finding places to sleep- continental divide route

[cheerysheep333]

Just wondering about how easy it is to find places to stay/camp during peak season.
we are arriving from the UK to mountain bike from jasper along the new tour divide route starting mid August.. Is there anywhere to camp without a reservation in jasper? we have looked at accommodation and the town itself seems full up. what do people normally do who don't want to book way ahead and stick to an itinary. Is it possible/legal the norm to camp outside of a designated camp ground?
Any advice gratefully received

[canalligators]

I thought the route was largely wilderness, i.e. a lot of public land where you can camp about anywhere. But I don't actually know squat about the route.  Can't somebody who knows the route help these folks?

[Iowagriz]

Lodging/Camping in Jasper proper and in Banff will be difficult.  Tourism and limited lodging options makes it extremely tight for lodging. Plus a national park (I think) means you can't just wander into the woods.

However, once you leave Banff, you can pretty much camp anywhere in the woods very easily. You do need to be aware of private land the closer you are to a town.  But, much of the route will find dispersed camping.

Lastly, fire season is high, be very careful with open flames. Not sure if Northern Montana has gotten to the point of banning fires, but it is getting close.

Enjoy the route.

[Theflyingkiwi]

I did the USA part of the Great Divide a couple of years ago. We camped all but 2 nights. We camped at a mix of about 3 campgrounds, camping places that had an honesty box to pay and had toilets only (no shower or shop) and places on public land that a fire pit was all there was. (a couple of these places had a long drop)
The route is mostly in the wops so finding somewhere to camp is not a problem.