If you want to avoid the stress of driving an RV in the busy downtown core and avoid parking headaches, the best option is to park at one of 33
Park and Ride lots and take Calgary Transit into the downtown core. A daily individual pass, which is valid on all City of Calgary Transit options, costs $11.50. Another excellent option is to park at
Southcentre Mall, who allows RV parking when registered with Guest Services (including overnight). Southcentre is across the street from Anderson LRT Station, allowing you to easily explore the city.
Most inner-city parking lots are meant for regular cars and trucks and will not accommodate an RV or motorhome. Street parking with an RV is an option, but can be challenging to find a space during the work week as you are competing with daily commuters. The weekends will be more open to street parking.
The
City’s RV Parking Bylaw mandates that an RV can only be on a city street for up to 36 hours and must then be removed for at least 48 hours from that location. You are also not allowed to park your trailer without the accompanying towing vehicle.
Travellers should take note that there are fees required for street parking on many streets (especially in the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods like Inglewood, Kensington, Bridgeland, 17th Avenue SW, Chinatown, and the Beltline) until 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, but Sundays are free. All City of Calgary parking is managed through the
Calgary Parking Authority, which utilizes the ParkPlus system.
To determine if you must pay for parking on the street, check the curb for a street sign with a four digit number, which is your ParkPlus zone and means you must pay to park on the street.
If you download the ParkPlus app, you can pay and manage your parking sessions from your smart phone, which means no more digging through the car seats for meter money or waiting in line for a parking lot station.
Many neighbourhoods, especially in the city centre and near hospitals and universities, also have restricted parking that is only available to residential pass holders, but these are clearly marked. You are not allowed to park an RV in front of a house that you do not own, or else without the homeowners’ permission. If you are visiting someone overnight and parking immediately in front of their house, that’s fine, but you cannot park in front of their neighbour’s home.