HI Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel

Situated right on the Icefields Parkway between Jasper and Lake Louise, this a great location for exploring the area, going hiking, or even travelling between Banff and Jasper National Parks. The accommodation is basic but is a nice step above camping. Hostel manager Charles was great! He showed everyone around the property and was very accommodating. The kitchen is well equipped and in its own cabin with a seating area, board games, and charging station. There are two accommodation cabins which have two rooms in each cabin with several bunk beds. Also there was a sauna cabin by the river which was a great perk. Free wifi is available through Starlink which I was pleasantly surprised about having since there is no cell reception on the Icefields Parkway. There was a fire pit and the place was great for star gazing. Overall great stay at HI Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel.

After a long day on Lake O Hara trail, we headed back to Lake Louise HI hostel as with booking here you get to use their showers and facilities beforehand (no showers here!) Off grid, but they did kindly charge my phone and there was limited starlink WiFi. But we did enjoy switching off. Hostel is basic, but you know that. Honest bar snack shop. Kitchen and social hang out areas. All very clean. We got the sauna fired up in the morning and enjoyed some heat and cold water plunges in the creek. Perfect little stop over before heading to Jasper.

We had a really unique and memorable stay at this backpackers. Joel gave us a proper tour when we checked in, which was helpful for getting familiar with the facilities and the layout. Each room had its own heater, which kept things comfortable in the cooler evenings. Around the property there were raspberry bushes that guests could pick from, a nice touch since bears generally avoid them due to the thorns. The setup is rustic, with long drop toilets and no running water, but drinking water is provided along with a well-equipped kitchen. The kitchen included fridges, freezers, a three-sink washing system, and gas-powered heating and cooking. Lighting came from solar-powered LED strips, which worked surprisingly well. There was also the option of a campfire or even a wood sauna, which added a cozy and social element to the stay. Guests should be aware of the wildlife in the area—bears occasionally wander through, so it’s strongly advised to keep all food indoors. Mosquitoes can also be heavy in the evenings, so it’s worth coming prepared. Parking was available right by the roadside at the entrance, which was convenient. The location is about 10 minutes from Saskatchewan River Crossing, where you can find shops, food, petrol, running water, and power if needed. The free Starlink Wi-Fi worked well, with unlimited use for guests, which was great given the remote setting. Overall, it’s a rustic and authentic backcountry experience with just enough amenities to stay comfortable.

Rampart Creek Wilderness Hostel offers a unique stay right on the Icefield Parkway, making it an unbeatable value for the price. The hostel features a quaint wood-heated sauna with a glacier river just behind it for a refreshing dip—a perfect blend of heat and chill! The rooms are very basic; I stayed in a 6-person dorm where the beds were somewhat short, but it’s all part of the hostel experience. There are communal cooking and seating areas, and evenings by the campfire make for a memorable stay. While the facilities are simple, the friendly host and the prime location make it a great choice for budget-conscious travelers seeking adventure.

This place is rough around the edges (and could be so much better)but in an incredible location. We had an ok stay there with some fun people passing through, making the wood fired sauna was memorable and it keeps you dry, warm, and has a kitchen. Downside is dirty and dysfunctional kitchen that gets really hot even with all windows open, no private place to change (why no changing room in the cabin?) and sleeping with effectively 12 people since the second room had paper thin walls and same loud creaky door. Get ready for so much snoring and bathroom breaks all night long. Being a handy engineer, I sure would love to fix all the problems. Like move the water spout to over the sink so you don’t spend so much time moving water??? And a modern solar system could power a pressure tank water system easily without having to run a loud generator just when people are getting ready for bed to a quiet fire or sauna. And the old propane stoves take forever to boil a pot of water. Needs a kitchen island for the 24 people trying to make dinner at once, and insulate the roof so it is not so hot. Bring measuring cups and spoons if you want all sizes. In a dream world Parks Canada would hire a modern architect to make all-new, carbon-neutral modular lodgings and kitchen/ lounge that are actually comfortable and don’t waste tons of fossil gas. Would be a fun project.

Well equipped hostel. The power is from solar, and they run a generator as required. Starlink internet is slick, available when the electricity is on (generator is not 24/7) Heaters will add up to 40*c in cabins and common room- be aware if visiting at -40*c - its very cold inside. Sauna is lovely, fits about 4 comfortably, 7 is squished. The walk in the river valley past the sauna is very nice, especially in winter.

I loved the stay, the wood-fired Sauna and the cold dip in the stream was the highlight of my visit. The kitchen was clean. Joel was amazing he gave a lot of information and walked me around gave me a tour of the hostel. I wanted to check out the small hike behind but I left early in the morning. the beds and rooms were quite clean, clean sheets were provided. I was here in a quieter time of the year so I had the entire shared room from myself. I can't comment about when the hostel is full. Wifi was not the best but hey, I can't expect that in a wilderness hostel.

Great place to go in a large group and have a lot of fun. It is set up to relax, do all your favourite out door activities and reconnect with family or friends.