Mount Robson Provincial Park Camping

As you drive east from Prince George, B.C. on the Yellowhead Highway, Mount Robson will come into view… and your jaw will drop. When it comes to Mount Robson Provincial Park, the word “epic” is an apt description.

Camping at Mount Robson Park

Home to the famous Berg Lake Trail, Mount Robson Provincial Park is B.C.’s second-oldest provincial park. It is recognized for its notable elevation changes (the trail covers 800 meters over 23 kilometers), breathtaking scenery (turquoise waters, mountain peaks, expansive valleys), and diverse wildlife (birds, mammals, and amphibians).

Car campers can stay at one of the 182 vehicle-accessible front-country campsites. The park also offers 98 backcountry campsites for those who’re suitably equipped. (Some of these campsites allow you to hear the glacier crackle as you lay in your tent at night.) Those curious about the park’s history can visit the Mount Robson Visitor Information Centre, at the park’s entrance. Visitors come to the park to camp, hike, heli-hike, and even snowshoe in the winter months.

Location, geography, and history

Mount Robson Provincial Park is located in east-central British Columbia, on the Yellowhead Highway. The park is 284 km east of Prince George, 351 km north of Kamloops, and 390 km west of Edmonton. It borders Jasper National Park. A handful of small communities including Tête Jaune Cache, McBride, and Valemount are within driving distance of the park.

Sprawled over a vast 225,777 hectares (492 of which are protected), the park’s namesake is Mount Robson. At 3,954 meters (12,972 feet), it marks the highest point in the majestic Canadian Rockies. Mount Robson was first summited in 1913—the same year it became a park.

Those of the Texqakallt Nation (the region’s earliest known inhabitants) call Mount Robson “Yuh-hai-has-kun.” This name translates to “The Mountain of the Spiral Road”. In 1990, Mount Robson was added to the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Features, wildlife, and vegetation

Natural features in Mount Robson Provincial Park include a snow-capped peak, three glaciers (Berg, Mist, Robson), breathtaking waterfalls (Emperor, Toboggan), and expansive alpine terrain. You’ll also find pristine—but darned cold—lakes (Berg, Kinney, Yellowhead). The Fraser River, which produces more salmon than any other river, originates in this provincial park. It is also B.C.’s longest river, at 1,378 kilometers in length.

The park is home to four biogeoclimatic zones. In it, you’ll find old-growth forests and tree species including Interior Cedar Hemlock, Englemann Spruce-subalpine Fir, and Sub-boreal Spruce. This massive expanse also contains wetland habitats and wildflower meadows.

Remember to bring your binoculars, so, you can view wildlife from a safe distance. In lower elevations, you might spot black bears, elk, deer (Mule and Whitetail), and moose. As you reach higher points, wildlife can include caribou, grizzly bears, mountain goats/sheep. 182+ bird species have been identified in the park, ranging from eagles to hummingbirds and Grey Owls.

Risks and warnings

Please be aware that much of the terrain in Mount Robson Provincial Park is remote and presents dangers. Some terrain is avalanche prone. There are many steep drops, loose rocks, turbulent river rapids, and other hazards that can be life-threatening. Amenities are limited, and lake/river water must be boiled or purified before drinking. Enter the park prepared and please leave no trace.