Skoki Loop Gear List
The Skoki Loop is 36.8 km round trip from the Fish Creek trailhead, with suggested nights at Baker Lake (Sk11) and Merlin Meadows (Sk18). The first 4 km is a walk up the Temple access road, which has no vehicle access, and Parks Canada has posted grizzly warnings for the Skoki trails, so bear gear comes first on this list.
The start at Fish Creek
Fish Creek trailhead
The Skoki trailhead is Fish Creek, 3.5 km from Lake Louise village.
The road walk
The first 4 km is up the Temple access road. There is no vehicle access, so pack for walking it with a full load.
Two suggested camps
Parks Canada suggests night 1 at Baker Lake (Sk11) and night 2 at Merlin Meadows (Sk18).
Bears in the Skoki valleys
Bear spray
Carry it where you can reach it. Parks Canada issued a grizzly warning for the Skoki trails from July 27 to August 10, 2026, covering Skoki Lodge, Hidden Lake, Merlin Meadows, Baker Lake, Red Deer Lakes, Deception Pass and Cotton Grass Pass.
From Parks Canada: Banff bulletin on bear warnings in the Skoki area
Check the bulletins
Banff posts warnings and trail restrictions on its bulletins page. Read it the day before you start.
From Parks Canada: Banff bulletin on bear warnings in the Skoki area
Lockers or bear poles
Designated campgrounds have them. Use them for food, garbage, toiletries and cooking gear.
Kit for a loop with no resupply
Satellite emergency device
Parks Canada lists it as a must-carry for Banff's backcountry. A personal locator beacon or satellite phone is optional.
Stove and fuel
Parks Canada says to carry a portable stove. Fires are allowed only in metal rings where a campground has one.
Water treatment
Treat all water. Carry a filter or treatment device and a bottle of at least 1 liter.
Trip plan, permit and first aid
Leave your plan with a reliable person, carry your backcountry permit, and bring a first aid kit.
Gear questions for the Skoki Loop
Where does the Skoki Loop start?
At the Fish Creek trailhead, 3.5 km from Lake Louise village. The first 4 km is up the Temple access road, which has no vehicle access.
Where do you camp on the Skoki Loop?
Parks Canada suggests Baker Lake (Sk11) the first night and Merlin Meadows (Sk18) the second.
Are campfires allowed on the Skoki Loop?
Only in the shared metal fire rings, and not every campground allows them. Parks Canada says to bring a stove.
Sources
- Parks Canada: Banff backcountry camping
- Parks Canada: Banff bulletin on bear warnings in the Skoki area
Checked against the agency pages above on October 30, 2026. This page names no products, and it lists what the agency says, in our words. Check the agency page for rules that changed since.
In an emergency in Canada, call 911.