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Camping near Brooks

From dinosaur bones to massive skies, the City of 100 Hellos welcomes you to experience its natural wonders.

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Camping near Brooks guide

Overview

You’ll find more than ranch and farmland in this corner of Southeastern Alberta. A multicultural town of 11,000, Brooks allows campers to head back in time, starting with thousands of years of First Nations experiences at Blackfoot Crossing, a 62,000-square-foot museum with interactive exhibits where you can even sleep overnight in a tipi. And then, walk through the region’s agricultural heritage, in and around a grain elevator at the EID historical village. For camping out under the stars, drive out of town in any direction, and lakes, parks, and even dinosaurs await.

Where to go

Dinosaur Provincial Park

Just north of town, this is one of the greatest dinosaur discovery sites in the world. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, paleontologists have dug up 44 different species here, dating back 77 million years. Learn all about it at the visitor centre, then experience it yourself, walking among the fossils along dramatic badlands trails, which wind through sandstone formations and jagged coulees, to an actual fossil bed.

Kinbrook Island Provincial Park

Encompassing several islands and a peninsula on Lake Newell, one of Alberta’s warmest bodies of water, this is the perfect place for a swim. The sandy sweep of the crescent-shaped beach is perfect for sunbathing and swimming, or you can launch a canoe or sailboat to explore beyond. Birders can spot hundreds of species along the 4.5-kilometre Marsh Trail, an easy hike through the park’s wetlands.

Tillebrook Provincial Park

Small and friendly, this is a prairie park. Pitch your tent, then take a walk along an informal trail, cutting through the grasslands. Relax and enjoy, or head just a few kilometres down the road to Kinbrook Island and Lake Newell for water activities.

Little Fish Lake Provincial Park

An oasis, the blue water of Little Fish Lake contrasts with the semi-arid hills that surround it. This is a top spot for those who love remoteness and solitude (even with limited facilities) prime for lovely views and starry night skies. For a bit more adventure, head to the nearby badlands along the Red Deer River.

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

A little further down the road from Brooks, this park is worth the drive. Set in two provinces (and two time zones), here the plateau rises 200 metres above the surrounding plains, with sweeping views that can extend to a horizon 100 kilometres away. Fish in one of seven lakes, or hike a portion of the Trans-Canada Trail, where you may encounter elk, moose, and wild turkey. Then visit Fort Walsh, once a base for the Mounties.

When to go

In the heart of the semi-arid Palliser’s Triangle, this part of Alberta is hot, dry, and sunny in summer. The lack of humidity keeps things pleasant even in the heat of July and August, but that means evenings can get chilly quickly once the sun sets. Winters feature less snow than in other parts of the province, as warm Chinook winds sometimes blow through town, providing nice breaks from the cold weather.

Know before you go

  • Brooks is the biggest town between Calgary and Medicine Hat, so you’ll find options for grocery and hardware. For any specialized gear, stop in Calgary.
  • A car is absolutely required if you’re traveling beyond the city limits.
  • While some airlines fly into Medicine Hat, the closest international airport is YYC in Calgary, about two hours away on the Trans-Canada Highway.

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