Winter camping in Alberta

[jph1022]

Hello,
I am planning a week long trip beginning of November in Alberta. This is my first time RVing with family. I have rented a RV with winter package so I think I am covered for the weather but I am trying to book a campground and all the national and provincial parks are closing down for the season. Please advice on what options I may have? I would really like to reserve a place so that I am not hunting for a place to park with kids.
Appreciate the help.

Cheers

JP

[Pigman1]

Welcome to the forum.



I hope you are aware of the border crossing restrictions for US folks going to Canada or Canadians going to the US. Check it out at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services...diens-eng.html

[Yosemite77]

Most rv parks will be closed in winter. The reason is that water lines and the tanks both will freeze up.
I’m always a little dubious when I hear an rv is winter ready - especially when it’s a rental. Keep in mind that rv’s do not handle well in snow.
Personally, I would think a November trip isn’t the best idea, and it would be better to wait until the Spring. Having said that, Tunnel Mountain Village II Campground in Banff is open year round. I’ve never stayed there, so I can’t speak to what services are available in winter.

[kinderhund]

We've stayed at Tunnel Mountain before, in February, as a base of operations for skiing. They have 50amp hookups, so we took a bunch of electric heaters along, since the furnace can't keep up.
I live in Alberta, and we are already seeing lows of -10C. So all campgrounds will have water shut off

Tunnel Mtn also has bus service into the town of Banff, so you can go to restaurants,etc if you want.

Another option in the Kananaskis area is Mt Kidd (mtkiddrv.com). Again, no water, but 50A service. Open year round, and can book on their site. Spotty cell coverage here, right in the mountains....

[SomeDay]

As said above. We used Tunnel Mountain in March the first time we got our RV in 1999 - It was Brrrrrr cold, so bring plenty of warm clothes. Might have to carry on water than put in fresh water tank and run through lines (ask the rental company policy on winter camping).

Assuming you either live in Canada (don't have to isolate 14 days or ..... you are flying in and will if they let you????).

Please provide more detail where you are from, citizenship/resident status who you are renting from etc so maybe locals can guide you better.

I love camping in Alberta in the winter for odd days here and there as long as there's a hot tub nearby, but our unit remains winterised just pour extra antifreeze into the grey and black tanks and carry on board water trying not to put any down sinks if we can avoid it, so usually only have to deal with the black when finished. Check out Rocky Mountain House area as well, we stayed at a CG there in January many years ago (sorry can't remember name).

[Yosemite77]

The OP is from Calgary.

[Ted Lambert]

Originally Posted by Yosemite77

Most rv parks will be closed in winter. The reason is that water lines and the tanks both will freeze up.
I’m always a little dubious when I hear an rv is winter ready - especially when it’s a rental. Keep in mind that rv’s do not handle well in snow.
Personally, I would think a November trip isn’t the best idea, and it would be better to wait until the Spring. Having said that, Tunnel Mountain Village II Campground in Banff is open year round. I’ve never stayed there, so I can’t speak to what services are available in winter.

I agree, my Rockwood has tank heaters and all the whistles and bells for winter camping but I am not comfortable camping in the winter.
One failure and big damages.
We camp in the winter in a wall tent!

[Flyboy757]

Here`s an article I just came across re winter camping.
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/autos/owne...HPDHP#image=17

[dougthervguy]

I think that the Renovated Whistlers campground in Jasper might be open.

[hemifoot]

Originally Posted by jph1022

Hello,
I am planning a week long trip beginning of November in Alberta. This is my first time RVing with family. I have rented a RV with winter package so I think I am covered for the weather but I am trying to book a campground and all the national and provincial parks are closing down for the season. Please advice on what options I may have? I would really like to reserve a place so that I am not hunting for a place to park with kids.
Appreciate the help.

Cheers

JP

get a copy of Backroad mapbooks Alberta.if there's a place to camp,it'll be in there.

[Coldfox]

There are a few provincial parks that are open throughout the winter as well such as Crimson lake just west of Rocky Mountain house, Mc Clean creek west of Bragg creek and Beauvis Lake in the south near Pincher Creek.
But check out Reserve Alberta and there are more.

[Skip426]

OK folks , the OP posted his question over a year ago , was on the site 3 hours and hasn't been back .
Another new member re-opened it this month, and hasn't been back .

I don't believe anymore discussion is required .

Just my rant of the day .