Albertans are exploring their backyards more than ever this year and most provincial campgrounds are full every weekend, whether by reservation or first-come, first-served.
Did you know? If you can go camping mid-week, even the busiest provincial campgrounds often have campsite availability.
To find reserveable mid-week camping availability go to Shop.AlbertaParks.ca and, without entering a park name, just search for dates between Monday and Friday of your desired week. Even popular campgrounds like Aspen Beach on Gull Lake, Cottonwood at the Oldman Dam, Mclean Creek in Kananaskis and Wabamun Lake (just west of Edmonton) can have sites available. You can reserve camping at over 95 provincial campgrounds throughout Alberta.
Campsites sometimes become available on the Monday or Tuesday before the weekend because of the required 72 hour cancellation notice. More tips on getting reserveable campsites are here.
Over 150 provincial campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis. In the far southwest, Police Outpost Provincial Park is a good sized campground that offers basic camping and is steadily busy through the summer. Come and stay during mid-week and even stay on through the weekend, or just enjoy the quiet side of the campground before the weekend crowd arrives. In central Alberta, Goldeye Lake near Nordegg is a pretty foothills spot with first-come, first-served camping where you can swim, fish or canoe. Nearby there are lots of trails to explore at , Coliseum and Baldy mountains. On the eastern side of central Alberta, find first-come, first served campsites at Big Knife Provincial Park in the picturesque landscape on the Battle River.
Please be prepared for shower and flush toilet facilities to be closed. Come prepared with your own hand sanitizer and toilet paper. Always maintain a clean campsite and, if garbage facilities are full, please pack out your waste.
For advisories, updated information, park regulations, reservations or information about specific provincial parks and campgrounds search for the specific park or campground page in the search bar on albertaparks.ca or call 1-877-537-2757.
Mary Fitl (Parks Staff)
