The best star host campgrounds in Alberta

The glacier-topped peaks, aqua lakes, and scenic campgrounds of the Canadian Rockies draw most of Alberta’s visitors, who come to explore Banff and Jasper national parks. And beyond those parks, this western province is worth visiting to hike through the Canadian Badlands’ unusual rock formations; delve into the region’s indigenous heritage; road trip along the Cowboy Trail; or visit Dinosaur Provincial Park. Alberta’s largest cities are Calgary, a 90-minute drive from Banff, and Edmonton, four hours from Jasper.

Alberta’s most popular region includes Banff and Jasper national parks, drawing visitors from around the world to Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, and other scenic spots. The town of Canmore, 20 minutes’ drive from Banff’s south entrance, is a good place to get supplies. Waterton Lakes National Park borders Montana’s Glacier National Park south of Calgary and across the border in the U.S.

The gateway to the Rockies, Calgary is also a short drive from the Canadian Badlands, where you can explore unusual hoodoos and rocky canyons. The region around Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park, where Canada’s early dinosaurs were unearthed, has plenty to interest paleontology fans.

The center of the province includes Alberta’s Cowboy Trail, where cattle ranches are still active and you can trace the area’s cowboy past. Visit Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site to learn about Alberta’s heritage as a fur trading hub, as well as its indigenous First Nations and Métis cultures.

Edmonton is the jumping-off point for both Jasper National Park and the province’s vast north, where remote Wood Buffalo National Park extends into the Northwest Territories. But you don’t have to go far to delve into the wild—just outside Edmonton, more than 1,000 bison roam the protected prairies of Elk Island National Park.

98% (1.6K)

Top-rated campgrounds

The glacier-topped peaks, aqua lakes, and scenic campgrounds of the Canadian Rockies draw most of Alberta’s visitors, who come to explore Banff and Jasper national parks. And beyond those parks, this western province is worth visiting to hike through the Canadian Badlands’ unusual rock formations; delve into the region’s indigenous heritage; road trip along the Cowboy Trail; or visit Dinosaur Provincial Park. Alberta’s largest cities are Calgary, a 90-minute drive from Banff, and Edmonton, four hours from Jasper.

Alberta’s most popular region includes Banff and Jasper national parks, drawing visitors from around the world to Lake Louise, the Icefields Parkway, and other scenic spots. The town of Canmore, 20 minutes’ drive from Banff’s south entrance, is a good place to get supplies. Waterton Lakes National Park borders Montana’s Glacier National Park south of Calgary and across the border in the U.S.

The gateway to the Rockies, Calgary is also a short drive from the Canadian Badlands, where you can explore unusual hoodoos and rocky canyons. The region around Drumheller and Dinosaur Provincial Park, where Canada’s early dinosaurs were unearthed, has plenty to interest paleontology fans.

The center of the province includes Alberta’s Cowboy Trail, where cattle ranches are still active and you can trace the area’s cowboy past. Visit Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site to learn about Alberta’s heritage as a fur trading hub, as well as its indigenous First Nations and Métis cultures.

Edmonton is the jumping-off point for both Jasper National Park and the province’s vast north, where remote Wood Buffalo National Park extends into the Northwest Territories. But you don’t have to go far to delve into the wild—just outside Edmonton, more than 1,000 bison roam the protected prairies of Elk Island National Park.

98% (1.6K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Rustic Riverside Camping

99%

(51)

5 sites · Lodging · Bragg Creek, AB

Camp riverside at the gateway to Kananaskis! Onespot Crossing Campground is a family owned Indigenous campground that hosts powows and other cultural events on site. Revenue from your booking will go towards supporting Indigenous programming at the campground.Please be mindful that the roads at this campground are bumpy dirt roads.

2. Finnish Off-Grid Foothills Cabin

95%

(10)

1 site · Lodging · AB

Off-grid experience (solar-powered and rainwater fed) for hikers, skiers or relaxers. This unique Finnish-inspired cabin has stunning views at all hours of the day and rich wildlife as well as Nature experiences in every direction. Steps away from the back entrance to the new Castle Provincial Park, and adjacent to thousands of acres of beautiful and accessible crown and park land. Many surrounding peaks from which to choose for the hikers and bikers, and two hills 40 minutes away for skiers. The cabin is situated on 480 acres of land on which there are no other houses, and adjacent to publicly-accessible land that spans thousands of acres. There is wildlife of all kinds and beautiful views right into British-Columbia and Montana. There is also a firepit :) This is off-grid but there IS cell phone service :) DISCLAIMER: please be advised that the cabin situated adjacent to Park and Crown land and wildlife of all sizes frequents the area. We advise that you be bear-aware, proceed with knowledge and carry spray while walking on the property.

3. Experience a Stay at Go Hard Ranch

100%

(30)

20 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Edson, AB

Experience a unique and unforgettable stay at Alberta's premier destination. The Go Hard Ranch is nestled alongside Chip Lake and is conveniently located only 15 minutes from the Yellowhead Highway near the small Hamlet of Wildwood, Alberta and is only a short one hour drive from the City of Edmonton. The Ranch offers stunning views of one of Alberta's largest and most overlooked lakes, promising a captivating experience at our third-generation ranch. As a family, we’ve come together to bring our vision for the Ranch to life, blending its unique history with our Métis heritage. Together, we’ve created a one-of-a-kind place to welcome our guests. The Ranch is an uplifting, beautiful, comfortable space to venture to that is full of rich history and wide open spaces. Whether you are needing to step outside to experience the stunning views, immerse yourself in nature, glimpse some Alberta wildlife, watch the multitude of birds species, or your soul is craving to hike or ride your horse through the land, the Go Hard Ranch is your perfect go-to oasis. The Ranch is perfect for a variety of activities, including getaways with friends, couples, and families, group camping, hosting retreats or events, and is a highly popular wedding venue. Spend your weekend surrounded by nature, enjoying camping, campfires, and peace in our cozy rustic cabin accommodations. It's the perfect way to reconnect with your roots and experience the authentic charm of life in Canada. Choose from our historic log cabin, the heart of the ranch, surrounded by three cozy guest cabins, our beautifully hand-painted authentic tipi accommodations and nearby campground. Each cabin has its own style, and each tipi has its own powerful theme. The ranch features an exclusive lakeshore property accessible only to our guests. Relax with a lakeside picnic, observe the waterfowl, or simply immerse yourself in nature while taking in the breathtaking sunsets. The Ranch provides a venue that perfectly captures the charm of the countryside, no matter your reason for visiting. It truly is a place where Romance meets Rustic. Weddings | Events | Vacations

4. Hidden Springs Retreat & Guesthouse

100%

(61)

8 sites · Lodging · Wetaskiwin County 10, AB

A place of restorative peace and relaxation. Located on 160 acres of rolling parkland east of Winfield, Alberta, Hidden Springs is a place to stay, play, and connect.Whether you’re seeking quiet time by yourself, or space to reconnect with friends and family, the Guesthouse is furnished to make you feel at home. Get cozy in front of the wood stove, spread a personal project out across the dining room table, settle into a puzzle or game, read on the deck, spend a day cooking, or watch the weather roll in across the valley.The Guesthouse is made up of two self-contained suites (upper and lower) connected by exterior stairs. The upper suite features a full kitchen (including stove, fridge, microwave and water cooler), a spacious living room, wood stove, and a large deck overlooking the valley. This suite sleeps up to four guests, with a queen bed in the bedroom and a queen-sized sofa bed in the common space.The lower suite can accommodate up to six people, with two queen-size beds and an additional pullout. It features a kitchenette (including sink, small fridge, microwave, and water cooler.) Its small brick patio offers a serene view of the pond below.WiFi is free and available throughout the guesthouse.

5. ML Arena at Spring Point

98%

(21)

6 sites · Tents, RVs · Pincher Creek, AB

ML Arena is located in the Foothills of Southern Alberta in the community of Spring Point (the HipCamp listing shows “Claresholm” but we are located in the MD of Pincher Creek) 10 miles west of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of “Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump “. We have 3 campsites with water and power, 1 full service treed campsite for smaller rigs and an orchard for tenting. Overflow parking for big rigs is available with power. There is an indoor riding arena on site and access to the Porcupine Hills Recreation Area public lands just 15 minutes down the road! Beautiful open views give the feel of being secluded but proximity to both Fort Macleod and Pincher Creek is just 25 minutes away. Outdoor corrals and pens with auto waterers are available for horses.

Stories from the community

Kiara

2 weeks ago

Weekend Trip to Finnish Off-Grid Foothills Cabin

We stayed at this off-grid cabin and it had everything we needed for a comfortable, low-key weekend. The place was peaceful, well set up, and perfect for a winter getaway. Beautiful spot and a great place to unwind

A

Angelo

October 2025

Weekend Trip to Finnish Off-Grid Foothills Cabin

Great view, very relaxing!

Tara

September 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Experience a Stay at Go Hard Ranch

Arriving on this land, I felt a sense of peace roll through me. My girlfriends and I stayed in the Tipi. It was magical. The grounds are immaculately kept. We were very spoiled with the washroom facilities as well as the outdoor kitchen. The beds were extremely comfortable with soft linen and warm blankets. The host did not miss any details to help us feel comfortable and met all of our amenity needs. The sunrise and sunsets were beautifully held on the horizon. Nature was all around us, including the cows and beautiful majestic white bull. All of the gardens and flower beds held details and surprises. Dragonflies were everywhere! A short distance away, we visited Chip Lake. Here we were able to have a drumming ceremony as well as enjoy some paddle boarding. The water was not conducive to us swimming in it, as it is shallow and appears to have a vast ecosystem. We did travel 30 minutes up the highway to the Pambina river and enjoyed a refreshing cool off. I would highly recommend visiting this site. I have full intentions of gathering my whole tribe of friends for a full weekend next year.

N

Nicole

September 2025

4 nights at Rustic Riverside Camping

We absolutely loved our stay! The bed is so comfortable, they provided extra blankets and towels. The entire campsite had everything you needed from a stove, lighters, water, a shower, etc. The owner went above and beyond when we had some things taken but everything was promptly returned. It’s secluded and quiet and absolutely beautiful!

R

Ron

August 2025

19 ft toy hauler

With kids

Weekend Trip to ML Arena at Spring Point

We had such a wonderful stay at Cathy and Todd’s place through Hipcamp. Cathy was incredibly kind and welcoming, and she even offered us great suggestions for local hikes and activities. Todd was also very friendly and helpful. Their property is beautiful, with a well-kept grassy area that’s perfect for camping, and being around the horses made the experience even more special. Everything felt comfortable, peaceful, and thoughtfully set up. We truly enjoyed our time there and would highly recommend this spot to anyone looking for a relaxing and memorable camping experience.

V

Vicky

August 2025

26 ft Class A

With kids

Weekend Trip to ML Arena at Spring Point

Really peaceful site. Friendly host. We would stay again.

N

NOoshin

August 2025

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Experience a Stay at Go Hard Ranch

We loved the camping place here . It was so clean and they prepared everything for us. Samantha and her team were so nice and we had an unforgettable night there. Definitely I will suggest this place to my friends. Thank you

Tanya

August 2025

Tent

With kids

2 nights at ML Arena at Spring Point

We spent unforgettable time here! The campsite has everything you need - private space in a beautiful place, electricity, water, washroom access, kind people around. My daughter is excited about the horse riding lesson she took. So many things to do and places to visit in this area - Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village, Lundbreck Falls, Oldman Dam. I would recommend this place for families seeking adventures during the days and quiet nature with campfire at night. Cathy is a very welcoming host!

Tanya

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at ML Arena at Spring Point

We loved staying at ML Arena. The tenting site is beautiful and quiet. The campsite is isolated from other campsites. Landscape around is amazing, infrastructure is great and owners are very friendly. Thank you! We would be happy to come here again

S

Susan

July 2025

Tent

1 night at ML Arena at Spring Point

Great tent camping spot. This is one of the best hip camping tent sites we have stayed at. The tent camping area is very private and with soft grass. Water and electricity are about 100 ft away. Fantastic washroom is in the horse arena which is about a block and a half away from the tent site. Hostess was accommodating and friendly. The song birds were a bonus. This would be a marvelous place for those camping with their horses. Exceptional privacy and shade. Another bonus is that it is within relatively easy driving distance of a World Cultural Heritage Site: the Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump. (Much of this drive was on gravel roads but was easily traversed.). I would rate this Hipcamp site as a 12 on a 10-point scale. I would detour to camp here again!

J

Jessica

July 2025

16 ft campervan

1 night at ML Arena at Spring Point

Another fantastic stay at Cathys! We booked a ride for the morning this time which was incredible! Most amazing place! Couldn't recommend enough!!

T

Tahnee

July 2025

3 nights at Rustic Riverside Camping

This was a great experience. Almost perfect. The view was absolutely amazing and the sound of the rushing river was very relaxing. It was great to have all the cooking things supplied. The tent was very clean and we had great sleeps on the bed which was very comfy. I suggest bringing a tarp to put behind the shelter because the shower and bathroom is right there looking in to your site. A few things could be improved. First, the rain shelter did leak a little bit which wasn’t great for the rainy weather we had. Also, one zipper in the tent was broken so it was quite difficult to close. Unfortunately the shower only worked once before breaking and it wasn’t fixed by the time we left. Overall a great experience and all things that could be fixed were liveable!

M

Michael

July 2025

Weekend Trip to Rustic Riverside Camping

Fantastic place! Was beautifully laid out, calm and quiet, just what the doctor ordered! My son (6 years old) had a great time as did I.

G

Gimena

July 2025

24 ft Class C

With kids

1 night at Experience a Stay at Go Hard Ranch

Awesome place! Calm, quiet, great wash area with showers and toilets. Super clean and nice. We were there with our RV, but they have cabins and tent camping. Samantha was really nice and a great host!

J

Jessica

July 2025

1 night at ML Arena at Spring Point

Could not recommend enough!! This was not only a great place to stay but a fantastic experience!! Cathy was absolutely brilliant and so friendly! She let us watch a western lesson and explained about western riding! The dogs were super friendly and we had the bonus of meeting the new foal! The pitch was beautiful and the toilet and shower were clean!

B

Bradley

July 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Experience a Stay at Go Hard Ranch

Beautiful property. Plenty of space at each campsite with picnic table and fire ring. Samantha did an awesome job! Will come back on way thru again. Thanks Samantha!!

N

Nicola

June 2025

19 ft Class A

1 night at Experience a Stay at Go Hard Ranch

We booked Go Hard Ranch for a 1 night stop over and loved it so much that we booked at second night. Beautiful property and facilities (loved all the effort that has been put in and attention to detail!). We chatted to the family that owns the ranch and they were all lovely and helpful, they delivered fire wood direct to our site as well. Would be a perfect place to take your horse for a weekend getaway and make use of their yards and beautiful trails!

S

Simon

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Experience a Stay at Go Hard Ranch

An Incredible Stay – Everything Was Perfect! We had an absolutely amazing experience at Go Hard Camping Site! The site is very new, and you can truly feel the care and attention that has gone into every detail. From the spotless facilities to the thoughtful layout and peaceful surroundings, everything was perfect. What truly made our stay exceptional was Samatha, the host. She is hands down the best host we’ve ever encountered—warm, responsive, and genuinely committed to making sure every guest feels welcome and comfortable. Her personal touch elevated the entire experience. If you’re looking for a beautiful, well-maintained, and relaxing place to camp with top-notch hospitality, this is it. We can’t wait to come back!

M

Molly

June 2025

31 ft Class C

Weekend Trip to Experience a Stay at Go Hard Ranch

We loved staying at Sarah’s campground, it was beautifully peaceful, relaxing and had very clean and nicely presented facilities. Would highly recommend!

Makenna

June 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Rustic Riverside Camping

Amazing glamping experience! They have really put a lot of thought into providing everything you could need! The beds were comfortable and very warm through the night. It was a very relaxing spot right alongside the river and was an easy site to locate and access! The stairs down to the site are a bit steep if you have mobility concerns but otherwise great spot for young and old! Our children loved the site and it made for easy ‘camping’ with little kids! We will be back :)