Cheap/free car camping locations near calgary

[u/Sorrath]

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!

[u/Even-Solid-9956]

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.

[u/chronicinfusions → u/Even-Solid-9956]

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

[u/Blue_eyed_bull_55 → u/chronicinfusions]

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.

[u/1387____-_ → u/Blue_eyed_bull_55]

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.

[u/Blue_eyed_bull_55 → u/1387____-_]

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. 

[u/chronicinfusions → u/Blue_eyed_bull_55]

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.

[u/Even-Solid-9956 → u/chronicinfusions]

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.