Whether you’re getting away with the family for a holiday or need to restore your body and mind with some solitude in the wilderness, a camping getaway outside of Calgary is a great way to refresh without breaking the bank. Although the drive itself can be relaxing, sometimes you want to kick your feet up as sooner than later, which means keeping the drive as short as possible. We’ve found five campgrounds near Calgary within an hour drive offering a variety of amenities and activities that can accommodate all sizes of RV’s from A and C Class motorhomes to campers, trailers and fifth wheels.
Mount Kidd RV Park
Located in Kananaskis County, Mount Kidd RV Park is available year-round for summer or winter getaways in your motorhome, trailer, camper, or fifth wheel. Each of the 229 campsites features a picnic table and fire pit and the campground features no hookup campsites to full service including water, sewer, electrical and television hook up options. Once you’ve arrived a variety of adventures await you; there are bicycle and hiking trails on site as well as a tennis court and ampitheatre with world class skiing and golfing a short drive away.
Time: 60 mins
Directions: Begin travelling West toward Banff on TransCanada Highway 1/16th Ave N. Take Exit 118 and turn left to travel South on Kananaskis Trail towards Kananaskis County. Travel for 28 kilometres and Mount Kidd RV Park will be on your right hand side.
Bow Valley Campground
Located within the border Bow Valley Provincial Park, Bow Valley Campground is one of the area’s oldest camping sites, having been used by prehistoric natives and nomads for hundreds of years. Featuring 174 campsites and 131 with power and water hookup, the area has many recreational opportunities such as boating, canoeing, river fishing, hiking and playgrounds.
Time: 60 mins
Directions: Take TransCanada Highway 1/16th Avenue Westbound towards Banff and exit 114, merging onto 1x North for 300 metres before turning left into the campground.
Spring Hill RV Park
Offering summer and winter camping on large sites close to Calgary, Banff and Kananaskis, with 30 or 50 AMP service Spring Hill RV Park has everything you need for a fun family getaway outside of the city. New for 2013: a splash park, recreation area with volleyball and basketball facilities, and a fire pit for large groups. Fish at the on-site trout pond and nearby Ghost Lake or play a round of golf at one of the neighbouring golf courses. If you’d rather stay in the park you’ll enjoy access to the fully serviced convenience store, liquor store and gas station with diesel and propane.
Time: 40 Mins
Directions: Begin by taking Crowchild/Hwy 1A Northwest to Cochrane. Drive through Cochrane until reaching Hwy 22, turn right and head North. Travel for 8km until reaching the destination on your right.
Calaway RV Park and Campground
If you are looking for family fun and excitement, Calaway Park has lots of activities for children and is only 10 minutes outside of Calgary with a view of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. The RV Park offers pull through and back-in service, power only sites, and WiFi steps from Western Canada’s largest family outdoor amusement park. Only open on weekends, the park offers family camping and admission package deals for local attractions and the amusement park. As far as campgrounds near Calgary go yet still outside the city limits, you can’t get much closer than this!
Time: 10 Mins
Directions: Take TransCanada Hwy 1/16th Ave Westbound until reaching exit 169. Turn left on Springbank Road and drive South until reaching the park entrance on the right hand side.
McLean Creek
Located in the “Stairway to the Mountains” because of the majestic views of the high alpine, McLean Creek is one of the many campgrounds located along the Elbow River. The variety of terrain means wildlife is in close quarters with nearby fishing and camping and you could potentially see grizzly bears or bighorn sheep. If you feel like an off-road adventure, McLean Creek Off-Highway Vehicle Zone and Moose Mountain Biking Trails are made for adrenaline junkies.
Time: 55 mins
Directions: Take Glemore Trail SW Westbound for 25 kilometers until reaching a roundabout at Hwy 22 junction. Take the 3rd exit off the roundabout and head South on Hwy 22, through Bragg Creek (Keeping right at the White Ave. junction). Turn Right when you reach Hwy 66 West, travelling 9 kilometres until you reach McLean Creek Trail and turn right into the campground.
These five campgrounds near Calgary should provide you with a few weekends of fun and adventure and possibly even a new favourite spot. If you have any insider information, tips or advice for our RV community, please leave a comment here or on our Facebook page.
