The Edmonton region is in the heart of aspen parkland, where the prairie meets the northern boreal forest. Mixed forests, open meadows, wetlands, small lakes, and hummocky hills create a scenic and adventurous landscape for outdoor recreation, nature escapes, and camping trips.
Whether you live in the area and want an escape from the city, or you’re travelling in the region and want to see what it has to offer, several parks and campgrounds near Edmonton are worth checking out.
We’ve picked our favourites for this article and included a list of campgrounds near Edmonton, their services and amenities, and a map to help you plan your trip.
Many of the campgrounds surrounding Edmonton lie within the historic amiskwacîwâskahikan (Beaver Hills) region. Located within Treaty 6 territory and the Métis homeland, this distinct ecosystem has provided shelter, resources, and spiritual connection for the Plains Cree, Métis, Blackfoot, Saulteaux, and Nakoda Sioux for generations. We acknowledge the deep, historical relationship Indigenous peoples hold with these landscapes and invite our readers to camp with respect for the land’s history and its original protectors.
Astotin Lake – Elk Island National Park
Elk Island National Park is a 35-minute drive east of the city. This UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve is home to free-roaming bison herds and is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Activities in the park include hiking, wildlife viewing, stargazing, paddling and picnicking at Astotin Lake. The lake is the park’s hotspot for day-users. It has a large grassy picnic area, sandy beach, dock with kayak rentals, playground and is the meeting point for many of the park’s programs.
From the campground, you have quick access to several scenic walking trails, including a few that follow along the lake’s shore. An interpretive boardwalk also gives you an up-close look at the thriving ecosystem. You’ll see waterfowl, shorebirds and maybe a beaver or muskrat!
Read our guide on things to do at Elk Island National Park.
Campground Description
At a Glance
Resources
The Astotin Lake Campground has 75 unserviced sites, 15 walk-in sites and five oTENTiks. All are a short walk to the lakeshore, information centre, canoe launch, beach, and playground. Campers will also have access to accessible washrooms with showers, a shared kitchen shelter, potable water taps, and an RV dump-and-fill station.
RV Camping Loop: For larger trailers and motorhomes, this site offers parallel-parked sites. It’s not very private, but the best option if your rig is too big for the main loop.
Main Loop: This is our preferred place to camp here. The main loop has more trees, and the sites are spaced a little farther apart than at the RV campground. Flush toilets, a small playground, a kitchen shelter, and a dishwashing station are available.
Walk-in Tenting: The walk-in tenting area offers the most privacy, but you’ll have to haul in your stuff. These sites are first-come, first-served.
Reservations are required for the RV camping and main camping loop.
Photo gallery of Elk Island National Park
What to know before you go
- A park pass is required to visit Elk Island National Park. You can purchase it at the gate.
- The Astotin Lake Campground is open from mid-May to the end of the Thanksgiving long weekend.
- This park gets busy, especially on weekends, so make your reservations in advance!
- Astotin Lake is not swimmable and often has blue-green algae. Check for advisories.
- Firewood sales are available at the camping information kiosk by the lake parking lot.
- Keep a far, respectful distance from wildlife. Bison may look docile, but if they charge, it can be fatal.
Learn more about the Astotin Lake Campground in Elk Island National Park.
Wabamum Lake Provincial Park
Wabamum Lake Provincial Park is located 60 kilometres west of Edmonton on Wabamum Lake. The park has a wide sandy beach, a large picnic area, a playground, and a boat launch. This makes it a go-to for day-trip beach days and quick weekends away for people who live in the Edmonton Area.
You’ll find trails for biking and hiking, a Park Store, a beach concession, and paddle rentals. This is our favourite campground near Edmonton to visit in the fall as it’s open a bit later than the others. It is also far less busy in the shoulder seasons.
Campground Description
At a Glance
Resources
The Wabamum Lake Provincial Park campground is large, with 276 campsites, both powered and unserviced, nestled in the forest. While some sites are more private than others, we prefer the treed sites in the Aspen Loop of the Main Campground because they’re closest to the beach and day-use area. West End Campground loops are similar, though farther from the action, and Deer Campground is more of an RV park-style loop.
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park campground has both pit and flush toilets, central showers, potable water taps, a sani-dump and firewood sales. The campground operates from late April to the end of October.
Reservations are required.
Photo gallery of Wabamum Lake Provincial Park
Things to know before you go
- This park gets busy, especially during peak summer and on weekends. Book in advance.
- Wabamun Lake can get blue-green algae, though it happens late in the season. Check advisories.
- There are no water taps in the Spruce and Willow loops in the West End Campground.
- You can fill up at the sani-station.
Learn more about Wabamun Lake Provincial Park Campground.
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
Pigeon Lake is located just over an hour southwest of Edmonton. The park offers a sandy beach, public docks, hiking and biking trails and opportunities for paddling, boating and fishing. The park is nestled in a mixed forest, teeming with birds and wildlife. The day-use area is the hub, with a large grassy picnic area, modern playground and beach access.
There are a lot of things to do at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park, and the campground itself is one of our favourite campgrounds near Edmonton.
Campground Description
At a Glance
Resources
There are two campgrounds: the main campground at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park and the Zeiner Campground just northwest of there up the road. Together, they offer over 350 campsites, including group sites and comfort yurts. This campground is the only one on our list that has fully serviced sites (power/water/sewer), though there are only 10. The campground is open mid-May to Mid-September, with 10 powered sites remaining open year-round.
The campsites here are large, spaced out and private. Trails leading to the waterfront, playgrounds, and picnic areas are all accessible from the campground. Each loop has flush toilets, except Loop E, which has pit toilets. Tucked in a pretty forest, it’s a lovely place to connect with nature and relax.
Reservations are required.
Photo gallery of Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
Things to know before you go
- Pigeon Lake Provincial Park is a big park, but campsites do book up. Make reservations early.
- Pigeon Lake can develop blue-green algae. Check advisories!
- Read about things to do at Pigeon Lake Provincial Park when there’s blue-green algae.
- Swarms of non-biting midges can be there in spring and summer. It happens off and on, so be prepared.
Learn more about the Pigeon Lake Provincial Park Campground.
Twin Lakes Campground
Managed by the County of Wetaskiwin, Twin Lakes is made up of two very small lakes, with only one accessible via Twin Lakes Park. This lake is deep, cool and crystal clear. Algae is never an issue here, and it’s perfect for swimming, paddleboarding, and kayaking. Motorboats are not permitted on this lake. To make getting out on the water easier, a self-serve SUP and kayak rental station sits right on the shore. You can book online rentals through West Country Rentals.
The park also offers rustic camping and a small network of trails through dense forest. Without meaning to sound cliché, Twin Lakes is truly a hidden gem in the capital region.
Campground Description
At a Glance
Resources
Twin Lakes Campground has 60 unserviced campsites for both tents and RVs. Most of the sites are in an inner and outer loop on the west side of the park, with a few on the east side. A few sites sit on a high hill along the water, offering scenic views and private lake access. For more privacy, choose a site in the forest along the outer loop. The sites on the east side are more spread out and a little quieter.
The campground has pit toilets, potable water taps and a small playground. The park is small, so you can easily access the main swimming dock, grassy picnic areas, and public beach. A park attendant is on-site to answer questions and sell firewood. The campground is open between mid-May and the end of September.
Reservations are required.
Photo gallery of Twin Lakes Campground
Things to know before you go
- Twin Lakes can get busy in the summer, especially on weekends, specifically with day-users.
- For more privacy, avoid campsites near parking areas or the public dock.
- The water is clear, but the lake bottom is muddy. Swim off the dock or off your SUP!
- There is no store here or nearby. Be sure to bring everything you need.
- There is no sani-dump or RV fill station here, but you can find one in Winfield at the Lions Park.
Learn more about Twin Lakes in Wetaskiwin County.
More campgrounds near Edmonton, Alberta
Several other campgrounds are in the Capital Region, including one within city limits! We most often frequent the ones reviewed above because they best suit our needs and camping style. Several small campgrounds are around Edmonton, and we haven’t been to some of them personally.
Here is some useful information to help you find the campground that is right for you and your kind of adventures.
| Campground | Location | Powered Sites | Washrooms & Showers | Sani-Dump | Store |
| Rainbow Valley Campground | Edmonton | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Devon Lions Campground | Devon | Power, water & sewer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Linbrook Star Gazer | Tofield | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Spring Lake RV Resort | Parkland County | Power, water & sewer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Morinville RV Park | Morinville | Power, water & sewer | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Miquelon Lake Prov Park | Camrose County | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Half Moon Lake Resort | Strathcona County | Power, water & sewer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Leduc Lions KOA | Leduc | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Mink Lake Campground | Parkland County | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Black Nugget Lake Park | Beaver County | Power, water & sewer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
