"camping" Suggestions

[sraak]

My wife and I just found out the hard way what it's like to camp with a 6 month old! Next time we're going to rent a camper trailer to make it easier.

 

Do you have any suggestions on provincial (or national) campgrounds within 3 hours of Calgary? My wife really wants to go somewhere that would allow for swimming. I wouldn't mind taking cast or two if time permits.

 

We are looking at Dinosaur Provincial Park, I was also looking at Dutch Creek. Any other places we should look at?

 

Thanks!

[RCable]

Beaver mines lake is a nice place. Campground, beach by the boat launch and hiking as well as the obvious fishing opportunities

[Smitty]

Old McDonald Farm on Buffalo Lake:

(Hopefully there is no blue green algae warning).

 

http://www.olmacdonalds.com/rates.html

 

I think there's fishing for pike.

 

 

Or, maybe a bit cold for swimming, but Kananaskis country, Mt Kidd is family friendly (and booked waaaay in advance):

https://www.mountkiddrv.com/

Can try fishing Upper / Lower K, there are some creeks in the area too,

Of course, Sylvan Lake. Great fishing lake, by the way, hear it is fishing well. Pine lake too, lots of family related activities.

 

Do you want to be close to the mountains? Go with Kananskis or Beaver Mines suggested above. Or try Waterton.

My only issue with Drumheller area - well, any area in Eastern AB - is that the heat can really settle in during July / August. Without A/C in the trailer, I find sleeping difficult. When you're close to the mountains, at least it cools down in the evenings.

Smitty

[bigalcal]

Not much for swimming at Dutch, also no onsite firewood sales (just to let you know)...other than that a great place.

[troutlover]

I second Old Macdonald. Great fishing for Pike. They have a nice beach. I haven't ever heard of a blue green algae problem there its a really big lake. Our kids get mad when we go anywhere else, they would live there if they could.

[ericlin0122]

police outpost provincial park. great trout fishing (must have boat/float tube). $24 per night, $7 firewood a bundle.

[yonderin]

Crowsnest Pass - Chinook Lake is very pretty and popular for swimming and fishing.

[jgib01]

We really like Chinook Lake... Water is a little cold for my liking for swimming, but our kids never seemed to mind. There is a small swimming area that always kept our little ones entertained for hours. Our favourite camping spot when our kids were pre-school age was Kikomun Creek.

[SilverDoctor]

With a 6 month old, Disneyland

[jgib01]

With a 6 month old, Disneyland

 

I wonder how they would feel about you fishing out of the Davy Crockett canoes?

[SilverDoctor]

The Disney "Men in Black" would take my fly rod away. Davy Crockett canoes? jeepers you must be as old as "Ol Doc".

[murray]

Nobody has mentioned lake Newell about 10 or 15 KM south of Brooks. Good fishing for pike and walleye and swimming as well.

 

Murray

[trailhead]

My two cents is Two Jack in Banff.

[fishinglibin]

My two cents is Two Jack in Banff.

Great place to camp, but wouldn't it be too cold for swimming?

[trailhead]

My kids splashed around in it when they were young and I even went for a dip. It was cold but we were there on a hot weekend.

[sraak]

Thanks for the pointers. Hopefully this next trip is more successful than the last!