Calgary 
Last-minute weekend plans? No problem! These ideas and inspiration will get you started on planning the best last-minute summer vacation.
Credit: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden
Take advantage of camping weather, swimming weather, or time on the boat. Or use the various festivals and events to explore different towns or cities around Alberta. There is still plenty of summer fun left in Alberta, and these plans can make your last-minute road trip a little easier.
Lethbridge for the Toro Nagashi
Toro Nagashi refers to a traditional Japanese ceremony that is part of the Obon festival. The festival and ceremony are both used to celebrate and honour the spirit of one’s ancestors. Lethbridge’s Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden is offering a unique opportunity and welcomes the public to take part in their ceremony. The price of admission includes a lantern and candle to float on the garden pond, plus snacks and a chance to walk the gardens at sunset.
When: evening of August 13, 2023
Where: Nikka Yuko Japanese Garden – 835 Mayor Magrath Drive S, Lethbridge
How much: $15
Cochrane for Food Fest
Stay in Cochrane this coming weekend and you’ll get a chance to enjoy the best of Cochrane’s restaurants, bakeries, cafes, bars, and breweries. Cochrane’s annual Food Fest is a one-day only event that will give you time on your trip to explore. Looking for more to do, or ways to walk off some of your snacks? Cochrane is surrounded by exceptional hiking and biking trails. Additionally, the area offers an array of beautiful vacation rentals and places to stay or camp.
When: August 13, 2023
Where: Mitford Park, Cochrane
Perseid Meteor Shower
The brightest of all meteor showers, Perseid Meteor Shower peaks this weekend. If the sky is clear, head to your nearest dark sky area or a park sufficiently away from city lights to see the celestial spectacle of a multitude of shooting stars.
When: August 12 to 13, 2023
Where: Alberta Dark Skies
Lesser Slave Lake & Devonshire Beach
The long, white, and soft sand beach of Lesser Slave Lake is inviting for a weekend getaway all summer. But if you plan a visit for this weekend, you’ll get to experience Summer Beach Fest! The event takes over Devonshire Beach for the weekend (part of Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park) and offers a host of entertainment and activities for all ages. Some other activities you can enjoy while you’re here include hiking, boating, swimming, fishing, and biking. The town of Slave Lake is also a short drive from the beach.
When: August 12-13, 2023
Where: Devonshire Beach Range Road 55, Slave Lake
How much: free
Alberta’s Northern Parks
Mid-August is the perfect time to take advantage of the clear lakes, abundant forests, and wide rivers of Alberta’s north. The water will be perfect for a swim or boat ride, the fishing is some of the best in Canada, and the trails will lead to picturesque views. Try these parks for a last-minute camping trip!
- Gregoire Lake is a perfect camping escape for boaters! You’ll also have access to firewood, power sites, a playground, a beach, a boat launch, and trails.
- Hilliard’s Bay Provincial Park is on the opposite side of Slave Lake from Devonshire Beach. The area has its own beach, trails, and will get you close to the Summer Beach Fest.
- Dunvegan Provincial Park is in a scenic riverside location beside the Peace River and next to the Dunvegan Bridge. The park is also a historical museum, offering plenty to discover during your camping trip.
Find a Private Campground
No matter where you’d like to go in Alberta this coming weekend, there is likely to be a nearby privately owned-campground. These campgrounds range in terms of the amenities they offer, on-site activities available, and accommodation styles. The biggest advantage is you may be able to find a site more easily than you would with the national and provincial parks.
- Use HipCamp to find an array of camping options with cabins, RV sites, tent sites, tiny homes, or glamping options.
- The Foothills of Alberta, near Calgary and the south, have a huge list of camping, glamping, and unique ways to stay. Plus, these accommodations bring you close to hiking, parks, and the Rockies.
- The Crowsnest Pass region offers a huge abundance of things to do, and ways to camp. The area is filled with unique history and attractions, and beautiful scenery.
- Alberta’s Athabasca region is a beautiful place to spend a summer weekend camping: you are surrounded by large and clear lakes, places to swim, and places to boat or paddle. And most of these lakes and river areas have many campgrounds!
