Great places to camp in Alberta, Canada
There's really no nightmare associated with camping in Alberta, Canada, quite the contrary in fact. Wood smoke in the air. A roaring campfire. Roasted marshmallows. The smell of pine and still damp air following an evening rain. Do these thoughts bring back any memories? You bet! Alberta is a great province to go camping. Tourists come here from all over the world to enjoy Alberta in all her majesty! Yes, and for good reason. Where else can you find 65 provincial parks that provide a wide range of outdoor recreation activities, many of which have interpretive programs that include guided hikes, amphitheater programs, special events and self-guided interpretive trails. Alberta boasts world renowned national parks such as Banff, Jasper and Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, Elk Island National Park is right next door to Alberta's capital city of Edmonton and Wood Buffalo National Park is located in northern Alberta, one of the largest parks in the world. There's the world-renowned Alberta's Rockies which have unparalleled camping opportunities and a network of campsites along the famous Forestry Trunk Road, not to mention Willmore Wilderness Park north of Jasper.
There are many recreation areas available with a range of opportunities and first class facilities. Yes, user fees are now a way of life, but let's face it there are all kinds of new services available to make your stay all that much more comfortable. Who doesn't like a shower after an all day hike on a hot day in August? And water for recreational vehicles along with sewage disposal services is a nice touch. Not to mention the modern toilet facilities and quality vehicle access. You can make reservations for a campsite at many provincial parks, so where's the worry about arriving late.
Where to go and what to do? For those people in Edmonton and area, count your blessings. You are strategically located to take advantage of Alberta's great outdoors. All manner of camping opportunities are within striking distance, from Hilliard's Bay Provincial Park on Lesser Slave Lake, to Whistler's Campground in Jasper, or Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country. How about a week during the summer with the wife and kids at Aspen Beach on Gull Lake? If you want to go a little farther afield maybe Dinosaur, Cypress Hills or Writing - On - Stone Provincial Park, in southern Alberta...how about a tour boat ride to Spirit Island on Maligne Lake in Jasper, or on the "International" to the Goat Haunt on Waterton Lake. What about a trail ride for several days in Alberta's Rockies, or the beautiful Porcupine Hills south of Calgary? Have you ever been on the Crypt Lake trail in Waterton Lakes National Park, one of Canada's top 10 hikes? My biggest problem is deciding where to go, there are so many choices.
So, where do you get some information about Alberta's camping scene? For starters, get your hands on the following two key brochures. The "Alberta Campground Guide" which lists private campgrounds and resorts, national and provincial parks, recreation and day use areas, and last but not least Alberta's adventure experiences and is available online at Travel Alberta. Secondly, "Alberta's Provincial Parks" brochure which lists all the parks and recreation areas, and provides a map showing their location, also available online If you have access to the internet you can search out a lot of other information about parks and recreational opportunities in Alberta from the comfort of your home. The national parks have brochures available that can be obtained by calling Parks Canada offices. Detailed maps of these parks are available from Gem Trek Publishing ; I have found them invaluable and well worth the cost. Hot off the press is Lesley and Randy Whitte's book on "Camping Alberta's Rocky / Clearwater Forest" @ $9.95 which features information on campgrounds and recreational opportunities west of Rocky Mountain House, Edmonton's Rocky Mountain playground.
For nature lovers, there is no better place than Alberta to experience the great outdoors. Whether you simply want to relax, have a change of pace, or want to pursue hobbies such as fishing, hiking, photography or bird watching, there are many places to go. Parks are also a good place to learn about the outdoors so take advantage of the guided hikes and interpretive programs.
Ever thought of sleeping in a teepee and listening to the quite roar of an airtight stove after a day of trail riding in Alberta's Rockies? What about that cup of hot chocolate by the campfire after an evening in the Miette hot pool in Jasper? Catching a fat trout on a dry fly on one of Alberta's many streams in the Eastern Slopes? Don't just think about it, make some plans to enjoy Alberta's camping scene now!