Updated for the 2026 hiking season

The Berg Lake Trail in Mount Robson Provincial Park reopened in 2025 after the devastating floods of 2021, and 2026 marks its second full season open. With a limited permit system now firmly in place, securing a reservation for this iconic hike is more competitive than ever — making advance planning essential.

If hiking Berg Lake has been on your bucket list, 2026 is a great opportunity to experience the trail in its restored form. While access and infrastructure have changed since the reopening, the dramatic scenery that makes Berg Lake legendary remains the same.

Views of Berg Lake from Hargreaves Lookout, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Views from the Berg Lake Shelter, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

When Matt and I hiked Berg Lake over the Labour Day long weekend in 2020, we unknowingly became some of the last hikers to experience the trail before its closure. That trip — part of a longer road trip through Jasper and along the Icefields Parkway — remains one of our all-time favourites.

From the glow of Mount Robson at sunset, to the roar of Emperor Falls, to the stillness of Berg Lake in the early morning, it’s a place that leaves a lasting impression. As the trail enters its second season open, it’s impossible not to reflect on how special that experience was — and how meaningful it will be for a new generation of hikers discovering Berg Lake in 2026.

Kinney Lake, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

What’s Changed Since the Reopening

While Berg Lake is open again, it’s important to know that infrastructure and access have changed since the 2021 floods. BC Parks has rebuilt sections of the trail with long-term resilience in mind, and the experience now feels more intentional and managed.

Expect:

Strict adherence to reservation limits
Clearly defined camping zones
Fewer overall overnight permits than pre-flood years

This helps protect the trail — but it also means planning ahead is essential.

Valley of a Thousand Falls, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

How to Get Permits for Berg Lake (2026)

Overnight stays on the Berg Lake Trail require a BC Parks backcountry reservation, and permits are extremely limited.

2026 Reservation Opening Date

December 2, 2025
Reservations open at 7:00 am PT
Booking is through the BC Parks Online Reservation System

This date applies to all Berg Lake backcountry campgrounds, including Berg Lake, Rearguard, Whitehorn, and Emperor Falls.

Permit Cost

Approximately $10 per person, per night
Plus a reservation fee per booking

Availability

Very limited
Peak summer dates (July–September) book up quickly
Weekdays are significantly easier to secure than weekends

Berg Lake from Hargreaves Lake Route, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Booking Tips (From Someone Who’s Been There)

If you’re serious about hiking Berg Lake in 2026, these tips matter:

Create your BC Parks account ahead of time
Be logged in before 7:00 am PT on booking day
Have multiple date options ready
Aim for midweek trips if possible
Book one tent pad only if you can — it’s much easier than trying to secure multiple pads
If you don’t get a permit right away, don’t give up
- Check back frequently
- Set cancellation alerts
- Many bookings fall through in the days and weeks after opening

That’s exactly how I secured our permit back in 2020.

When to Go & How Long to Stay

Best Time to Hike

June: Snow lingers at higher elevations
July - August: Peak season, best weather but busiest
September: Fewer crowds, crisp air, golden larches in late September

We hiked the first weekend of September, and it was perfect—warm days, cool nights, and barely any bugs (until Whitehorn… but we’ll get to that).

How Many Nights?

1 night: Possible, but brutal—you’d need to hike 42 km in two days.
2 nights: A great option—one night at Berg Lake, one at Emperor Falls or Whitehorn.
3+ nights: Ideal if you want to explore side trails like Snowbird Pass and Toboggan Falls.

We planned for three nights but ended up hiking out early. More on that later.

Emperor Falls Campground, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Our Berg Lake Experience: A Day-by-Day Breakdown

At the trailhead, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Day 1: Trailhead to Emperor Falls (19 km, 800m elevation gain)

We rolled into Mount Robson Provincial Park around midday, checked in at the visitor centre, and shouldered our packs.

The first 4.5 km to Kinney Lake were an easy warm-up. The trail—wide and well-graded—followed the rushing Robson River, and we passed dozens of day hikers along the way. Kinney Lake itself was stunning, the kind of blue that makes you question if the colour is even real.

We kept moving, winding through forest and past old flood-damaged sections before reaching Whitehorn Campground (11 km in). At this point, the elevation gain really started.

The next stretch—between Whitehorn and Emperor Falls—was where things got real. Steep, relentless switchbacks made me question my life choices, but stopping to check out the waterfalls along the way made it worthwhile.

White Falls, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

By the time we reached Emperor Falls (19 km in), I was exhausted, but the sight of water thundering down in a cloud of mist brought me right back to life. We ditched our packs and rushed out to the falls, standing just close enough to get soaked.

That night, we camped at Emperor Falls Campground, right by the river. The glow of Mount Robson at sunset was one of the best views I’ve ever seen from a tent.

Sunset at Emperor Falls Campground, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Emperor Falls, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Day 2: Berg Lake & Side Trips (6 km + exploring)

The hike from Emperor Falls to Berg Lake was short but breathtaking. As we reached the lake, the massive Berg Glacier came into view, its ice tumbling down to the water’s edge.

Snowbird Pass Route, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

After setting up camp, we set off to explore:

Snowbird Pass Route – We didn’t go all the way, but the views toward the Robson Glacier were unreal.
Adolphus Lake – A quiet, warm alpine lake just across the Alberta border. We had it to ourselves and took a quick (and chilly) skinny dip.

That evening, we made dinner by the lake and listened to the sounds of ice cracking and calving into the water.

Reargaurd Campground / Snowbird Junction, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Day 3: Exploring & Hiking Out (29 km total)

Sunrise at Berg Lake, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

We woke up early watched the sunrise over Berg lake and then hiked up to Hargraves Lake & Toboggan Falls for panoramic views over Berg Lake. Drinking our morning coffee with that backdrop? 10/10 would recommend.

Hargreaves Lake, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Hargreaves Lookout, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

After packing up, we took one last dip in Berg Lake before heading out.

We had planned to stay at Whitehorn, but the bugs were next-level horrific—clouds of mosquitoes so bad that we didn’t even hesitate. We just kept going.

By the time we reached Kinney Lake at sunset, I was sweaty, tired, and aching for a shower. But I couldn’t resist one last swim. The lake was cold, but in that refreshing, soul-awakening kind of way.

That night, we made our way back to Jasper, grabbed a last-minute hotel on Expedia, and celebrated with nachos and beer at Jasper Brewing Co.

Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Reflections on Kinney Lake, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Trail Stats

Distance: ~42 km round trip
Elevation Gain: ~800 m
Difficulty: Moderate to Challenging
Time Required: 2–4 days
Trailhead: Mount Robson Visitor Centre
Best Season: Late June – September (snow lingers into early summer)

Berg Lake Picnic Area, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Campsites Along the Trail

There are seven designated campsites along the Berg Lake Trail, each equipped with tent pads, bear lockers, outhouses, and food storage cables. Some also have picnic tables and shelters.

Kinney Lake Campground (6.8 km, 150 m gain) – A great first stop for families or late arrivals. This site is close to the trailhead and offers a peaceful spot by the lake. While it’s tempting to stay here, most hikers push further in on the first day.
Whitehorn Campground (11 km, 250 m gain) – A popular halfway point nestled in a scenic valley along the Robson River. It’s a great place to rest before tackling the steep climb ahead.
Emperor Falls Campground (16 km, 700 m gain) – Located near one of the trail’s most impressive waterfalls, this site is worth considering if you want to break up the climb into shorter sections. The falls are just a short detour from camp and are absolutely breathtaking, especially at sunset.
Marmot Campground (19 km, 800 m gain) – A quieter option with more open views of Berg Lake. While it doesn’t offer a direct glacier view like Berg Lake Campground, it’s a solid alternative for those looking for a more secluded spot.
Berg Lake Campground (21 km, 800 m gain) – The most well-known campsite and the best spot to fully take in Berg Glacier and Mount Robson. This is where most hikers aim to stay for at least one night to soak in the incredible scenery.
Rearguard Campground (22 km, 820 m gain) – A small, quiet site just beyond Berg Lake. If Berg Lake is fully booked, this is a great alternative.
Robson Pass Campground (23 km, 850 m gain) – The last campground before crossing into Jasper National Park. This site provides access to Snowbird Pass, one of the best day hikes in the area.

Each of these campgrounds offers a unique perspective of the trail, and choosing the right one depends on how you want to break up your trip. If you’re looking for the most scenic and immersive experience, Berg Lake or Emperor Falls are top picks. If you’re after solitude, Marmot or Rearguard are excellent choices.

Marmot Campground, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Views from our tent pad at Berg Lake Campground, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Reargaurd Campground, Berg Lake Trail (Mount Robson Provincial Park).

Where to Stay Before & After Your Hike

Mount Robson Inn (Jasper) – A great launch point
Robson Meadows Campground – Right by the trailhead
Valemount (30 min away) – More budget-friendly options

Driving Directions

From Valemount (30 min, 33 km):

Head north on BC-5 N for about 20 km.
Turn right onto BC-16 E (Yellowhead Highway) toward Jasper.
Continue for 13 km to reach the Mount Robson Visitor Centre and trailhead parking.

From Jasper (1 hr, 88 km):

Head west on BC-16 W (Yellowhead Highway) toward Tête Jaune Cache.
Drive for 88 km, passing the Alberta-BC border (note the time change if coming from Alberta!).
Look for signs for Mount Robson Provincial Park—the Visitor Centre and Berg Lake Trailhead parking are just off the highway.

Gear

Check out my Gear Guide

I’ve put together a Backpacking Checklist with a complete list of gear recommendations.

Why We Love This Hike

Berg Lake Trail is finally back—and it’s still one of the most breathtaking, rewarding hikes in the Rockies. If you’re lucky enough to snag a permit, take your time, explore the side trails, and soak up every moment.

I can’t wait to return. Maybe I’ll even book it as a Christmas gift for Matt again. 😉

Have you hiked Berg Lake? Planning to go this year? Drop a comment below!