E.C. Manning Park: Backcountry camping

You need a backcountry permit for any overnight stay in the backcountry at E.C. Manning Park. To learn more about getting a permit, visit the backcountry permit registration page.

Three campgrounds in E.C. Manning Park now also require reservations during the peak season. These are Buckhorn, Kicking Horse, and Frosty Creek. For full details, see the E.C. Manning backcountry reservations page.

Backcountry permit registration is included when you make a reservation. You do not need to register for a permit separately.

The backcountry camping fee is $5 per person per night for everyone six years of age or older. Children younger than six camp for free. This fee is the same for a general backcountry permit or a formal campground reservation.

Register for a permit

Anyone over 16 years of age can register for a permit in advance at camping.bcparks.ca. You can also register by calling 1-800-689-9025 toll-free from Canada and the U.S. or 1-519-858-6161 internationally.

Alternatively, you can register and pay for a permit upon arrival at the park. Backcountry permit registration is available at the Manning Park visitor centre, the Manning Park Lodge, and the Lightning Lake gatehouse.

For more detailed information on backcountry camping permits, see the backcountry permit registration page.

Book a reservation

Peak-season camping reservations for Buckhorn, Kicking Horse, and Frosty Creek must be made in advance through our reservation service. Reservations cannot be booked at the park.

Anyone over 16 years of age can book a reservation at camping.bcparks.ca. You can also book by calling 1-800-689-9025 toll-free from Canada and the U.S. or 1-519-858-6161 internationally.

For more detailed information on making a reservation, see the E.C. Manning Park backcountry reservations page.

Backcountry camping in this park is allowed only at designated campgrounds. Many of these are at high elevations and are not accessible until late June or early July. See the E.C. Manning Park know before you go section for the latest conditions.

All the backcountry campgrounds are close to creeks or other water sources. We recommend you treat water from these sources before using it. During summer, some water sources may dry up, so always bring a back-up supply.  

Campfires are not allowed at Buckhorn and Kicking Horse campgrounds. Elsewhere, campfires are not encouraged, and fire bans may be implemented during extreme hot weather. Be prepared and bring approved portable stoves for cooking.

Please practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics on any trip to British Columbia’s backcountry. Take all garbage and other waste with you when you leave. If you pack it in, pack it out.  For more information, see our backcountry guide.

Reservations required during peak season.

Buckhorn Campground is the most popular backcountry camping area in E.C. Manning Park. It is particularly busy during the peak alpine bloom (usually late July to early August) and on long weekends.

Buckhorn is in sub-alpine meadows at the 5 km mark on the Heather Trail. It generally takes between an hour and 90 minutes to hike into the campground. 
There are 24 tent pads, a bear cache, outhouses, and a day-use shelter.

Due to this campground’s growing popularity, we require reservations for all stays at Buckhorn during the peak summer season. In 2024, you must make a reservation for any overnight stay between June 28 and September 2.

We require reservations so you can arrive certain that a tent pad has been reserved for you. To learn more about making a Buckhorn reservation, see the E.C. Manning Park backcountry reservations page.

Campfires are not allowed at Buckhorn Campground.

Reservations required during peak season.

Kicking Horse Campground sits in sub-alpine meadows at the 13.5 km mark of the Heather Trail. It includes 15 tent pads, a bear cache, and an outhouse. This campground is very busy during the peak alpine bloom (usually late July to early August) and on long weekends.

Due to this campground’s growing popularity, we require reservations for all stays at Kicking Horse during the peak summer season. In 2024, you must make a reservation for any overnight stay at this campground between June 28 and September 2.

We now require reservations in peak season so you can arrive certain that a tent pad has been reserved for you. To learn more about making a reservation at Kicking Horse Campground, please visit the E.C. Manning Park backcountry reservations page.

Campfires are not allowed at Kicking Horse Campground.

Reservations required during peak season.

Frosty Creek Campground is at an elevation of 1,850 m on the Frosty Mountain Trail. The hike to the campground is a strenuous 7 km from the Lightning Lake day-use area.

Approximately 0.5 km further along the Frosty Mountain Trail, a larch grove starts, which continues for about 1.5 km. The peak of Frosty Mountain is at the end of this trail, 3.6 km from the campground.

This campground has nine tent pads. It includes a pit toilet and a fire ring. There is also a very rustic shelter for emergency use. Do not assume the shelter will be free, as it is often occupied, especially during bad weather.

A small creek runs through the campsite. When the water is moving, you can fill your water bottles from this creek. We recommend that you treat the water before using it.

Due to this campground’s growing popularity, we require reservations for all stays at Frosty Creek during the peak summer season. In 2024, you must make a reservation for any overnight stay between July 26 and October 20.

We require reservations so you can arrive certain that a tent pad has been reserved for you. To learn more about making a Frosty Creek reservation, see the E.C. Manning Park backcountry reservations page.

Grainger Creek Horse Camp is on Hope Pass Trail, just beyond the junction with Grainger Creek Trail. It is also 7.1 km from Cayuse Flats and 11.5 km from Nicomen Lake Campground.

This campground has space for three tents and includes a pit toilet and a firepit. Grainger Creek, a good water source, runs through the campground. We recommend that you treat the water before using it.

This campground is just north of the U.S. border, where the Monument 78 and Pacific Crest trails meet. It is the first available Canadian campground for hikers heading north on the Pacific Crest Trail.

The campground features designated campsites and a pit toilet. Castle Creek, which offers reliable water, runs close to the campground. We recommend that you treat the water before using it.

Mowich Campground is at an elevation of 1,600 m on the Skyline II Trail. It sits 12.5 km from Strawberry Flats and 6.5 km from the junction of the Skyline I and Skyline II trails. It is a popular place to see black bears and deer.

The campground has a pit toilet, bear cache, and room for four tents. During a hot, dry summer, water is not always readily available. Be prepared and bring your own water supply.

Nicomen Lake Campground sits at the 23 km mark on the Heather Trail, 17.5 km from Cayuse Flats. It has room for six tents, with four of the tent pads located near the lake. The campground also has a shelter, fire pit, outhouse, and bear cache.

Nicomen Lake itself offers very good fishing opportunities at the height of summer. This cold, alpine lake freezes over during the winter and does not usually thaw until early July.

This campground is located on the Pacific Crest Trail. It is close to the intersection with Frosty Mountain Trail and 6.3 km from the Windy Joe-Frosty Mountain trailhead parking lot.

The campground has space for four tents, plus a pit toilet, and fire ring. A stream runs through the campground, which is a good water source. We recommend that you treat the water before using it.

We strongly recommend that you gather and treat your water here if you are continuing along the trail. There may be no opportunities to fill up further on.

This campground is at the north-west end of Poland Lake, a strenuous 8 km hike from Strawberry Flats. It has room for six tents and includes a shelter, pit toilets, a bear cache, and a fire pit.

A creek runs through the campground and into the lake. The lake water is very cold. It freezes over during winter and does not thaw until early July. During the winter, this remains a popular destination for camping and backcountry skiing.

In the spring, flowers bloom later here than in the sub-alpine meadows. This creates opportunities to see spring flowers that are otherwise missed. Additionally, black bears are often seen on the trail that crosses the ski-hill area.

This campground is at the western end of Strike Lake, which is the third of four lakes on the Lightning Lake Chain Trail. The campground is nestled in a grove of tall Engelman Spruce trees, a relatively easy 90 minutes from the trailhead.

The campground has room for eight tents. It offers pit toilets, a bear cache, and a fire pit. As this is one of the most accessible campgrounds in the park and the first to be free of snow, it is very popular.