Calgary 
When the Bow River exits the city of Calgary, it travels through a unique part of Alberta’s landscape. The Bow River in the southeast part of the province cuts through small, lush, and rolling hills. There are prairie farmlands around the area, but the hills get taller closer to the River. Wyndham-Caresland Provincial Park is the best way to take advantage of this part of the river.
The park offers activities for outdoor fun with hiking trails, river access, and playgrounds. The park is on a treed-in part of the riverbanks, with the campgrounds following the shorelines. It is also home to one of Alberta Parks’ largest campgrounds! This massive campground offers options for tenters, RVers, and those who prefer more comfort.
Bow River and Wyndham Carseland Provincial Park Activities
Generally, the natural areas around this part of the Bow River offer beautiful scenery with endless green hills. And as the weather gets cooler, the cottonwood trees and more offer gorgeous fall scenery:
- The park’s layout makes it easy to find quiet picnic site that is all yours’ with shade, possibly shelter, and a cook stove or fire pit.
- There is a trail which starts from the day use area and leads towards the campground. It is a scenic walk with views of the river most of the way.
- This area in the Bow River Valley will make for an equally as scenic paddle as it would a walk. Boaters can begin around the day use area and follow the river as it winds around the park, ending at the Highway 24 bridge.
- The low-lying shores make it easy to find a calm place for a swim in the river on a hot day.
Camping at Wyndham Carseland Provincial Park
The park’s campground is considerably large, with 178 sites in total, all of which are a few steps away from the Bow River. The large campground offers plenty of accommodations across the sites like washrooms, potable water, and a concession.
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- The campsites are by reservation only, and open from early psring to late fall. This is a rustic camping experience with no services at any of the sites.
- Groups of campers have the option between three different group campsites. These group areas have their own set of washrooms, and each has its own cookhouse or shelter.
- If camping isn’t completely your style, Wyndham-Caresland can offer comfort camping, too! The park has sets of wall or canvas tents. These tents have a solid floor, electrical outlets, a queen bed, and private decks.
More to do around Wyndham Carseland Provincial Park
Aspen Crossing is about 20-minutes south of the Provincial Park in Mossleigh. Stop by for an exciting train excursion, camping, and their signature holiday events. Camping includes access to a lake for swimming and floating.
The Calgary Farmyard is about 30-minutes west of the Provincial Park, on the southeast corner of Calgary. The fun farm and park is open spring to fall offering activities that change with the seasons.
Plan your Trip – Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park
What: A Provincial Park southeast of Calgary on the south banks of the Bow River. The park is in an area lush with cottonwood forests, with protected land on the north side of the river also part of the park.
Best time to go: April-October
Location and how to get there: 4km southeast of Carseland on Highway 24
Use Highway 1 or 22X to access Highway 24
Use Highway 2A to access 42 Ave, and go north on 42nd.
Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park is 75 km southeast of Calgary and 20 km south of Strathmore.
Cost: campsites $31 per night; cabins $130 per night
For more information
Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park
