Alberta has a diverse landscape that includes the Rocky Mountains, Great Plains and northern wetlands. Whatever region of the province you are visiting, you can find tent campsites that offer close quarters in one of Alberta's many natural settings. During the day you can explore the landscape on mountain trails or float down one of the area's waterways.
National Park Camping
Alberta hosts five Canadian national parks: Banff, Elk Island, Jasper, Waterton and Wood Buffalo. All campgrounds in the national parks have tent sites, drinking water and toilets. Wilderness camping offers added seclusion in the backcountry of the national parks. You can hike into wilderness campsites throughout the park where you will find tent pads, natural water sources, bear poles for food and garbage and outhouses. Fires are discouraged in the backcountry. If you do wish to cook, the Park Service suggests using a backpacking stove.
Provincial Park Camping
Alberta's provincial parks offer a variety of camping options from modern campgrounds with showers and indoor restrooms to rustic campgrounds limited to indoor or outdoor toilets and drinking water. For a tent-only experience you can head into the backcountry of some parks and select a site in the wilderness. Backcountry camping is allowed in provincial wildland parks and natural areas. No established backcountry sites are available in the park system.
Private Park Camping
Private campgrounds such as the KOA Campground in Jasper provide tent camping facilities with the added amenities of a modern RV park. The KOA features bicycle rentals, a kitchen, wireless Internet and planned family activities for families. You can find private campgrounds near popular summer destinations such as parks and recreation areas throughout the province.
Seasons
When visiting Alberta's northern wetlands and southern mountains during the off-peak season between late fall and early spring you should take into consideration the cold climate of the area. Winter camping is permitted in most parks throughout the province, but temperatures can be dangerous if you are not prepared with layers of clothes and cold weather camping gear. Northern Alberta is regularly hit with arctic and subarctic temperatures, and high winds in the region can make these conditions even worse. The southern mountains can cause quick weather changes around Banff and Waterton. Know the weather before you head out for an off-season camping trip.
Activities
Alberta offers an array of challenging outdoor activities for visitors. While camping in the Rockies, use your tent site as a base camp while you spend the day climbing one of the many rocky peaks in Waterton and Banff national parks. You can also kayak or raft along the whitewater areas in Jasper. Northern Alberta has a maze of wetlands you can explore in a kayak with your camping gear in tow.
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