camping in alberta canada?

Question

I am thinking of going camping and i was wondering if anybody knew of any good camp sites in Alberta that were reasonable rates and that preferably had a lake close by if not right on a lake?

Answer 1

Try these two links.
http://gateway.cd.gov.ab.ca/
http://www.pc.gc.ca/index_e.asp



To the previous poster - what is swimmer's itch?
(°¿°)

Answer 2

Two of my favorite campgrounds in the world are near Banff. Two Jacks is 12 km from downtown Banff next to Lake Minnewanka and has two campgrounds, one with over 100 sites and a smaller one with 60 or 70. It has nice tent sites in the trees but also has concrete shelters with sinks and flush toilets (no showers) and a covered area with picnic tables and windows that you can retreat to in case of rain (which you always get at some point in the Canadian Rockies.) You can rent mountain bikes in town to ride around the lake trail, also rent canoes to paddle on it. There are rock climbing areas nearby and, at the end of a strenuous day of sports you can drive over to the Sulphur Mountain Hot Springs spa to soak in a pool full of hot spring water and take a nice shower afterward (it only costs a few dollars.) Being so close to town there are a lot of things to do if you get a stretch of bad rainy weather -- there are 3 museums in Banff and lots of cool little shops and cafes. If you really get fed up with camping you can stay for a few dollars at the YWCA's lodge at the end of the main drag in Banff. The rooms are only about $50 or $60 and I think it's under $15 to stay in the hostel rooms with bunk beds (and you get free breakfast.) They have a little cafe with live music some nights and a big living room to hang out with sofas and a fireplace. You can walk into town from there, also hike down along the Bow River from in back of the hotel. Elk hang out in the parking lot!

The other campground, where you can "rough it" more is Johnston Creek, 25 km north of Banff on the Icefields Parkway. It's a pretty campground in the mountains and the day hike up Johnston Creek to see the waterfalls will blow you away. The climbers campground at the Columbia Icefields further north is also very cool and more rustic (outhouses, no toilets or showers). No lake but you are right next to the big mountains and can hike up to the glaciers.

Have a great trip -- you can't lose camping in Alberta.

Answer 3

I go camping at Whitney Lakes national park. It's good if you love wildlife, because it's abundant in that category. I have seen and heard some amazing things. If you're just looking for a place to hang out on a beach, welll... it's okay I guess, but watch out for the swimmers' itch...