Good campground around Red Deer, AB?

[blackfly]

Hi, we're planning some summer (July) travels and would like some recommendations on a campground in AB.

- Close to Red Deer. Close can be as much as 200-300km East, West, or South from RD. (we are meeting friends from BC and we are coming from MB, so Red Deer is a good half-way point.

- Must be next to or easy walking distance to good swimming

- Must be a picturesque, well treed setting- no 'parking lot RV park' type thing.

- Reasonable privacy/tree cover would be great.

- No party scene

- Can boondock but would prefer 15A power and water if possible.

Many many thanks for your feedback! I'm looking forward to hearing some recommendations.

[dkazzed]

There are a few provincial sites in the area that meet your requirements except picturesque may be subjective. Most of the sites have a liquor ban Victoria Day long weekend so partying might be an issue. I’ve been to Bow Valley in Kananaskis a couple of times which is lovely but no swimming. I’ll subscribe to this thread and keep my eyes open if I find any.

[Hutch333id]

Try "The Lodge at Panther River" . South West of Sundre and pretty remote. They have sites with 20 - 50amp. Some with water and sewer too. Alongside the Panther River. Not sure about swimming. Definitely within your 200km radius.

[GeoPro Enthusiast]

Within 200-300km is quite a varience. I live near the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just west of Calgary and theres loads of 'picturesque' camping. To name a few...
-Bow Valley Campground (provincial)
-Bow River Campground (provincial)
-Mt. Kidd Campground
-Red Lodge Campground (provincial)
-McLean Creek Campground (provincial)

Anywhere in western Alberta along the mountains will give you everything you want. Hope this helps

[calgarycampers]

Mount Kidd is off of my list for lots of reasons.

[brent_j]

Try Wilderness Village, a 5 star resort, near Rocky Mountain House(80 Kim’s west of Red Deer) or Crimson Lake Provincial Park in the same area.

[Hoyt]

https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/so...ping/dinosaur/
Dinosaur provincial park in drumheller, nice museum there.

You should look into booking ahead, can be done online. Bow valley is a great spot but booked solid for weekends, week days you can get in.

You could also checkout ‘Campertunity’, a relatively new endeavour.
https://campertunity.com

[GeoPro Enthusiast]

+1 for Crimson Lake in Rocky Mountain House. Nice little park with a beach for suntanning/swimming/kayaking. Also has a biking/hiking trail around the perimeter of lake. (bear spray recommend)

As for Mt. Kidd... I have resos there in July. I've heard mixed reviews. The only thing that led me there was it's location to great hiking. Owner took a lot of heat for closing sauna/hottubs.

Happy Camping this season (it's short in Alberta) so get out there!!!

[glen1971]

You might want to get in booking one, if you haven't already because the Calgary Stampede runs in the first two weeks in July. That may take up some of the more popular places..