Experience Camping
Shortly after 8 pm, the fire crackling and our bellies full of
chock-full of excellent, well-maintained campgrounds. Another
chips, hot dogs, and S’mores (there is no law stating you need
key reason why it scores high with camping fans!
to eat healthy on a boys-only camping trip) – I pulled out the banjo. You know, when in Rome. Of course, given the fact my
In spite of the massive and devastating Kenow Wildfire in
kids would much rather listen to Beyoncé than bluegrass, the
2017, camping in Waterton Lakes National Park could easily
pluckin’ didn’t gain traction. Plus, there were ghost stories to
be considered the quintessential Southern Alberta camping
tell. You, know when in Rome...or camping in Southern Alberta.
experience. Butting up against the ragged Rockies that abruptly rise from the grassy plains, Waterton Lakes is, first and fore-
If you ask me, Canada and camping go hand in hand. They’re
most, a place of striking natural beauty. The quaint townsite
like cake and ice cream. Beer and nachos. Yes, there’s some-
along the lake, the majestic prairies-meet-mountains scenery,
thing about our wild and remote places, our natural beauty,
and the numerous outdoor recreation options – such as biking,
that’s perfectly suited to the wonderful “sport” of camping.
hiking, canoeing, and fishing – make the Waterton area a prime location for camping.
Of course, one of the beautiful things about camping is you can do it in a variety of settings and it “works” just fine. In fact,
Although the popular Crandell Mountain Campground,
the many places you can pitch your tent – in valleys, forests,
which is situated in the lovely Blakiston Valley along the Red
badlands, and beside rivers or lakes – makes southern Alberta
Rock Parkway, was destroyed by the fire (it is currently being
one of the best regions for camping in the country.
rebuilt and scheduled to reopen in 2022), the Townsite Campground is a great substitute. The location, at the south end of
But, unless you’re a backcountry superstar - a Grizzly Adams,
the quaint townsite and on the rocky shores of Waterton Lake,
Survivorman, or Bear Grylls – you are going to need a nice
is ideal. You can walk basically everywhere you want to go
campground so you can relax and properly enjoy your beer,
and the amenities, like the newly-renovated showers and super
back bacon, and banjo. And, thankfully, southern Alberta is
clean restrooms, are above par.
36 | Enter Our Photo Contest
