2013 Camping Thread

[Hockeyguy15]

So far I have 10 weekends booked for camping between May long weekend and September long weekend...Not too shabby.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

So far I have 10 weekends booked for camping between May long weekend and September long weekend...Not too shabby.

Totally off topic but that saying always makes be think of Adam Sandler.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Totally off topic but that saying always makes be think of Adam Sandler.

Ha, yeah after I typed it I heard him say it in my head but I posted it anyway.

[Madman]

Originally Posted by Slava

I thought that today was the first day to book, but I guess you can book to arrive on the Friday since this past Friday (if that's what you mean?)

I booked elsewhere (Beauvais Lake....hopefully its good there). I guess last year we ended up checking out a bunch of places we otherwise wouldn't have, so its not the end of the world. I just find that some of the K-country campgrounds are by far the best ones.

Went there for the first time last year - a really nice campground with some great trails to walk.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Slava

I thought that today was the first day to book, but I guess you can book to arrive on the Friday since this past Friday (if that's what you mean?)

Yes, I was really thinking of a standard weekend starting on a Friday. This year with Canada Day being on the Monday, your average worker would have Saturday through Monday off. If you wanted to start a camping trip on the Monday- that might be a little harder as I would think the Mondays would be booked along with the preceeding Friday.

The key is it is exactly 90 days in advance that you can book. And that is 90 days from the start of your stay. I have reminders in my calendar so that I know exactly when to book.

[FlamesKickAss]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

So far I have 10 weekends booked for camping between May long weekend and September long weekend...Not too shabby.

Nice! We will be at 6 by July 1!

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

Nice! We will be at 6 by July 1!

I wish. I lose 4 weekends in June to weddings and a golf trip.

[Canehdianman]

I've only booked one weekend so far, May Long at Little Bow.

Hope the weather is nice!!

[Diemenz]

I too picked up a new trailer this year and im looking forward to going out as much as possible.

I have never been a fan of the reservation system as most reserve only places end up having 20% no shows and people drive around Fridays then leave because the spots are "reserved".

I have started the drive out and park the trailer Thursday after work method but even that has become hit or miss at the close to Calgary locations. So far I have only "booked" one weekend and im going to try my luck at first come first serves all year.

I booked McLean for the first weekend in May and I hope the water is on because towing that extra 800lbs or so is a pretty big bummer when it comes to gas mileage.

Finding those power hookup sites/camp grounds that are first come first serve and actually have trees are becoming harder every year.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by Diemenz

I have never been a fan of the reservation system as most reserve only places end up having 20% no shows and people drive around Fridays then leave because the spots are "reserved".

Is it really that high? I would say the number is quite a bit lower; maybe one or two spots in your average 50-100 site campground. Maybe we are just going to different camgrounds. Or were you speaking as one of the people that drive through and then leave? I know one time we didn't get to our site until about 9:30; and got there just minutes after somebody tried to "claim" our spot thinking we were going to be a no-show. The guy was a little ticked off; but we had reserved it weeks earlier.

The other thing even if people no-show; the site is still paid for. For Alberta Parks you have to give 72 hours notice; and most other places I book there is a similar policy in place.

[Diemenz]

Its a bit of an exaggeration but several times last year there was 10-15 spots open at mt kid that were reserved that sat open while people drove through.

I always go out first thing or the day before so I have yet to run into a full campsite I was just making an observation as I feel sorry for families that show up around 7 and are SOL.

Its great for Alberta Parks because they get their money.

[Slava]

Where else do you book? Not trying to get you too give up 'secret' spots or whatever, but are there similar systems in BC/Montana for example? Other similar systems in Alberta at all?

[Madman]

Yep, BC has one that is very similar.

https://secure.camis.com/Discovercamping/

[FlamesKickAss]

Are liquor bans in select alberta parks only in effect for May long? That's how I understood it but wanted to see if anyone has thoughts on this?

[Diemenz]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

Are liquor bans in select alberta parks only in effect for May long? That's how I understood it but wanted to see if anyone has thoughts on this?

Most likely select like last year.

Several do it every long weekend.

[Hevishot]

8 weeks booked so far at Maclean plus race weekends booked elsewhere

[Ace]

Does anybody use a tire pressure monitoring system?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by FlamesKickAss

Are liquor bans in select alberta parks only in effect for May long? That's how I understood it but wanted to see if anyone has thoughts on this?

From the Alberta Parks Website:
Liquor bans are in effect at these Provincial Parks from 12:00 PM (noon) on Thursday, May 16, 2013 until 6:00 PM on Monday, May 20, 2013: Aspen Beach, Cypress Hills, Dillberry Lake, Garner Lake, Jarvis Bay, Miquelon Lake, Pigeon Lake, Wabamun Lake and Whitney Lakes.

Originally Posted by Slava

Where else do you book? Not trying to get you too give up 'secret' spots or whatever, but are there similar systems in BC/Montana for example? Other similar systems in Alberta at all?

One favourite place for us is Mount Kidd. https://www.mountkiddrv.com/
We were there for 3 nights this past week. Reservations in the summer are extremely hard to get; but I think we are going to try for July or August. What I don't like about most full service sites (power, water, and sewer) is that you end up in what resembles a big parking lot. At Mount Kidd all of the sites are well treed and have lots of privacy.

Another place I liked was Waterton Springs. http://www.watertonspringscamping.co...ound/Home.html
Unlike Alberta Parks and Mt Kidd you have to phone in to reserve. As mentioned above- the "Full service" sites are out in the open. We elected for one of the sites with power and that was in a nice spot amung the trees.

My pick for the "diamond in the rough" is Riverbend Campground in Okotoks. http://riverbendcampground.ca/
Once again- phone in for reservations. They have a few rules that seem odd like charging per person and per pet; but after looking at some of the older reviews online it looks like this was done to make sure they kept the campground quiet and family friendly. They are also doing a lot of work to spruce up the place, but if you want a good campground less than 30 minutes from Calgary- this fits the bill.

[V]

Originally Posted by ken0042

One favourite place for us is Mount Kidd. https://www.mountkiddrv.com/
We were there for 3 nights this past week. Reservations in the summer are extremely hard to get; but I think we are going to try for July or August. What I don't like about most full service sites (power, water, and sewer) is that you end up in what resembles a big parking lot. At Mount Kidd all of the sites are well treed and have lots of privacy.

We went to Mt. Kidd when we were kids, and I just remember playing arcades most of the time.

While it doesn't qualify as camping for me, I can see how some people might like it. Like you said, it's hard these days to find power sites that aren't parking lots. That's why I like to stay away from power sites altogether.

One of my new favourite locations is now Long Lake. If you're in loop B you can find yourself in a small loop with only 2 other sites. Book it with some friends and you can take over an entire loop, and you don't have to deal with annoying neighbours with dogs or generators.

The lake is definitely nothing special, but the kids like it there, and there is lots of hiking in the area. And I get my piece and quiet free from dogs and generators. We all win.

[ken0042]

Wow- Long Lake is pretty far. That is the one thing I have really started doing; is looking for places closer to Calgary. If I was going to go 4+ hours away I would look somewhere other than north of Edmonton; like BC or Montana.