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 Saskatchewan and offers quiet, pine-filled campsites, historic walking trails, canoeing and a beach. There are several campsites within the park for any kind of camping. Cypress Hills is located in the south of the province and is a provincial park, so the park pass does not cost as much to purchase. Ask camp staff for directions to the sand dunes nearby. They are an exquisite surprise in the midst of lake country. Riding Mountain National Park in southern Manitoba is another stunning area to camp and hike.
4. Backcountry Camping: Kananaskis Country, located in Alberta about forty-five minutes from Calgary, is a beautiful place to visit any time of year. It is dominated by mountains of many types and sizes and contains backcountry campgrounds galore. You can hike as little as one mile or as many miles as you chose to lovely, rustic campgrounds. Be sure to check in with the information staff for bear sightings and other important backcountry camping tips. It is very important to store food outside of your tent in all camping situations, but especially in the backcountry.
5. Wine Tasting Tours: British Columbia is known as wine country. The Okanogan and Gulf Islands are filled with wineries that put on fabulous tours and wine tastings. Discover your new favourite wine and bring some back for a barbeque at your campsite.
Western Canada is a delightful place to visit any time of the year, but summer is unbeatable. One tip to remember is that Canadian weather is unpredictable. Pack everything from your swimsuit to a warm, waterproof jacket. Throw in a toque and mittens to be safe!