Calgary 
Get those last-minute getaway plans going and fill your upcoming weekend with some fun in Alberta. No matter where you decide to take your vacation, there are ways for people of all ages and with all interests to create those last-minute plans.
These could include a stay at a hotel, a new campground, or the various glamp grounds popping up around the province. And besides ways to stay, these areas all offer something different in terms of fun or recreation.
Take your vacation to the beach, the wilderness, the Rockies, or somewhere with guaranteed peace and quiet. Otherwise, there are some major festivals kicking off in the province this weekend as well!
Explore David Thompson Country & Abraham Lake
This beautiful part of Alberta can be explored in many ways over the summer. And there are a few different ways to find accommodations for your weekend away. The accommodations range from backcountry and rustic, to more luxurious lodges and cabins.
- There are two Provincial Group Campgrounds with availability for this coming weekend (July 21-23). A group campsite is available on the east side of the lake at Shunda Viewpoint PRA, and another available on the west side of the lake at the Kootenay Plains PRA.
- The Nordegg Lodge Hotel provides a bit more comfort with hotel rooms and onsite dining. And, you are near the town’s other amenities.
- The David Thompson Resort is located on the shores of Lake Abraham, with hotel rooms, cabins, mini golf, dining, and a convenience/gift shop.
- Grab a Public Lands Camping Pass and experience backcountry camping along most of Lake Abraham’s western shores.
Get Away to Alberta’s Beach Towns
Besides swimming, these locations in Alberta will give you a ton of activities and experiences to enjoy during your stay. On the water, you can enjoy lazy floats, boat rides, or paddles. Off the water, explore the town’s shopping and dining, or stay at your hotel/cabin to simply relax beachside.
- Elkwater Lake is within Cypress Hill Provincial Park and has a lodge, camping, and the nearby Medicine Hat for accommodations.
- Sylvan Lake is about halfway between Calgary and Edmonton, and just west of Red Deer. The busy town has a large park and beach area, boat rentals, hotels, cabins, and nearby Provincial Parks.
- The town of Slave Lake is about 10-minutes away from the Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park. Here, you will find the park and lake’s claim-to-fame at Devonshire Beach. The expansive and long beach is made of white soft sand and offers a place to relax or swim.
- Cold Lake, in eastern Alberta, straddles the Saskatchewan border, with the city of Cold Lake located on the Alberta side. The north side of the city is also the lake shore, and where you’ll find Kinosoo Beach, Cold Lake Provincial Park, and French Bay Provincial Recreation Area.
Camping in Northern Alberta
Reserving Provincial Park camping can be tricky given the popularity over the summer. You could, however, take advantage of the warmer weather by checking out the beautiful campgrounds of northern Alberta, surrounded by massive rivers and boreal forest.
- Northeastern Alberta’s Gregoire Lake Provincial Park offer a variety of power campsites for this coming weekend. During your stay, enjoy fishing, swimming, boating, hiking, waterskiing, or sailing.
- Northwestern Alberta’s Dunvegan Provincial Park have campsites available for this coming weekend, and some available with power hookups. The park is part of Historic Dunvegan and offers several family-friendly activities on the scenic banks of the Peace River.
Basecamp Resorts
Basecamp operate accommodations all across the Rockies, in both Alberta and British Columbia. Their main Alberta locations include Canmore and Kananaskis with accommodation options for glamping, camping, hotel and lodge stays, or cabin stays. Check out their newest location and Sundance (formerly Sundance Lodges) for a wide variety of accommodation options.
Where: Canmore and Kananaskis
Festival Weekend
Three major festivals are taking place this coming weekend in Alberta, with two lasting a full week after the weekend. You can plan for outdoor music and performances, midway rides and food, shopping, or educational experiences.
- The South Country Fair takes over Fort McLeod for the weekend with live performances from acts like Andrew Scott, Doghouse Orchestra, Andrew Scott, and many more.
- K-Days begins on July 21 and will last 9 more days. The Edmonton fair and festival is a massive event at the city’s EXPO Centre with a midway, free concerts, and several unique experiences.
- Red Deer’s annual Westerner Days Fair & Exposition begins July 19 and goes for another four days, creating a long weekend of midway and fair fun in the city.
