Camping in Alberta with wildlife watching

The Canadian Rockies are a no-brainer, but Alberta also offers badlands, Indigenous history, and dinosaur fossils.

96% (1581 reviews)
96% (1581 reviews)

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12 top campgrounds in Alberta with wildlife watching

97%
(183)

Aspen Grove

3 sites · Tents120 acres · Red Deer, AB
This property is one of the last remaining natural areas around Sylvan lake. Our family has spent over 120 years as stewards of the land and are excited to share what we have protected. Enjoy Private Tent Camping in a Pristine Aspen Forest with a fire pit and picnic table. All within 500 feet of Sylvan Lake. This is the perfect place to disconnect yourself from the city! Your fee includes free access to 120 acres of forest, excellent wildlife viewing and unlimited deadfall to use as firewood, if you don't mind some manual labour. My kids cut and split firewood if you would like some waiting at your site when you arrive. We have seasoned and split bundles for $10 and you can pre-purchase them when you complete your checkout. It's like a lemonade stand for them...just more work. ;) A professionally maintained porta-potty is on-site for your comfort. We are pet-friendly! If you enjoy the water, this is an ideal location for Kayaking, Paddleboarding or just lounging on an air mattress. With its picturesque scenery and shallow shoreline, Sylvan Lake is a great place to spend some time. Sylvan Lake's laid back nature and small-town charm are warm and inviting and have all the amenities that you could ask for. We look forward to hosting you!
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CA$27
 / night
100%
(36)

Hidden Springs Retreat & Guesthouse

7 sites · Lodging, RVs160 acres · Wetaskiwin County 10, AB
A place of restorative peace and relaxation. Located on 160 acres of rolling parkland east of Winfield, Alberta, Hidden Springs is a place to stay, play, and connect.Whether you’re seeking quiet time by yourself, or space to reconnect with friends and family, the Guesthouse is furnished to make you feel at home. Get cozy in front of the wood stove, spread a personal project out across the dining room table, settle into a puzzle or game, read on the deck, spend a day cooking, or watch the weather roll in across the valley.The Guesthouse is made up of two self-contained suites (upper and lower) connected by exterior stairs. The upper suite features a full kitchen (including stove, fridge, microwave and water cooler), a spacious living room, wood stove, and a large deck overlooking the valley. This suite sleeps up to four guests, with a queen bed in the bedroom and a queen-sized sofa bed in the common space.The lower suite can accommodate up to six people, with two queen-size beds and an additional pullout. It features a kitchenette (including sink, small fridge, microwave, and water cooler.) Its small brick patio offers a serene view of the pond below.WiFi is free and available throughout the guesthouse.
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CA$40
 / night
97%
(99)

Elk Island Getaway

12 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents40 acres · Ardrossan, AB
Welcome to Elk Island Getaway! Elk Island Getaway is located 20 minutes east of Edmonton and 7 minutes from HWY 16 main entrance of Elk Island Park, Alberta. We are also right by Elk Island Park, in addition to being an important refuge for bison, elk and more than 250 bird species, it is a great place for all your hiking, picnicking, biking, canoeing and kayaking needs. When you enter Elk Island National Park you will know immediately that you have entered an oasis of calm. For years people have come to the picturesque park to escape the city life, explore the outdoors and connect with nature. Come and experience the dark sky preserve in our area that features an amazing opportunity to star gaze and to view the Northern Lights. We have 8 campsites available for tent, van, small motorhome, and small trailers. Some sites accommodate large trailers. Our group site is sites 7 and 8 please inquire if interested in this option. We offer firewood for sale at an additional cost of $20 per bundle of Tamarack wood. Please note that supply may be limited at times, so we recommend placing your order early to ensure availability. Pets welcome on leash and owners are responsible for clean-up. This is a camper-maintained campground. Please take your trash with you at the end of your stay. There is a toilet available for campers to use but no other amenities. Our sites offer picnic tables and firepits. Mowed paths to walk We follow Provincial and County Fire Regulations Boreal Harvest Farms is right next door with a honeyberry U pick available during part of the year. Starts July 8th open to pick for an additional fee! www.borealharvest.com We look forward to hosting you.
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CA$35
 / night
99%
(235)

Cattle Ranch in the Foothills

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents320 acres · AB
We are a working cattle ranch, about a 10 minute drive on a gravel road off of HiWay #1. You’re surrounded by wildlife and outdoor activities just as you step out of the door. We offer lots of privacy. Each site has its own road off the main road so no one else will be driving past your camp. During most of your stay, you will think there’s no one on the ranch but you! We’re close to a golf course, about 40 minutes to Canmore, one hour to Banff, and 40 minutes to Downtown Calgary. Perfect for day trips for activities other than camping. Our cows are tame and curious, but not house pets - just be aware. Our sites are not fenced from the cows, so you will have all the sights, smells, and sounds that are associated with cows if they come to visit you. If they bug you too much, message me and I will come over to move them out. I also have a shovel at each site to help clean up cow deposits! We are not a commercial nor Parks campground, nor do we strive to be. If you are looking for site with garbage service, running water, etc., you won’t find it here. If you are looking for an off-grid site with a few niceties, tons of privacy, off leash for your pups, and free firewood, you will be happy staying at our ranch!
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CA$40
 / night
96%
(180)

Homegrown Campground & Cabins

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Slave Lake, AB
Homegrown Campground and Cabins is nestled on the north shore of Lesser Slave Lake and I offer cozy camping areas with private lakefront views of Dog Island. I currently have 4 camp sites, two of which have decks, and another site with one tiny cabin. Please read: The property is also a Bison farm and I have two dogs, Luna and Pyro, who are the campground security managers. They love people and other furry friends! Please note that this campground/farm are my dogs home, and they may wonder over at some point and say hello. Please do not feed them, and use good judgment if you are traveling with dogs of your own. Aggressive dogs will not be tolerated. If my dogs overstay their welcome, or if you simply aren't a dog person, please let me know and I can come retrieve them. Potable water is available, directions to it will be made available after checking in. Also, if any of the sites, garabge bin or outhouse needs attention, PLEASE let me know. I ask that you don't leave bags of garbage on the ground after checking out since birds, dogs, or bears will take that as an ivite to make a mess looking for a snack. I do have a full time job that prevents me from being around 100% of the time, so with your help, we can ensure a clean and safe campground for everyone to enjoy. There is a metal dumpster at the end of the road that can be used if needed. Points of interest nearby include: Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, Devonshire Beach. 5-10 minutes away. You can't say you've been to Slave Lake with out saying you've been to Devonshire. Endless amounts of clean white "squeaky" sand and shallow waters perfect for summer beach days. You will never find a rock on the beach or in the water. The southern end of the park consists of sand ridges and blowout dunes, behind which are a series of marshes and wetlands. Marten Mountain View Point (Lily Lake Trail). 15 minutes away. By far the best view of the lake that you will ever get! At 1020 meters, Marten Mountain is the highest point of land for hundreds of square kilometers. From the Marten Mountain Viewpoint, you can take in a truly breathtaking view of Lesser Slave Lake and its forested slopes. The view point is also the trail head to get to Lily Lake, a medium difficulty 4 km round trip. The cozy lake is stocked with trout and is an excellent afternoon adventure. Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation. 5 minutes away. It is one of Canada's northernmost bird observatories and is one of the only boreal forest bird observatories in the world. Nice walking trails and a great information center with stunning architecture. Gilwood Golf Course. 2 minutes away. Neighboring the property is an 18 hole golf course with a clubhouse and restaurant. Activities nearby include fishing, hiking, wildlife watching, swimming, and so much more! Pets are welcome, campfires are permitted.
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CA$30
 / night
98%
(160)

Collinswood Retreat

7 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Red Deer, AB
Collin’s Wood is a very special place indeed. The land was bought by my grandfather years ago when he moved to Canada from England and wanted to chase his log cabin dream. Our main cabin my family built from trees on the land, entirely by hand. We have photos of the trees being cut and the bark being peeled off. Since then, we’ve made many changes out there, we now have a guest cabin that used to be a Teacheridge (back when teachers would live in a one room building beside the school), eventually it was turned into a cafe and now it sits on our land as a guest cabin. This place is so magical. With a quarter section of land I grew up running through the forest with my friends and learning about what the land has to offer. My parents have spent every spare weekend out there making this paradise into what it is today. All the buildings were created by my family through labour and love. We’ve hosted weddings, and family reunions. We hope you appreciate how special this place is. Come see for yourself!
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CA$32
 / night
98%
(47)

Nature Alive Adventures and Camping

3 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents160 acres · Fort Assiniboine, AB
Our property is located in the heart of the boreal forest with plenty of birds, trees, peace and quiet. We have a mix of open spaces, walking trails, wetland discovery zones and dense forest, both on site and surrounding our land. We are near good fishing and swimming lakes and close to the Athabasca and Freeman Rivers. Our property is rated Class II on the Alberta Dark Skies Map. We welcome all campers, whether you are a newbie or a seasoned explorer of all outdoor places and spaces. We offer 2 cabins, 6 RV spots, and up to 10 tent sites Summer activities: Canoeing, kayaking, swimming, fishing, hiking, bird watching, star gazing, hot tub Winter activities: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, animal tracking, star gazing, hot tenting, hot tub Custom Activities: Hire our on site guides for Interpretive forest walks, edible and medicinal plant walks, knife skills and carving projects, animal tracking walks, canoe rentals and guided trips on nearby lakes or river, snowshoe walks, and bushcraft skills sessions Year round facility.
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CA$40
 / night
100%
(60)

Sunberry Meadows

2 sites · RVs, Tents75 acres · Sundre, AB
Secluded forest and meadows in the historic McDougall Flats area west of Sundre. With access to the Bearberry and Sundre Natural Areas (foot and bike access only) campers can enjoy hiking and biking through the forest trails or relax next to the river. Excellent access to multiple Red Deer river routes. Great fishing opportunities.Learn more about this land:We offer a beautiful 75-acre property that is yours to explore! We have only three sites - so you can feel confident knowing whatever site you choose is private and secluded, tucked away from the others and away from the house. We offer one site in a wildflower meadow sheltered by trees perfect for parking an RV or camper van. Or for the more adventurous, hike into your private wilderness tent site. Campfires are allowed and we provide you with a fire pit, firewood and a picnic table. Please be fire smart and use our water-fill stations to put out the campfire after you are finished. You can also use the water-fill stations for cooking and drinking water during your stay. We do not provide an electrical hookup so be sure to bring a car charger for charging any devices you may need during your stay. We’re located just 6km from Sundre, Alberta. Close to Calgary (just over an hour) and Canmore (just under two hours). While you’re here, you can explore Ya Ha Tinda or Snake Hill that offers great hiking and biking trails. There is also plenty of kayaking, canoeing, rafting and fishing spots close by - just ask! We also have many things to do without even having to leave our property like hiking, mountain biking and we’re within walking distance to Red Deer River for fishing, canoeing or kayaking. The campsites are also wonderful for just relaxing in nature and taking it all in. For larger families or groups please contact us for more information.We hope to see you camping soon!
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CA$40
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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Camping in Alberta with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Welcome to Hipcamp, your go-to resource for camping in Alberta, Canada. With over 695 options specifically tailored for wildlife watching, you'll have no trouble finding the perfect spot to immerse yourself in nature. From the stunning views at The Secret Sanctuary (56 reviews) to the rugged beauty of Rocky Mountains Camping (47 reviews) and the serene atmosphere of Aspen Grove (37 reviews), you'll be spoiled for choice. With an average price per night of $38 and options as low as $10, camping in Alberta has never been more accessible. Enjoy popular amenities such as campfires, pet-friendly sites, and proper waste disposal. And if you're feeling adventurous, you can even indulge in activities like surfing, snow sports, and horseback riding. Get ready for an unforgettable camping experience in Alberta!

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