The best camping in Kananaskis

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The Kananaskis Region holds some of Alberta’s most dramatic mountains, and as a whole, the area is loaded with great camping and wild spaces. You can wild camp, find one of many private campsites, or seek out the public campgrounds—no matter which you choose, trails are prolific, as are clear, cold rivers that flow from the peaks to the prairie. Trout fishing is excellent and visitors love mountain biking, skiing and sightseeing in the open spaces, too. Banff is just to the north of the region as well, and Calgary is the largest city, just east of Kananaskis.

95% (200) 66 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Kananaskis

Secluded Cliffside Paradise

1. Secluded Cliffside Paradise

96%
(12)
AB · 1 site · Tent, RV
This secluded cliffside paradise overlooks the legendary Bow River known for its fly fishing and breathtaking views, we also have river access for kayaking. Only 12 min from Calgary, and quick access to the transit system, you'll want to extend your stay!
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Electrical hookup
Campfires
Trappers Hill Lodges & Campground

2. Trappers Hill Lodges & Campground

96%
(25)
Bighorn No.8, AB · 4 sites
Trappers Hill Lodges & Campground, a unique off-grid glamping and camping adventure amidst the breathtaking landscape of the Canadian Rocky Mountains overlooking, the Ghost River, 1.5 hours from Canmore. Nested in the heart of picturesque land, it offers 16 cozy cabins and 6 spacious campsites, each offering a tranquil retreat for families, friend and couples alike. We are located 1 hour from Canmore, 45 minutes from Cochrane.
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Rocky View

3. Rocky View

97%
(33)
Rocky View County, AB · 3 sites
Our small acreage is only a few meters outside of the city limits, where you can enjoy views of the mountains while relaxing under the trees. Experience the romance of the railroad as trains whistle by, and watch the farmers in the field across the road. We're close to Ralph Klein park, minutes to Stony Trail, Highway 22X, and Deerfoot Trail.
Electrical hookup
Pets
Onespot Crossing Campgrounds

4. Onespot Crossing Campgrounds

84%
(76)
Calgary, AB · 45 sites · Tents, RVs
Learn more about this land:OPEN ALL YEAR!Our campsite is the perfect city escape. We’re 40 minutes away from downtown Calgary but completely surrounded by nature.With over 50 acres, we offer very large, open, and spacious campsites to accommodate all. If you want a group gathering or a quiet secluded weekend, we are here to accommodate everyone and are very flexible with our customers' needs - feel free to message me with any questions. Picnic tables and firepits are provided in all of our unserviced natural sites. There is a toilet available.Onespot Campground is all-natural and has no power or water campground. Generators are permitted. Trailers need to fill water and dump trailer before arriving (we have no water and no dump site yet).Close to West Bragg Creek Provincial for hiking and mountain biking in the summer and cross-country skiing in the winter.We are a family-friendly and pet-friendly campground. To ensure that we respect all guests, we have an 11 pm curfew. We look forward to hosting you!
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Gardiner's Land

5. Gardiner's Land

93%
(7)
Foothills County, AB · 3 sites · Tents, RVs
All are welcome even your horse can stay here lots of land to walk around geocaches close by
Pets
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Wolf Corral

6. Wolf Corral

100%
(7)
Invermere, BC · 1 site
Property is close to Town of Invermere, a skip a a hop away from Tim Hortons. Supper close from where there is many opportunities for outdoor activities. Hiking, golfing,skiing at Panorama and Kootenay Park, paragliding, swimming, canoeing, boating, relaxation close bye,siteseeing hotsprings at Radium and Fairmont. Also there is a Airport which offers gliding and Helicopter rides.
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Vacation rentals in Bragg Creek

7. Vacation rentals in Bragg Creek

92%
(26)
Calgary, AB · 2 sites
Located on 2,5 acres of forest in Wintergreen Bragg Creek, the land offers access to nearby trails at West Bragg Creek day-use area, golf, horseback riding, Elbow Falls, Forget-me-Not pond, and 11 awesome places to dine in Bragg Creek. We have 2 amenities: Shanti Yurt and Rustic Cozy Cabin with hot tubs.
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The Bunker

8. The Bunker

100%
(12)
AB · 1 site
A light-industrial hideaway in Calgary’s Bonnybrook district. 30 amp and water hook-up 4 km to the Calgary Stampede 600m from Calgary Bow River bike path 5.7 km to downtown 90 meters to bus stop 3.4km to light rail transit station 5.6 km to Calgary Zoo A unique RV experience awaits you with easy access to all of Calgary’s major attractions. Backing a medium or large trailer in during business hours can be a little daunting due to street parking and some traffic. Weekends and after 6 pm have never been an issue for me. The yard is secured with a locking gate for when you are our and about
Electrical hookup
Water hookup
Pets
Rustic Riverside Camping

9. Rustic Riverside Camping

99%
(51)
Bragg Creek, AB · 3 sites
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.
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Toilets
Showers
Willow Hill Lodge

10. Willow Hill Lodge

100%
(13)
Calgary, AB · 2 sites
The property is located in the beautiful Alberta Foothills on a hillside overlooking the valleys, hills and with breathtaking views of the Alberta Rocky Mountains. There are 67 acres to explore with trails, a Wild West town boardwalk, a garden for munching and a multitude of local wildlife including deer, moose, eagles, great horned owls and even the odd black bear sighting. The are wild berries to pick in late July all over the property and firepits to sit around and watch a billion stars at night. This property is a small Bed and Breakfast with only 2 glamping units and one luxury suite. That equals no crowds! But don't fear, we are within a 1 to 25 minute drive of 5 different towns all with their own charm. The area is known for ranching, hiking, the film industry, great food and award winning distilleries and breweries.
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Stonewood Ranch

11. Stonewood Ranch

100%
(1)
AB · 1 site
Come and enjoy our beautiful ranch just 15 minutes from Calgary city limits! Our trailer is parked in the woods on our 153 acre property. The perfect place to relax in nature, meander through our 10km maze of trails, bird watch and pick unlimited amounts of wild raspberries. We are 35 minutes to downtown Calgary, 90 mins to Canmore and 10 minutes to Bragg Creek. Our trailer is fully equipped with bedding, kitchen supplies, water, heat, and bathroom services.
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Campfires

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Kananaskis camping guide

Where to go

Hit the Slopes

Two ski areas offer options for steep mountain terrain. Nakiska and Fortress Mountain are both great mountains, each having six lifts open to the public. While Banff draws skiers from around the world, these smaller ski areas are often overlooked. If you enjoy low traffic and great powder, consider taking a ski vacation to Kananaskis Country. Nakiska is less than an hour from Calgary and was an Olympic ski site. Fortress Mountain has 30 kilometres of slopes with some challenging terrain.

Spray Lakes Reservoir

As the largest lake in Kananaskis, the long shoreline offers plenty of space for boaters. Camping is available on the lake and the water is popular for summer fishing, water skiing and swimming. The reservoir has large lake trout, whitefish and plenty of rainbow trout to pursue. Prevailing winds do limit water skiing to the early morning hours but they do make for excellent windsurfing. The region doesn’t have many large bodies of water and this is one unique lake that is surrounded by mountains.

Hike the Trails

If there’s one thing that Kananaskis offers, it’s a never-ending network of trails. Hiking and biking are both popular and there are some serious peaks to pursue on foot. Smutwood Peak is one of those magical looking mountains that requires some scrambling to reach the summit. It has several high lakes with turquoise waters sitting picturesquely below a jagged mountain. Read’s Tower and Tent Ridge a few more options with incredible scenery.

Bow Valley Provincial Park

This park might be the pinnacle of any trip to Kananaskis Country. The Bow and Kananaskis Rivers meet in the park which is just under an hour from Calgary. Paddling and fishing on the Bow River are both highlights for visitors. Extensive hiking trails are perfect for day trips or overnight backcountry trips. Test your legs against the steep terrain and don’t forget a camera for the incredible vistas. This is grizzly country and visitors should carry bear spray when navigating the park.

When to go

Summer is really the best time for hikers wanting to climb the peaks and reach the backcountry on foot. July and August specifically are ideal for penetrating the backcountry. September is another great month with changing colors and cooler night temperatures. October can be idyllic but also can experience early winter storms. Winter itself is a nice time to visit for skiers and snowsport enthusiasts. The primary highways remain open but the backroads are often closed or difficult to navigate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Two ski areas in Kananaskis, Nakiska and Fortress Mountain, offer options for steep mountain terrain. Each mountain has six lifts open to the public. Nakiska is less than an hour from Calgary and was an Olympic ski site. Fortress Mountain has 30 kilometres of slopes with some challenging terrain. If you enjoy low traffic and great powder, consider taking a ski vacation to Kananaskis Country.

Summer, specifically July and August, is the best time for hikers wanting to climb the peaks and reach the backcountry on foot in Kananaskis. September is another great month with changing colors and cooler night temperatures. October can be idyllic but also can experience early winter storms. Winter itself is a nice time to visit for skiers and snowsport enthusiasts.

The Kananaskis Region holds some of Alberta’s most dramatic mountains and offers a never-ending network of trails. You can wild camp, find one of many private campsites, or seek out the public campgrounds—no matter which you choose, trails are prolific, as are clear, cold rivers that flow from the peaks to the prairie. Trout fishing is excellent and visitors love mountain biking, skiing and sightseeing in the open spaces, too. Banff is just to the north of the region as well, and Calgary is the largest city, just east of Kananaskis. You can also explore different options for camping near Kananaskis on Hipcamp.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

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