Camping- near Calgary
Jul 13th 2008, 9:04 pm
#16
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
No worries...Enjoy the tipees!!
We were at Sylvan Lake last weekend on our way back from Edmonton and it was looovely!!! Water is very high at the 'mo.....I'm guessing there must be a campground there??
L
We were at Sylvan Lake last weekend on our way back from Edmonton and it was looovely!!! Water is very high at the 'mo.....I'm guessing there must be a campground there??
L
Jul 14th 2008, 12:34 am
#18
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
'Yo Gryph.....
There are loads of places in Kananaskis - but I'm afraid there is wildlife!! Hey this is Canada after all!!! Live a little!!
Anyway, you didn't say it had to be your own tent so have a look at sundancelodges.com ....Stay in your very own Trapper tent or Tipi. I have a very switched on friend who has been there a few times with 2 kiddies same ages as ours and they have always loved it....I know it does get booked up but worth a try....
I know the Provincial Parks sometimes aren't great in terms of facilities but I have never found a private campsite to beat them in terms of setting and space and privacy....
Good luck - let me know if we are going to be neighbours!!??
Leepee
There are loads of places in Kananaskis - but I'm afraid there is wildlife!! Hey this is Canada after all!!! Live a little!!
Anyway, you didn't say it had to be your own tent so have a look at sundancelodges.com ....Stay in your very own Trapper tent or Tipi. I have a very switched on friend who has been there a few times with 2 kiddies same ages as ours and they have always loved it....I know it does get booked up but worth a try....
I know the Provincial Parks sometimes aren't great in terms of facilities but I have never found a private campsite to beat them in terms of setting and space and privacy....
Good luck - let me know if we are going to be neighbours!!??
Leepee
We have just got our own tent so don't think OH would be too chuffed if we pay a load more for someone elses!!!! Sundance does look good though!!!!
Jul 14th 2008, 12:36 am
#19
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
Is the website of Bow Valley Park Campgrounds working for you (make sure your computer isn't blocking pop-ups).
Bow Valley Campground is located near the Bow River, not far from the intersection of the TransCanada Highway and Hwy #40, which goes to Kananaskis Country.
It's a shorter drive for you than the campgrounds in Kananaskis Country would be, but it's a good staging point for a trip into Kananaskis.
It's a nice campground that has everything on your wish list and more (although I suppose I can't make any guarantees about bears).
Lower Lake Campground (next to Lower Kananaskis Lake) is very nice too, but would involve a slightly longer drive from your place.
When you're ready to venture further afield, there is a nice campground at Chain Lakes Provincial Park, 40 km south of Longview, just off Hwy #22.
x
Bow Valley Campground is located near the Bow River, not far from the intersection of the TransCanada Highway and Hwy #40, which goes to Kananaskis Country.
It's a shorter drive for you than the campgrounds in Kananaskis Country would be, but it's a good staging point for a trip into Kananaskis.
It's a nice campground that has everything on your wish list and more (although I suppose I can't make any guarantees about bears).
Lower Lake Campground (next to Lower Kananaskis Lake) is very nice too, but would involve a slightly longer drive from your place.
When you're ready to venture further afield, there is a nice campground at Chain Lakes Provincial Park, 40 km south of Longview, just off Hwy #22.
x
Funnily enough we have been to chain lakes as we stopped there en route to waterton for picninc lunch!!!
Best wishes
Jul 14th 2008, 12:36 am
#20
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
Hi,
Have you thought of Little Bow? Just a bit further down the 2 from where Judy was talking about and then head east on the 529. A beautiful place with campsites and a day use area. Boating and fishing is allowed.
I don't have the details to hand but they probably have info online.
Enjoy, wherever you go!
Have you thought of Little Bow? Just a bit further down the 2 from where Judy was talking about and then head east on the 529. A beautiful place with campsites and a day use area. Boating and fishing is allowed.
I don't have the details to hand but they probably have info online.
Enjoy, wherever you go!
Jul 14th 2008, 12:45 am
#21
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
Gull Lake northwest of Red Deer is lovely and ticks all the boxes except it may take about a hour and a half from Calgary.
Brewers campground is the unserviced site and it is very nice, we stayed there and found it very relaxing and family orientated.
Here is the link - http://www.campingaspenbeach.com/index.html
Brewers campground is the unserviced site and it is very nice, we stayed there and found it very relaxing and family orientated.
Here is the link - http://www.campingaspenbeach.com/index.html
Jul 14th 2008, 12:46 am
#22
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
Mount Kidd is great, so is Eau Claire, although it has less facilities. Can't remember the name, but there's a great campground at the end of route 66 in K country, can't guarantee anything on bears and cougars though. Got em in my garden so can't even offer you that to camp in! 
Have heard from everyone that Mount Kidd is great- but have also heard that it gets full withing 1 day of the phone booking opening. Will give them a go still though
Thanks
Jul 14th 2008, 12:48 am
#23
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
Actually, if the thought of bears really disturbs you then you might consider somewhere in central Alberta away from the mountains a bit ....
I've walked in Red Lodge Provincial Park, through the woods along the river there. It looks a well-spaced, treed site with fire pits etc, and though I know they are visited by moose etc, I think Bears would be rarer ......
check it out under this site: http://www.reddeerregion.com/central...ampgrounds.htm
and http://www.town.bowden.ab.ca/tourism.html
I've walked in Red Lodge Provincial Park, through the woods along the river there. It looks a well-spaced, treed site with fire pits etc, and though I know they are visited by moose etc, I think Bears would be rarer ......
check it out under this site: http://www.reddeerregion.com/central...ampgrounds.htm
and http://www.town.bowden.ab.ca/tourism.html
Thanks
Jul 14th 2008, 12:49 am
#24
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
We saw a grizzly cub in Waterton in May. Think you are practically guarenteed in the fall on red rock road. End of cameron lake , if you can canoe might be the way to go. It was ice when we were there!!!
Jul 14th 2008, 3:55 am
#25
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
Actually, if the thought of bears really disturbs you then you might consider somewhere in central Alberta away from the mountains a bit ....
I've walked in Red Lodge Provincial Park, through the woods along the river there. It looks a well-spaced, treed site with fire pits etc, and though I know they are visited by moose etc, I think Bears would be rarer ......
check it out under this site: http://www.reddeerregion.com/central...ampgrounds.htm
and http://www.town.bowden.ab.ca/tourism.html
I've walked in Red Lodge Provincial Park, through the woods along the river there. It looks a well-spaced, treed site with fire pits etc, and though I know they are visited by moose etc, I think Bears would be rarer ......
check it out under this site: http://www.reddeerregion.com/central...ampgrounds.htm
and http://www.town.bowden.ab.ca/tourism.html
Jul 21st 2008, 12:53 pm
#26
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
OK guys
WE did our first night at Two Jack Lakeside. It was lovely, if a little cold during the nights!!! Great site, as we were in 'walk-in' spaces, so all tents and no RVS ruining the view!!!!
Friends arrived Friday, we arrived Saturday 10am and got a space very close to our friends (the walk-ins, all of 20m I might add are the least popular). Good site with showeres and flush loos. An elk wondered by whilst we washed up!
Kids LOVED it!
Gryph
WE did our first night at Two Jack Lakeside. It was lovely, if a little cold during the nights!!! Great site, as we were in 'walk-in' spaces, so all tents and no RVS ruining the view!!!!
Friends arrived Friday, we arrived Saturday 10am and got a space very close to our friends (the walk-ins, all of 20m I might add are the least popular). Good site with showeres and flush loos. An elk wondered by whilst we washed up!
Kids LOVED it!
Gryph
Aug 20th 2008, 10:05 pm
#27
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
Resurrecting this thread... we were camping last weekend in Kananaskis, and as were were driving along the Smith-Dorrien Trail, at about 50kph tops, a black bear came bursting out of the woods and right in front of us. I slammed on the brakes, but it was too late and we gave him a right old wallop. He lay completely still on the road for about 30 seconds, and then staggered up, roared and limped off back into the woods.
There was no signal to phone anyone of course, but later on we phoned the rangers who called back that night to say they were out with dogs looking for the bear. Unfortunately there was definitely a significant blood trail for them to follow.
All rather shaken and upset. To be honest, I'd rather have killed the bear outright than watch it stagger off badly hurt.
There was no signal to phone anyone of course, but later on we phoned the rangers who called back that night to say they were out with dogs looking for the bear. Unfortunately there was definitely a significant blood trail for them to follow.
All rather shaken and upset. To be honest, I'd rather have killed the bear outright than watch it stagger off badly hurt.
Aug 23rd 2008, 6:06 pm
#28
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
Oh my goodness! What a shock .... poor bear, and poor you too!
Isn't that road a gravel trail? I think we went down it once and found it quite hard going....... would be hard to stop quickly too.
Isn't that road a gravel trail? I think we went down it once and found it quite hard going....... would be hard to stop quickly too.
Aug 23rd 2008, 7:04 pm
#29
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Re: Camping- near Calgary
You're right Morwenna, it is a gravel trail - it also gets fairly narrow and steep towards the Canmore side. It provides some beautiful views though - unfortunately it's a bit difficult to enjoy these after hitting a bear
. Shortly after the bear incident we also saw a coyote casually strolling along the middle of the road! Apart from the bear incident we had a fabulous weekend and we will ... carry on camping
