Tent Trips

These trips explore some of Banff National Park's most spectacular backcountry! The wilderness tenting rides are perfect for those who enjoy being outdoors but are also looking for a vacation without the stress of planning a camping trip – meals are cooked for you, tents are already set up, you can be as involved or as laid back as you want!

Each of the 3 camps on the circuit offers their own particular charms. Stoney Creek Camp sits at the junction of Stoney Creek and the Cascade River, and offers the rugged, sculptured peaks of the Palliser Range as a backdrop. Flints Park Camp is nestled into the base of massive Flints Peak. Open vistas and starry nights highlight this beautiful camp. The last camp is aptly called Mystic, with its stands of big, old pine and spruce trees covered with hanging moss, and open, grassy slides; this camp is set in a truly mystical location

These trips make camping easy! All of the camps are of a similar set-up; simple luxuries include wash stands and hot water, treated drinking water, a fire pit for evening campfires, a large kitchen tent where meals are cooked and served, plenty of "A" frame canvas tents with wooden floors which make for cozy accommodations and rustic rail corrals for the horses. Rivers flow nearby for the fishermen or brave swimmers. Each camp is also set up with an electric wildlife fence around the campsite, so there is no worrying about curious critters in the middle of the night! A full time cook in each camp prepares the meals; the kitchen tent warms up nicely with a hot wood-burning stove and offers plenty of seating/table room for socializing or card games. Flints Park camp even offers a hot shower for a quick rinse mid-way through your trip!

The clanging of the dinner bell calls all to delicious ranch-style meals. Coffee is always on and kept hot on the wood stove. The horses, chosen especially to meet your needs and experience, will win you over with their charming personalities and amaze you with their abilities. A strong "partnership" is usually formed by ride's end. During your ride, trails may lead to the tranquil beauty of Rainbow, Sawback or Cuthead Lakes; to the overwhelming views of 40 Mile Summit, Cuthead View Point, or the Rainbow Ridge; the open valleys on the Passes of Elk Lake or 40 Mile Summit, the beauty of the Dormer and Block Valleys or the eerie atmosphere of Mystic Valley. The historic elk corral or wild goat trap should provide you with plenty of opportunities to see and capture on film the abundant wildlife common to the area: elk, deer, bighorn sheep, goats, eagles and the occasional bear or timber wolf. The rides are casual, with breaks and leisurely lunches.

Lunch is served on the trail and there is usually time for some exploring, fishing and even a well deserved snooze in the tall grass... Click here to see where the tent camps are located in relation to the Banff townsite.



6-Day Tent Trip

Day 1 - The riders meet at our office at 8:30 a.m. and are transported by van to the trailhead corral at Mount Norquay. There they are met by their guides and horses, and mount up for the eleven mile ride over Elk Lake Summit between Brewster Mountain and Cascade Mountain, and down into Stoney Creek Camp.

Day 2 - A ride is taken toward the headwaters of Stoney Creek, returning to camp for the night. This area is a favorite haunt of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep, who are often grazing in the high meadows, providing ample opportunity for pictures.

Day 3 - The riders roll up their bedroll, mount up, and ride the ten miles to Flint's Park Camp. This camp, located in the center of open, grassy ridges topped with high peaks, has become a favorite of many of our riders. Wildlife is commonly seen and photographed in this area.

Day 4 - A day ride is conducted from camp to Block Mountain, or perhaps to Cuthead Viewpoint - just two of the many points of interest accessible from Flint's Park. This area has much to offer the rider, photographer, hiker and fisherman alike.

Day 5 - Once again the riders roll up their bedroll in preparation for the ride to the Mystic Valley Camp. At this time the guests have the opportunity to observe the historic art of horse packing, using the famous diamond hitch. When everything is securely in place, the riders mount up and ride into Mystic Valley for the final night. It is traditional with our guides to have a real western dinner for the last night. By this time everyone has become friends, and all are ready for a wind-up get-together.

Day 6 - Unfortunately, every trip has a last day, but what better way to end the trip than with the scenic nine mile ride from Mystic Valley to the Mount Norquay Corral. The "Full Circle" has been completed and the riders return to Banff at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Departure Day: Wednesday
Rates: June/September $1243
July/August $1446

2010 Schedule

6 day Tent trip - Wednesday Departures

5 Day Tent trip

Day 1 - The riders meet at our office at 8:30 a.m. and are transported by van to the trailhead corral at Mount Norquay. There they are met by their guides and horses, and mount up for the eleven mile ride over Elk Lake Summit between Brewster Mountain and Cascade Mountain, and down into Stoney Creek Camp.

Day 2 - The riders roll up their bedroll, mount up, and ride the ten miles to Flint's Park Camp. This camp, located in the center of open, grassy ridges topped with high peaks, has become a favorite of many of our riders. Wildlife is commonly seen and photographed in this area.

Day 3 - A day ride is conducted from camp to Block Mountain, or perhaps to Cuthead Viewpoint - just two of the many points of interest accessible from Flint's Park. This area has much to offer the rider, photographer, hiker and fisherman alike.

Day 4 - Once again the riders roll up their bedroll in preparation for the ride to the Mystic Valley Camp. At this time the guests have the opportunity to observe the historic art of horse packing, using the famous diamond hitch. When everything is securely in place, the riders mount up and ride into Mystic Valley for the final night. It is traditional with our guides to have a real western dinner for the last night. By this time everyone has become friends, and all are ready for a wind-up get-together.

Day 5 - Unfortunately, every trip has a last day, but what better way to end the trip than with the scenic nine mile ride from Mystic Valley to the Mount Norquay Corral. The "Full Circle" has been completed and the riders return to Banff at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Departure Day: Saturday
Rates: June/September $1047
July/August $1217

2010 Schedule

5 day tent trip - Saturday departures

4 Day Tent trip

Day 1 - The riders meet at our office at 8:30 a.m. and are transported by van to the trailhead corral at Mount Norquay. There they are met by their guides and horses, and mount up for the eleven mile ride over Elk Lake Summit between Brewster Mountain and Cascade Mountain, and down into Stoney Creek Camp.

Day 2 - The riders roll up their bedroll, mount up, and ride the ten miles to Flint's Park Camp. This camp, located in the center of open, grassy ridges topped with high peaks, has become a favorite of many of our riders. Wildlife is commonly seen and photographed in this area.

Day 3 - Once again the riders roll up their bedroll in preparation for the ride to the Mystic Valley Camp. At this time the guests have the opportunity to observe the historic art of horse packing, using the famous diamond hitch. When everything is securely in place, the riders mount up and ride into Mystic Valley for the final night. It is traditional with our guides to have a real western dinner for the last night. By this time everyone has become friends, and all are ready for a wind-up get-together.

Day 4 - Unfortunately, every trip has a last day, but what better way to end the trip than with the scenic nine mile ride from Mystic Valley to the Mount Norquay Corral. The "Full Circle" has been completed and the riders return to Banff at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Departure Day: Monday
Rates: June/September $848
July/August $983

2010 Schedule

4 day tent trip - Monday Departures

3 Day Mystic Valley Ride

Day 1 - The riders meet at our office at 8:30 a.m. and are transported by van to the trailhead corral at Mount Norquay. There they meet their guides and horses, and mount up for the ride to Mystic Valley Camp with a lunch stop along 40 Mile Creek.

Day 2 – After a hearty ranch style breakfast, mount up for a stunning day ride to either Mystic Lake or Mystic Pass. You will spend another full day on the trail with a lunch break at one of these spectacular vistas, and then return back to Mystic camp for the second night of your stay.

Day 3 – Roll up your bedroll and mount up once again for the leisurely ride along 40 Mile Creek back to the Mount Norquay Corral. Approximate arrival time in Banff is 5pm.

Departure Day: Friday
Rates: June/September $643
July/August $745

2010 Schedule

3 day Mystic valley tent trip - Friday departures