- Chain Lakes Provincial Park
The best camping in Chain Lakes Provincial Park, AB
Discover Chain Lakes Provincial Park's natural splendor and outdoor activities.
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Rhian
November 2025
Group trip
The cabin is cute and was nice and warm. Friends were able to sleep in their tent outside and it was cozy. The bed in the lower area is extremely firm but the one upstairs is comfy.
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Сноб
October 2025
Weekend Trip to Marigold Farm Cabin
If you need a quiet, peaceful place with a beautiful house, I highly recommend it. The owner is very welcoming. The house is clean, cozy, and warm. There is a stove you can light yourself. There is a fire pit outside. It was ready to use when we arrived.
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Emilie
September 2025
23 ft travel trailer
With pets
We had a wonderful stay at Paradise on the Ridge! The views are incredible, the property is lovely and our hosts were very welcoming. Being able to let our dogs explore freely was the cherry on top that really made this a special stay. 5 stars!!
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Aaron
September 2025
15 ft campervan
Beautiful property with beautiful views! It’s hard to believe you’re only a few minutes from the city.
The sunsets by the fire are incredible!
I would recommend, because the property is south facing, that you may want to plan your spot based on how much sun you want.
Lots of cows, deer, pocket gophers, and ground squirrels to spot while you relax in the peace and quiet.
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Casper
September 2025
Tent
It was such a beautiful spot. We tented it for one night by the river. Everything was pretty wet but we thought it was worth it for the view and sounds of the river. We had our dogs with us who loved being able to play in the water. Just such a perfect place. We wish we could have stayed longer. Definitely coming back for our river spot again if we can.
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Sarah
September 2025
Tent
Group trip
I love this campground 10/10 would recommend. I will admit that I was nervous to pick this spot after reading some of the reviews, however we needed a spot for the long weekend that was close to the city since I was hosting a nature ceremony so we needed somewhere that could accommodate lots of guests not too far. They have quite a lot of land out there with lots of cool things to explore. The moment we drove in we seen horses and bison! 🦬 (In a pen now, they no longer just wander) These man at the check in trailer was very friendly and gave us lots of wood for good price. There was lots of interesting sights on the property, a modified bus, some farm equipment and playground structures and what looked like an indigenous market area, I suppose to some it might look like junk however we all thought it was cool. They have several different sections-a glamping area with domes, some tipis, trailer area and tenting area. This is a perfect spot if you are coming with a large group. Access to the river (perfect for hot summer days, thank god cuz it was so hot when we were there) And this place is close enough to Bragg Creek you can run to town if u need anything and you will still get cell service here. 👌 And the outhouses weren't to bad when we went.
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Claudio
September 2025
30 ft travel trailer
With pets
Lovely, large and secluded spot overlooking the Bow River just minutes outside of Calgary city limits. We were treated to eye level views of hawks and eagles in action, pelicans closer to the water and amazing sunsets.
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Dawn
August 2025
Tent
What a beautiful place!! Just what my soul needed this weekend ❤️ we did ceremony and spent time as a family:) I would definitely recommend this place to all my friends and family!!
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Ron
August 2025
19 ft toy hauler
With kids
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.
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Davis
August 2025
1 night at Willow Hill Lodge
It is so nice and peaceful. We slept in the little wagon and it was way my comfortable than I though it would be and Cathy was an amazing host who gave us a delicious breakfast in bed. Super cool must try experience.
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Vicky
August 2025
26 ft Class A
With kids
Really peaceful site. Friendly host. We would stay again.
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Martin
August 2025
33 ft travel trailer
Very peaceful environment. They were accommodating of my needs and I had a great stay!!
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Lisa
August 2025
22 ft travel trailer
Kim has a beautiful spot. Lots of blue sky and fabulous views of the Bow river. She is a wonderful host who is very focused on making her campers experience top notch.
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Tanya
August 2025
Tent
With kids
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!
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Tanya
August 2025
Tent
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
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Susan
July 2025
Tent
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!
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Paris
July 2025
Weekend Trip to Marigold Farm Cabin
We had a wonderful stay at Timothy's cabin! It was easy to find, and matched the description. The cabin was cozy and had thoughtful touches, and had a microwave, hot plate, and fridge. The bed was super comfortable. Bathroom/ composting toilet was clean and well maintained.
Timothy was gracious and showed us around the farm and introduced us to the chickens! There was supplies for a fire, although we didn't end up building one. We will definitely be back!
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Callen
July 2025
Tent
Group trip
Friendly host, wood is free to burn and the river is beautiful.
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Jessica
July 2025
16 ft campervan
Another fantastic stay at Cathys! We booked a ride for the morning this time which was incredible! Most amazing place! Couldn't recommend enough!!
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Danielle
July 2025
Tent
Group trip
It was great. Im definitely going back next year and staying for their powwow and the bragg creek days. Its such a good place to set up camp and stay for a week or 2. 👌
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The best camping in Chain Lakes Provincial Park, AB guide
Overview
About
Roughly 90 minutes’ drive southwest from Calgary, not far from the town of Nanton, is Chain Lakes Provincial Park. Set on the banks of the Chain Lakes Reservoir in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, the park is known for rainbow trout fishing (bull trout is catch and release only), sailing, and windsurfing, as well as geocaching plus birding and wildlife viewing. Keep your eyes out for pelicans and moose!
When to go
The ideal time to visit Chain Lakes Provincial Park is during the warmer months, from late May to early September, when the park is fully accessible and activities are in full swing. Winter brings a quiet beauty, but be prepared for chilly conditions and limited access.
Know before you go
- Review the latest park advisories for any closures or safety notices before your visit.
- Accessibility is a priority, with wheelchair-friendly facilities ensuring an inclusive experience for all visitors.
- Remember to pack out your trash and respect the natural environment to preserve its beauty.
- Local wildlife is abundant; always maintain a safe distance and store food securely.
- Check the park's official website for updates on available facilities and any seasonal changes in operation hours.
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