Bikepacking to Big Elbow Backcountry Campground | A short overnighter in the Canadian Rockies

Daphne and friends Tannis and Nancy bikepack to Big Elbow backcountry campground for a single overnight getaway early in September 2025. This is about a 10km ride on double-track gravel starting at Little Elbow Provincial Recreation area (and Little Elbow Campground) in Kananaskis Country, Alberta. From home in Calgary, this is about a 1 hour drive west to the end of highway 66, a scenic area in the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies.

After setting up camp, we cycled a bit further along the route towards Tombstone before returning to enjoy the evening in this lovely recently "renovated" campsite.
Skies are a little hazy due to wildfire smoke, but the smoke clears for a while on Day 2.

For those familiar with mountain biking in the area, this is part of the classic 40km Big Elbow/Little Elbow loop.

We really enjoyed this campground set on the Elbow River, and we had it all to ourselves. It has a lovely seating/dining area around a firefit, firewood and axe provided, new outhouse, food lockers (to bear-proof your food) and even a bike repair stand!

Don't forget that if you're thinking of camping here, you do need a permit which you must purchase ahead of time (no registration box at the campground). And remember too you also need a Kananaskis permit to park your car at the trailhead. And of course this is bear country, so we are all carrying bear spray, and being careful to place all our food, cooking equipment and toiletries in the bear-proof lockers provided.

Below is the link to purchase a campground permit ($12 per person in 2025)
https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/kan...