Top 10 Campgrounds Near Lethbridge

By joanne lemna | October 12, 2022

Everyone wants an awesome campground that isn’t too far from home. Choosing the best campgrounds in Lethbridge and/or near Lethbridge was an easy task for me because my family loves camping in Southern Alberta. We live for the classic “summer scorcher” and I am a self-proclaimed sun goddess choosing my campgrounds based on how much of the day I will be able to spend in a tank top without ever needing a long-sleeved shirt or jacket.

These campgrounds are all set in premier locations with beautiful scenery lakes rivers beaches and trails. My family has camped at each of them, and we’ve never been lacking for activities or fun things to do at each one, if you would go don’t forget to have rv insurance.

Here is a list of the top 10 campgrounds near Lethbridge for you to check out this summer.

1: Stone Provincial Park

Distance: 1.5 hours from Lethbridge.

This is one of our favorite campgrounds near Lethbridge, AB for badlands scenery hiking trails through the hoodoos and a warm river you can spend hours floating down. Families wanting to float or paddle on the Milk River should aim to go around the end of June or early July when the river is high as it gets too shallow later in the season. Hikers will want to plan their trip for spring or fall when the temperatures are cooler. Visit in the middle of the summer and you’ll be in the river cooling off and not hiking.

Insider Tip: Book early to get a power site in the summer so that you will be able to run the AC in your travel trailer or RV. There are some beautiful power sites right next to the beach area.

How you’ll entertain yourselves at camp:

Float the Milk River from the far end of camp down to the beach. Walk back up repeat. When you tire of floating relax on the beach and play in the shallow river.

Kayak canoe or stand up paddle your way down the Milk River from the Weir Bridge or from camp down to the Deer Creek Bridge. Both paddles will take you half a day and you can stop often to swim or play in mud along the river banks. (Note: there are no boat rentals in the park so plan ahead and rent in Lethbridge if you don’t have your own boats).

Hike the Hoodoo Trail past sandstone cliffs First Nations rock art (petroglyphs and pictographs) and towering hoodoos. The trail is 2.2 km one way and best done early or later in the day when temperatures are cooler.

Hike the Visitor Centre Trail from the campground where kids will find plenty of opportunities to scramble and climb amongst the rock.
Join an interpretive tour to learn more about the First Nations rock art and to see petroglyphs and pictographs up close from inside the private reserve.

2: Elkwater Lake Cypress Hills Provincial Park AB

Distance: 2.5 hours from Lethbridge.

With 12 campgrounds and 4 group areas this is one of my favorite campgrounds near Lethbridge for a last-minute reservation. If you book early you can get choice spots at the Elkwater Campground close to the beach trails playgrounds and all town amenities.

Insider Tip: Book a site in the C loop in the Elkwater Campground if camping with kids. There is a nice playground in the middle of the loop with a big grassy field.

How you’ll entertain yourselves at camp:

Hang out at the sandy beach on Elkwater Lake. There are also boat and bike rentals available from the marina including bike trailers for younger children. You can also enjoy a variety of watersports on the lake including water skiing wind surfing jet skiing or sailing.
Walk the 2.4 km shoreline trail along Elkwater Lake between the west end day use area and the east end day use area. Along your way you’ll pass multiple playgrounds a free mini-golf course a free disc golf course and boardwalk sections for bird watching. This trail is paved and great for kids learning to ride bikes.
Enjoy hiking or mountain biking on more than 50 km of trails in the park. And of note Cypress Hills Provincial Park has one of the longest hiking and biking seasons in Alberta from April through October. Thanksgiving camping trip anybody?
Go golfing at the Elkwater Park Golf Course.
Enjoy horseback riding with equestrian camping available at Spring Creek.
Take a sightseeing drive out to the Reesor or Horseshoe Canyon Viewpoints.
Go fishing at one of several lakes in the park.

3: Foremost Wayside Campground

Distance: 1 hour from Lethbridge.

Of all places to camp near Lethbridge, Foremost Wayside is easily among the best. Foremost is an agricultural town that is situated in Southern Alberta, where the actual campground is settled in on the west side of the Village of Foremost. Its campgrounds have open sites with separation via some shrubbery, but privacy is largely limited.

Insider Tip: You’ll want to get on this one fast, as it’s only open from April to October. There are over 30 sites to enjoy!

How you’ll entertain yourself at camp:

Go fishing at the nearby reservoir
Enjoy access to men’s and women’s showers
Easy access to the campground grocery store
Enjoy golfing with the family
Check out the town of Foremost. It’s pretty secluded, but there are some activities and tourism you can get into.

4: Beauvais Lake Provincial Park

Distance: 1.5 hours from Lethbridge.

This is a scenic campground near Lethbridge that is set on a great lake for fishing and boating. It’s also a great base camp for day trips to nearby Castle Provincial Park or even into Waterton Lakes National Park.

Insider Tip: Bring bikes with you so that you can easily ride over to the North Shore Day Use Area and playground. We also enjoyed some of the multi-use trails on our bikes.

How you’ll entertain yourselves at camp:

Bike the Chipman Creek Trail and South Shore Trail as an easy mountain biking loop. The South trail is a little overgrown in spots but there are some scenic views and fun little hills near the Beaver Creek Day Use Area.

Enjoy boating and fishing on Beauvais Lake. You can also canoe or kayak on the peaceful lake if you bring your own boats. There are no rentals in the park.
Enjoy hiking on over 25 km of trails

Take a day trip to Beaver Mines Lake in nearby Castle Provincial Park and hike up Table Mountain for great views!

Take a day trip to Waterton Lakes Provincial Park (only one hour away).

Take a day trip to the Crowsnest Pass and visit the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre (only 30 minutes away).

5: Little Bow Provincial Park

Distance: 1 hour from Lethbridge.

This is a great campground for families wanting to chill at a great sandy beach enjoy some boating and water sports and find close camping to Lethbridge. It’s so close to the city you’ll be at camp in time for dinner!

Insider Tip: Bring bikes to commute between your campsite and the beach. A wagon can also be very useful if walking back and forth loaded down with sand toys and supplies for a few hours at the lake.

How you’ll entertain yourselves at camp:

Spend the day at the beach rent a boat or take your own canoe kayak or stand-up paddleboard out on the water.

You can enjoy a variety of watersports on the lake including water skiing wind surfing jet skiing or sailing.
Spend a few hours fishing from shore or out in a boat

6: Elbas Farms RV Park

Distance: 10-15 minutes from Lethbridge.

This easily accessed park is located just outside of Lethbridge and features over 16 full-service sites that allow you to camp virtually right out on the farm. These sites come with full hook-ups, including 30-amp power, water, and sewer. Unfortunately there are no tent sites here, but they’re great if you’re looking for RV campgrounds in Lethbridge, Alberta!

Insider Tip: If you’d prefer the quiet of the countryside rather than the hustle and bustle of town, but don’t want to trek too far, this is a great option for you and your family! There’s no traffic noise here.

How you’ll entertain yourself at camp:

Enjoy easy access to nearby accommodations
Enjoy guided tours of the farm
Chill out in the quiet of the countryside with free Wi-Fi Internet access
Take a day trip to check out the farm, as it’s not far from Lethbridge.

7: St. Mary Upper Campground

Distance: 45min-1hr from Lethbridge.

The St. Marry Upper Campground is nestled in St. Mary Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area, southwest of Lethbridge. It has gorgeous views of the southern Rockies and you can bring your RV here or a tent, depending on what you’re looking for!

Insider Tip: Bring your watercrafts with you to enjoy the easy access to the lake, whether that’s a surfboard, a sailboat, or your water skiis!

How you’ll entertain yourselves at camp:

Check out the various watersport activities, such as sailing, windsurfing, and water skiing.
Enjoy free access to the fire pits in each site.
Check out the beautiful views of the southern Rockies.
Enjoy sites that are suited both to RVs and tent, while almost every site has a lake view.
Take a short hike on the nearby interpretive loop trail.

8: Bridgeview RV Resort

Distance: 10 minutes from Lethbridge.

Nestled virtually within the city, this campground in Lethbridge doesn’t make you travel far for good times. This is a year-round resort, so you can come visit at any time, and its located near the banks of the Oldman River. This resort is definitely the most family friendly option of all the campgrounds listed here, so be sure to bring the kids along! It’ll be close to home while also making you feel like you’re out in the woods with their Wilderness Area.

Insider Tip: Bring your dog along to this resort, as Bridgeview RV Resort is pet-friendly! You’ll have to ensure your dog is well-mannered and leashed, of course, but why should Fido miss out on the fun?

How you’ll entertain yourself at camp:

Take part in the community-feel that’s nestled here in the river valley.
Have easy access to go into the city as you please, since it’s only 2 minutes from downtown.
Access to free fire pits at every site.
Enjoy the access of nearby attractions and activities in Lethbridge.
Have access to Wi-Fi Internet.

9: Park Lake Campground

Distance: 15-20 minutes from Lethbridge.

Park Lake Campground is one of those campgrounds in Lethbridge that tends to fall a little under the radar. It’s got nice sites that are condensed for ideal privacy, but they aren’t huge. The nearby concession stand has ice cream for you and the family to enjoy.

Insider Tip: Bring your kayak along for this one, as there’s a great lake you can enjoy that has spectacular sunrises and sunsets!

How you’ll entertain yourself at camp:

While there’s no showers at this campground, it’s not far from Lethbridge, making for a good day-trip for locals.
Enjoy access to the awesome nearby beach.
Enjoy well-tree sites that you can spread out in and make yourself feel comfortable.
If you’re a geocacher, there’s a few here you can check out by yourself.
Enjoy its close proximity to Lethbridge, where you can enjoy other attractions.

10: Stafford Lake Park

Distance: 30 min from Lethbridge.

Only a half-hour drive away from Lethbridge, Stafford Lake Park is a resort that is accessible from 10am-10pm daily. You can enjoy concessions in the weekends during June, and campsites are extremely affordable! This camp also has tons of different festivals, shows, and activities during the summer months, like the Lake Shred Fest, Country Music Concert, and so much more.

Insider Tip: Make sure not to forget your $10.00 to access the camp. Next to some campgrounds in Lethbridge, Stafford Lake Park is extremely affordable and has clearly been well-maintained by its diligent owners!

How you’ll entertain yourself at camp:

Enjoy the various shows and festivals that take place in the summer months.
Bring your boat or watercrafts as there’s superbly easy access to the lake.
Stretch out in the sand and enjoy the sun.
Check out the recreational area and join in on a volleyball game, go bike riding, try paddle boarding out, or play basketball.
Bring your fishing gear and go catch a big one!

Hopefully, this list of Lethbridge camping sites has given you some inclination of where to go on your next adventure! Have fun.