Camping near Edson
Find affordable camping in the forest or near the water just east of the Rockies.
Popular camping styles for Edson
Stories from the community
4 top campgrounds near Edson
Camping near Edson guide
Overview
Roughly halfway between the provincial capital of Edmonton and Jasper National Park on the Yellowhead Highway is the town of Edson. It has pretty, family-friendly parks and a system of walking trails throughout the community, plus all the amenities you would expect in a prairie town. Several lakes and rivers are in the region, if you fancy something close to the water, plus RV lots, glamping options, and quiet woodland retreats.
Where to go
Parkland County
To the east of Edson is Parkland County and Pembina River Provincial Park. The public campground there has both serviced and unserviced sites, with access to the river for fishing and tubing. There are also tiny homes, glamping and private Hipcamp sites to pitch your tent scattered throughout the county.
Hinton Region
Following the Yellowhead Highway west for a little less than an hour brings you to the doorstep of the Rocky Mountains and the town of Hinton. It’s a great spot for mountain bikers and rock climbers, plus there are nice trails for horseback riding, all-terrain vehicles, and hiking. Stay in a cozy log cabin, bring your RV, or find a spot to tent in the foothills.
Jasper National Park
Jasper is a popular year round destination. It has several campgrounds with varying degrees of service. Whistlers Campground is by far the largest, at 781 sites. From there it goes all the way to rustic backcountry where you can hike in and chances of even hearing other campers are low. Over the summer months reservations are booked months in advance and first come first serve sites fill up quickly.
When to go
Summers in Edson are the best time to visit. Campgrounds are generally closed in the winter (end of September until mid-May.) Combine the high elevation of Edson with its northern latitude and you get cold winters with lots of snow. That’s good news for snowshoers and Nordic skiers, but if you are looking to camp, you are better off to keep to May through September, and even then, be prepared for evenings that may be chilly.