groceries, restaurants, and gear, yet it still feels like you’re camping in the park.

Setting & SceneryMany loops sit close to the Athabasca River, where you’ll catch mountain views and soft evening…

Many loops sit close to the Athabasca River, where you’ll catch mountain views and soft evening light. Parts of the campground feel more open these days due to tree removal (pine beetle mitigation) and the 2024 wildfire—expect less shade and more wind exposure, but also bigger sky and wider sightlines.

WildlifeElk and deer are commonly seen around the campground, and bears are possible—standard bear…

Elk and deer are commonly seen around the campground, and bears are possible—standard bear safety applies. Keep food locked up (bear boxes and camp kitchens are provided) and give animals plenty of space.

What to ExpectAmenities: electrical and non‑electrical sites, hot showers, flush toilets, camp kitchens, fire…

Amenities: electrical and non‑electrical sites, hot showers, flush toilets, camp kitchens, fire pits, picnic tables.
Atmosphere: family‑friendly, convenient, and social—privacy varies by loop. Some road noise is possible near the highway, but riverside loops feel more serene.

camping riverside rv winter showers wildlife neartown

Wildlife

Wildlife in Jasper

All Jasper wildlife maps

174 sightingsGrizzly BearMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

43 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

40 sightingsGray WolfMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

12 sightingsCanada LynxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

315 sightingsMooseMost seen around 6 AMSighting map

1,028 sightingsElkMost seen around 7 AMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Jasper. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.