Camping in Alberta Provincial Parks
It’s not too early to start planning… 2016 Season Provincial Park Campsite Reservations Begin February 22nd, 2016.
Winter-weary, we burst out of our cozy nests to stretch and breathe in the fresh air of spring. The May long weekend always signals the start of the summer season when visitors flock to Alberta’s provincial parks and recreation areas. Whether you like hiking, bird watching, boating, relaxing on the beach or sitting around the campfire, provincial parks have a variety of facilities and an infinite supply of memorable moments for you. It’s your choice – sweeping mountain vistas, clear northern lakes, sunny prairie grasslands, cool shady parklands or swift rivers flowing through the boreal forest. Try a park you haven’t visited yet, or spend a week exploring several parks in a region that you’ve been wanting to learn more about.
Campgrounds fill quickly for the long weekends, so we encourage campers to reserve well in advance to ensure a site. Campsite reservations begin on Monday February 22 with staggered times by region.
To reserve at southern Alberta parks, reservations open at 9 a.m. Mountain Standard Time; for Kananaskis region parks, at 11 a.m. Reserve your campsites in the central Alberta parks starting at 1 p.m. and for northern Alberta parks, reservations open at 3 p.m.
Spring Time in Alberta
Across the province, after the May long weekend, most facilities are up and running for the season and reservations can be made. The parks are not as busy as in July and August, and migrating birds and wildlife are commonly seen. The clear, dark spring nights are ideal for star gazing. If you come prepared for the cooler temperatures typical in springtime, you will find peace and quiet as well as many sights and sounds that you won’t experience during the long warm days of summer.
Visiting provincial parks before the May long weekend may take a bit more preparation but, for outdoor enthusiasts who like to play all year-round, it is well worth the effort and there are some big advantages.
It is recommended that you call the park before you venture out in our off-season. Ask if the park is open and what services are still available, so you can make the necessary plans to have a memorable camping experience.
Advantages To Spring Time Camping
Whether in spring or fall, off-season camping is enjoyed by more and more visitors who are seeking a unique parks experience.
- Reservations not needed until the
May long weekend. - Cooler temperatures are better for hiking and other day time activities. - No crowds and usually no mosquitoes
Take a Spring Tour of Southern Alberta
May is an ideal time to explore southern Alberta parks. The heat is not as intense as in summer months, making good traveling and sightseeing weather. Experience prairie and badlands awaking from winter sleep. Meadowlarks sing from fence posts and red tailed hawks hunt in the long grasses.
From the viewpoint just off the highway at Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, you are treated to a spectacular view of the Red Deer River Valley. You can travel along the intriguing Red Deer River badlands all the way from Bleriot Ferry through Midland Provincial Park in Drumheller, and beyond.
Continue south to visit the badlands again in Dinosaur Provincial Park or to see and hear the flurry of feathered activity along the Kinbrook Marsh Nature
Trail, near Kinbrook Island Provincial Park.
It’s worth the drive to venture to the southeastern corner of the province to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. Once you are in that neighbourhood, you should take the little side trip to see the surreal landscape of Red Rock Coulee Natural Area, southwest of Cypress Hills. The rolling prairie here is littered with perfectly round red rocks, called concretions, that were formed when the last glaciers receded thousands of years ago.
Wrap up your southern Alberta adventure at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park where petroglyphs and pictographs on the sandstone cliffs of the mystical Milk River valley depict centuries-old First Nations history.
Camping is available at provincial parks along this route, and Visitor Centres at Dinosaur, Writing-on-Stone and Cypress Hills provincial parks have interesting displays and helpful staff that help to make your spring tour a worthwhile adventure.
For More Information
The Alberta Parks website, albertaparks. ca is a wealth of information, including a campsite reservations vacancy calendar that is updated hourly. Google Maps will show you where a park is located and provide driving instructions to get there. Many parks and campgrounds have their own brochure or campground guide you can download from the web site to help you with your trip planning.
For hourly updated campsite reservation vacancies, up-to-date trail reports, liquor bans, wildlife advisories, fire bans and other important details, visit albertaparks.ca or call 1-866-427-3582 toll-free.
CAMPING Top: Dinosaur Provincial Park, Bottom: Dry Island Buffalo Jump.