BANFF NATIONAL PARK - Canadian Rockies: Including Banff and Jasper National Parks - page 134

Campgrounds
Exit the TransCanada Highway at the Lake Louise interchange, 56 kilometers (35 miles)
northwest of Banff, and take the first left beyond Samson Mall and under the railway
bridge to reach Lake Louise Campground, within easy walking distance of the village.
The campground is divided into two sections by the Bow River but is linked by the Bow
River Loop hiking trail that leads into the village along either side of the Bow River. In-
dividual sites throughout are close together, but some privacy and shade are provided by
towering lodgepole pines. Just under 200 serviced (powered) sites are grouped together
at the end of the road. In addition to hookups, this section has showers and flush toilets;
$38. Across the river are 216 unserviced sites, each with a fire ring and picnic table. Oth-
er amenities include kitchen shelters and a modern bathroom complex complete with hot
showers. These sites cost $34 per night. A dump station is near the entrance to the camp-
ground ($8 per use). An interpretive program runs throughout the summer, nightly at 9pm
(except Tuesday) in the outdoor theater. Sites can be booked in advance by contacting the
Parks Canada Campground Reservation Service (877/737-3783, www.pccamping.ca ) .
The many sites available on a first-come, first-served basis fill fast in July and August, so
plan on arriving early in the afternoon to ensure a spot. The serviced section of this camp-
ground is open year-round, the unserviced section mid-May-September.
FOOD
Other guidebooks encourage readers to “eat at your hotel.” Not only is this not helpful,
it's misleading. The village of Lake Louise may exist only to serve travelers, but there are
good dining options serving all budgets.
Casual
If you don't feel like a cooked breakfast, start your day off at M Laggan's Mountain
Bakery (Samson Mall, 403/552-2017, 6am-8pm daily, lunches $8-12), the place to hang
out with a coffee and a freshly baked breakfast croissant, pastry, cake, or muffin. The
chocolate brownie is delicious (order two slices to save having to line up twice). If the
tables are full, order takeout and enjoy your feast on the riverbank behind the mall.
For a casual meal, head to Bill Peyto's Cafe in the Lake Louise Alpine Centre (Village
Rd., 403/522-2200, 7am-9pm daily, $12-17), where the food is consistent and well priced.
A huge portion of nachos is $8, pasta is $12-14, and stir-fries range $12-15.