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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta staff
Final up to date on March 13, 2024
Need all the advantages of tenting however don’t need to purchase or carry all of the gear that goes together with it? That’s what makes glamping so superb and why we find it irresistible a lot. It takes away the trouble of tenting, so we will get pleasure from all the great things. And in Alberta, glamping spots are popping up all over the place! So step into the lap of luxurious amidst Alberta’s beautiful wilderness with our information to glamping in Alberta and the good outdoor! From cozy canvas tents to luxurious yurts, we’ll let you know the most effective spots to go.
Whether or not you’re in search of a romantic retreat or a household journey, you’ll expertise the most effective of each worlds—nature’s tranquility and fashionable comforts. Be part of us as we uncover the magic of glamping in Alberta, the place each second guarantees to be an unforgettable escape.
What’s Glamping?
Glamping, brief for glamorous tenting, affords an expensive twist to conventional tenting experiences. It combines the tranquillity of nature with the comforts of recent facilities. Not like conventional tenting, the place adventurers tough it out in tents and sleeping baggage, glamping lodging vary from safari tents and yurts to cozy cabins and treehouses, usually that includes plush bedding, electrical energy, and personal loos.
The idea permits people to immerse themselves in nature with out sacrificing consolation, making it a perfect possibility for these in search of an outside retreat with a contact of extravagance. In Alberta, glamping choices abound, together with these inside provincial parks, providing guests the prospect to attach with nature whereas having fun with premium lodging.
Nonetheless, as a consequence of their reputation, securing reservations for these sought-after spots requires reserving properly prematurely to make sure availability and safe the right glamping expertise.
What Do I Must Carry?
Embarking on a glamping journey in Alberta requires rigorously choosing provides to make sure a snug and fulfilling expertise within the nice outdoor. The golden rule is to all the time examine with the lodging earlier than heading out to make sure what it’s good to carry. Whereas many glamping websites present fundamental facilities, private objects resembling bedding, towels, and toiletries can typically be obligatory to ensure a comfy keep.
Moreover, cookware and utensils might also be obligatory. Don’t neglect to pack necessities for leisure, resembling deck chairs, picnic blankets, and outside video games, to totally embrace the serenity of nature.
For these chilly evenings, a bundle of firewood and marshmallow roasting sticks will create the right ambiance across the campfire. With considerate preparation and a well-stocked provide equipment, your glamping expertise in Alberta will certainly be unforgettable.
The Finest Spots for Glamping in Alberta
Elevated Escapes (Barrhead and Bragg Creek)
“Disconnect to reconnect” is Elevated Escape‘s slogan, and with two places in Alberta, you’re certain to really feel reconnected to nature after spending a while consolation tenting with them. You’ll discover a wide range of lodging choices at each places. There are a selection of geodesic domes and glamping tents to select from, all with touches of luxurious and privateness.
Considered one of our favourites is the Romantic Dome Retreat (Gatsby); positioned on a 200-acre family-owned Indigenous campground, the riverside dome has wooden range heating, a personal firepit, a picnic desk, and photo voltaic lights. Be aware that it’s an off-grid expertise, which suggests peace and leisure away from civilization. Sure, please.
Good Knights Leisure (Three Hills)
It’s enjoyable, quirky, and unforgettable glamping at Good Knights Leisure in Three Hills. A keep on the encampment is actually distinctive with visitors staying in “luxurious, tented medieval glamping tents for an unforgettable immersive expertise,”. Every of the lavish medieval tents include wood flooring, beds, electrical heaters, electrical shops, fireplace pits, and—better of all—interval costumes and heat cloaks to put on!
The Lodge at Métis Crossing (Smoky Lake)
The Lodge at Métis Crossing affords quite a few sorts of lodging, together with superb sky-watching domes! These domes function a clear ceiling, king-sized mattress, working water, toilet, heated flooring, air-con, kitchenette, and electrical energy. The expertise can be aimed toward educating folks how the Métis folks used the celebrities and sky to navigate, create calendars, and extra.
Considered one of our favorite spots for Alberta glamping, the resort affords household and single suites, relying on the variety of visitors. Should you’re fortunate, the northern lights will dance above you when you drift asleep.
Glamping Resorts Ltd (Fort Provincial Park)
Glamping Resorts Ltd is positioned in Fort Provincial Park and affords a number of lodging choices, together with canvas cabins and glamping domes. All choices embody mattresses, bedding, towels, cooking utensils, domestically sourced espresso, a hearth pit, a BBQ, and extra, guaranteeing your glamping expertise is as comfy as potential. Some items additionally provide air-con, kitchenettes, and personal heated bathe amenities!
The domes are near most of the trails and lakes in Fort Provincial Park. Should you’re feeling motivated, climb to the highest of Desk Mountain and take within the view. It’s one among our favorite hikes in Alberta. Afterward, once you return to your dome, take within the beautiful surroundings, unwind and calm down.
Sundance by Basecamp (Kananaskis Nation)
While you’re within the temper to camp however don’t have many provides, take a look at Sundance by Basecamp in Kananaskis Nation. With unbelievable mountain views of the Canadian Rockies, you may select from rustic canvas tipis and trappers’ tents or the extra luxurious glamping tents.
We love the Riverside Trappers’ Tents as they arrive geared up with wood flooring, wood-frame beds with vinyl-sealed foam mattresses, a small kerosene heater, and a lantern… simply sufficient to really feel as if we’re roughing it whereas nonetheless sustaining a little bit of consolation. Simply remember that you just’ll need to carry your personal bedding and different provides from house or should you’d like you may lease every thing from Sundance!
Elk Island Retreat (Fort Saskatchewan)
For an incredible expertise simply exterior Edmonton, attempt Elk Island Retreat. With yurts, cabins, geodomes, and RV websites out there, there’s one thing for everybody right here, no matter your tenting fashion! Our favourites are the geodomes, “the place nature and luxury meet.” With gasoline fireplaces and air-con, you’re assured to really feel at house it doesn’t matter what time of 12 months you go to.
Different facilities embody a espresso maker, mini fridge, queen-sized mattress with bedding, a hearth pit, a coated barbeque, and a picnic desk. This can be a excellent alternative if you wish to get exterior town to discover Elk Island Nationwide Park and the encircling space however don’t have a lot time to journey!
Aspen Crossing (Mossleigh)
Do tents, cabins, and geodomes appear too predictable for you? What about staying in a caboose cabin?! Head to Aspen Crossing, the place you may keep in these one-of-a-kind caboose cabins for an extremely distinctive glamping expertise.
With fashionable facilities and luxurious touches inside, you’ll be surrounded by nature on the surface. Be certain to get pleasure from your non-public deck, whether or not with a espresso within the morning or roasting marshmallows at evening.
Glamp Good (Wetaskiwin County)
Discovered about an hour’s drive from Edmonton, close to Pigeon Lake, Glamp Good is extremely luxurious; we’re speaking plush bedding, panoramic home windows with views of the forest, a customized wood-burning steam sauna, fashionable decor, and star constellation projector lamps in all the lodging.
Viewing the Boreal forest from the glass domes or A-frame cabins at Glamp Good is the right solution to soften away stress and really feel totally immersed in nature. Facilities resembling indoor propane fireplaces, outside propane camp stoves, and fireplace tables are simply the icing on the cake! Bonus: Glamp Good is pet-friendly and open year-round.
Refuge Bay Luxurious Tenting (Lac Ste. Anne County)
Keep in a state-of-the-art geodesic dome or an expensive off-grid tiny house at Refuge Bay Luxurious Tenting. With views of the non-public lake, you’ll even have entry to a personal wood-fired sauna, wood-fired scorching tub, and fireplace pit.
You’ll be able to even order a s’mores equipment to get pleasure from throughout your keep! Because the glamping websites are open all 12 months, you may take part in actions resembling snowshoeing in winter or kayaking in summer season. There’s additionally an opportunity for horseback driving close by. Should you’re searching for quiet time and an opportunity to flee into nature, that is your spot.
OTENTiks (Jasper Nationwide Park, Banff Nationwide Park, and Elk Island Nationwide Park)
We couldn’t write an article about glamping in Alberta with out mentioning the Parks Canada oTENTiks! Present in three nationwide parks in Alberta – Jasper, Banff, and Elk Island Nationwide Parks – oTENTiks e book up FAST yearly.
These glamping choices are “tents meet A-frame cabins,” the place you will see raised flooring, beds, and different furnishings inside. Outdoors, there’s a hearth pit, deck, outside furnishings, and a tenting range. So far as what it’s good to carry? You have to to carry your personal provides, and the next listing is what Parks Canada recommends bringing:
- Bedding and pillow
- Flashlight, lantern or headlamp
- Private gear: clothes, equipment, toiletries and slippers or indoor sneakers
- Private security objects: whistle, first help equipment, sunscreen and bug repellant
- Cooking gear—ask what’s included once you make a reservation
- Meals and drinks, reusable water bottles, and so forth.
- Leisure objects (i.e. binoculars, books, playing cards or sporting gear, and so forth.)
- Different (matches or lighter, rope, and so forth.)
Be aware that this isn’t every thing. Try the Parks Canada tenting guidelines to make sure you don’t want anything!
Pigeon Lake Provincial Park
Fortunately, many provincial parks have yurts, that are excellent on your subsequent glamping expertise in Alberta! Pigeon Lake is among the hottest spots to order a yurt for a couple of nights. With eight out there yurts for lease, every comes with a wood deck that’s accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, and different mobility gadgets.
With electrical heaters to remain heat in chillier climate, there’s additionally a fridge, a BBQ with propane, and close by washroom amenities. Whereas they aren’t year-round constructions, the yurts at Pigeon Lake provide you with an incredible alternative to glamp whereas nonetheless having fun with the most effective of the Alberta wilderness.
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
Head to lovely Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park to remain in one of many three out there consolation cabins; discovered underneath the Cottonwood bushes within the Milk River Valley, it’s a shocking space for exploring and mountain climbing. Together with a small insulated cabin with a personal deck, different facilities embody a mini fridge, electrical lights and fan, a hearth pit, a picnic desk, a gasoline BBQ, and close by potable water.
Whereas the cabins solely sleep a most of three folks, they’re excellent for a small household getaway or an outdoorsy romantic journey. Should you’re trying to dip your toe into consolation tenting, this is perhaps the place for you.
Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park
Positioned solely thirty minutes southeast of Calgary, Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park is house to 4 canvas wall tents out there for lease. With views of the Bow River, you’ll get pleasure from sleeping in a cottonwood forest with many mountain climbing trails close by.
Facilities embody electrical energy (with shops, lights, a heater, and a fan), a coffeemaker, a mini fridge, and a personal deck with a hearth pit. Sleeping as much as 4 folks, the canvas tents are the right spot for individuals who need to escape the hustle and bustle of Calgary and spend a while in nature.
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
Keep within the Miquelon Lake Provincial Park yurts for a enjoyable glamping expertise. With 4 yurts out there, all have a capability of six folks, making them top-of-the-line choices for big households or teams.
Facilities embody electrical energy (lights, a fridge, a heater, and shops), a personal deck with a hearth pit and gasoline BBQ, and – a rarity on the subject of different yurts in Alberta – cookware, together with pots, pans, utensils, cups, and dishes. The yurts are additionally near flush bogs and potable consuming water. Bonus: Miquelon Lake is just about an hour’s drive from Edmonton!
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Present in southeast Alberta, Dinosaur Provincial Park (to not be confused with Drumheller) is a unbelievable place for a little bit of consolation tenting… and what a memorable expertise, to camp within the badlands! Seven canvas wall tents can be found – three with waterfront views and 4 with park views – and all the tents include wood flooring and loads of air flow.
You can too anticipate a mini fridge, electrical tea kettle, propane BBQ, electrical shops, an electrical heater, a hearth pit, and a picnic desk exterior. The tents are discovered underneath some bushes, making them the right place to calm down within the shade. As this is among the extra remoted spots in Alberta for glamping, you’ll need to be sure you carry every thing you want… the closest grocery retailer is 48 kilometres away in Brooks!
Cypress Hill Provincial Park
One other glorious possibility for glamping in Alberta, Cypress Hill Provincial Park has a number of huts and cabins to select from. Because the park straddles Alberta and Saskatchewan, you’ll have a variety of interprovincial mountain climbing trails to discover, making this a singular place to remain within the province!
With choices that mean you can sleep wherever from three to eight folks, the facilities range relying on the kind of lodging you select, however most cabins have wooden stoves. Our decide is the Aspen Ridge Hut, which has energy and lighting, making your consolation tenting expertise a lot simpler!
Pete is a co-founder of Highway Journey Alberta. Rising up in Edmonton he has an in depth information of Alberta and every thing the province has to supply. He likes to eat good meals, hike (particularly within the winter), play tennis and curl. Aside from working Highway Journey Alberta, he’s a director with HMI, a digital media company, half of the Hecktic Travels duo, and a co-creator of the favored card sport Journey Chaser.
