Central Alberta 
Credit: Urban River Adventures, Edmonton
Camping in Alberta can work out to a few different experiences. Try camping in your trusty tent, or in a fully furnished yurt, geodome, or tipi. Tow along the family trailer, drive out the RV, or shack up in a rustic cabin for the weekend. No matter your definition of ‘camping,’ there are plenty of options for enjoying Alberta’s starry night skies, forested hills, sandy beaches, and fish-filled lakes this spring and summer near Edmonton.
Here are 25 places to go camping within 3 hours of Edmonton – from private parks and campsites to National Parks and from cabins and tipis to RV camping.
You may also like: 25 Places to Go Camping in and Around Calgary
Rainbow Valley Campground
- Trip to Edmonton: Optional 1, 2, 3 Day Itinerary
- Itinerary for a Weekend Trip to Edmonton
- Family Trip to Edmonton: Optional 1, 2, or 3 Day Itinerary
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: 119 Whitemud Dr. NW, Edmonton
Phone: 1(888) 434-3991
Camping season: June – Mid October
Snow Valley Aerial Park
Urban River Adventures
Take in the ultimate glamping experience without even leaving Edmonton. Or if you’re in the city for a few nights, consider this summer experience over a hotel/motel! These unique accommodations are located on the islands of the North Saskatchewan River (exact locations provided upon booking) and range from geodomes, to tipis and tree tents (sleep high up and under the stars!). You can also bring your own tent and have the Adventure company shuttle you to a private area, and feed you if you wish to add on their VIP packages (available for all types of accommodations). Urban River Adventures also offer even more adventure through river excursions, guided hikes, and more.
Type of camping: comfort camping (geodomes, furnished tents) and tent
Address: Urban River Adventures will pick you up from the Kinsmen Rec Centre, Edmonton
Phone: 587-404-8222
Camping season: June – Mid October
Credit: Urban River Adventures
Shakers Acres RV Park & Campground
Situated in Edmonton’s west end, Shakers Acres is a large campground full of convenient amenities like showers, an RV dump site, Wi-Fi hotspots, and a laundromat. Within the campground are fire pits and playgrounds, and beyond the campsite you have all of Edmonton to enjoy. There are the parklands along the North Saskatchewan river valley which begins in Devon and runs through the city to Fort Saskatchewan.
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: 21530 103 Ave NW, Edmonton
Phone: 1(877) 477-3565
Glowing Embers RV Park and Travel Centre
Located on the western outskirts of Edmonton, Glowing Embers is a perfect place to stop on your way through the city. And while they do offer convenient nightly rates, Glowing Embers also offer weekly and monthly rates if you seek a more permanent RV site. Within a short drive of the campground are West Edmonton Mall, over 10 golf courses, and the Lois Hole Centennial PP.
Type of camping: RV
Address: 26821 100 Ave NW, Acheson
Phone: 1(877) 785-7275 (toll free); (780) 962-8100 (local)
Camping season: year-round
Astotin Lake Campground
Located in Elk Island National Park, the Astotin Lake campground offers a more rustic type of camping. These lakeside sites are perfect for small trailers and tents, include fire pits, and are a short walk from vault toilets. The Astotin Lake area is a wonderful place to stargaze, hike, or canoe and kayak, and the drive in from the highway is a wildlife viewing adventure on its own (drive slow and pay attention to the bison!).
Type of camping: RV or tent/comfort camping options.
Address: 54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan
Phone: 1-877-RESERVE (through Parks Canada)
Camping season: Mid May – mid October
Elk Island Retreat
Have you ever wanted to literally camp underneath the stars? It sounds great, but often the weather or the bugs make this a little difficult. At the Elk Island Retreat, you can make this a reality by renting a comfort camping geodome. Located near Elk Island National Park which is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, meaning light pollution can’t obstruct your view of the constellations and Northern Lights. In addition to geodome rentals, the Retreat also offers cabins, yurts, or tipis. Inside Elk Island, you can roam among the bison, rent a canoe or kayak, or enjoy long and short hikes.
Type of camping: cabin, yurt, geodome, RV, tipis, or tent
Address: 54371 Range Road 205, Fort Saskatchewan
Phone: (780) 998-0708
Camping season: March 17 – November 11
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Half Moon Lake Resort
This hidden resort is only a short drive from Edmonton and the town of Sherwood Park, and offers a relaxing weekend, or an adventure-filled one. The lake itself is surrounded by large trees, which open to a beach, park area, and mini-golf course. Swim or paddle boat in the water, hike around the multiple trails, or take in a more relaxing weekend with stargazing, campfires, and enjoying the serenity of Alberta’s wilderness.
Type of camping: cabins, tent, or RV
Address: 21524 Township Rd. 520, Sherwood Park
Phone: (780) 922-3045
Camping season: May 14 – Mid October
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Centennial Lake Campground
Leduc County offers two great campgrounds for RV-ers and tent-goers. The first of them, just east of New Sarepta, is the Centennial Lake Campground. Here, you’ll find a quiet escape among the trees and ponds where you can partake in horseshoes, take the kids to the playground, or play a round of volleyball. The campground overlooks Joseph Lake to the north, so you are guaranteed beautiful sunset and sunrise scenery all summer.
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: Joseph Lake Rd. and Township Rd. 500, New Sarepta
Phone: (780) 941-2124
Camping season: Victoria Day to Labour Day
Jubilee Park Campground on Wizard Lake
You’ll find the second of Leduc County’s campsites to the west the Leduc townsite on the small and narrow Wizard Lake. Enjoy a weekend of beach and sand from the comfort of your tent, a rented cabin, or your RV (power and non-powered sites available).
Type of camping: RV, tent, or cabin
Address: Highway 795, Leduc County
(780) 985-2499
Camping season: May 11 – Labour Day
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
This popular lake and Provincial Park west of Edmonton is know for water sports. Wabamun Lake is a great place to visit if you are looking for a place to bust out the water skis, water tubes, kayak, canoe, or Sea-doo. Sailing is also popular on this large lake, and as the sun sets on summer nights, will make for perfect photo ops. There is plenty of family fun and activities available off the lake as well: there are numerous hiking trails, many birding opportunities, and mountain biking trails.
Type of camping: tent or RV
Address: Township Rd. 531A, Parkland County
1(877) 537-2757 / Online bookings
Camping season: April 30 – October 31
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Kokanee Springs RV Park
The Kokanee Springs campground is on the opposite side of Wabamun Lake from the provincial park, contains a driving range, and is just across the highway from Seba Beach on Wabamun.
This full-service RV Park offers power sites, firepits, washrooms, laundry, a playground, and a pet-friendly environment. These cozy campsites are surrounded by shrub and trees and are a beautifully quiet Alberta summer backdrop. A unique feature of Kokanee Springs is the RV Pub & Grill- relax around the fire after a filling meal.
Type of camping: cabins or RV
Address: 53118 Highway 31, Parkland County
(780) 797-3058
Camping season: May 1 – September 30
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Kacikewin RV Campground & Cabins
“Kacikewin” (KA-T-SEEK-A-WIN) is Cree for “hideaway,” so there is no doubt you will find a tranquil escape in their RV campground or cabins. This quaint and beautifully landscaped park on Lac Ste. Anne offers a variety of fishing opportunities: here you can catch walleye, Perch, Northern Pike, White Fish, and Burbott. Alberta Beach is also a 5-minute drive away.
Type of camping: RV and cabin
Address: Comp. 15 Alberta Beach #114, Alberta Beach
(780) 924-3018
Camping season: May – September
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Not far from Edmonton, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is perfect for weekend camping. You can shack up a few different ways in the Miquelon Lake Provincial Park camping areas: you can enjoy your own tent, trailer, or RV; or you can try out their exclusive Yurts. A yurt can be considered a comfort tent, where you’re still given the feel of rustic camping, but with all the amenities of a small cabin. The area is not short of things to do and explore either, with sporting fields, hiking trails, and a lake for canoeing and kayaking or fishing.
Type of camping: yurt, tent, or RV
Phone: 20514 Hwy. 623, Camrose County
1(877) 537-2757 / Online bookings
Camping season: May 14 – September 6
Metis Crossing
Stop at Metis Crossing for the campsite but stay a bit longer for the incredible cultural experiences! Metis Crossing Cultural Interpretive Centre currently offers RV sites and is working towards comfort camping experiences like geodomes and tipis. But no matter how you decide to stay, you can take part in all the uniquely Indigenous experiences and educational opportunities offered by the Centre. Or take a walk along the nearby banks of the North Saskatchewan River.
Type of camping: RV or tent (tipis, geodomes, and cabins coming soon!)
Address: 17339 Victoria Trail, Smoky Lake
Phone: (780) 656-2229
Camping season: May 14 – September 6
Metis Crossing
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
Pigeon Lake is large and wide, creating plenty of room for power boats, water sports, and sailing. The nearby village of Pigeon Lake offers all you would need in terms of groceries, coffee, and a gas station, while the campground itself offers its own amenities. You can choose from classic tent and trailer spots or spend your weekend in a furnished yurt. And for off-the-water adventures, check out the multiple front-country hiking trails which surround the lake.
Type of camping: yurt, tent, or RV
Address: Township Rd. 470, Wetaskiwin Co No. 10
Phone: 1(877) 537-2757 / Online bookings
Camping season: year-round
Credit: Alberta Parks
RV There Yet
This RV park is only a 10- to 15-minute drive from Sylvan Lake, but you’re nestled far enough away from the noise of the town to enjoy a quiet night or weekend.
At Sylvan Lake you can relax on the beach, rent paddleboats or kayaks, or window shop around the main street.
Every campsite includes a firepit and picnic table, and other services are available too like laundry, Wi-Fi, sani-dump, and showers/washrooms.
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: 39156 Range Rd 275, Blackfalds
Phone: (403) 314-9577
Aspen Beach Lakeview Campground/Provincial Park
This central Alberta campground offers over 200 power RV and trailer sites, as well as 27 non-serviced sites for the tent-goers. The campground has its own private beach but is also adjacent to another (via walking trails) which hosts Ripples Concession stand. Aspen Beach is on the expansive Gull Lake where you can enjoy Sea-doing, power boating, canoeing, and kayaking.
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: Lacombe County
Phone: 1(877) 537-2757 / Online bookings
Camping season: May 13 – September 26
Hanmore Lake Campground
Just outside of Smoky Lake is the Hanmore Lake area which boasts a ton of summer activities. Being a short drive from Edmonton, Hanmore Lake offers a perfect and quick weekend camping getaway for those who enjoy the beach, fires under the stars, hiking, and/or fishing. Each campsite is shrouded in large trees and offer tons of room for pulling in your trailer and making yourselves right at home.
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: Lake Dr. and RR 174, Smoky Lake
(780) 656-6580
Camping season: May to October
Smoky Lake Golf Course and RV Park
This RV park is just a short drive outside Smoky Lake townsite and is a wonderful family and golfer’s getaway. The campground offers 9 holes, making it perfect for teaching the young ones, as well as a clubhouse restaurant led by a red-seal chef. Firepits are included too, so you can cook and roast around the fire and grab groceries at a local Smoky Lake store like Linda’s Market Garden, or Serben Farms. Stay and play packages are available, and the well-kept and hilly landscape of the course create a picturesque day of golfing in the sun.
Type of camping: RV
Address: 17340 Township Rd. 594, Smoky Lake
Phone: (877) 752-4739 (toll free); (780) 656-2121 (local)
Camping season: May to September
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Long Lake Provincial Park
Long Lake will, as you can guess, offer you a long and spacious beach for the hottest summer days in Alberta. Along this shallow beach, you can enjoy the water, float in inflatables, or take a hike around the entire lake. This calm lake also makes for perfect canoeing, paddle-boarding, and kayaking. Along the south side of the PP is the White Earth Valley Natural Area, where you can explore 17km of trails that take you through a variety of landscapes.
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: Range Rd. 191A, Ellscott
Phone: 1(877) 537-2757 / Online bookings
Camping season: May 20 – October 12
Goose Lake Campground
The Goose Lake area gives you spacious campsite options where you can nestle yourself among large spruce trees in either your trailer, RV, or tent. The sites offer fire pits and picnic tables, coin showers, mini golf, and firewood for sale. Goose Lake brings you to the geographic centre of Alberta where you’ll be surrounded by various fishing lakes and ponds, the Blue Ridge Recreation Area with a beach, or the Blueridge Motocross Track.
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: 83036 Township Rd. 615, Lone Pine
Phone: (780) 584-2480
Camping season: May 10 – September 30
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Crimson Lake Provincial Park
This beautiful provincial campground gives you a serene getaway just a short drive south of Edmonton. The campsites are well divided by large trees which provide additional shelter. While the campground is open year-round, they do offer additional services in the summer season like a grocery and souvenir store, laundry, and showers. The large beach invites swimming, sand-castle construction, and picnics, while the large lake itself is great for fishing (power boats permitted). Just north of the group of sites, you’ll also find short hiking trails.
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Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: RR 80C and Crimson Lake Dr., Rocky Mountain House
Phone: 1-877-537-2757 / Online bookings
Camping season: year-round; summer services open May 13 – September 26
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Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site is a place full of exhibits, four forts, archaeological remains, and Metis demonstrations. This is an exciting way to learn about the history of the fur trade which helped to shape our nation. You can camp in comfort in tipis, trapper tents, or cabins here. Camp in comfort! Cook bannock and trapper’s tea over a fire. Heritage camping fees include a Fur Trade Camp Kit: bison hide, period cooking kit and utensils, blow tube and flint/steel fire-starting kit, bannock mix, trapper’s tea, spices, oil and soap.
Type of camping: cabins, tent, tipis, RVs
Address: Site 127 Comp 6 RR4, Rocky Mountain House
Phone: 1-877-RESERVE (1-877-737-3783)/ Online bookings
Camping season: May 14 to September 29
Credit: Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
This provincial park is directly north of Edmonton, and provides spring, summer, and fall camping in a unique island setting: the Park is located on Big Island at the centre of Lac La Biche. Head out to see the flowers bloom, to enjoy the hot weather, or to watch the leaves of the Boreal forest turn before winter. No matter the time you decide to visit Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park you have a few accommodation options: comfort camping in their cabins or tipis, your RV or trailer (power available), or you can pop up a tent. The town of Lac La Biche is a short drive away from the park, just in case you forgot a few items or need to restock on bait and tackle.
Type of camping: tipis, cabins, tent, or RV
Adress: Provincial Park Rd. via Hwy 881, Lac La Biche
Phone: 1-877-537-2757 / Online bookings
Camping season: May 20 – October 12
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Whitney Lakes Provincial Park
Driving east of Edmonton will bring you into Lakeland County, an area covered in secluded lakes, dense forest, and thus an area perfect for an escape from the city. The provincial park offers three main front-country campsites, as well as back-country sites to which you can hike. But if you’re looking for a shorter, less intense hike while you are out here, the provincial park has over 30km of trails that take you around all four lakes which make up the park: Whitney, Laurier, Ross, and Borden. Borden is the smallest of the four, and only allows canoes, while the others allow power boats. If time permits, be sure to check out the historic towns of Elk Point and Heinsburg.
Type of camping: RV or tent
Address: AB-893 via AB-640 (north of Heinsburg)
Phone: 1-877-537-2757 / Online bookings
Camping season: May 20 – September 7
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Stoney Lake Campground
St. Paul County can make for the ultimate wilderness buff’s camping weekend. Within the Stoney Lake RV Campground, you can swim, relax on the beach, take up a game of volleyball, or take advantage of their brand-new boat launch. On the water, you can fish, float, relax, and catch unbelievable sunsets and sunrises. Just north of Stoney Lake is the town of St. Paul, where you can kill an afternoon or two exploring art, local history, local food, and their famous UFO Landing Pad (right on main street).
Type of camping: RV
Address: 8117 Hwy 646, Stoney Lake, Alberta
Phone: (780) 724-2381
Camping season: May 17 – to weather permitting
By: Bernadette Gallagher
very clear and good article easy to understand. Thank you