Cabins near Edmonton
Alberta’s capital city is an easy jumping off point to lakes and forested parkland camping.
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Cabins near Edmonton guide
Overview
Known as Festival City, Edmonton always has something going on. The river valley is renowned for its expanse of urban parkland, as well as its funky shops and restaurants. If you’re yearning to escape the city, camping and glamping options await within easy driving distance—hiking, biking, golfing, boating, and RV parks are also abundant and easy to find.
- Backcountry camping options are fairly limited around Edmonton. You will have more luck finding RV campgrounds and frontcountry sites.
- Alberta provincial parks have a huge array of camping choices, from glamping to very rustic. The parks are free to enter, but reservation and campsite fees apply.
- Camping near Edmonton is great for wildlife viewing, but make sure you keep your distance. Never leave food in your tent, on your picnic table, or laying around your campground.
Where to go
Edmonton and Area
On the outskirts of the city are several campgrounds for those looking for a quick getaway, particularly if you are looking for an RV park. Popular spots include the area where the North Saskatchewan River passes through the town of Devon.
Sylvan Lake
About 90 minutes south and just outside Red Deer is the resort town of Sylvan Lake. Lively and popular with every age group, the town has an assortment of shops and restaurants, an expansive sandy beach, a golf course, and plenty of camping options.
Elk Island National Park
Less than an hour’s drive from Edmonton is Elk Island National Park. The designated Dark Sky Preserve is perfect for stargazers, home to bison, and a great spot for hiking, glamping, and paddling. Head to the beach, the gold course, or the playground for modern amenities.
When to go
With a relatively short summer season, weekends, long weekends are the most popular time for camping. Most campgrounds are open from Victoria Day long weekend until Labour Day or Thanksgiving. Camping after Labour Day will be quieter, but also colder, so be prepared. Many campers head south or west to Jasper, but if you’d rather spend your time camping than driving, there’s no need to go that far.
