Columbia ice fields

Murray, can you RON in the lot without hassle once the fee is paid ?

Thanks to all John R.

I overnighted there last summer. I say YES worth the stop. Overnight fee but reasonable. Nice views and other places to view close by north and south of the center.

gmctoyman wrote:
Murray, can you RON in the lot without hassle once the fee is paid ?

Can someone explain "RON" ?

Remain over night

gmctoyman wrote:
Murray, can you RON in the lot without hassle once the fee is paid ?

The fee is for an overnight parking/camping spot. Why would you be hassled?

Didn't know it was for an "overnight" parking spot, thanks for the clarification.

I wondered if someone would re-iterate and eventually point out about having to pay for overnighting in the parking lot...

Murray is correct (as I stood corrected) that there is an overnight fee for RV parking at the Icefields parking lot, I just confirmed on their website clearly showing that there actually is an overnight fee listed for RV's...

Now to explain and clarify (not justify) this portion on what I first posted two weeks ago here :

"I have boondocked at the Columbia Icefields parking lot on two occasions for free (Interpretive Centre) as no one bothered me or anyone else there in an RV.... it's not really advertised but it is the only overnight destination to park an RV there without paying while stopping short of saying to encourage people to do so....pretty sure if one would stay multi days at a time they would stick out with officials"

The first time overnighting at the Interpretive Centre I clearly seen the kiosk stand on the east end of the parking lot and went to retrieve a payment envelope pouch as another RV'er (deluxe class C with Alberta plates) approached me and pointed out that unless I was going to use the tent sites ahead that I didn't need to pay for an overnighter in the parking lot - asked if he was sure about that as he pointed out that there is nothing that states an overnight parking fee on the kiosk or on the envelope other than a space indicating a campsite.

From what I seen, there was no clear cut sign of any overnight RV parking fee listed or posted there, but there was definitely a fee sign posted for obtaining a tent site as the man pointed out, as he tells me he never paid a fee for overnighting there but told me he would not recommend overnighting on multi days as it might stick out with officials, so I took his word kinda like a grain of salt and told him thanks for pointing it out.

That is why I posted "it's not really advertised but it is the only overnight destination to park an RV there without paying while stopping short of saying to encourage people to do so" because I never seen any sign that stated there was a fee for RV's nor there was any sign that stated RV overnighting was free either.

I did not pay for two consecutive years upon two overnights total there nor got confronted by officials about it.

I certainly will never overnight for free anymore the next time I would ever overnight there as it is officially posted on the website there is a $15.70 fee.

I asked a park official this past summer and he said overnight in the north parking lot required a fee and showed me the kiosk to get the payment envelope. I filled it out and paid. Not worth the hassle from ignoring it. Park is very well maintained and I don't regret paying my fee.