A little snow never stops Albertans.
For those people that love nature, the outdoors, and a weekend away in the wilderness, there’s good news! You don’t have to wait until summer to keep enjoying the incredible natural wonders of our province.
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Here are seven campsites that are open all year round, where those nature lovers can get their fix of the great outdoors this winter.
For your own safety, please make sure you are prepared before heading out on your next adventure. Information on how to prepare for your trip and stay safe while on your hike is available from Albertaparks.ca and AdventureSmart. Parks Canada visitor guidelines are available here. Always remember to leave no trace, pack out what you pack in, stick to designated trails, and refrain from feeding wildlife — and please note that irresponsibly-taken selfies (even if they look great for the ‘gram) can be fatal.
Point Backcountry Campground
Hike-in camping only with no road access. The hike to these 20 campsites is over three kilometres long. Can also be accessed by boat.
Amenities:
- Firewood
- Fire pits
- Picnic tables
- Gravel tent pads
- Food storage lockers/poles
- Dry toilets
Location: 50 km south of Highway 1 on Highway 40 and south on Kananaskis Lakes Trail
Rate: Starting at $12 per person per night
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Mount Engadine Glamping
Mount Engadine Glamping Tent (mountengadine.com)
If you’re not enjoying roughing it in the other options —here’s a way for you to camp in style!
Rent a one bedroom Glamp-Site with the view of a meadow and creek. A gas fireplace will keep you warm!
Amenities:
- Bedroom with king sized bed (can be split into twins)
- Full pull out couch
- Full bathroom
- Chandelier and hardwood floors
- Private patio and deck
- Gas fireplace
- All inclusive meals/afternoon tea
Location: 1 Mount Shark Road, Canmore, Alberta
Rate: $420 per night ($125 per additional person, $75 per child 6-12 years old, $40 per child 3-5 years old.)
Dinosaur Campground
Shapes of the Badlands (Alberta Parks/Flickr)
A UNESCO world heritage site — this campground is world-renowned for having dinosaur fossils and land formations that have taken on odd shapes. Called the badlands, there are 126 campsites within the park.
Amenities:
- Firewood sold
- Firepits
- Flush toilets
- Bus tours
- Commercially guided hikes
- Grocery/supply store
- Laundry
- Pit toilets
- Power
Location: 48 km northeast of Brooks off Highway 876
Rates: $24 per night (unserviced), $31 per night (powered)
Camping at Dinosaur Campgrounds (We Get Outside/Flickr)
Miquelon Lake Campground
Snowshoeing – Miquelon Lake (Alberta Parks)
Good for tents or RVs — this campground presents many opportunities for hiking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, and skiing. At night this is an excellent location to watch the stars.
Amenities:
- Firepits
- Flush toilets
- Pit toilets
- Payphones
- Playground
- Sewage disposal
- Showers
- Warm-up shelter
- Firewood sold
Location: Range Road 205A, Kingman, Alberta
Rate: Starting at $20 per night
Sheep Creek Campground
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Available for tents or RVs (although roads are not maintained during the winter, so beware) these campsites are located along the Smoky River. This campground also offers many nearby hiking trails, though you may need to pack your snowshoes.
Amenities:
- Firepits
- Pit toilets
- Water pump
Location: Sheep Creek Road, Greenview No. 16, Alberta
Rate: $26
McLean Creek Campground
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Suitable for tents and RVs — this campground has many trails open for exploring. While this campground is usually perfect for biking trails, in the winter time you can take snowmobiles through the breath-taking landscapes.
Amenities:
- Firepits
- Flush toilets
- Vault toilets
- Amphitheatre
- Payphone
- Playground
- Sewage Disposal
- Showers
- Water tap
- Power
Location: 285 McLean Creek Trail, Bragg Creek, Alberta
Rate: $33 per night (powered site) $26 per night (unpowered site)
Kinbrook Island Campground
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Suitable for tents and RVs, this campground is excellent for bird watching and marsh trails.
Amenities:
- Firepits
- Firewood sold
- Flush toilets
- Grocery store
- Laundry
- Payphone
- Pit toilets
- Playgrounds
- Power
- Sewage Disposal
- Showers
- Water Taps
Location: 13 km south of Brooks off Highway 873.
Rate: $24 (unserviced site), $31 (powered site)
– With files from Dan Mountain
