Discover HI Canada's
Wilderness Hostels
HI has ten rustic wilderness hostels tucked among the Rocky Mountains in Banff, Jasper and Yoho National Parks as well as in Kananaskis Country. Each one is guaranteed to get you right back to the basics, away from screens and distractions, allowing you to appreciate the simple things in life. Take in the fresh air, enjoy some peace and quiet, explore nature on your doorstep and spend time with new friends and old around a toasty fire.
We offer three different types of wilderness hostel experiences that come with different degrees of creature comforts. Keep in mind that seasonal closures may apply and be sure to check our schedule before you head out.
Wilderness Lite
HI Castle Mountain, HI Kananaskis and HI Yoho National Park are great options for those new to the Canadian wilderness. You’ll get electricity, indoor toilets and hot showers, but these hostels are still surrounded by nature and provide a true getaway from the city and all the hustle and bustle that comes with it.

HI Castle Mountain Wilderness Hostel
Banff National Park, AB
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Kitchen
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Lounge
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Campfire pit
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Tourist Info
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BBQ

HI Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel
Kananaskis, AB
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Free parking
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Tourist Info
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Laundry room
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Kitchen
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Free Coffee

HI Yoho National Park, Whiskey Jack Wilderness Hostel
Yoho National Park, BC
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Free parking
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Tourist Info
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Kitchen
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Bike storage
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Campfire
Classic Wilderness
Kick your rustic hostelling experience up a notch by staying at HI Athabasca Falls, HI Maligne Canyon, HI Mosquito Creek or HI Rampart Creek. You won’t find electricity or running water here, but alternative energy sources power the lights, the kitchen is fully equipped for all your cooking needs and the heated sleeping rooms are the perfect spot to rest your head. It's also said that these wilderness hostels have some of the cleanest and nicest outhouses in the parks! There’s a manager on-site to help you get settled, and easy road access gets you right to the door.
HI Beauty Creek and HI Mount Edith Cavell are classic wilderness hostels in the summer, and get a bit wilder come winter.
Wildest Wilderness
Got some winter backcountry experience under your belt and want to go it alone? HI Hilda Creek is only accessible on a key-code basis year-round and HI Beauty Creek and HI Mt Edith Cavell are key-code access only during the winter. Please note, HI Mount Edith Cavell is closed for the 2021-22 winter season.
Because these hostels aren’t staffed or monitored in the winter, prepare for a range of winter conditions. If you're headed into avalanche terrain, transceivers, avalanche probes and shovels are a must. At HI Mount Edith Cavell, there is no winter road access, so you’ll have to hike, cross-country ski or snowshoe your way down the 11 km road to the hostel. To stay, call Central Reservations to book your trip, sign the waiver and get the key code. Once you’re at the hostel, you’re on your own and expected to operate and care for the hostel as though it were your own.

HI Beauty Creek Wilderness Hostel
Jasper National Park, AB
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Free parking
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Kitchen
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Bike storage
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Campfire
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Tourist Info

HI Mount Edith Cavell Wilderness Hostel
Jasper National Park, AB
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Free parking
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Tourist Info
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Campfire
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Kitchen
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Lounge
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Free Firewood
Rent-a-Hostel
Get an entire wilderness hostel to yourself
Your own private getaway in the Rockies awaits! Rent out an entire wilderness hostel for your exclusive use. Gather around the campfire pit, gaze up at the brilliant night skies and enjoy your own slice of paradise in the wilderness. Each hostel comes with comfortable sleeping quarters for 6 to 40, a fully equipped kitchen, a cozy lounge area with a woodstove, an outdoor campfire pit and a whole lot of peace and quiet.
Ready to book your wilderness adventure?
To book your wilderness hostel experience, book online or contact our Central Reservations Office. Our informed staff will be happy to assist and answer any questions you've got.
For stays at our key code access hostels and for Rent-a-Hostel, you should also know that:
- Deposits are required
- A waiver form must be signed
- Keycode will be given when reservation is completed and paid in full
- Be sure to check road conditions and weather forecasts in Banff and Jasper prior to heading out.