Discover the best lakeside campgrounds in Alberta Parks from Sir Winston Churchill Park to Cypress Hills.
Summer is the season for camping, hiking, paddling, and soaking up sunshine on the beach. Bonus if you can do ALL these things in one park! As Alberta Parks Ambassadors, we’ve been fortunate to explore several provincial parks, and have discovered some amazing lakeside campgrounds. Whether you paddle, fish, hike, birdwatch, take photos, or just want to relax, these scenic spots are fun for all ages.
Here are some of the best lakeside campgrounds in Alberta Parks. We hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Book campsites at Shop.AlbertaParks.ca.
Crimson Lake Provincial Park, Rocky Mountain House
Crimson Lake is Rocky Mountain House’s playground, on the east side of David Thompson Country. While you could easily day trip to Abraham Lake from here, you won’t run out of things to do near your campsite: Bike the Amerada Trail around the lake, paddle to Raspberry Island, make sand castles, or fish at nearby Twin Lakes. We’re guessing the gorgeous sunsets might have something to do with the lake’s name… what do you think?
Amenities: 15/30 Amp power, beach, boat launch, concession, dump station, grocery/supply store, horseshoe pitch, laundromat, picnic shelter, playgrounds, showers, tap water.
For more details, please read our story: Fun Times at Crimson Lake Provincial Park.
Brewers & Lakeside Campgrounds, Aspen Beach Provincial Park (Lacombe County)
Aspen Beach is Alberta’s first provincial park located near Lacombe, on the shores of Gull Lake. Enjoy the long, sandy beach; shallow wading area; and bird watching at this popular park. Kids will love the adventure playground near the beach too! There are two campgrounds to choose from: Brewers and Lakeside. Brewers has unserviced sites that are suitable for tents and tent trailers. Lakeside has power / power & water sites.
Brewers Amenities: boat launch, beach, concession, dump station, fish cleaning stations, flush toilets, grocery/supply store, pay phone, pier, playgrounds, showers, tap water.
Lakeside Campground Amenities: 15/30 Amp power, water hook-ups, and sewage disposal; plus access to the Brewers Campground Amenities (Lakeside is beside Brewers Campground)
Discover more fun things to do in the park and area here:
– Camping at Aspen Beach Provincial Park & Summer Fun at Gull Lake, Lacombe County.
– Kraay Family Farm & Lacombe Corn Maze (only 11 minutes away!)
The Point Backcountry Campground, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
It’s a beautiful 3.4 km hike along Upper Kananaskis Lake to The Point Backcountry Campground. Twenty campsites with tent pads, picnic tables, and fire pits (bring your own firewood) are spread out along the point; many with stunning views of the lake. Fish for rainbow trout, relax in a hammock, or hike to Upper Kananaskis Falls.
Note that backcountry permits must be purchased in advance for this popular campground, and A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to stop/camp in Kananaskis Country.
Amenities: bear lockers (one per site), pit toilets, picnic tables. As of 2021, fire pits were removed and fires are no longer permitted here.
Learn more here: Backpacking to The Point Backcountry Campground, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, Pincher Creek
Beauvais Lake is a hidden gem in the foothills with excellent opportunities for hiking, paddling, fishing, and birding. It can get pretty windy around here, so plan to paddle in the early morning or evening when the water is calm. If you’re a tent camper, consider the secluded walk-in tent sites on the other side of the lake (bear lockers available). Although there is plenty to do in the park, you can easily day trip to Castle Provincial Park from here.
Amenities: 15/30 Amp power, boat launch, fish cleaning stations, flush toilets, life jacket loaner station, pay phone, pier, playground, sewage disposal, tap water.
Start planning your trip with:
– A Fun Weekend in Beauvais Provincial Park
– Camp, Fish, and Play at Lundbreck Falls (36 km from Beauvais Lake)
– Exploring Castle Provincial Park (30 km from Beauvais Lake)
Firerock Campground, Cypress Hills Provincial Park (SE Alberta)
Firerock Campground is walking distance to Elkwater Lake’s sandy beach and boardwalk. Although the sites closest to the lake are better suited to RVs (in the open / no shade), we enjoyed tent camping here for the views. If you prefer a shaded campsite, the other loops have trees. Bring mountain bikes so you can enjoy the extensive trail network, and a tripod for astrophotography – the skies are dark and clear here.
Amenities: 15/30 Amp power, boat launch, flush toilets, playground, showers, tap water (Elkwater & Lakeview campgrounds have power and water sites; Beaver Creek has power/water/sewer). *** Comfort camping in the Firerock Cabins is also available!
For more things to do in Cypress Hills & Area, see:
– Summer Fun in Cypress Hills Provincial Park.
– Comfort Camping at Cypress Hills Provincial Park
– How to spend a fun weekend in Medicine Hat (45 minutes from Elkwater)
Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, Brooks
On a hot weekend, there’s no better place to be than Kinbrook Island Provincial Park. You can spend hours at the sandy beach and swimming area, get an ice cream, then walk the Marsh Trail when it cools off. Although the campsites lack privacy, we keep coming back for the beach! And who knows, you might make some cool camping friends. Thank you to the kind camper that gave us a ton of firewood last summer!
Amenities: 15/30 Amp power, boat launch, concession, fish cleaning station, flush toilets, hand boat launch, horseshoe pitch, pay phone, picnic shelter, playground, showers, volleyball, tap water.
Discover more fun things to do around Lake Newell in this story: Camping at Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, Brooks.
Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park, Whitecourt
Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park, near the town of Whitecourt, has a lovely campground with RV sites, forested sites, and beautiful walk-in tent sites. Expect to see loons, trumpeter swans, and lots of fish jumping. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch some! We didn’t have any luck fishing from the seawall and peninsula, but folks in boats did quite well. Although there is a small sandy beach by the playground, we recommend cooling off at Whitecourt River Slides and spray park. It’s free and fun for all ages!
Amenities: 15/30 Amp power, boat launch, fish cleaning station, flush toilets, pay phone, picnic shelter, pier, playground, sewage disposal, showers, grocery/supply store, tap water.
For more information, see our story Camping at Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park.
Gregg Lake, William A. Switzer Provincial Park (Hinton)
William A. Switzer Provincial Park is a paddler’s paradise near Hinton with five lakes and a canoe circuit (Jarvis Creek) to explore! When you aren’t on the water, enjoy the beach at Jarvis Lake or Kelley’s Bathtub, go fishing at the stocked trout pond, or hike the forested trails with lake views. The two main campgrounds are Gregg Lake and Jarvis Lake.
Gregg Lake Amenities: 163 campsites. Unserviced, Power, and power/water sites. Boat launch, cook shelter, fish cleaning stations, flush toilets, hand launch, pay phone, playground, sewage disposal, showers, water pump
Jarvis Lake Amenities: 25 power (15/30 Amp) sites, small beach, playground, dock, hand launch, water pump, pit toilets
For more information, please read our story: William A. Switzer Provincial Park Recreation Guide.
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, Lac La Biche
Camp on an island in Alberta’s 7th largest lake at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park! Known as Alberta’s “park of islands”, SWCPP is an awesome paddling and fishing destination with sandy beaches and walking trails through old growth forest. If you want to get away from it all, paddle to secluded white sand beaches on Birch and Currant Islands. Birdwatching and biking are great here too! You can bike across the causeway and into the town of Lac La Biche. Unserviced and power sites, cabins, and tipis are available at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park.
Amenities: 15/30 Amp power, amphitheatre, boat launch, canoe / kayak / stand-up paddleboat rentals (at park office), concession, fish cleaning stations, flush toilets, picnic shelter, playground, sewage disposal, showers, tap water
Discover more fun things to do in the park in our stories:
– Exploring Alberta’s Park of Islands: Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
– Exploring Métis Crossing and Lac La Biche County.
Marten River Campground, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
Camp at Marten River Campground and discover the natural beauty of Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park. Sandy beaches and forested campsites await! The campground is a short walk from a sandy beach, and short drive from Devonshire Beach, one of the best beaches in Alberta. While you’re there, don’t miss the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation and Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory. Over 250 species of birds have been spotted around Lesser Slave Lake!
Amenities: Showers, washrooms, firewood & ice for sale, playground, hand launch, fish cleaning station, laundry, sewage disposal station
For more information on camping at Marten River, see our story Camping at Marten River Campground, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.
More Lakeside Campgrounds in Alberta Parks
- Beaver Mines Lake, Castle Provincial Park
- Chain Lakes Provincial Park
- Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground
- Lakeland Provincial Park canoe circuit
- Little Bow Provincial Park, Champion
- Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
- Park Lake, Lethbridge
- Pelican Point Campground, Camrose County
- Spray Lakes West Campground
Where and When to Reserve a Campsite
- Alberta Parks Regular and Backcountry camping reservations may be made at Shop.AlbertaParks.ca up to 90 days in advance at 9 AM.
- Comfort Camping and Group Camping reservations may be made at Shop.AlbertaParks.ca up to 180 days in advance at 9 AM.
Know Before You Go
- Check in is 4 pm and check out is 2 pm.
- Quiet time is 11 pm.
- See Alberta Parks Regulations for more info including the maximum number of units/people on a campsite.
What to Bring
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Good hiking boots, a down hoody or fleece, toque, gloves, and windproof/waterproof shell are recommended year round. Trekking poles are useful for long hikes, steep descents, or when you’re carrying a heavy pack. You should also carry The Ten Essentials including: water, extra food, extra clothes, a first aid kit, headlamp, GPS / compass, and map of the area, sunscreen (this mineral sunscreen is fragrance free, paraben free, and reef-friendly), bug spray (this Deet-free one contains 20% icaridin and will repel ticks), and bear spray. Carry bear spray in a Bear Spray Holster or Scat Griz Bear Spray Running Belt.
A Garmin inReach Mini 2 satellite communicator is highly recommended for contacting Search & Rescue and emergency contacts in the event of an emergency, or communicating with friends and family when you are out of cell phone range. You can send text messages and your GPS coordinates via satellite, but a monthly service plan is required!
Our Camping Pack List has everything you need for a great camping trip from sleeping bags to roasting sticks.
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