It’s officially here!
Summer camping season started with some wonderful weather in Alberta and experts project that the weather is going to be hot and sunny. Alberta Parks is celebrating the re-opening of campsites that were affected by last year’s floods and offering a special deal for visitors to stay a night for free! Camp at any Alberta campsite during the week for 2 nights and you will receive a complimentary night. With Canada Day, Heritage Day and Labour Day included in this offer, it’s best to get online and reserve your site now. Here are our choices for the best provincial campsites in Alberta to get you started.
Vermilion Provincial Park
Lots of activities make this park a favourite for Alberta campers. Mini golf, horseshoe pits, a baseball diamond, paved trails for biking and roller blading will make for a fun-filled getaway. Explore the Vermilion river by canoe or kayak, fish, or sailboat. You will enjoy the comforts of power and water hookups, cooking shelters, showers and an on-site sani-dump.
Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park
This park is popular on Father’s Day weekend, offering an authentic rodeo every year just north of the park. A 9-hole golf course, trout fishing pond, water spray park and playground for kids to enjoy make this a popular destination for families all summer long. Nature lovers will enjoy the many birds that populate the area during migration periods, leisurely hiking trails and stargazing at night. Showers, power and water hookups, and a sani-dump on site.
Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Named after the gently rising hills, the landscape is a mix of forests, wetlands and grasslands with a high plateau that is home to diverse plants and animals. 50 kilometers of trails for hiking and mountain biking provide plenty of room to get outside and enjoy the beauty of the area. Designated a dark-sky preserve to maintain an environment for nocturnal wildlife, the Royal astronomical Society of Canada-Saskatoon organizes a Summer Star Party where star gazing enthusiasts can the natural wonders of the night sky. With cool events like these, it’s no wonder this provincial park made our “best of” list. Multiple campgrounds in this park have plenty of water and power facilities for your comfort.
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Located just outside of Calgary in Kananaskis County, Peter Lougheed is 500 square kilometers of mountain views, lush green valleys and lakes. A variety of trails for hiking allow exploration of the scenery suiting beginners to experts with barrier-free trails and high alpine backcountry adventures. 12 kilometers of paved bike trails and challenging mountain bike trails and trails open to equestrian users make this a popular destination for outdoors enthusiasts. Water, power and sewer hookups are available for some campsites.
