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7 Campgrounds Close to Calgary

Camp in the prairies, foothills or mountains, the Calgary area has it all!  Here are 7 Campgrounds Close to Calgary, and all within 2 1/2 hours drive.

Updated June 2020.  Make sure to check with the campground for changes to services.

We love to camp.  And we especially love to camp close to home…that’s because we have some of the best camping in the world around Calgary.  There’s nothing like camping in the fresh air of the Rocky Mountains, or in the beautiful and serene prairies…we really have it all right here, close to home.  And the quick drive helps too…which means we get to spend less time driving, and more time relaxing around the campfire!

We’ve put together a must-visit list of 7 Campgrounds close to Calgary…happy camping!

7 Campgrounds Close to Calgary

Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park

Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park is located just under an hour southeast of Calgary (75 KM).  This large campground has 178 sites that are suited to tents and RVs, with trees and shrubs providing shade and privacy. Camp along the Bow River, where you can fish, canoe, or explore the nature trail along the river. Group camping and comfort camping sites can be reserved here as well

  • Phone: 1-877-537-2757
  • Reservations: This is a self registration campground with advance reservations available May 11 through to Sept 2.
  • Location: Located 75 KM southeast of Calgary, 2 KM east and 2 KM south of Carseland on Hwy 24.  (just under 1 hour SE of Calgary)
  • Fees:  $29.00 per night for unserviced sites
  • Firewood is available for purchase on site.
  • Amenities:  Water (not in winter), Sewage disposal ($6), outhouses, boat launch, playground
  • For more information and to make reservations, visit their website.

Boulton Creek in Kananaskis

Boulton Creek Campground, located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, is about 50 KM south of Hwy 1 on Hwy 40, and south on Kananaskis Lakes Trail. This large campground has over 160 well-treed sites for RVs and tents. Lots include: unserviced, power and water, and walk-in options. As well, there are many amenities and activities available, including showers, equipment rental, a camper’s store, hiking trails, paved bike paths, and close access to the Kananaskis Lakes.

  • Phone: 1-877-537-2757
  • Reservations: Camping opens Jun 1 to October 12 with advance reservations available.
  • Location: About 50 KM south of Hwy 1 on Hwy 40, and south on Kananaskis Lakes Trail.  (1 hour, 50 minutes from Calgary)
  • Fees:
    • $29.00 per night for unserviced sites / 86 sites
    • $45 Power/Water (15/30 Amp) / 37 sites
    • $53 Power/Water/Sewer (15/30 Amp) / 32 sites
    • $29 Walk-In Tenting / 6 sites
  • Showers: $2.00 tokens (for a 5-minute shower), available at Boulton Creek Trading Post.
  • Amenities: Flush toilets, showers ($2), groceries, firewood, water, secure food storage, wheelchair accessible, and equipment rental are available at the Boulton Creek Trading Post.
  • For more information, and to make reservations visit their website.

Sundance Lodges

Sundance Lodges

Located in the heart of the Canadian Rockies (22 KM south of the Trans Canada on Hwy 40 in Kananaskis Country), Sundance Lodges offers comfort camping in beautiful canvas tipis, comfortable trapper’s tents and unserviced campsites. Bring your own camping supplies, or rent from Sundance Lodges! The campground is forested, quiet, close to many outdoor activities, and is ideal for day trips to Canmore and Banff.  Sundance Lodges serve fresh hot coffee in the morning and sells basic groceries and gifts in the front of the Trading Post with hot showers, flush toilets and a coin laundry available onsite.

You can read more about our Trapper’s Tent camping experience at Sundance Lodges here!

  • Phone: 403-591-7122
  • Location: 22 KM south of the Trans Canada on Hwy 40 in Kananaskis Country. (about 1 hour, 5 minutes from Calgary)
  • Fees: Trapper’s Tents, Tipis and Campsites are available. For rates visit their website here.
  • Make sure to book your site as far in advance as you can, they fill up quickly.
  • Trapper’s Tents:  To see what is included with your trapper’s tent rental, visit here.
  • Tipis:  To see what is included with your tipi rental, visit here.
  • Campsites:  To see what is included with your campsite rental, visit here.
  • You will need to bring all camping, sleeping and eating supplies.
  • There is potable water on site.
  • There are both outhouses and flush toilets available for use.
  • Showers are available, and they’re FREE!
  • Dogs are allowed, but have to be on leash at all times.  There is a $2/night per animal charge.
  • Amenities: The campground has a Trading Post store where you can buy simple groceries, gifts and ice.
  • There is also a space available for outdoor games soccer, there are horseshoe pits, and nets for volleyball and badminton.
  • Firewood: available for purchase on-site (you can bring your own if it’s from Alberta)

What to do around Sundance Lodges:  

  • There are a number of hiking trails in the area.  We went to Wedge Pond and Troll Falls when we stayed there.

Ol’ MacDonald’s Resort

Located on the South Shore of Buffalo Lake (2 1/4 hours from Calgary), Ol’MacDonald’s resort has something for everyone.  Daily hayrides, mini golf, train rides, farm animals, playgrounds, bike rentals, a coffee shop, ice cream & candy store, arcade, theatre, beach and boat launch.  There are fully serviced, partially serviced (power/water) and unserviced sites available as well as beach front campsites!

  • Early Bird June Special:  When you reserve any campsite in June from Sunday to Thursday the 5th night is FREE!
  • Reservations: by phone only 403-742-6603
  • Location: 2 1/4 hours north of Calgary
  • Fees:  Visit the website here for all pricing.
  • Day Use is available as well!  $3 for adults / $2 for kids
  • Dogs are allowed for a $5/day fee.  Make sure to call ahead for breed restrictions.
  • For more information, visit their website.

Ghost Lake Recreation Campground

Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the Ghost reservoir provides an ideal backdrop for all kinds of water sports and is conveniently located only minutes west of Calgary, Alberta.  Whether you are looking for a great place to fish for a variety of freshwater trout, or a place to take the kids wakeboarding, or go for a paddle,  you will find this deep and wide lake a perfect place to explore and get away from it all. This lake’s location at the base of the Rocky Mountains brings steady winds, which make the lake perfect for sailing.

  • Phone: 403-851-0766
  • Location: 18 KM west of Cochrane on the 1A Hwy. (25 minutes from Calgary city limits)
  • Reservations:  The 80 site campground is first come first serve with NO reservations.
  • Fees:  $29 per night – 2 unit maximum per site
  • Firewood is available for sale
  • Amenities:  Potable water, outhouses, small store with confectionary items
  • There is a marina for all your boating/mooring needs and a no-charge public boat launch.
  • For more information, visit their website.

Aspen Crossing 

Located near the small hamlet of Mossleigh, Alberta (45 minutes southeast of Calgary on Hwy 24), you will find Aspen Crossing, a train themed destination that is quickly becoming a true rural gem in the Canadian Badlands.

This is prairie camping with a twist!  Aspen Crossing has 120 campsites (unserviced to pull through RV sites with full hook ups), as well as glamping in Caboose Cabins! But there is so much more to this unique destination:  with scenic train tours, a dining car restaurant, a greenhouse and garden centre, gift store, fishing pond, playground, and a recently restored 19th century building with a tavern and two escape rooms. There is definitely no shortage of things to do during your visit.  You can read more about our stay here.

  • Phone: 1-(866)-440-3500
  • Fees:  Visit their website for rates.
  • Location: 45 minutes southeast of Calgary on Hwy 24
  • Reservations: Make sure to book in advance if you can, as they can fill up quickly. Especially the caboose cabins.
  • Amenities:
    • Laundry facilities available
    • Coin showers
    • Flush toilets
    • Group camping sites
    • Full service sites
    • Sani-dump station
    • Playground
    • Fishing pond
  • There is potable water on site.
  • You can purchase firewood.
  • Dogs are allowed, but have to be on leash at all times.
  • The campground has a store where you can buy simple groceries, gifts and ice.

Chain Lakes Provincial Park

Chain Lakes Provincial Park is located just 38 km southwest of Nanton on Hwy 533 (about 1 hour, 20 minutes from Calgary). This campground along the Chain Lakes Reservoir features over 90 sites with both unserviced and power options. Site have willow bushes for privacy. Enjoy swimming, beach activities, canoeing, fishing, wind surfing or sailing at this lakeside getaway. Winter camping is available as well for those hoping to ice fish for rainbow trout.

  • Phone1-877-537-2757
  • Reservations:  Camping is available year round with reservations available May 17 to Sept 2
  • Location:  About 1 hour, 20 minutes from Calgary
  • Fees:    
    • $26.00 per night for unserviced sites / 31 sites
    • $34 Power/Water / 60 sites            
  • Fire Pits: Please note only communal fire pits are available, and are subject to appropriate weather conditions. There are four communal pits, with one in the centre of each camping loop, and all firewood is supplied at no extra cost. Portable fire pits are prohibited.
  • Amenities:  Water (but you are encouraged to bring your own to support water conservation), power, outhouses, Sewage disposal ($6), cook shelters, fast food concession, boat launch, playground, pier.
  • For more information, and to make reservations, visit their website.

What to do near Chain Lake Provincial Park:

If you’re looking for something to do while you camp here, Bar-U Ranch is a quick drive, and a great spot to take the family!

Camp in the prairies, foothills or mountains, the Calgary area has it all!  Here are 7 Campgrounds Close to Calgary, and all within 2 1/2 hours drive.

We hope you’ve been inspired to check out one of these great campgrounds on your next camping adventure!

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7 Campgrounds Close to Calgary

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One Comment

  1. A valuable resource for nature enthusiasts in Alberta. Highlighting scenic campgrounds in proximity to Calgary, this guide offers a gateway to outdoor adventure. Whether you seek mountain vistas, lakeside serenity, or hiking trails, these campgrounds promise memorable escapes for nature-loving city dwellers.

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