Key terms guide

If you're new to Canada or the outdoors, you may find the following explanations helpful for navigating this travel guide and on your trip.

Many of them relate to campgrounds.

I have also broken down accommodation and activity prices at the end.

FCFS - First come, first serve. Usually referring to a campground that does not have a reservation system. To secure a spot, read the arrivals information at the entrance and then choose a vacant site. Follow the arrivals instructions for payment.

Frontcountry - An area within 1km of a road and therefore vehicle accessible. A range of amenities will usually be available such as washrooms, paved or well graded gravel paths, bridges etc.

Frontcountry campground - Developed campground accessible by vehicle, with washrooms (outhouse or flush), designated sites, drinking water, picnic tables, trash bins. May sometimes have full time campground staff, showers, hook-ups (electric/water/sewer), cooking shelters.

Backcountry - Wilderness area reached by non-vehicle means (foot, ski, horse, boat, canoe etc) with no road access. Expect basic or no facilities. Leave No Trace of your visit!

Backcountry campground - Wilderness camping area with no vehicle access. There may be some facilities (designated sites, outhouses, picnic tables, food caches/hang) or none at all. Campers should be completely self reliant and be careful to follow Leave No Trace principles.

Provincial parks - Park system funded by the individual province. In BC, provincial parks are administered by BC Parks. In Alberta, Alberta Parks. Both are free for day-use (fees apply for camping), with the exception of Alberta Parks in the Kananaskis Valley area.

National parks - Park system funded by Canada's federal (national) government, administered by Parks Canada. There is a day use fee with additional fees for camping, shuttle services, guided hikes and some facilities (e.g. hot springs, Cave and Basin museum).

Walk-in campsites - Frontcountry camping that is accessible by foot only, designed for campers who are tenting only. There will be a separate area for parking, usually 20 to 100 metres away from the tenting area.

Double campsite (BC Provincial Parks only) - This refers to an individual campsite that is located very close to another campsite. This enables two camping groups to camp very close to one another. Double sites must be reserved together.

Serviced campsites - Designed for RV and trailers, these campsites will have electrical, water or sewer hook-ups (or a combination of).

Unserviced campsites - No hook-up services (as above), suitable for all campers not wanting or needing electrical, water or sewer facilities direct to their campsite.

Pull-through campsites - Designed for campers using large RVs or long trailers to drive through and park with minimal manoeuvring.

Group campgrounds - These are for large, organised groups wanting to camp together.

Activity prices in Canadian dollars

Budget ($) - Up to $20 per adult

Mid-range ($$) - $20 to $80 per adult

Luxury ($$$) - $81+

Accommodation prices in Canadian dollars

Budget ($) - Up to $100/night (mostly camping, glamping)

Mid-range ($$) - $100-230/night (often chain hotels, motels)

Luxury ($$$) - $230+ (upscale accommodation)

Please note that Vancouver, Banff, Jasper and the Icefields Parkway are an exception - prices are higher here than Canadian averages and all 'mid-range' properties are $400+ during the summer months.