If you’re looking to escape the city, recharge, refresh, and get some fresh air in the great outdoors, it might be time to plan a camping trip. Luckily, if you are a resident or visitor to Alberta you have plenty of camping location options to choose from. The province is home to a wide array of great campsites, with options available for everything from city-adjacent cabins to tiny secluded tent-only sites. Whether you are a pro camper or not, you can easily find a spot that suits your camping style and meets your needs.
Banff
As you can imagine camping in the Banff/ Lake Louise area is a truly picturesque experience. Since these spots are hot tourist destinations year-round there are a number of camping sites to choose from.
Johnston Canyon Campground
If you want a traditional camping experience, Johnston Canyon Campground is a great pick. The campground features 132 sites for both tents and RVs. Located along the Bow Valley Parkway, this site provides access to Johnston Canyon, Ink Pots and a number of other attractions. If you’re not interested in completely roughing it, never fear. This site includes toilets, showers and kitchen shelters. Pitch your tent, take a hike, set up a campfire with the supplied fire rings and fire wood, and enjoy the beauty of the area.
Parks Canada oTENTiks
If you’re looking to take in the wonder of the Banff area, but you prefer to sleep in a real bed as opposed to a tent floor, Parks Canada’s oTENTik is your perfect choice. Newly opened this year, the oTENTiks feature stylish, modern A-frame cabins. Inside the cabin, you’ll find a table, an electric heater, chairs, and three two-person beds, while outside you can enjoy your own private picnic table, a fire pit and a bbq. Surrounded by forests and mountain views, your stay at oTENTiks is sure to be unforgettable.
Jasper
Like Banff, Jasper is a happening hot spot year round, with tourists flocking to the National Park for everything from skiing to white water rafting. The camping season, however, hits its peak at this time of year. The Jasper area has a variety of options for campers. Visitors will find options for campsites neighbouring the boutiques and restaurants of the downtown core and sites located right in the midst of nature.
Wabasso Campground
The Wabasso campground is nestled next to the Athabasca River. This site is ideal for those who want to take overnight treks, road biking trips and smaller day trips to nearby spots like Athabasca Falls. Tents and RVs are both welcome and campers can enjoy access to bathrooms featuring hot and cold water and flush toilets. This site is ideally fitting for families and adult groups alike, with playgrounds and cook shelters open for use.
Pocahontas Cabins
For a relaxing, wellness camping experience, the Pocahontas Cabins are where it’s at. Located just below Miette Hot Springs, visitors can unwind and enjoy a dip in the heated outdoor pool or hot tub. The cabins include cozy, comfortable bedrooms, a full kitchen and living room so you can find refuge both in and outdoors. With gorgeous mountain views and Jasper’s downtown core just a 30 minute drive away, you can get the best of both worlds at this spot.
By Mackenzie Shand.