Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Alberta's position between the soaring Rocky Mountains and the vast prairies of the east towards Saskatchewan gives it a varied landscape of boreal forest, shifting glaciers and primordial badlands where many dinosaur remains have been found.
Alberta has 69 state-run provincial parks. Many offer backcountry camping with scenic views but no developed facilities for the full primitive camping experience. Many are located close to Lake Louise, but Colin-Cornwall Lakes Wildland Park, on the border with the Northern Territories, is so remote access is fly-in only.
Campgrounds for families and groups with tents are situated throughout the province, offering activities for children of all ages in picnic areas and games rooms. You can pitch your tent close to one of five lakes at William A.Switzer Provincial Park. Cold Lake is a well-equipped site with an amphitheater, hot showers and playground.
Alberta is true horse country and some campgrounds are fully fixed to combine tent camping with horse-riding. Poachers' Landing is a primitive campground with horse corrals set in boreal forest in northern Alberta. Farther south, Indian Graves offers extensive unmarked equestrian trails and facilities in Kananaskis Country.
According to Environment Canada, Alberta has the most comfortable weather in Canada with 312 days of sunshine per year. While that is good news for tent campers, all but the most resourceful may be put off by freezing temperatures between November and February. Go in the spring, summer or fall for a more comfortable climate for sleeping under canvas.