Are you itching to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and dive into nature but can’t quite give up the comforts of your cozy bed and a warm shower? Well, you’re in luck! We bring you a list of top spots for glamping in Alberta. So pack your bags, grab some marshmallows, and get ready to explore the best of both worlds in the heart of Canada’s stunning wilderness!
What is Glamping?
Glamping, a blend of ‘glamorous’ and ‘camping’, is all about experiencing the great outdoors without sacrificing comfort. It combines the adventure of camping with the amenities usually associated with luxury hotels. This means you can enjoy the serenity of nature while still having access to comfortable beds, electricity, and often even heating and air conditioning. It’s the perfect solution for those who love the idea of camping but prefer the comforts of home.
What Should You Bring for Glamping in Alberta?
While each glamping site may offer different amenities, there are a few essentials you should consider bringing to enhance your experience:
- Bedding and Pillows: Even if some sites provide these, you might prefer to bring your own for extra comfort.
- Lighting: Flashlights, lanterns, or headlamps are always good to have on hand, especially for navigating the site at night.
- Personal Items: Clothing suitable for the weather, toiletries, and indoor shoes or slippers.
- Safety Gear: Items like a whistle, first aid kit, sunscreen, and bug repellent can help ensure your safety outdoors.
- Cooking Supplies: Check with the site, but you might need to bring cooking equipment, food and drinks, and perhaps a cooler.
- Entertainment: Books, cards, binoculars, or other small items for entertainment can be great for relaxing evenings.
- Miscellaneous Gear: Matches or a lighter, rope, and a reusable water bottle are always handy.
- Trash Bags: Always good practice to bring trash bags to help leave the site as clean as you found it.
It’s a good idea to check with the specific glamping site beforehand to see what they provide and what they recommend bringing. Some sites are fully equipped with kitchen utensils and even offer extras like propane BBQs and fire pits, while others might require you to bring more of your own supplies.
Top Spots for Glamping in Alberta
Romantic Dome Retreat (Gatsby)
- Location: 200-acre family-owned Indigenous campground
Imagine unwinding in a riverside dome with wood stove heating, your own firepit, and solar lights. The Romantic Dome Retreat offers a serene off-grid experience away from the hustle and bustle of civilization. It’s a peaceful haven where you can truly relax and connect with nature.
Good Knights Entertainment (Three Hills)
- Location: Three Hills
Step back in time with a stay at Good Knights Entertainment, where the medieval era comes alive. This unique glamping spot features luxury, tented medieval glamping tents complete with wooden floors, beds, electric heaters, and even period costumes and warm cloaks for guests. It’s not just accommodation—it’s an unforgettable immersive experience!
The Lodge at Métis Crossing (Smoky Lake)
- Location: Smoky Lake
For those who love the stars, The Lodge at Métis Crossing offers amazing sky-watching domes with transparent ceilings. Equipped with all the modern comforts like king-sized beds, running water, and heated floors, these domes also provide a cultural twist by teaching guests about how the Métis used the stars for navigation.
Glamping Resorts Ltd (Castle Provincial Park)
- Location: Castle Provincial Park
Nestled close to trails and lakes, Glamping Resorts Ltd offers a variety of accommodation options including canvas cabins and luxury domes. With amenities like mattresses, bedding, towels, and cooking utensils, this spot ensures your outdoor experience is as comfortable as possible.
Sundance by Basecamp (Kananaskis Country)
- Location: Kananaskis Country
For those who enjoy rustic settings, Sundance by Basecamp offers both canvas tipis and trapper’s tents. The Riverside Trapper’s Tents are equipped with essentials like wood-frame beds and a small kerosene heater, offering a perfect balance of roughing it and comfort.
Elk Island Retreat (Fort Saskatchewan)
- Location: Near Edmonton
Elk Island Retreat features a variety of options including yurts, cabins, and geodomes. The geodomes, particularly, offer luxurious amenities like gas fireplaces and air conditioning, making it a comfortable year-round escape just outside the city.
Aspen Crossing (Mossleigh)
- Location: Mossleigh
For a truly unique glamping experience, consider staying in a caboose cabin at Aspen Crossing. Surrounded by nature, these cabins offer modern amenities along with the charm of staying in a converted train caboose. Enjoy your private deck by morning or a marshmallow roast by night.
Glamp Good (Wetaskiwin County)
- Location: Near Pigeon Lake
Luxury meets nature at Glamp Good, where plush bedding and panoramic windows offer views of the Boreal forest. The custom wood-burning steam sauna and star constellation projector lamps add a touch of extravagance to your stay.
Refuge Bay Luxury Camping (Lac Ste. Anne County)
- Location: Lac Ste. Anne County
Experience luxury in the wilderness at Refuge Bay Luxury Camping. Stay in a state-of-the-art geodesic dome or a luxurious off-grid tiny home, complete with a private lake view, wood-fired sauna, and hot tub.
OTENTiks (Jasper, Banff, and Elk Island National Parks)
- Location: Various National Parks
Offered by Parks Canada, oTENTiks are a cross between a tent and a cabin, equipped with furniture, a fire pit, and a deck. They are perfect for those who want a hassle-free camping experience in some of Alberta’s most famous national parks.
FAQs About Glamping in Alberta
Where to Go Glamping in Alberta?
Alberta offers a variety of fantastic glamping locations catering to different preferences and styles. Some notable spots include:
- The Lodge at Métis Crossing in Smoky Lake: Known for its sky-watching domes with transparent ceilings.
- Glamping Resorts Ltd in Castle Provincial Park: Offers a mix of canvas cabins and glamping domes right near hiking trails and lakes.
- Aspen Crossing in Mossleigh: Unique for its caboose cabins that provide a quirky and memorable stay.
- Elk Island Retreat near Edmonton: Features geodomes and yurts with modern amenities like gas fireplaces and air conditioning.
- Sundance by Basecamp in Kananaskis Country: Offers a range of rustic and luxury tents with stunning mountain views.
What is the Most Popular Glamping Alberta Accommodation?
The most popular glamping accommodations often include luxury tents, yurts, and domes. Among these, geodesic domes are particularly popular due to their unique structure and the ability to offer features like transparent ceilings for stargazing, which aligns perfectly with the natural settings found in Alberta. These domes provide a spacious and immersive nature experience while ensuring comfort through amenities like beds, heating, and sometimes even kitchenettes.
Where Can I Camp for Free in Alberta?
Free camping, often referred to as “wild camping” or “boondocking,” is available in Alberta, primarily on crown land and in national forests. Some areas where you can camp for free include:
- Ghost Public Land Use Zone (PLUZ) near Calgary, which offers vast areas suitable for free camping.
- Random Camping in Alberta’s Provincial Forests, where no development or facilities exist, and camping is allowed almost anywhere unless otherwise posted.
- Always ensure to check local regulations and practice “Leave No Trace” camping to preserve the natural environment.
Is Glamping in Alberta Expensive?
Prices range from relatively affordable options around CAD 50 per night for simpler sites to luxury setups that cost several hundred dollars per night. Factors influencing the price include the level of luxury, the season, and additional services offered. Generally, glamping is more expensive than traditional camping due to the added comforts and amenities. Still, it is often more affordable than a hotel stay, particularly considering its unique experiences and settings.
Now that you know about some of the top spots for glamping in Alberta, it’s time to pack your bags (don’t forget your marshmallows) and head out for an unforgettable adventure in nature during the upcoming holidays in Alberta. Whether you’re looking for a luxurious stay under the stars or a cozy tent with historical flair, Alberta has something to offer every type of glamper. Happy glamping!
