The best camping near Bow Valley Provincial Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Bow Valley Provincial Park adventure.

Explore the mountains and meadows of scenic Kananaskis Country.  

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Community favorites near Bow Valley Provincial Park

Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Top-rated campgrounds near Bow Valley Provincial Park

99%
(234)

Cattle Ranch in the Foothills

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents320 acres · AB
We are a working cattle ranch, about a 10 minute drive on a gravel road off of HiWay #1. You’re surrounded by wildlife and outdoor activities just as you step out of the door. We offer lots of privacy. Each site has its own road off the main road so no one else will be driving past your camp. During most of your stay, you will think there’s no one on the ranch but you! We’re close to a golf course, about 40 minutes to Canmore, one hour to Banff, and 40 minutes to Downtown Calgary. Perfect for day trips for activities other than camping. Our cows are tame and curious, but not house pets - just be aware. Our sites are not fenced from the cows, so you will have all the sights, smells, and sounds that are associated with cows if they come to visit you. If they bug you too much, message me and I will come over to move them out. I also have a shovel at each site to help clean up cow deposits! We are not a commercial nor Parks campground, nor do we strive to be. If you are looking for site with garbage service, running water, etc., you won’t find it here. If you are looking for an off-grid site with a few niceties, tons of privacy, off leash for your pups, and free firewood, you will be happy staying at our ranch!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$40
 / night
96%
(78)

Rough Diamond Ranch

6 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Calgary, AB
Quiet, majestic back to nature spot! This is a place to get away from a busy life. With close proximity to Winchell Lake, this land is ideal for fishing, hiking or simply enjoying the breathtaking scenery. We have 4 campsites available for tent or RV/trailer campers. If you're bringing an RV, we have two power outlets and water available. You will be parking on a field and the site requires levelling. Electricity and firewood are both available for purchase (see extras below). Please add this to your reservation at the time of booking. Campfires are permitted, pets are welcome. Potable water, picnic table, and outhouse are all available. We have cows, goats, chickens, horses and dogs on the property that generally love people. :) I have only one dog and typically allow dogs to run off leash. We do have to be careful that it doesn't turn to a dog gang as this happened once and they took down one of my goats. The goats Hon and Chewy are okay but it took months for poor Hon to heal. I also worry about the chickens so please keep and eye on your dogs! Lots of treed areas for private camping, horseback riding hiking and walking! Bird watching is big around here as we are on a bird migratory path. We are just above Winchell Lake and less than 10 km from Water Valley Golf Course and Saloon. Please recognize that you are visiting a Ranch not a campsite. We are sharing our piece of heaven with you and you are helping to support our animals and their heaven. Chickens are "True" Free Range and hand fed every morning. Eggs are $7.00 a dozen to pay for their feed. :) Every spring the rain tends to cause ruts and washes out some of the road on the way to the back forty where the meadow is. We gather rocks on the property to fill the ditches but the early part of the year the roads can be bumpy. Please ask the conditions of the road when you book if you have concerns. Thanks!
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
CA$35
 / night
98%
(65)

The Point At Alborak

4 sites · RVs160 acres · Canmore, AB
Experience a tranquil retreat in the foothills of the Rockies at The Point at Alborak, offering stunning views of sweeping valleys and mountains. Our secluded getaway features four full hook-ups with 20-amp and 30-amp power, sewer, and water connections. We are currently re-testing the water to ensure it is safe for drinking. We are providing water in blue jugs that is safe for drinking until we get the results back. The Point at Alborak RV site features a shared flat gravel space enclosed by fencing and cattleguard to ensure vehicle safety. Situated 6 Kms off Highway 1 near our Equine facility, the Point at Alborak provides glimpses of wildlife, including deer, moose, bear, and elk. Right outside your door, enjoy hiking and mountain biking adventures. Conveniently located just 10 minutes down gravel road off Hwy 1, we serve as the halfway point between Banff and Calgary and are only minutes away from the Livingstone Golf Course. Please be aware that we operate as a working cattle ranch and equestrian center. We kindly request due care and caution around livestock, and exercise caution when near electric fencing. For the safety of all, please keep dogs on a leash when livestock is present. Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of our surroundings while respecting the coexistence of our working ranch and your peaceful retreat.
Pets
Campfires
from 
CA$50
 / night

The best camping near Bow Valley Provincial Park guide

Overview

About

Whether your camping style requires a fully serviced campground site with modern amenities or a thoroughly rustic backcountry site far away from the rest of the world, one of the campgrounds in Bow Valley Provincial Park will fit the bill. The area doesn’t attract as many tourists as nearby Banff National Park, but it’s just as beautiful and is an excellent Canadian Rockies respite not far from Calgary, Alberta. There are plenty of alpine hiking and biking trails, plus pretty riverside scenery and lakes for paddling.

Notable campgrounds

  • Best for equine camping: Jewell Bay Campground, complete with corrals and hitching rails.
  • Best for windsurfing: Lac des Arcs Campground beside Lac des Arcs.
  • Best for families: Willow Rock Campground, with a playground, showers, and flush toilets.
  • Best for water activities: Three Sisters Campground has a hand launch area for non-motorized watercraft.

Tips for snagging a campsite

  1. With its proximity to Calgary and Banff, Bow Valley campgrounds fill up quickly on weekends, particularly long weekends. You can reserve up to 90 days ahead of time, so if you are hoping to snag a spot during high demand times, get your reservation in quick!
  2. First come, first served access may be limited pending the time of year.

When to go

Being in the mountains means colder weather and snow later in the spring and earlier in the fall than at lower altitudes, so even in the summer, make sure you are prepared for cooler temperatures. Front country camping ends when summer does, but Jewell Bay Backcountry Campground is open four seasons. The equestrian campground only closes mid-April to mid-June for the annual elk run.

Know before you go

  • Alberta Provincial Parks are free to enter, you don’t need a permit to get in. There is a fee to reserve campsites and nightly fees for camping though. 
  • Water is available at each campground (handpumps, mainly) Bringing your own drinking water is a good idea and definitely recommended. 
  • Bow River Campground and Lac des Arcs Campground both have disabled access.

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