The May long weekend has come and gone, and with it, the unofficial start of the summer camping season.
For many in Rocky View County (RVC), camping provides a great way to get away from it all. Luckily, the options for camping are plentiful in Alberta.
Alberta Parks oversees camping at Alberta’s many provincial campgrounds. Whether campers want to truly go back to nature and grab a spot bringing nothing more than a tent and a cooler of food, or prefer to bring the amenities of home with them in a trailer or motorhome, provincial campgrounds can accommodate their needs.
Booking a campsite in a provincial campground is easy using the Alberta Parks online reservation system available at reserve.alberta.parks.ca or by calling 1-877-537-2757.
Provincial campgrounds are generally cheaper than their privately-owned counterparts and because of this they tend to fill up quickly.
However, according to information provided by Environment and Sustainable Development (ESRD) on May 13, spots are still available.
Alberta’s parks system has almost 14,000 campsites in 250 provincial campgrounds and there are also many day-use facilities within a few hours drive of most towns and cities. A basic campsite in a provincial park ranges in price from $5 to $26, according to the Alberta Parks website.
Full service sites that include water, sewer and power hook-ups will add an additional $19 to the basic fee.
The ESRD oversees camping and day use in the provincial campgrounds and provincial parks. During particularly busy long weekends, liquor bans may be in effect for some provincial parks.
Just as the term implies, the consumption of liquor is restricted when a liquor ban is in effect. The ESRD maintains a list of liquor bans at albertaparks.ca
Campers should also check to see if there are any fire bans or restrictions in place before heading out. Dry, windy weather can result in a ban on the use of fire pits at campgrounds, according to the ESRD.
Private campgrounds offer a variety of amenities and camping options with some even having things like satellite television hook-ups and wireless Internet. Costs for these types of sites vary greatly depending on the types and number of amenities offered.
For those campers who want to get away on a regular basis, many private campgrounds offer an option to rent a permanent space on a yearly or multi-year basis with costs from approximately $2,000 and up.
More information about camping in Alberta’s Provincial parks can be found online at albertaparks.ca
