Top Places to Camp in Alberta and BC

Here’s my list of “Top places to camp in BC and Alberta”.

I have Family in Alberta and I went to college there. Now I live back in the Fraser Valley and we like to explore lots of different places with our family.

1: Banff, Alberta

Our honeymoon was in Banff.

Obviously the first time we stayed in a nice hotel….the next time we stayed at the provincial campground. Ironically the campground is right beside the resort we originally stayed at.

Expect to see lots of wildlife. We witnessed a LARGE bull elk chase (thankfully not charge) a nature photographer; we wondered why he was packing up and moving so fast. I’m guessing the photographer got to close to his ladies.

This area has A LOT to tour around and see. We stayed for a week and did lots of excursions. We did go outside of Banff for Horse Back Riding in Kananaskis.  

This will probably be the one and only time I’ll ever get my husband on a horse.

The top thing to do there is the glass elevator that takes you to the top of Sulphur Mountain (pictured above). The view is incredible. You really get a bird’s eye view of the Rocky Mountains, it can’t get better then that.

2: Waterton Lake National Park, Alberta

I’ve been to Waterton a couple of times.  

The last time, my brother got married IN Waterton Lake Park. It’s quite something to watch my husband be in the wedding party and have pictures taken in such a picturesque place.

Camping at the campground we saw LOTS of deer and even a few foxes running around. While we were there a bear was trapped in town and got relocated.

We plan to go back. We haven’t done the boat cruise yet. Plus, we love this photo.

3: Osoyoos, BC

I mentioned in “Camping Adventures”, about family camping in Osoyoos.  It’s tradition.  My husband’s family has been camping with his mom’s childhood friends from high school since they all got married (I think?).

What started out as 3 families camping, became 11 (last time I counted), adding in the extended. Let’s just leave it at, it’s a LOT of people.  It’s taken me some time to get used to it.

In camping adventures I mentioned I didn’t grow up camping. Camping with extended family is a little different then just with your own family, or my husband and I doing our own trip. It’s fully worth it for the memories that are made.

Osoyoos, like Banff, has lots to see and do. I love to go trail riding.  There’s wine tasting tours and of course boating, to name a few.

I could go on….It’s a great place.

Noteworthy Tip: Book ahead if you want to get a good campsite.

4: Tofino, BC

I’ve been to Tofino as a kid.  My highlight on that trip was flying on a float plane over the ocean and seeing the coastline. Having a father with a private pilot licence, those are the “tourist” things we did sometimes.

My husband and I went to Tofino in our first year of being married. We had a great time and the WORST time here. I’ll explain more in my “camping mistakes” post, coming soon.

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Yes, the views are incredible and I had no idea BC could become more beautiful.

I thought Banff with the Rocky Mountains was amazing. The campground we stayed at was right on the beach. They had a mini trail and there was the beach (pictured above) and the ocean.

We plan to go back, when it works for our family.

5: Harrison, BC

This place is close too home and if you haven’t visited here, you will want to come back. My number one place on the list was Banff; Lake Louis isn’t far from there.

If you like Lake Louis, Harrison Lake is the BC version.

However, we don’t camp at the lake.  We camp at a friend’s private property, not accessible to the public on the river.  The picture above is taken on the river. That water is beautiful.

I have so many memories of this place and I haven’t camped there near as much as my husband did during his childhood, I can see why it’s one of his favorites and becoming one of mine.

We only go when our friends are going, but camping is just that much better with friends anyways.

My sons favorite bear has the best view from our recent trip. The kids love this place too.

There are lots of other campgrounds to go to or hotels to stay at. We’ve stayed at the Hot’s Springs Hotel for our anniversary a couple times. A Breakfast buffet with a view of the lake, is a nice perk along with the hot springs pools.

I think I’ve officially written my longest blog post.  I’ll stop here.

Comment if you have visited any other these places?  Love to hear from you.

Remember, “Camping Mistakes” is coming up.

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