Favorite Camping spots? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Ducay · 07-15-2008, 10:49 PM

Just wondering what everyones favorite camping spots are near Calgary.
I was at Whiteswan Lake Prov. Park (near Fairmont Hot Springs). Great campground and scenery, only issue was that it was a bit far away for just a weekend. Its about 30 mins into the mountains up a logging road (and a free hot springs there too!) Amazing little lakes and camp sites there.

Any suggestions for a weekend getaway? (tenting). And whats the deal with camping in Banff Nat. Park being so expensive?

Edit: Im thinking maybe Kananaskis area? There are just so many there and I dont know which are better.

krazycanuck · 07-15-2008, 10:52 PM

crandell campground down in waterton. Tons of amazing, quiet hiking trails close by and usually some pretty amazing wildlife in and around the campground. But bring bear spray...seriously.

Ducay · 07-15-2008, 11:22 PM

Crandell is a good option, but as with Banff, its a national park, which makes it pricey. Have to pay for the pass, then the site, then fire fees.

Fozzie_DeBear · 07-15-2008, 11:28 PM

I've heard that some of the campgrounds down Hwy 66 (basically the western leg of the 22x) are nice...

habernac · 07-15-2008, 11:42 PM

I love Apgar in Montana. Crandell in Waterton is great.

Ducay · 07-16-2008, 03:16 PM

Anyone tried any of the Kananaskis ones?

Boblobla · 07-16-2008, 03:21 PM

Waiporus (SP?) is where I do most of my camping. It is awesome and most if not all of the campgrounds are owned by logging companies so they bring their scrap wood there and you get it for free.

To get there you take the 1A West out of town, through cochrane and then take the 40(iirc) and keep going till you find a campground you like.

rubecube · 07-16-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Anyone tried any of the Kananaskis ones?

Little Elbow is nice and has some great hiking trails.

troutman · 07-16-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Anyone tried any of the Kananaskis ones?

http://www.kananaskiscountrycampgrounds.com/

I like Cataract Creek, Blue Rock, Little Elbow, Lower Lake

COGENT · 07-16-2008, 03:42 PM

Boulton and Eu claire are really good. I also like Two Jack but it's in Banff National Park.

Just buy an annual pass for BNP... it pays for itself right away.

bradster57 · 07-16-2008, 03:47 PM

If you are just tenting, I highly highly recommend the Livingstone area. It is north of the Crowsnest Pass and just south of Kananaskis right along the BC border. There are a few campsites there (such as Livingstone) but there is lots of free range camp spots too which is where a bunch of us went for Canada Day weekend.

It is very remote and its along a secondary highway which is gravel. Not recommended for hauling a 5th wheel. But the scenery is great, you have no neighbors, there is a nice river for fly fishing or swimming. Also it's free if you decide to free range it! One of the best places I've camped, about 2 hours from Calgary.

truth14 · 07-16-2008, 05:36 PM

Great big sites at Interlakes in K-country. Great view as well.

8 Ball · 07-16-2008, 05:53 PM

We go to Sandy Mcnabb and Blue rock quite a bit and really like it, plus they are only 40 mins. from Calgary. A little farther away there is Chain Lakes, Spray Lakes, and Dutch Creek.

GrrlGoalie33 · 07-16-2008, 06:16 PM

Jarvis Bay near Sylvan Lake is awesome. "Parks" is really working to clean up the image of Sylvan Lake, so things are much quieter and less of the partying loudly until 3:00AM.

http://gateway.cd.gov.ab.ca/siteinformation.aspx?id=61

My fav in the Kananaskis area is Spray Lakes campground. Very rustic camping, but beautiful and quiet.
http://www.kananaskiscountrycampgrounds.com/spray.html

Barnes · 07-16-2008, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bradster57

If you are just tenting, I highly highly recommend the Livingstone area. It is north of the Crowsnest Pass and just south of Kananaskis right along the BC border. There are a few campsites there (such as Livingstone) but there is lots of free range camp spots too which is where a bunch of us went for Canada Day weekend.

It is very remote and its along a secondary highway which is gravel. Not recommended for hauling a 5th wheel. But the scenery is great, you have no neighbors, there is a nice river for fly fishing or swimming. Also it's free if you decide to free range it! One of the best places I've camped, about 2 hours from Calgary.

I agree. When heading south past Livingston falls, take a left right after the bridge and head for the river. One ofmy favorite spots.

I went up to Mukwa past Sundrie for May long and it was great for a campground. I usually don't like to camp in campgrounds. Big sites. Not busy.

Ford Prefect · 07-16-2008, 07:16 PM

I'd share mine, but then I'd have to shoot ya all.

moncton golden flames · 07-16-2008, 08:15 PM

Hole-In-The-Wall Camp ground, Grand Manan Island, NB. Cliff side tent sites, right on the Bay of Fundy. My first night there, while sitting by the fire, I could hear whales passing below us.

macker · 07-16-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rubecube

Little Elbow is nice and has some great hiking trails.

+1
Also has the best moutain bike trail that I have come across yet. Big Elbow Little Elbow loop which is about 45km of the best scenery you can imagine!
Even closer is Gooseberry / Paddy's Flat amongst others.

Ducay · 07-17-2008, 10:24 PM

Thanks for the suggestions guys. Looks like we'll just take a cruise down the 40 and see which we like.

Circa89 · 07-17-2008, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COGENT

I also like Two Jack but it's in Banff National Park.

Just buy an annual pass for BNP... it pays for itself right away.

What do you mean by this?
Are you suggesting that an annual gate admission gets you free camping? Or the annual pass is just pleasant to have and you'll want to go time and again to BNP.

The reason I ask is I am heading camping in BNP this weekend and I have an annual National Park Pass.

I'm going to tunnel mountain to introduce the kids to camping again. If things get out of hand we can check into a five star hotel with world reknown spa 15 minutes away!