Location: Nordegg & the Foothills

  • Saunders Campground

    Saunders Campground

    A tiny campground on the shores of the North Saskatchewan River.

    Above: The North Saskatchewan River near Saunders

    This feels like a throwback to the era of the Alberta Forestry Services and the days when few people visited the region.

    This small campground (only 9 sites) is a great ending or starting point for those paddling the North Saskatchewan River, either from the Forestry Trunk Road or to Rocky Mountain House.

    The rail trail and the Taunton trestle bridge are nearby but OHVs are not permitted in the campground. Most people random camp in the area closer to the old mining town of Saunders, between this campground and the highway, instead of staying at the campground itself.

    At a Glance

    • Season: May to October
    • Rates: $24 per unit per night
    • Number of sites: 9 unserviced sites
    • Amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, toilets, garbage bins
    • Campground host: No
    • Reservations: First come first served, cash only, self-registration
    • Operator: Westward Bound Campgrounds
    • Website: albertaparks.ca
    Above: The boat launch at Saunders

    Join Us On A Guided Tour

    Our scenic floats and guided hikes are the perfect match for your camping adventure.

    Nearby Services

    Nordegg is 25 minutes away where you’ll find gas stations, basic supplies, restaurants and shops. An RV sani-dump is available at the Nordegg Lodge.

    Rocky Mountain House is 45 minutes away where you’ll find all services.

    Getting Here

    The campground is located in Saunders Provincial Recreation area, 22 km east of Nordegg on Hwy. 11 and 8 km south on an access road.

    Get directions

  • Bighorn Dam Rustic Camping Area

    Bighorn Dam Rustic Camping Area

    One of the busiest camping spots along Abraham Lake and the only one allowing OHVs with direct connections to the trail system.

    Above: The North Saskatchewan River below the dam

    This popular camping spot has undergone a lot of changes over the past two years as the province upgraded roads, added toilets and created a new staging area for OHVs.

    We’ll be updating this guide in the coming weeks now that construction is wrapping up.

    At a Glance

    Above: OHV at the Bighorn Dam
    Above: The Bighorn Dam
    Above: Views of Abraham Lake

    Join Us On A Guided Tour

    All our scenic float tours start within a short 30-minute drive from this camping area while our Coral Creek Canyon and Whitegoat Falls guided hikes are less than 20 minutes away.

    Explore the Region From The Bighorn Dam

    The meeting locations for tours offered by Rockies Heli Canada, McKenzie’s Trails West, Banff Canyoning and Girth Hitch Guiding are less than 25 minutes away along the David Thompson Highway.

    Nearby Services

    You’ll find a restaurant, gas station, basic supplies and gift shops at David Thompson Resort, 20 minutes away.

    Nordegg is only 25 minutes away where you’ll find gas stations, basic supplies, restaurants and shops. An RV sani-dump is available at the Nordegg Lodge.

    Getting Here

    The camping area is located 28 km west of Nordegg on Highway 11 and Range Road 170A.

    Get directions

  • Aylmer Group Campground

    Aylmer Group Campground

    A group campsite along the Forestry Trunk Road with great views of the North Saskatchewan River in the foothills.

    Above: The bridge over the North Saskatchewan River

    This small group campground is across the river from a popular random camping area on the Forestry Trunk Road along the North Saskatchewan River.

    It is a popular launch point for people looking to paddle the North Saskatchewan River from Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House, a trip typically done in 3 days.

    At a Glance

    • Season: May to October
    • Rates: $160 for the first 5 units, plus $20.00 per additional unit, per night
    • Number of sites: 5 unserviced sites
    • Amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, toilets, garbage bins
    • Campground host: No
    • Reservations: Required
    • Operator: Westward Bound Campgrounds
    • Website: albertaparks.ca
    Above: A popular starting point for people looking to paddle from Nordegg to Rocky Mountain House

    Join Us On A Guided Tour

    Our scenic floats and guided hikes are the perfect match for your camping adventure.

    Nearby Services

    Nordegg is 20 minutes away where you’ll find gas stations, basic supplies, restaurants and shops. An RV sani-dump is available at the Nordegg Lodge.

    Getting Here

    The campground is located in Aylmer Provincial Recreation Area, 11 km south of Nordegg on the Forestry Trunk Road (Highway 734).

    Get directions

  • Harlech Campground

    Harlech Campground

    A small highway-side campground along Shunda Creek.

    Above: The kitchen shelter at Harlech

    Harlech is a small highway-side campground, reminiscent of the era when the Alberta Forestry Services operated most of the campsites in the region.

    It may not be a destination for most but it does provide quick access to the rail trail and other OHV trails nearby, although your OHV must stay on a trailer while in the campground (except for the staging area).

    It’s also a good option for those looking to fish in Shunda Creek or the nearby stocked trout pond.

    There is a kitchen shelter available here, making it a good option for rainy days. Keep in mind that this campground is located near the Stolberg Gas Plant and the noises and flaring can be noticeable.

    At a Glance

    • Season: May to October
    • Rates: $24 per unit per night
    • Number of sites: 17 unserviced sites
    • Amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, toilets, garbage bins
    • Campground host: No
    • Reservations: First come first served, cash only, self-registration
    • Operator: Westward Bound Campgrounds
    • Website: albertaparks.ca
    Above: The sites, except for a few for larger RVs, are all well in the forest

    Join Us On A Guided Tour

    Our scenic floats and guided hikes are the perfect match for your camping adventure.

    Nearby Services

    Nordegg is only 10 minutes away where you’ll find gas stations, basic supplies, restaurants and shops. An RV sani-dump is available at the Nordegg Lodge.

    Rocky Mountain House is 45 minutes away where you’ll find all services.

    Getting Here

    The campground is found in Harlech Provincial Recreation Area, 13 km east of Nordegg on Highway 11. 

    Get directions

  • Crescent Falls Winter Hike

    The region’s most popular frozen waterfalls

    This area will be closed until summer 2024. We will update this guide once the upgrades to the site are completed.

  • Bighorn Backcountry

    Bighorn Backcountry

    Explore the region’s public lands

    The Bighorn Backcountry is more than 5,000 square kilometres of public lands east of the mountain national parks, covering most of our region.

    Most of our region falls under what is known as public land use zones, aka PLUZ. These zones are different than what we usually refer to as crown-land, based mostly on how they are managed by Alberta Environment.

    The Bighorn Backcountry is divided into six PLUZ, with four of them covering most of our region:

    • Blackstone Wapiabi
    • Job/Cline
    • Kiska/Wilson
    • Upper Clearwater/Ram

    Each of the PLUZ has a slightly different set of rules when it comes to recreation with some allowing motorized activities where other areas are primarily opened to activities like hiking, snowshoeing and paddling.

    You can find out more about recreation in the PLUZ on the Government of Alberta website.

  • Alberta Parks – David Thompson Country

    Alberta Parks – David Thompson Country

    Explore the Region’s Provincial Parks

    Discover the area’s rich history, rugged landscapes and opportunities to get away from the crowds.

    Alberta Parks manages a series of protected areas throughout the region, covering a wide range of ecosystems and recreation opportunities.

    These include popular campgrounds like Fish Lake, recreation areas like Crescent Falls and remote areas like the Whitegoat Wilderness Area.

    Locations within our region include:

    Find out more about all the locations managed by Alberta Parks within David Thompson Country.

  • Crescent Falls Campground

    Crescent Falls Campground

    A secluded campground along the Bighorn River, next to the popular Crescent Falls.

    Above: Crescent Falls during the spring runoff

    Please be advised that Alberta Parks has closed the Crescent Falls Provincial Recreation Area to support construction activities until further notice.

    We’ll update this guide once the area reopens.

    At a Glance

    • Season: May to October
    • Rates: $28 per unit per night
    • Number of sites: 34 unserviced sites
    • Amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, toilets, garbage bins, firewood for sale ($10 per bundle)
    • Campground host: Yes
    • Reservations: First come first served, cash only, self-registration
    • Operator: Westward Bound Campgrounds
    • Website: albertaparks.ca
    Above: The falls in late summer and during spring runoff
    Above: Crescent Falls from the viewpoint near the parking lot

    Join Us On A Guided Tour

    Our guided hike to Coliseum Mountain is only 20 minutes from the Crescent Falls Campground while our Coral Creek Canyon and Whitegoat Falls guided hikes are less than 30 minutes away.

    Our scenic float tours on the North Saskatchewan River between the Icefields Parkway and Abraham Lake make the perfect day trip to the mountains from Crescent Falls.

    Explore the Region From Crescent Falls

    The meeting locations for tours offered by Rockies Heli Canada, McKenzie’s Trails West, Banff Canyoning and Girth Hitch Guiding are less than 30 minutes away as you head west on the David Thompson Highway.

    Hiking trails like Coliseum Mountain, Vision Quest and Allstones Lake are all within a short drive.

    Nearby Services

    Nordegg is only 20 minutes away where you’ll find gas stations, basic supplies, restaurants and shops. An RV sani-dump is available at the Nordegg Lodge.

    Getting Here

    The campground is located 22 km west of Nordegg along highway 11 and 6 km north on a gravel road. 

    Get directions

  • Fish Lake Campground

    Fish Lake Campground

    One of the region’s largest campgrounds, set on the shores of Shunda Lake and a short distance from Nordegg.

    Above: Paddling on Shunda Lake at Fish Lake Campground

    The campground is located in the forest along the lake and offers a wide range of sites for RVs and tents. You’ll also find the Bear Essentials Store in loop 3 with a little bit of everything, from treats to RV and fishing supplies.

    It is also one of the only campgrounds in the region to have pull-through sites with power (20 amp) and a kitchen shelter in the day-use area.

    This campground is a great option whether you prefer to fish or paddle on the lake, head out for a hike, visit the Brazeau Collieries National Historic Site or relax by the campfire.

    It also makes for a great base camp for a longer visit to the region with Nordegg being only 10 minutes away with access to showers, laundry and other services.

    The group campsite can handle up to 30 units, with 13 of them having access to power. It’s located away from the main campground, making it the perfect location for family reunions and larger gatherings.

    At a Glance

    • Season: May to October
    • Rates: $28 per unit per night unserviced, $36 for sites with power
    • Number of sites: 80 unserviced sites, 24 with power (20 amp)
    • Group site: 30 units, including 13 with power
    • Amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, toilets, garbage bins, firewood for sale ($10 per bundle)
    • Campground host: Yes, including a small store
    • Reservations: Reservations are required
    • Operator: Westward Bound Campgrounds
    • Website: albertaparks.ca
    Above: Paddling on Shunda Lake

    Join Us On A Guided Tour

    Our guided hike to Coliseum Mountain is only 15 minutes from the Fish Lake Campground while our Coral Creek Canyon and Whitegoat Falls guided hikes are less than 30 minutes away.

    Our scenic float tours on the North Saskatchewan River between the Icefields Parkway and Abraham Lake make the perfect day trip to the mountains from Nordegg.

    Rent a Kayak

    Our inflatable kayaks make it easy to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on the lake. Each kayak includes a comfy fishing chair, paddle, pump and PFD. Reservations are required, find out more here

    Above: Our inflatable kayaks are available for rent in Nordegg for your next adventure

    Explore the Region From Fish Lake

    The meeting locations for tours offered by Rockies Heli Canada, McKenzie’s Trails West, Banff Canyoning and Girth Hitch Guiding are less than 25 minutes away as you head west on the David Thompson Highway.

    Hiking trails like Coliseum Mountain, Vision Quest and Allstones Lake are all within a short drive. The Firesmart biking trails can be accessed from the campground.

    Nearby Services

    Nordegg is only 10 minutes away where you’ll find gas stations, basic supplies, restaurants and shops. An RV sani-dump is available at the Nordegg Lodge.

    Getting Here

    Fish Lake Campground is located 7 km west of Nordegg along highway 11. Watch for the Fish Lake Provincial Recreation Area and Frontier Lodge signs. The campground is a short drive away on a well-maintained gravel access road.

    Get directions

  • Upper Shunda Creek Campground

    Upper Shunda Creek Campground

    The perfect basecamp to explore the east end of the region.

    Above: Catching the sunset over the Shunda Meadow from the Creekside Loop

    We enjoyed quite a few nights at this campground before we moved to Nordegg a few years ago. It’s a great location in town and offers nicely treed sites that we love.

    It’s a great option if you’re planning to explore the area, enjoy some of the nearby hikes (Baldy Fire Lookout, Coliseum Mountain and Eagle Mountain are all nearby), learn about the local history on one of the mine tours or relax by the campfire.

    It’s also one of the only campgrounds in the area that allows you to ride your quad or side by side from your campsite to the nearby trails.

    They have an RV trailer available for rent on-site as well if you’re looking to give camping a try.

    At a Glance

    • Season: May 1 to September 30
    • Rates: $23 to $28 per unit per night
    • Number of sites: 33 unserviced sites
    • Amenities: Picnic tables, fire pits, toilets, garbage bins, firewood for sale
    • Campground host: Yes, including a small store
    • Reservations: Reservations are recommended
    • Operator: Linda & Gordan Latter
    • Website: uppershundacampground.ca
    Above: All the sites in loop A & B offer lots of trees
    Above: Shunda Creek near the campground

    Join Us On A Guided Tour

    Our guided hike to Coliseum Mountain is only 5 minutes from the Upper Shunda Creek Campground while our Coral Creek Canyon and Whitegoat Falls guided hikes are less than 30 minutes away.

    Our scenic float tours on the North Saskatchewan River between the Icefields Parkway and Abraham Lake make the perfect day trip to the mountains from Nordegg.

    Rent a Kayak

    Our inflatable kayaks make it easy to enjoy a relaxing afternoon on nearby Fish Lake or Goldeye Lake. Each kayak includes a comfy fishing chair, paddle, pump and PFD. Reservations are required, find out more here

    Above: Our inflatable kayaks are available for rent in Nordegg for your next adventure

    Explore the Region From Upper Shunda Creek Campground

    The meeting locations for tours offered by Rockies Heli Canada, McKenzie’s Trails West, Banff Canyoning and Girth Hitch Guiding are less than 30 minutes away as you head west on the David Thompson Highway.

    Hiking trails like Coliseum Mountain, Vision Quest and Allstones Lake are all within a short drive. The Shunda Meadow trails can be accessed from the campground.

    Nearby Services

    This campground is in Nordegg where you’ll find gas stations, basic supplies, restaurants and shops. An RV sani-dump is available at the Nordegg Lodge.

    Getting Here

    The campground is located on the edge of the North Nordegg subdivision. From Highway 11, follow Shunda Creek Road for a short distance. Access to the campground is well-signed.

    Get directions

Call: (403) 986-6190
Email: bookings@nordeggadventures.ca

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