Calgary is your gateway to endless adventures in the Canadian Rockies, Alberta Badlands, and rolling foothills. Whether you’re tenting, RV’ing, or glamping you’ll find plenty of picture-perfect sites just a short drive from the city.
Discover the best spots for sleeping under the stars near Calgary, Alberta.
Escape to Kananaskis Country — a collection of Alberta Parks lining the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. These campgrounds offer well-maintained sites and direct access to scenic trails, lakes, and waterfalls.
A haven for off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts, McLean Creek is nestled in the rolling foothills near Bragg Creek. This popular area offers both serviced and unserviced campsites, along with easy access to ATV and dirt bike trails.
Seasonality: Year-round
Campsite Type: Tents, RVs, OHV-friendly
Distance from Downtown: 60 km (37 mi)
Tucked along Highway 66 in Elbow Valley, Beaver Flats is known for its tranquil riverside setting and easily accessible hiking trails. Towering evergreens and the peaceful Elbow River create an idyllic spot for a weekend getaway.
Seasonality: May – September
Campsite Type: RVs and walk-in tent sites
Distance from Downtown: 68 km (42 mi)
Popular among windsurfers, Lac Des Arcs Campground provides spectacular views of the Bow Valley corridor. Its location just off the Trans-Canada Highway makes it a convenient stop on the way to Banff or Canmore.
Seasonality: May – October
Campsite Type: Tents, RVs (unserviced)
Distance from Downtown: 87 km (54 mi)
Located on the shore of Lower Kananaskis Lake, Interlakes Campground boasts stunning mountain views and quick access to water-based activities like fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. It’s a must for campers seeking a classic Kananaskis experience.
Seasonality: May – October
Campsite Type: Tents, RV (unserviced)
Distance from Downtown: 138 km (86 mi)
How to Reserve: Reservations for Alberta Parks campgrounds can be made 90 days in advance, so put the booking date in your calendar and be ready as soon as reservations open.
Fishing is one of the many outdoor pursuits made easy at McLean Creek Campground (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta / Dusty Cressey).
Wake up to stunning views of Mount Rundle at the Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta / Katie Goldie)
These Banff National Park campgrounds place you in the heart of the Rockies, offering easy access to top trails, iconic lakes, and quaint mountain towns.
Overlooking the town of Banff, Tunnel Mountain Campground is the largest campground in the park and offers multiple loops catering to tents and RVs alike. Wake up to mountain vistas, enjoy the proximity to Banff’s dining and shops, and take advantage of nearby hiking and biking trails.
Seasonality: May – October; Tunnel Mtn. Village II is year-round
Campsite Type: Tents, RVs (full hookups available in Tunnel Mtn. Trailer Court)
Distance from Downtown: 127 km (79 mi)
Situated just minutes from iconic Lake Minnewanka, Two Jack Campgrounds (Main and Lakeside) feature two distinct camping experiences. The main campground is large, forested, and rustic; the lakeside campground is much smaller with unbeatable views, making it incredible popular.
Seasonality: May – October
Campsite Type: Tents, RVs (unserviced)
Distance from Downtown: 130 km (81 mi)
Famous for its dramatic waterfalls and catwalk trails, Johnston Canyon Campground places you right next to one of Banff’s most iconic hikes. It’s a perfect spot for nature lovers who want to wake up steps from the action.
Seasonality: May – September
Campsite Type: Tents, RV (unserviced)
Distance from Downtown: 150 km (93 mi)
Located in Canada’s quintessential mountain destination, Lake Louise Campground has two areas – one for hard-sided camping and one for soft-sided. Enjoy easy access to Moraine Lake, the Lake Louise Gondola, and of course Lake Louise itself.
Seasonality: Lake Louise Hard-sided is open year-round (some services limited in winter)
Campsite Type: Tents, RVs (electrical hookups available)
Distance from Downtown: 185 km (115 mi)
How to Reserve: Banff National Park camping reservations typically open at the end of January. As soon as reservations open, you can book any available dates.
These privately operated campgrounds and RV parks each provide their own unique flair and easy access to nearby attractions.
Close to the city yet far enough to feel like a getaway, MountainView Camping offers a range of RV sites and services just east of Calgary. Enjoy Calgary’s skyline at a distance while having quick access to the Trans-Canada Highway for the next stop on your trip.
Seasonality: Year-round
Campsite Type: RVs (full hookups)
Distance from Downtown: 18 km (11 mi)
Right next door to Western Canada’s largest amusement park, Calaway Park Campground is ideal for families headed west towards the mountains. After a day of rides, games, and treats, settle in for a night of stargazing under the prairie skies.
Seasonality: May – September (aligned with park season)
Campsite Type: RVs (full hookups), limited tent sites
Distance from Downtown: 25 km (16 mi)
Located just west of Calgary in the town of Cochrane, Bow RiversEdge Campground features full-service RV sites, showers, and a playground for little campers. Enjoy Cochrane’s charming downtown and the gentle flow of the Bow River just steps from your site.
Seasonality: May – October
Campsite Type: RVs (full hookups)
Distance from Downtown: 40 km (25 mi)
A tranquil spot on the Sheep River near Okotoks, Riverbend Campground lets you enjoy riverside camping with easy access to fishing, walking trails, and local shops. It’s an excellent place to unwind without venturing too far from the city.
Seasonality: Year-round (no water hookups in winter)
Campsite Type: Tents, RVs (full hookups)
Distance from Downtown: 45 km (27 mi)
Enjoy the full amenity experience at Spring Hill RV Park, just north of Cochrane. You can sit back and relax with a convenience store, gas station, restaurant, and liquor store on-site.
Seasonality: Year-round
Campsite Type: RVs (full hookups)
Distance from Downtown: 47 km (29 mi)
A peaceful lakeside retreat near Strathmore, Wheatland Shores is perfect for those craving a laid-back experience. Spend your days fishing on Eagle Lake or simply enjoying the water views before winding down to stunning prairie sunsets.
Seasonality: May – September
Campsite Type: Tents, RVs (electrical hook ups)
Distance from Downtown: 66 km (41 mi)
Situated on the beautiful Stoney Nakoda Nation, Stoney Campgrounds offers a tranquil camping experience at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. Most sites have mountain views, but the views from Section F are particularly spectacular.
Seasonality: May – October
Campsite Type: Tents, RVs (limited amenities)
Distance from Downtown: 78 km (48 mi)
Elevated Escapes is the perfect spot for romantic getaway (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta / Katie Goldie).
Families love the trapper’s tents at Sundance By Basecamp (Photo Credit: Travel Alberta / Karl Lee).
Looking for a more comfort-focused camping experience? Level up with a stay at one of these unique glamping options near Calgary.
Elevated Escapes offers luxury canvas tents and glamping domes at an Indigenous-owned family campground near Bragg Creek. Sleep on comfortable beds surrounded by pristine wilderness, then wake up to the peaceful flow of the Elbow River.
Seasonality: Year-round
Campsite Type: Canvas tents and glamping domes
Distance from Downtown: 48 km (30 mi)
Sleep in a decommissioned train car! Known for its heritage railway experiences, Aspen Crossing provides a one-of-a-kind camping experience surrounded by prairie skies and charming train-themed attractions.
Seasonality: Year-round (no water hookups in winter)
Campsite Type: Caboose Cabins, Tents, RVs (full hookups),
Distance from Downtown: 90 km (56 mi)
Sundance By Basecamp, previously known as Sundance Lodges, offers a true wilderness getaway in Kananaskis Country. Choose from cozy trapper’s tents and luxurious glamping tents or bring your RV and camp in one of the picture-perfect sites.
Seasonality: May - October
Campsite Type: Trapper's tents, glamping tents, RVs (unserviced)
Distance from Downtown: 95 km (59 mi)
Step back in time at Good Knights Medieval Encampment near Three Hills. Sleep in a medieval-style tent, don period costumes, and feast on hearty fare as you immerse yourself in a history-inspired camping adventure.
Seasonality: May – October
Campsite Type: Medieval glamping tents, caravans, a hillside cottage
Distance from Downtown: 119 km (74 mi)
Discover the dramatic badlands of Dinosaur Provincial Park - an acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage Site - by staying in a Dinosaur Wall Tent. Enjoy the comforts of raised beds and sturdy canvas walls while exploring one of the world’s richest dinosaur fossil sites.
Seasonality: May – September
Campsite Type: Canvas wall tents
Distance from Downtown: 219 km (136 mi)
If you want to camp in Banff but don’t have much gear, try reserving an oTENTik. Imagine a cross between an A-frame cabin and a prospector tent mounted on a raised wooden floor. These were built specifically to make camping more accessible. There are oTENTiks at Tunnel Mountain Village II and Two Jack Lakeside.
