by Jessica A. Tucker

Created on: June 20, 2009   Last Updated: June 30, 2009

With rumbling rivers, beautiful lakes, dense alpine forests, and hot desert areas; Western Canada holds an array of options for every flavor of camper. Depending on the amenities required, desired destination, and length of your trip, a great camping spot can be found.

Provincially run camp grounds and RV parks provide campers with several different levels of services from dry camping facilities with no services, for those seeking the rustic experience to fully-serviced, beautifully maintained camps perfect for families or those insist on a hot shower and bathroom facilities and the end of the day. Provincial camps are typical of Western Canada and have become so popular in the last few years, that most sites must be reserved up to a year in advance to get your favorite spot for the long weekends or holidays. More information about our provincial campgrounds and RV parks can be found in the links provided below.

Privately owned campgrounds are also a common choice for campers visiting Western Canada. These types of camping areas are more commonly found near cities or towns and close to shopping, entertainment, beaches, golf and/or the convenience of city life. Again, fully-serviced sites are the norm in such facilities and sometimes may provide laundry facilities, swimming pools, daycare services, children's play areas, cable or satellite television, and wireless Internet.

For the more adventurous or those looking for the bare-bones, back country Canadian camping experience, so to speak, hectares upon hectares of beautiful camping spots can be found hidden away in the valleys and mountains of Western Canada. These spots are better discovered by suggestion, luck or exploration. Due to fires restrictions during our summer months and the dryness of our timber, forest floor, and grasses, campers must be selective in their choice of spots. Strong winds are known to blaze up unexpectedly in the afternoons, feeding even the smallest of sparks that could easily ignite the largest of forest fires.

No matter where you go camping, wild animals and pests can be, well, pests. Food and goods that bears, cougars, raccoons, birds, mice, and other pesky animals may be attracted to should be properly stored and out of reach. Garbage should be kept in a sealed container away from your sleeping area, and the 'what you take in with you, you take out with you,' rule should always apply in the great outdoors, no matter where you decide to stay.

Wherever you decide to spend your camping trip in Western Canada, you are pretty much guaranteed to have at least one or two encounters with some sort of wildlife, a few days of great memories and a wonderful camping experience.

For more information on camping and RVing in Western Canada, please visit the provided links below...

BCAdventure.com
Discover Camping
GoRVing
Dinosaur Park
Safe Boating Guide
Fire Bans

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