Camping by the River to Heal the Soul ποΈ
Summer in Calgary is here again βοΈ Let me share two of my favorite riverside camping spots nearby~ 1οΈβ£ Bow Valley Provincial Park It is the closest lakeside campground in the Rocky Mountains to the city, facing the steep and layered Mount Yamnuska. The campground itself is located by a stream in the valley forest, offering excellent privacy. Bow Valley - Loop A is adjacent to the Bow River, and several campsites have a direct view of the river and snow-capped mountains. It's common to see elk drinking along the river in the early morning π¦ π Distance: About a 1-hour drive from Calgary, 30km east of Canmore, exit 114 off Highway 1 Surrounding activities: Kayaking: You can bring your own boating equipment and go downstream for fishing and birdwatching π£ Recommended hiking trails: Grotto Canyon Trail, Yates Mountain via Prairie View Trail, Barrier Lake Trail Facilities: Fire Pit, Picnic Table, Shower, Toilet π Reservation: Alberta Parks The official website opens for reservations 90 days in advance, and waterfront areas are prioritized. It's easy to get last-minute spots on weekdays during the off-season (May/September) 2οΈβ£ Two Jack Lakeside The riverside campground is located at Two Jack Lake. Among the 14-35 campsites, only seven are close to the lake. The tent curtain faces the clear blue lake water and the reflection of the Cascade Mountain snow-capped peaks, which is very pleasant~ π Distance: Only a 15-minute drive from Banff, along Lake Minnewanka Scenic Drive Surrounding activities: SUP: The lake surface is as calm as a mirror in the early morning and evening of summer, and it's also the glacial lake with the most comfortable water temperature in Banff~ The end of the lake extends to Minnewanka Lake (there are big waves, you can row into it but it's not recommended β οΈ Starry sky photography: There is little light pollution, and the summer Milky Way is clearly visible πΈ Facilities: Fire Pit, Shower, Toilet π Reservation: Parks Canada Reservation In the early part of the year, check the official website for the park's opening reservation date and time. On that day, enter the website early to queue. It's recommended to have multiple friends queue together to increase the probability (queue numbers are assigned randomly, and the lower the number, the more likely you are to get a spot) If it's fully booked, you can try to wait for canceled spots after 16:00 the previous day (the probability is low but possible) #Travel10kFollowersSupportPlan #SelfdrivingExplorationEditorialDepartment #GetCloseToNature #SummerWaterFun #GoCampingTogether
