Summers in Alberta are hikes in the alpine, treks along glacier-fed rivers, picnics in wildflower-filled valleys and long road trips across grassy plains. It's also the perfect time to sleep under the stars.
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If you're adventuring on a shoestring budget, camping offers a thrifty solution. There are plenty of great designated campsites but what if you're intent on going off the grid, or can't be bothered to make a reservation? For a secluded place to pitch your tent, we've found a host of free campsites scattered across Alberta. We can't guarantee that these spots will be as well-maintained as a private campground or even conveniently located (in fact, some require hiking into), but if you want a low-key, completely free place to lay your head for the night, these 23 rustic campsites will do the trick.
Peace River Wildland Provincial Park
Berwyn
Site overview: With a wide variety of activities for exploring, this campground is sure to provide visitors with an exciting outdoor escape.
Amenities: Birding, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing are all available.
Location: Around 25 kilometres north of Tangent via AB-740.
Website: Click here
Jenner Campground
Jenner
Site overview: A quiet campground with plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors.
Amenities: Boating, fishing, hiking and swimming, as well as fire rings and picnic tables.
Location: About 12 kilometres north of Jenner.
Website: Click here
Owen Creek/Saskatchewan River Campground
Site overview: Located just off Icefields Parkway, this campground is home to views found only in the Rockies.
Amenities: Fishing, hiking and swimming. Near water and pets are welcome.
Location: About 9 kilometres west of Thompson Creek Campground.
Website: Click here
Pembina River Float Spot
Flickr/Jason Woodhead (CCby2.0)
Site overview: Be sure to prepare your vehicle properly as the last few kilometres of road heading into the campground are reported to be difficult to maneuver in when wet.
Amenities: None
Location: Around 17.5 kilometres south of Entwistle.
Website: Click here
Forestry Trunk Road
Site overview: There are multiple campsites in this area and the road coming in is gravel.
Amenities: Fire ring, hiking and wildlife viewing.
Location: Two kilometres northwest of Trappers Hill Campground.
Website: Click here
Off Highway 16
Marlboro
Site overview: These sites are located around a tiny lake and in some bushes.
Amenities: Hiking, wildlife viewing and pets are welcome.
Location: Five kilometres east of Marlboro.
Website: Click here
James River Bridge
Bearberry
Site overview: Near a variety of lakes such as Beaver, Burnstick and Birch.
Amenities: Near water, pets welcome and fishing opportunities.
Location: Five kilometres north of Bearberry.
Website: Click here
Red Rock Coulee
Flickr/Jason Woodhead (CCby2.0)
Site overview: An isolated spot with open views and limited space for RVs.
Amenities: Hiking and wildlife viewing.
Location: Around 28 kilometres north of Orion.
Website: Click here
Slawuta Pond
Bonnyville
Site overview: There are six campsites available at this location, and it’s adjacent to Jesse Lake.
Amenities: Picnic tables, a playground and hiking trails. Jesse Lake offers a walking loop.
Location: Slawuta Pond sits at the corner of Lakeshore Drive and 51 Street, Bonnyville.
Website: Click here
Bighorn Highway
Grand Cache
Site overview: Camp at Bighorn Highway's East or West campsites.
Amenities: Near water, pets welcome and home to some hiking trails.
Location: About 10 kilometres north of Grand Cache on Bighorn Highway.
Little Berland River
Grand Cache
Site overview: There are up to 15 campsites available at this location, and RVs can be a maximum of 25 metres.
Amenities: There are hiking trails here for your enjoyment.
Location: Situated 70 kilometres north of Hinton on Highway 40.
Website: Click here
Horsethief Canyon Viewpoint
Drumheller Area
Flickr/Danny Nicholson (CCby-ND2.0)
Site overview: This campsite is a large section of gravel that overlooks the parking lot. The site is reported to be level and quiet.
Amenities: None
Location: Just off the N. Dinosaur Trail, Highway 838, Drumheller.
Website: Click here
Cactus Corner
Hanna
Site overview: There are up to 15 campsites available here.
Amenities: Picnic tables, drinking water, restrooms and trash cans.
Location: This campground is right across the street from Cactus Corner and the Flying J in Hanna, into the woods.
Website: Click here
Severn Dam Park
Rosebud
Site overview: There are over 30 campsites available here.
Amenities: Drinking water, restrooms, near the water and wildlife viewing is available.
Location: Located on Secondary Highway between Standard and Rosebud, about half a mile east of the paved road. There are signs directing you.
Website: Click here
Cecil Thompson Park
Peace River
Site overview: This is a county park.
Amenities: Playgrounds, a water pump and equestrian facilities.
Location: Located at the intersection of Secondary Highway 688 and Highway 2, about seven kilometres east of Peace River.
Website: Click here
Whitemud Falls Wildland Provincial Park
Site overview: The epitome of random camping, this provincial park has no campsites or facilities but permits random backcountry camping.
Amenities: None
Location: Outside of Fort McMurray.
Website: Click here
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Public Land Use Zones (PLUZ): Almost Free Camping
Alberta has a network of designated public land use zones (PLUZ) that permit wilderness camping. Users should practice leave-no-trace etiquette and abide by the following restrictions:
- Campers MUST be at least 1 km from any public land recreation area and outside provincial recreation areas.
- Campers MUST be at least 1 km from a roadway, Provincial Park or Provincial Recreation Area boundary.
- No motorized vehicles are permitted to leave the road except on trails specially designated for off-highway vehicles of a particular size or type.
Camping at a PLUZ site requires a camping pass, which you can register for here.
Read complete details regarding permissions and regulations of camping on PLUZ land here. Or, use the interactive map.
Athabasca Ranch
Site overview: Random, no-service camping is permitted. Hiking, horses and cross-country skiing are all permitted, as well.
Amenities: None
Location: Just off Highway 40 North and adjacent to Highway 18, outside Hinton.
Website: Click here
Kananaskis
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Site overview: Random, no-service camping is permitted. Off-highway vehicles and snowmobiles are not permitted. Hiking and cross-country skiing are permitted, and horses are permitted on designated trails.
Amenities: None
Location: The Kananaskis PLUZ is located next to the Cataract Creek PLUZ, between highways 40 and 22 southwest of Calgary.
Website: Click here
Cataract Creek
Site overview: Random, no-service camping is permitted. Off-highway vehicles are not permitted to leave the roadways, and snowmobiles are restricted to designated trails. Hiking, horses and cross-country skiing are permitted.
Amenities: None
Location: Travel straight west of Medicine Hat, to the BC border. Cataract Creek is located off Highway 22, along Secondary Highway 532.
Website: Click here
Holmes Crossing
Site overview: Random, no-service camping is permitted. Off-highway vehicles are not permitted, and snowmobiles are only permitted on designated trails. Hiking, horses and cross-country skiing are permitted.
Amenities: None
Location: Holmes Crossing is located between Edmonton and Grande Prairie, just off Highway 763. You’ll find it just south of the Athabasca and Freeman Rivers.
Website: Click here
Sibbald
Flickr/Jan Mosiman (CCby-ND2.0)
Site overview: Random, no-service camping is permitted. Off-highway vehicles are not permitted and snowmobiles are only permitted on designated trails. Hiking, horses and cross-country skiing are permitted.
Amenities: None
Location: Located off Highway 68 in Kananaskis Country
Website: Click here
Whitecourt Sandhills
Site overview: Random, no-service camping is permitted. Off-highway vehicles are not permitted and snowmobiles are only permitted on designated trails. Hiking, horses and cross-country skiing are permitted. The area is 27 square kilometres.
Amenities: None
Location: Located just off Highway 43, between Grande Prairie and Edmonton.
Website: Click here
McLean Creek
Site overview: McLean Creek is a well-known spot for off-highway vehicles to have fun. Serviced camping is permitted through Alberta Parks. Off-highway vehicles are permitted on the designated trails. Snowmobiles, hiking, horses and cross-country skiing are all permitted.
Amenities: None
Location: Located next to the Kananaskis PLUZ, southwest of Calgary.
Website: Click here