RVing in Canada: Great Places to Camp in Alberta

Camping in Alberta Offers Something for Everyone

What’s your camping style? Whether you love wilderness camping in the mountains, vast skies over rolling prairies, abundant wildlife viewing or relaxed family vacations at the golf course or on a beautiful lake, Alberta has it all covered. Albertans love camping, and it shows in the number of public campgrounds as well as private RV parks. There is an absolute wealth of camping options in this province.

What to Know About Camping in Alberta

If you are planning a trip to Alberta for camping, there are a few things you need to know.

• Weather and wind speeds can change suddenly. Sudden, 60 km/h winds can come out of nowhere at any time. It’s a good idea to keep an eye on weather forecasts and download the Alberta Emergency Alert app for notices of “rare” extreme weather events. Be sure to retract your RV’s awning in before you go anywhere.
• There will be bugs! The number of mosquitos, black flies, no-see-ums, and horseflies increases as you go north. Be sure to bring insect repellent and a fly swatter.
• Camping in Alberta is divided into six main categories. Each has its own merits.
  • National Park campgrounds
  • Provincial Parks and Recreation Area campgrounds
  • Regional campgrounds
  • Crown Land camping
  • Private RV parks and campgrounds
• Make campsite reservations as far in advance as possible. Keep in mind that Alberta’s campgrounds attract a huge number of campers from all over the world. Also, as previously mentioned, Albertans really love camping. As a result, Alberta’s campgrounds can fill up quickly.
• All prices listed are in Canadian dollars (CAD). As of this writing, $1 CAD is equal to $0.72 US dollar.

Here’s Where to Camp in Alberta

National Park Campgrounds

Canada’s national parks are in areas chosen for their uniquely wonderful characteristics and awe-inspiring natural beauty. There are five national parks in Alberta. Each offers spectacular scenery, fantastic wildlife viewing and/or jaw-dropping night skies. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to see an epic night sky show courtesy of the Aurora Borealis, aka the Northern Lights. Click here to see up-to-date Alberta Arora Borealis forecasts. National parks in Alberta boast some of the most spectacular camping in the world. For the most part, national park campgrounds provide water, secure trash receptacles, and washroom facilities. However, individual campsites have no services (hookups) nor facilities other than a picnic table and a fire ring. Here are our favorite national park campgrounds in Alberta.

Two Jack Lakeside Campground, Banff National Park

Two Jack Lakeside Campground is one of the most popular national park campgrounds in Canada. And for a good reason: As its name suggests, Two Jack Lakeside Campground is situated on the shores of a beautiful lake, right in the Canadian Rockies. Campers here are completely surrounded by drop-dead-gorgeous natural beauty. As with most national parks in Canada, don’t expect luxuries like Wi-Fi or hookups here. Instead, expect a rustic camping experience at this campground which is home to majestic elk and other wildlife. Two Jack Lakeside Campground is suitable for tent camping or RVs that are less than 27 feet long. Rates here are $24 for primitive sites. Sites with hookups run $78 per night. You’ll definitely want to reserve early in the year to get a campsite. Click here to make a reservation.

Whistler’s Campground, Jasper National Park

Whistler’s Campground is a 781-site campground that’s located conveniently close to the town of Jasper. Still it’s far enough away from the mountain town to enjoy picturesque views and encounters with wildlife, including, but not limited to elk, which mosey through the park on a regular basis. The park has recently undergone a lot of reservations, including road widening, and adding campsites, playgrounds, washrooms, and showers. Campsites here are either rustic or have electrical hookups. They’re big enough to accommodate most RVs too. Rates here vary from $28.50 for a non-hookup site without a fire ring to $53.50 for a campsite with electrical hookups Even though Whistlers is a huge campground, it’s a good idea to get a reservation as far in advance as possible, since campsites fill up fast here.

Townsite Campground, Waterton Lakes National Park

Located in Southwest Alberta, Waterton Lakes National Park provides visitors with an unforgettable experience. Even with its pristine alpine lake views, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities Waterton Lakes National Park isn’t quite as popular as Banff or Jasper National Parks, making it an attractive destination for campers seeking a more serene camping experience. There are two campgrounds in the park that are in operation, but Townsite Campground is our preferred campground due to its amenities. However, it’s advisable to have reservations here.

Townsite Campground is a sunny, open campground that offers 246 sites, 109 of which are full-hookup pull-thrus, and 76 are back-in electrical. Campsite fees range between $30.50 for a primitive campsite and $42.50 for a full-hookup campsite. Click here to reserve a campsite.

A note about pets in Waterton Lakes Park: As in all National Parks, dogs have to be on a leash and aren’t allowed in some areas of this park. Coyotes, bears, cougars, bobcats, and other animals present in this park may see your pet as a potential meal, it’s a good idea to keep your pet close when on walks or hikes with them.

Pine Lake Campground, Wood Buffalo National Park

Wood Buffalo National Park is nestled on the border of Alberta and Canada’s Northwest Territories. Getting to the park provides an adventure on the McKenzie Highway. but if you are into incredible night skies and wildlife viewing, you’ll want to put Wood Buffalo on your bucket list. Wild bison roam freely here, and it’s the only nesting area left for the endangered Whooping Cranes. Because of its remote location, you are unlikely to find crowds here.

Pine Lake Campground is a 20-site campground that features a beautiful sandy beach, cook shelter, playground, and change rooms. There are three large, non-electrical hookup pull-through campsites, and two wheelchair-accessible campsites. It’s worth knowing that the campground rarely fills up, but long weekends tend to be busier than other weekends. Surprisingly, there is Wi-Fi here. The campsite fees at Pine Lake Campground are just $17.50.

Provincial Park Campgrounds

Alberta has more than 250 provincial park campgrounds. Many of them have pull-alongside, full hookup camping. Pull-alongside campsites allow you to pull across the entrance to your campsite and I always welcome this setup after a long drive. It’s a great setup because it usually makes your campsite really private since your RV blocks the view of the campsite from the road.

Dinosaur Provincial Park Campground

If paleontology, geology, birds, or fossils fascinate you and/or your kids, you need to check out Dinosaur Provincial Park. Located in southeastern Alberta, Dinosaur Park’s badlands location in the heart of lush prairie farmland is a surprise to most people. As you descend into the badlands on the road that leads to the campground, you are plunged into an ancient landscape, replete with hoodoos and other interesting rock formations.

The area remains rich in dinosaur remains and other fossils and there is always a new discovery and archeological dig happening in the area. Visitors can sign up for a guided interpretive tour of the park including dig sites or are welcome to take a self-guided tour on the miles of trails that meander through the park. The visitor center has a gift shop and a small museum that houses many fossils and has children’s activities.

The Dinosaur Provincial Park fully serviced campground is well-shaded by large trees and feels very much like an oasis. RV sites are mostly pull-alongside or pull-through. There is absolutely no cellular service or Wi-Fi in the campground. This campground is full by the beginning of the season, so early campsite reservations are highly recommended. Campsite fees range from $31 for a dry-camping campsite to $39 for a campsite with water and power. Click here to reserve.

Provincial Recreation Area Campgrounds

Provincial recreation area campgrounds are, for the most part, no-hookup but hosted campgrounds that sometimes have water hookups. You’ll often find them in fairly remote areas, with good access to hiking trails, fishing, and other activities. Campsites in Alberta’s provincial recreation area campgrounds are generously allotted and often private. It’s much easier to get a campsite at a recreation area campground than at a Provincial Park or National Park.

Two O’ Clock Creek Campground

Two O’ Clock Creek Campground is a quiet campground located in the Kootenay Plains Recreation area West of Nordegg on Highway 11. The surrounding area is a picturesque mix of Rocky Mountain peaks and alpine meadows that are grazing lands for herds of big horn sheep. Camping there is peaceful and unforgettable. Campsites at Two O’ Clock Creek are well-spaced and treed enough to provide some shade. This campground has pit toilets. Firewood is provided and water comes from a communal pump. All campsites at Two O’ Clock Creek are available on a first-come-first-served basis. Campsite fees are $28 per night and payable by cash only.

Conclusion

There are probably 1,000 campgrounds located all over Alberta. Each of them has something fantastic about it. However, the campgrounds will give you a place to get started, a gateway into great camping throughout the province of Alberta. Click here for more information about camping in Alberta.

It’s always a good idea to read reviews from other RVers on RV LIFE Campgrounds when you are planning your Alberta camping vacation.

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Source: https://rvlife.com/camping-in-alberta-canada/