by Samantha J. Adkins

Created on: June 23, 2009

There are so many settings to choose from in Western Canada for a gorgeous camping experience. Western Canada is made up of four provinces: Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia. Saskatchewan and Alberta are Prairie Provinces, however Alberta also contains some of the Rocky Mountains. British Columbia is a diverse province of mountains, desert, coastline and northern bush. There are many excellent camping sites in all four provinces where any camper can find their perfect conditions: from tenting to cabins, from R.V. sites to a backcountry getaway.

Before deciding on your camping destination, consider what kind of holiday you are looking for. Here are five camping experiences with recommended sites.

1. A beach holiday: Families with young children, or anyone looking for a relaxing, warm summer getaway should look to the Okanogan or Vancouver Island. The Okanogan is located in central British Columbia and is filled with lakes and mountains. In particular, Penticton offers several sandy beaches with campgrounds directly across the street. On rainy days, one can tour wineries, orchards and fun parks in Penticton or nearby Kelowna. Tofino on Vancouver Island along the west coast is another beautiful beach destination offering several long sandy beaches.

2. Mountain retreat: The Rocky Mountains offer a multitude of beautiful campsites and can accommodate R.V.'s, tenting, and cabins. However, many of the campsites are located within Canadian National Parks, which is a fantastic way to maintain wild areas, but will cost you extra to visit and stay. An annual family pass for the National Parks costs about $136 Canadian, however it is good for all of the National Parks in Canada. This fee does not include the cost of your campsite. Banff National Park is a great place to visit if you want to be surrounded by nature, but still close to great shopping, culture and restaurants. Tunnel Mountain Campground is a five-minute drive from downtown Banff. However, the campgrounds at Lake Minnewanka are more secluded and picturesque. Jasper National Park is a quieter park to visit in the summer than Banff, but still offers many restaurants and shops. Take advantage of campground staff or information centers for great suggestions on hikes and activities.

3. Lakes and prairie views: Saskatchewan is known for its endless skies and prairies, however it is also packed full of lakes. Waskesiu Lake is a located within a National Park in central

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