Campgrounds

Spend the night under the stars

Camping is the perfect way to slow down and explore the region during the summer months.

Camping is one of the best options to immerse yourself in the region’s stunning landscape. Wake up looking at Mount Peskett from the Two O’Clock Creek Campground, get an early start by spending the night close to your next adventure or enjoy a quiet night stargazing from your tent.

There are many options to camp throughout the region. Upper Shunda Campground is right in Nordegg, making it the easiest option if you’re planning to spend some time in town. Fish Lake Campground offers powered sites while David Thompson Resort is the only full-service campground in the region.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, check out Alberta Parks campgrounds like Thompson Creek or take it a step further at one of the rustic campsites like Preacher’s Point or Allstones.

Regardless of how you choose to experience the region, remember that we all have our part to play to keep this a special place to enjoy.

We all have our part to do to keep this place special. Planning ahead is key to ensuring that we all continue to enjoy adventures in the Nordegg & Abraham Lake region. These are a few of the things you can do to help:

Minimize your impact by using existing sites, fire rings and toilets instead of creating your own.
Know about current fire bans, make sure that your fire is completely out before you go and buy firewood instead of cutting down trees. Remember that shooting fireworks is not allowed in the region.
Keep your site clean and your food stored inside your vehicle to help keep our wildlife wild. Always use bear-proof garbage bins.
While alcohol is now permitted in some Alberta Parks day-use areas, none of those are in our region. Alcohol is only allowed at registered campsites.
Be mindful of your neighbours and other visitors, including keeping noise to a minimum.
Be prepared for adventures in a remote area. Explore within your skills to reduce the strain on our volunteer search and rescue team.
Remember that cell service is limited. We recommend carrying a satellite communicator, like a Zoleo, on your adventures.
Support local businesses and communities in Cline River, the Bighorn and Nordegg.

Information provided here may be inaccurate or outdated. Always make sure to obtain current information before going on your adventure.

Different Styles of Camping

There are a few options when you are trying to decide what type of campgrounds best suit your style. You’ll also find additional services in Nordegg, like an RV dump station is available at the Nordegg Lodge and public showers at the Shell.

Here’s a look at what you’ll find in the region.

RV Parks

David Thompson Resort (power, water and sewer) and Fish Lake (power only) are the only campgrounds in the region with serviced sites. Reservations are recommended at David Thompson Resort and required at Fish Lake.

Provincial Campgrounds

These are the classic campgrounds with somewhat smaller sites set a little further apart in some gorgeous settings. Most have options to accommodate a wide range of accommodation, from RVs to tents, but keep in mind that you’re not likely to find pull-through sites at most of these campgrounds. Typical amenities are gravel pads, picnic tables, fire pits and pit toilets. Firewood and water are not available at most of these campgrounds.

We include Upper Shunda Creek Campground in this category even though they are privately owned since they are a former provincial campground.

Most of these are first come first served with self-registration (cash only) while reservations are required at Fish Lake and available at Ram Falls and Upper Shunda Creek.

Group Campgrounds

Some of these, like Cavalcade, were designed as group sites while most of the other ones are smaller campgrounds that Alberta Parks converted to groups only a few years ago.

All group campgrounds are managed by Alberta Parks and reservations are required. The minimum number of units is typically 5 for those sites.

Rustic Campsites

These are new additions to the region that are designed to address issues from overuse at popular random camping locations. Only basic amenities like improved access roads and pit toilets are available. These sites are included in the Public Lands Camping Pass and all sites are available on a first come first served basis.

Random Camping

Also known as dispersed camping, crown land camping or boondocking, random camping is allowed throughout the region with a few exceptions. A Public Lands Camping Pass is required throughout the region.

Backcountry Camping

Most backcountry campsites in the region have little to no development, except for pit toilets at some locations like Landslide Lake, Pinto Lake and Lake of the Falls. Random camping is generally permitted, except in the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve. A Public Lands Camping Pass is required but all sites are available on a first come first served basis.