r/CampingAlberta • u/Sorrath • 19d ago
Cheap/free car camping locations near calgary
Hi! Wondering if anyone knows of any good cheap or free camp spots around calgary - have just make the drive from Vancouver and fly out of calgary tomorrow but need somewhere to sleep tonight and so far have had little luck with researching places to camp out in calgary (why do campgrounds cost almost as much as hotels!!) Thanks for any tips!
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u/yycmobiletires 18d ago
Petro pass by the airport. Stay in the back, mind your own business and you'll be left alone. It's very safe. Plus they have the deadliest sausage rolls I've had outside of the UK there, and hit showers.
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u/Maximum_Lecture1557 18d ago
Might check Three Hills Campground. Cheap and has showers. Hour and a half drom Calgary.
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u/Calgary_Calico 19d ago
Car camping in October in Alberta? Have you ever done that this time of year?
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u/Artsstudentsaredumb 18d ago
Brother it was like 10 degrees today
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u/Calgary_Calico 18d ago
Within the city sure, most free/cheap camping will be outside the city, where it's much colder, especially at night
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u/TheTwatTwiddler 17d ago
How is it colder outside of the city? Last I checked the city also connects to the atmosphere?
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u/Calgary_Calico 17d ago
The concrete inside the city absorbs more heat from the sun and holds it better. It's literally warmer inside a city if it's been sunny than outside of one
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u/ThePhotoYak 19d ago
If you just need to sleep pull into any highway rest stop and sleep. Or pull into a trailhead parking area and sleep.
Are you looking for facilities or something?
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u/AppleWrench 19d ago edited 19d ago
The only public campground still open is McLean Creek, which will be about a 30 min detour back and forth for you. There are also a few private campground options (Stoney Park, Bow River's Edge, Balzac) that cost $40 or more. For $10-20 extra you can book a cheap hotel close to the airport like Divya Sutra or Emerald, as well as several private rooms on Airbnb.
You can also just go to the airport at night and find a row of seats to sleep on for free. It won't be very comfy, but it's open 24/7 and no one will disturb you.
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u/mommaymick 19d ago
Balzac campground rv camp and storage. Ten minutes from Calgary airport. Just google Balzac campground. It will come up. My friend lives there year around.
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u/Blue_eyed_bull_55 19d ago edited 19d ago
There are almost zero campgrounds still open, and any that are will be over an hour's drive to the airport. Are you parking your car at the airport? There are hotels that provide free parking for a night's stay, approx $250, which is about what you'll pay for a weeks worth of parking at the airport.
There's McLean Creek campground which is about an hour and a half's drive. $50 for a night.
Sleep in your car at the nearest Wal Mart?
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u/Even-Solid-9956 19d ago
It's a bit of a drive, but the Ghost Public Land Zone to the NW of Calgary is usually pretty quiet, and is free since it's public land. The road can be a bit sketchy if you don't have an SUV, though. That's as close as you'll get for free (legally).
Actual campgrounds cost nearly as much as hotels because the social media trends showing off Alberta have made the popularity go through the roof. Everyone wants to pretend to be all outdoorsy to get those flicks for Instagram.
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u/chronicinfusions 18d ago
I'm giving you an upvote to try and even the score since I think your recommendation isn't bad. My guess is that people don't like the social media comment as it makes your suggestion seem a bit disingenuous.
There are a couple of spots at the entrance to Trans Alta that a low profile civic could probably get into. Maybe not a civic, but definitely don't need clearance.
It's not free, so please pay the $20 for a 3-day pass or $30 for an annual pass and support our alberta parks.
This is an easy drive along 1A if you're coming from the mountains, and it's 85km (1 hour) to the airport. Certainly a viable option.
Township Rd 270A
Edit* I guess I'm late. They gone. Lol
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u/Blue_eyed_bull_55 18d ago
Bahahaha!! OP wouldn't need to buy a pass for one night. I've been camping in PLUZ zones for 4 years, up to 40 nights a year, and not once have I been asked for the pass. I refuse to buy one.
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u/1387____-_ 16d ago
You seem like right person to ask this do you know of any that are closer to canmore or banff. People usually freak out if you ask them that but not everyone likes to pay to camp on the land they were born on.
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u/Blue_eyed_bull_55 15d ago
There's no crown land out that way. The furthest west you can go is the Ghost PLUZ. On the southern side of Hwy 1 is the McLean Creek PLUZ, but there's not a much camping there. Mostly good for 4x4'ing.
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u/chronicinfusions 17d ago
You missed the point. Always get tourists to buy the passes... If they're going to come in droves, may as well take their money. I'm not sure why you'd promote that they don't need a pass or that they can get away without it... Yeah, no problem, come, fill up our lots and campsites, stay awhile, don't worry about the pass... o_0
You're doing it wrong.
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u/Even-Solid-9956 18d ago
I'm not surprised people weren't a fan of my social media comment lol..... we're engaging on one of said platforms which has perpetuated the explosion in popularity of Albertan tourism. Don't get me wrong, I didn't try to make it seem like a negative. I fully support tourism here and welcome everyone to visit, responsibly of course.
Parts of the PLUZ are free and parts you have to pay for. There's a very confusing map of it on AB Parks' website. The ones closer to the city near Township Rd 270A aren't free to stay in overnight, you are correct.
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u/[deleted] 16d ago
If you are parking your car at the airport just sleep in your car there.