The Healy Pass to Egypt Lake trek is one of Banff's classic backcountry adventures — a multi-day trip that takes you from the Bow Valley over an alpine pass and into a stunning basin surrounded by peaks, turquoise lakes, and wildflower meadows. It's the perfect introduction to backcountry camping in the Canadian Rockies, with well-maintained trails, designated campsites, and scenery that rivals anything in the park.
Route Overview
- Healy Pass trailhead to Egypt Lake campground: 12.4 km one way
- Elevation gain: 655 m to the pass, then 275 m descent to Egypt Lake
- Time: 4–6 hours to the campground
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Trailhead: Sunshine Village parking lot (Sunshine Access Road)
- Season: Late June to September
Day 1: Over Healy Pass
The trail begins at the Sunshine Village ski resort parking lot and follows Healy Creek through dense subalpine forest. The first 6 km are relatively flat, following the creek through old-growth spruce and fir. You cross several bridges and gain elevation gradually.
At around the 6 km mark, the trail steepens as it begins the ascent to Healy Pass. The forest thins, alpine meadows appear, and during July and August, the wildflower displays are extraordinary — entire hillsides of purple fleabane, yellow arnica, red paintbrush, and white western anemone.
Healy Pass (2,330 m) is a broad, open saddle with panoramic views in every direction. The Monarch, a distinctive flat-topped peak, dominates the view to the west. Behind you, the Bow Valley stretches toward Banff. It's a natural rest stop and one of the most scenic lunch spots in the park.
From the pass, the trail descends into the Egypt Lake basin — a gradual 275 m drop through meadows and scattered larch trees into a valley containing Egypt Lake, Scarab Lake, Mummy Lake, and Pharaoh Lake. The nomenclature follows an Egyptian theme, inspired by the pyramid-shaped peaks surrounding the basin.
Egypt Lake Campground
The Egypt Lake backcountry campground is one of the best-equipped in Banff:
- Sites: Individual tent pads with bear-proof food storage
- Facilities: Pit toilets, food preparation shelters, and a campfire ring
- Water: Available from nearby streams (treat before drinking)
- Shelter: The Egypt Lake backcountry shelter is nearby — a basic cabin with sleeping platforms available on a first-come, first-served basis
Day 2+: Exploring the Basin
Egypt Lake basin offers multiple day-hike options from the campground:
- Scarab Lake: A short, steep climb to a turquoise alpine lake tucked beneath towering cliffs
- Pharaoh Lake: A gentle walk through meadows to a larger lake with mountain reflections
- Mummy Lake: Remote and less visited, requiring some scrambling
- Pharaoh Peaks: Scrambling routes for experienced hikers seeking summit views
- Whistling Pass: Continue the trek west toward the Sunshine Meadows area for additional ridge walking
Permits and Reservations
Backcountry camping in Banff requires a wilderness pass and campground reservation, both obtained through Parks Canada:
- Wilderness pass: $10.02 CAD per person per night
- Reservation: Made through the Parks Canada reservation system. Egypt Lake is popular — book as soon as reservations open (typically January for the summer season)
- Group size: Check current limits on group sizes for backcountry camping
Gear Essentials
- Tent, sleeping bag, pad: Nights are cold — a bag rated to -5°C minimum is recommended even in August
- Water treatment: Filter or chemical treatment for stream water
- Bear spray: Mandatory in all Banff backcountry
- Camp stove: No wood fires allowed at most backcountry sites (check current regulations)
- Trekking poles: Helpful for the pass crossing and creek crossings
- Rain gear: Mountain weather changes quickly. Be prepared for rain, snow, or both
Alternative Routes
You can also reach Egypt Lake via the Pharaoh Creek trail or combine it into a longer loop through Whistling Pass and Shadow Lake. Multi-day loop options of 3–5 days are possible using connected backcountry campsites.
Base your backcountry trip from Banff — book accommodation on Expedia. For guided multi-day backcountry treks, check GetYourGuide.