Experience Camping

Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta/Roth & Ramberg

The pastime of camping is a favorite for many Canadians. Melting ice cream, sandy feet, sticky fingers, roasting wieners and sunned cheeks are fond memories. Whether you prefers tenting or having an RV, the world of camping has expanded exponentially over the decades for outdoor enthusiasts.

Many view Kananaskis and the Mountains to be Alberta’s playground, but there are unique and scenic camping destinations throughout our province. Hidden gems are all across Alberta and many are found along the Cowboy Trail.

Willey West Campground was originally a ferry landing on the north shore of the North Saskatchewan River in the 1940’s. Today, it’s a very popular campground six kilometers east of Drayton Valley, near the picturesque Cowboy Trail.

This campground is open from May 1st to September 30th. The campsites are spacious, surrounded by towering trees and beautiful, lush scenery. The sites offer fully serviced, partially serviced and non-service sites, as well as, pull through and mobile sewage services. The grounds are pet friendly and all sites are a brief walk to hot showers, flushable toilets, playground areas and other services, such as a convenience store, a retro arcade and board games rentals for those rainy days.

Launch a boat onto the river, play a round of mini golf, take one of the many hiking trails or drive into town and tour the sights, like the Drayton Valley Museum or the Oil Derricks; Willey West is versatile for everyone.

Outwest Camping and R.V Park is located 30 minutes southwest of Rocky Mountain House and is set within a sanctuary of seclusion as it overlooks the Prairie Creek Valley. With over 100 spacious drive through stalls, each complete with a picnic table and fire pit, the campground is situated between the Ram and Clearwater rivers. There are clean showers and bathroom, as well as dumping stations and power stalls. It’s surrounded by lush scenery, with hiking and quad trails, rivers and waterfalls and is only a 15 min drive from fishing lakes.

Sundre River Resort is located 4 km’s west of town and 75 km’s from Calgary, a convenient drive for weekend getaways, no matter the season. Situated on 160 acres, the campground has 165 spacious sites, complete with full hook ups.

The Bearberry creek snakes across the property, adding to the beauty of the landscape before it spills into the Red Deer River. Hike through the acres of forest and trails, or fish and kayak on the river.

Stick closer to your site and play in the kid zone or sand volleyball. Go horseback riding or spend the day in the water park for summer activities. In the winter there is cross country skiing, quading and snowmobiling for the year-round camping and adventure enthusiasts.

Bow RiversEdge is a rustic campground situated near the rushing banks of the scenic Bow River in Cochrane, Alberta, just off the Cowboy Trail. Forward Thinking and Cochrane’s Lion’s club opened the campground in 2005 as a nonprofit initiative. Sitting in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains, they are open between April to October . During the winter, longterm sites are open from November until March. Convenient access to paved paths is ideal for all ages to bike, walk, jog and fish. There’s a family sports centre nearby, along with plenty of tourist sights and shops to visit within the town of Cochrane. With Banff and Canmore less than an hour away, the options to explore beyond the campsite are endless and Calgary is even closer – the draw of the Calgary Stampede is a must for many who visit in July.

Prairie Peaks Campground is located near Waterton Lakes National Park, with a wide variety of amenities, including potable water, fire pits and spacious site. It has quick access to many different destinations, such as Waterton Dam and boat launch and the Great Canadian Barn Dance.

These are a few examples of the great campsites along the Cowboy Trail with many activities for all ages at your fingertips. Make sure to explore the surrounding areas to make each trip unique and exciting.

By: Amanda Knippshild

Photo Courtesy of Travel Alberta/Ryan Bray