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Did you know some Alberta Parks campgrounds open this weekend and many are open year-round? Get a head start on camping before peak season and make the most of the warm weather! Campsites at open campgrounds are available on a first come-first served (FCFS) basis until reservation season, so you can save the $12 reservation fee to boot! For more information on booking campsites in Alberta Parks, scroll down.
Following is a list of opening dates for: Alberta Parks vehicle access campgrounds, Kananaskis Backcountry campgrounds, and campgrounds in select Provincial Recreation Areas (around the Ghost and Nordegg). Please note that I have made every effort to provide correct information, but opening dates may vary based on campground operators (especially in PRAs) and conditions. Please confirm information with Alberta Parks before heading out!
Alberta Parks Campground Opening Dates
Year Round
- Beauvais Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Big Elbow Backcountry Campgroundย (Onlineย Request or Call 403-678-3136)
- Chain Lakesย (Online Reservations)
- Cypress Hills โ Elkwaterย (Online Reservations)
- Dinosaurย (Online Reservations) See my review here.
- Fisher Creek*
- Kinbrook Islandย (Online Reservations)
- McLean Creekย (Online Reservations)
- Miquelon Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Oldman Dam โ Castleviewย (Online Reservations)
- Peter Lougheed โย Point Backcountryย ย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136) See my review here.
- Quaite Valley Backcountryย (Online Reservations)
- St. Mary Reservoir โ St. Mary Upper
- Tombstone Backcountryย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
- William A. Switzer โ Gregg Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- William A. Switzer โ Jarvis Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Writing-On-Stoneย (Online Reservations)
April 1
- Bow Valley โ Willow Rock
April 8
- Bow Valley โ Three Sisters
April 9
- Gooseberry* (Alberta Parks website says April 29, but when we drove by on April 9, the sign said โOpenโ and there were several campers there! Confirm with Kananaskis Country Campgrounds.)
April 15
- Lake McGregor
- Little Bowย (Online Reservations)
- Tillebrookย (Online Reservations)
- Vermilionย (Online Reservations)
- Wyndham-Carselandย (Online Reservations)
April 29
- Bow Valley โ Bow Valleyย (Online Reservations) See my review here.
- Bow Valley โ Lac Des Arcย (Online Reservations)
- Bow Valley โ Bow River
- Crimson Lake โ Crimson Lakeย (Online Reservations) See my review here.
- Crimson Lake โ Twin Lakesย (Online Reservations)
- Medicine Lake*
- Sheep River โ Sandy McNabb
- Sibbald Lake* โ 134 sites
April 30
- Brazeau Reservoir โ Reservoir Loopsย (Online Reservations)
- Brazeau Reservoir โ West Canalย (Online Reservations)
May 1
- Beaverdam*
- Burnt Timber*
- Cartier Creek*
- Chambers Creek*
- Crescent Falls*
- Cypress Hills โ Spruce Couleeย (Online Reservations)
- Dry Haven*
- Dunveganย (Online Reservations)
- Fallen Timber North*
- Fallen Timber South*
- Fish Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Ghost Reservoir*
- Goldeye Lake*
- Gregoire Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Harlech*
- Horburg*
- Jackfish Lake*
- James Wilson*
- Moonshine Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- North Ghost*
- Red Deer River North*
- Red Deer River South*
- Saskatoon Islandย (Online Reservations)
- Saunders*
- St. Mary Reservoir โ St. Mary Lowerย (Online Reservations)
- Thompson Creek*
- Thunder Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Two OโClock Creek*
- Wabamun Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Waiparous Creek*
- Winagami Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Youngโs Point โ Youngโs Point Mainย (Online Reservations)
May 6
- Cross Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Old Man Dam โ Cottonwoodย (Online Reservations)
May 8
- Jarvis Bayย (Online Reservations)
- Long Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Pigeon Lake โย Pigeon Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Pigeon Lake โ Zeinerย (Online Reservations)
- Red Lodgeย (Online Reservations)
May 9
- Aspen Beach โ Brewersย (Online Reservations)
- Paddyโs Flat Campground*
May 11
- Carson-Pegasusย (Online Reservations)
- Cypress Hills โ Battle Creek (Online Reservations)
- Cypress Hills โ Beaver Creekย (Online Reservations)
- Cypress Hills โ Ferguson Hillย (Online Reservations)
- Cypress Hills โ Firerockย (Online Reservations). See my review here.
- Cypress Hills โ Lakeviewย (Online Reservations)
- Cypress Hills โ Lodgepoleย (Online Reservations)
- Cypress Hills โ Old Baldyย (Online Reservations)
- Cypress Hills โ Reesor Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Park Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Pembina Riverย (Online Reservations)
May 13
- Peter Lougheed โย Boulton Creekย (Online Reservations)
- Peter Lougheed โย Elkwoodย (Online Reservations)
- Pierre Greyโs Lakesย (Online Reservations)
May 14
- Hilliardโs Bayย (Online Reservations)
- Kehiwinย (Online Reservations)
- Lesser Slave Lake โ Marten Riverย (Online Reservations)
- Sir Winston Churchillย (Online Reservations)
May 15
- Aspen Beach โ Lakeview
- Beaver Flats Campground*
- Cold Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Franchere Bayย (Online Reservations)
- Garner Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Little Elbowย (Online Reservations)
- Little Elbow Equestrianย (Online Reservations)
- Moose Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- North Buck Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- North Fork*
- Sheep River โ Blue Rock
- Whitney Lakes โ Ross Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Whitney Lakes โ Whitney Lakeย (Online Reservations)
May 18
- Cataract Creek*
- Dilberry Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Etherington Creekย (Online Reservations)
- Greenford*
- Peter Lougheed โ Interlakes
- Peter Lougheed โ Lower Lakes
- Spray Valley โ Spray Lakes West
May 19
- Beaver Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Calling Lakeย (Online Reservations)
- Indian Graves* (Call 403-995-5554 for Reservations)
June 3
- Spray Valley โ Eau Claire
June 15
- Peter Lougheed โย Elbow Lake Backcountryย ย (Online Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
- Peter Lougheed โย Forks Backcountryย ย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
- Spray Valley โ Ribbon Falls Backcountryย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
June 16
- Bow Valley โ Jewell Bay Backcountryย ย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
June 17
- Peter Lougheed โย Canyon
June 24
- Peter Lougheed โย Aster Lake Backcountryย ย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
- Peter Lougheed โ Mount Sarrail
- Peter Lougheed โย Three Isle Lake Backcountryย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
- Peter Lougheed โย Turbine Canyonย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
- Spray Valley โ Ribbon Lake Backcountryย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
Winter Only (December 10 โ April 7)
- Spray Valley โ Rummel Lake Winter Backcountry Campgroundย (Onlineย Requestย or Call 403-678-3136)
How Can I Make a Reservation?
During reservation seasonย (May 1 -September 30 for most campgrounds), theย Reserve.AlbertaParks.caย can show you reservation availability for individual campsites. If your desired campground takes reservations, book your campsite online atย Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca.
Outside reservation season, campsites are available on a first come-first served basis provided the campground is open.
Backcountry campsite bookingsย can be requested by phone (403-678-3136) or by filling out the online request formย here.
Have fun and let me know if you have any questions about camping in Alberta!
For More Information
- Alberta Parks โ Equestrian Camping
- Alberta Parks โ Comfort Camping
- Alberta Parks โ Group Camping Areas
- Kananaskis Country Vehicle Access Campgrounds
Disclosure:ย I am an Alberta Parks Ambassador, but all opinions expressed are my own.