How to get walk-in campsites in Alberta

I love camping, especially in the backcountry when I don't have a cell signal – but logging campsites – whether front or backcountry – gets more difficult with each passing year. Tourists are nothing new, but the coronavirus has shown locals just how fun being outdoors can be. Alberta has recently experienced a surge in population growth. All of these factors combine to increase pressure on the already limited number of camps. Want to be spontaneous on a summer weekend with a great weather forecast? Read on for my tips on how to get walk-in campsites in Alberta.

Tip: Bring small bills with you in case you have to pay cash for the campsite.

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How to be a respectable caravan

When you visit any Alberta campgrounds – with or without a reservation – please consider the campground.

Exercise 7 Leave no trace principles. This includes planning and preparation, traveling on sturdy surfaces, disposing of waste properly, leaving what you find, respecting wildlife, minimizing the effects of a campfire, and being considerate of others.

Camp at least 60 meters from the water.

Minimize or avoid washing into streams and lakes. Make sure you take it Biodegradable soap With you because regular soap and toothpaste are harmful to fish and other aquatic life.

When it comes to defecation, make a cat hole 20cm deep and bury the feces. I recommend taking Ziploc bags for toilet paper. For the hardcore people, you can bag your own waste Heavy duty portable toilet bags.

A lot of women swear A silver-filled pee cloth.

Use camp stoves such as Jet boiling system Or the MSR Whisper Lite stove. Be sure to check that lighting is prohibited before leaving the house.

How to get campsites without reservations in Alberta

Check out some of the following ideas for registering walk-in campsites in Alberta. The trick is to be smart — targeting the days of the week — and flexible. Have a backup plan if you don't get the campsite you want.

1. Backcountry random camping in wilderness provincial parks

You can camp wildly in backcountry campsites in Alberta's 34 wilderness provincial parks without a reservation or paying any kind of fee. There are some rules in place that you should know.

• Random camping is not permitted within 1 km of the designated camping facility.
• Random camping is also not permitted within 1 kilometer of a road, county park or regional recreation area boundary.
• It is suggested that you camp at least 50 meters from any trail.
• Random camping is not permitted in any provincial parks or county recreation areas.

List of Wildland Provincial Parks in Alberta

2. Random camping in Public Land Use Zones (PLUZ) in Alberta where you do not need to reserve a campsite

There are 18 public land use zones in Alberta – see table below. Of those 18 areas, some offer established campgrounds in regional recreation areas. These sites may have a mix of first-come, first-served and reservable campsites. If you pay an overnight fee, you do not need to pay for a public lands camping pass.

You need to Public lands camping permit To a year-round squatter camp on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. This will include popular camping sites along the David Thompson Highway. Permits are not based on vehicles but on people. An annual pass costs $30 per person, and $20 per person for a 3-day pass. They are non-refundable.

Google each area to find out its exact location. You should know that you cannot camp for more than 14 days in one place. And “Individuals are responsible for knowing where they can camp on public lands“.

3. How to get priority campsites in Alberta parks

Alberta Parks has existing And a Map including all 148 campsites is first come, first served. Take a good look at it and be smart about where you go and when. Any campsites near Calgary for example. The beautiful Interlakes Campground in Peter Lougheed would be hard to come by.

You'll have good luck scoring one of Alberta's first-service campsites midweek in the summer, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays being your best bet. If it's a remote park, I think weekends are not a big deal.

Those evacuating camps must do so by 2 p.m., but as you can imagine, many people leave first thing in the morning. Consider arriving by 10 a.m. to get one of the just-vacated campsites served first.

4. Campsites are first come, first served in national parks

Banff and Jasper National Parks in Alberta also have a surprising number of campsites where you don't need to reserve. There are many first-come, first-served campsites along the Icefields Parkway.

For a full list of what is and is not bookable, see my site The Complete Guide to Camping on the Icefields Parkway. You'll have good luck if you choose tent-only campgrounds and those that aren't located on lakes like Jonas Creek Campground.

You can only book Valley of Paradise camp In Banff National Park 24 hours a day via phone call, so it's very easy to get. Go later in the season when the insects have faded.

Check out hipcamp

Hipcamp is a great last minute option although you do need a reservation. Just go to Hipcam website, type in the area and you'll find a large number of camping spots throughout Alberta. Some sites are tent only while others offer a mix of RVs and tents. Many companies offer rustic cabins as well. There really is a little bit of everything. Prices all over the map range from $20 per night to $229 per night but most of what I've seen is inexpensive.

There are also filters like what's available this weekend or next weekend. Can you bring a dog? Some have a lot of facilities while others have a very rustic feel. Have some fun and discover a part of Alberta you've never been to before.

Some examples of no-reservation campsites in Alberta

Castle Provincial Park

Opens: May 17 – October 2, 2024

it costs: $23 per night without service

There are 23 first-come, first-served campsites in the quiet area Links Creek Campground in Castle Provincial Park. Firewood is not available, and you must bring your own water – but the campsites themselves are very nice, especially with a few near the creek.

There are also designated free camping areas at Castle Provincial Park, but they do not have any amenities including no restrooms. But some have great views. Take a look at this Summer castle map.

Big Knife Provincial Park Campground

Opens: May 12 – September 4, 2024

it costs: $30 per night

Find a mix of open and wooded campsites on the banks of the Battle River. There are also a few tent sites in the forest. It is the perfect park to enjoy easy canoeing or hiking. I recommend the Lowlands Track.

Regional Police Station Park

Opens: April 1 – October 10

it costs: $25 per night for an unserviced campsite

Police Outpost Provincial Park is located off the beaten track within sight of the border with Montana. It is a beautiful place with great fishing, birding and hiking. The campsites are private and easy to get to. But take everything you need with you.

Sign up for camp cancellation notices

If you're keen to get a specific campsite that requires reservations, be sure to check out one of the following sites below.

If you don't get the campsite reservation you were hoping for, don't despair. Be the first to know when your campsite will be canceled for your requested trip dates by visiting Schnerb. Works in provincial and national parks.

You can also try campnap, a Vancouver-based company with an easy-to-use website and a great map. They have a guide to the parks they cover in Canada and the United States – including provincial parks and national forest sites. They charge $3 for a single screening and $7 for a membership.

Further reading about camping and glamping

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