National park · Canada
Mount Robson Provincial Park
Drive Highway 16 and stop for Kinney Lake (4.5 km (2.8 mi) one way, 2–3 h return) or commit to the Berg Lake Trail with a booked permit; day use is free, so pay only for camping or a Discovery Pass if you are also doing Parks Canada sites.Drive Highway 16 and stop for Kinney Lake (2.8 mi (4.5 km) one way, 2–3 h return) or commit to the Berg Lake Trail with a booked permit; day use is free, so pay only for camping or a Discovery Pass if you are also doing Parks Canada sites.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2,249 km² (868 sq mi)868 sq mi (2,249 km²)
approximate
Established
1913
Best months
Jul–Sep
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 2,249 km² (868 sq mi)868 sq mi (2,249 km²)
- About 2,249 km²; figures vary slightly by source (check).
- Established
- 1913
- Best months
- Jul–Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Mount Robson Provincial Park protects the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies, 3,954 m of rock and ice with about 3,000 m of rise above the Robson Valley floor, and it is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site. Highway 16 runs through the middle of the park between Jasper and Prince George, so most visitors see it from a car: the visitor centre, Moose Lake and Yellowhead Lake are roadside stops, and the Kinney Lake Trail gives a 4.5 km one-way walk to a turquoise lake without a permit. The Berg Lake Trail is the reason people plan a trip here: 23 km with about 800 m of gain past Emperor Falls to the Berg Glacier, with seven campgrounds along the corridor and permits that sell out in summer. Snowbird Pass, Toboggan Falls and the Hargreaves Lake and Mumm Basin routes are side trips from Berg Lake, while Yellowhead Mountain and Mount Fitzwilliam are steep day trails east of the visitor centre. Day use is free; you pay for camping and backcountry permits, and the weather on the peak turns climbers back every season.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1984Part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks World Heritage Site.
Size and age
2,249 km² (868 sq mi)868 sq mi (2,249 km²) · national park since 1913
About 2,249 km²; figures vary slightly by source (check).
Why go
- Mount Robson is the highest peak in the Canadian Rockies at 3,954 m, with 3,000 m of rise above the valley floor.
- The Berg Lake Trail is one of the classic multi-day walks in Canada: Kinney Lake, Emperor Falls, the Berg Glacier and its floating ice.
- The park sits on Highway 16 between Jasper and Prince George, so it fits a Rockies road trip without a detour.
- Moose Lake, Yellowhead Lake and the upper Fraser River give easy fishing, paddling and short walks.
When to go
- JanAvoid
- FebAvoid
- MarAvoid
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunGo
- JulBest
- AugBest
- SepBest
- OctCaution
- NovAvoid
- DecAvoid
- JanDeep snow; Highway 16 open but services closed
- FebSnow; no trail access
- MarSnow persists; visitor centre closed
- AprThaw and mud; snow at higher elevations
- MayTrails open but Snowbird Pass closed for caribou calving
- JunLong days; snow patches on high routes; Snowbird Pass still closed
- JulWarmest, wildflowers, all routes open
- AugWarm and dry; busiest on the Berg Lake Trail
- SepClear, fewer people, early snow possible
- OctCold nights; snow returns to the passes
- NovWinter conditions; most facilities closed
- DecSnow; short daylight
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grizzly and black bearsApr–Oct · Most active near the highway and berry patches in late summer. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Caribou (calving area closed)May–Jun · Snowbird Pass is closed in May and June so calving is not disturbed. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Moose and elkMay–Jun, Sep–Oct · Around Moose Lake and the marshes; keep well back. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | yes | yes | no | no |
| Mountain goats and marmotsJun–Sep · On the high Berg Lake routes. | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
| Birds and waterfowlMay–Sep · More than 180 species recorded in the park. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Jasper
Drive Highway 16 west; the visitor centre is 25 km (16 mi) past the Jasper park gate.Drive Highway 16 west; the visitor centre is 16 mi (25 km) past the Jasper park gate.
25–35 min
Open the page →
From Valemount
Drive Highway 5 north to Tête Jaune Cache, then Highway 16 east.
35–45 min
From Edmonton
Highway 16 west through Jasper National Park.
4.5–5.5 h
From Prince George
Highway 16 east along the upper Fraser.
3.5–4 h
From Kamloops
Highway 5 north to Tête Jaune Cache, then Highway 16 east.
4.5–5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Robson Valley and Highway 16 corridor | Visitor centre, campgrounds, Moose Lake, Yellowhead Lake and the short trails. | Open; no day-use fee. |
| Berg Lake Trail corridor | Kinney Lake, Whitehorn, Emperor Falls, Marmot, Berg Lake, Rearguard and Robson Pass. | Permit required for overnight; day walkers can go as far as they like and turn back. |
| Robson Pass and Jasper boundary | The high pass linking to Jasper National Park trails. | Backcountry registration; experienced parties only. |
| Yellowhead and Fitzwilliam trailheads | Two steep day trails east of the visitor centre on Highway 16. | Open; no facilities. |
Sketch map
- 1Mount Robson Visitor Centre · Headquarters≈53.035, -119.229Map ↗
- 2Robson Meadows campground · Sleep≈53.031, -119.237Map ↗
- 3Berg Lake trailhead · Trail≈53.030, -119.227Map ↗
- 4Kinney Lake · Trail≈53.075, -119.190Map ↗
- 5Berg Lake · Trail≈53.145, -119.159Map ↗
- 6Mount Robson summit · Summit≈53.111, -119.155Map ↗
- 7Moose Lake · Beach≈52.954, -118.910Map ↗
- 8Yellowhead Lake · Beach≈52.862, -118.543Map ↗
- 9Lucerne campground · Sleep≈52.850, -118.575Map ↗
- 10Valemount · Town≈52.833, -119.267Map ↗
Take the points offline
10 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions along Highway 16 and the Berg Lake corridor, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day use (parking, trails, viewpoints) | Free | vehicle | No day-use fee at BC provincial parks (check). |
| Frontcountry camping, Robson Meadows or Robson River | CAD 25–35 (≈ US$19–30) | night | 2026 estimate; per party, serviced sites cost more. |
| Lucerne campground | CAD 20–30 (≈ US$15–25) | night | 2026 estimate; first-come, first-served. |
| Berg Lake Trail backcountry permit | CAD 10–15 (≈ US$8–11) | person per night | 2026 estimate; booked in advance, plus a reservation fee (check). |
| Fishing licence (BC tidal/non-tidal) | CAD 10–40 (≈ US$8–30) | person | 2026 estimate; buy online or at the visitor centre. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Berg Lake Trail overnight permit permit or guide
Backcountry registration permit or guide
Fishing licence permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- C$25–35≈ US$19–30
- C$20–30≈ US$15–25
- C$10–15≈ US$8–11
- C$10–40≈ US$8–30
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Confirm on BC Parks — Mount Robson Provincial Park before you go.
Park rules
- Backcountry registration
- Register your itinerary with park staff before any overnight trip; carry first-aid gear and supplies.
- Bicycles
- Not allowed past the 7 km (4.3 mi) mark on the Berg Lake Trail, beyond Kinney Lake.Not allowed past the 4.3 mi (7 km) mark on the Berg Lake Trail, beyond Kinney Lake.
- Snowbird Pass closure
- Closed in May and June for caribou calving; do not enter even for a day trip.
- Wildlife
- Do not approach bears, moose or caribou, especially with young; keep food stored and pack out rubbish.
- Water and foraging
- Boil or filter all drinking water; picking and eating mushrooms or berries is illegal.
- Campfires
- Only in provided fire rings where allowed; check fire bans before you go (check).
Where to stay
In the park
Robson Meadows campground
125 sites minutes from the visitor centre; the main base for short walks.
In the park
Robson River campground
19 sites by the river, quieter than Robson Meadows.
In the park
Lucerne campground
36 first-come, first-served sites east towards Jasper.
In the park
Berg Lake Trail campgrounds
Kinney Lake, Whitehorn, Emperor Falls, Marmot, Berg Lake, Rearguard and Robson Pass; permit required.
Near the park
Valemount and Jasper
Motels, hotels and hostels 35–45 min away when the park campgrounds are full.
Safety
Bear encounters high
Weather changes on Mount Robson high
River and lake water medium
Remote trails medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, Robson Meadows and the Kinney Lake trailhead area have parking and short, level paths.
- Kinney Lake Trail is wide but not paved; the Berg Lake Trail and the alpine routes are not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Book Berg Lake permits in advance and camp only on designated pads; the corridor is heavily used in July and August.
- Pack out all rubbish and use the outhouses at the campgrounds; do not burn waste.
- Keep to trails in the caribou calving area and respect the Snowbird Pass closure.
- Buy supplies in Valemount or Jasper rather than expecting much inside the park.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Mount Robson Provincial Park?
Day use is free: there is no entrance gate and no parking fee for trails, viewpoints or the visitor centre. You pay for camping (about CAD 20–35 per night, 2026 estimate) and for a Berg Lake Trail backcountry permit (about CAD 10–15 per person per night, 2026 estimate). A Parks Canada Discovery Pass does not cover BC provincial park camping, but it is worth having if you are also visiting Jasper or other Parks Canada sites on the same trip.
What are the best hikes in Mount Robson Provincial Park?
Kinney Lake (4.5 km one way, 2–3 h return) is the best short walk and needs no permit. The Berg Lake Trail (23 km, about 800 m of gain, 3–5 days) is the classic multi-day route. From Berg Lake, Snowbird Pass is a full-day hike past the Robson Glacier, closed in May and June for caribou calving. Yellowhead Mountain and Mount Fitzwilliam are steep day trails east of the visitor centre.
When is the best time to visit Mount Robson Provincial Park?
July to September for the Berg Lake Trail and the alpine routes, with August the busiest. June is quieter but Snowbird Pass is closed and snow lingers high up. September often gives clear views of the peak with fewer people. The park is a winter snow scene from November to March, with most facilities closed.
Do I need a permit for the Berg Lake Trail?
Yes for overnight trips. Reserve through BC Parks before your dates; summer slots sell out. Day walkers can hike as far as they like without a permit, but bicycles are not allowed past the 7 km mark at Kinney Lake.
Can I see Mount Robson without hiking?
Yes. The visitor centre and the highway viewpoints on Highway 16 look straight at the peak, and Moose Lake and Yellowhead Lake are roadside stops. Cloud often hides the summit, so allow more than one chance if you are driving through.
Is Mount Robson Provincial Park the same as Jasper National Park?
No. Mount Robson is a BC provincial park; Jasper is a Parks Canada national park immediately to the east. They share a boundary and trail connections at Robson Pass, but fees, permits and campground booking systems are separate.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go