Winter has a habit of clinging on here in the Rockies so here are the top five spring camping spots in the rockies. For anyone, who, like me, loves to get out camping as soon as the majority of snow is melted. These are typically lower elevation and maintained campgrounds. Some on this list are open year round, one is on public land and then some open earlier rather than later.
The joy of spring camping I find, is that so few others want to brave the mixed bag of weather you can almost guarantee when spring camping in the Rockies, so you end up with peaceful campsites almost to yourself!
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Top Five Spring Camping Spots In The Rockies
1.) Mt Kidd RV Park
Mount Kidd RV Park is open year round, making it a great spot for some spring camping. Unfortunately the tenting, no service loop, doesn’t open until early to mid May however the two loops which are accessible in the winter and shoulder seasons offer great views and easy access to the washrooms inside the visitor centre.
There are lots of incredible spots for spring hiking in Kananaskis which makes Mount Kidd an ideal spring camping spot in the Rockies. Head down to Peter Lougheed for some incredible winter views and a nice hike to Rawson Lake.
2.) Mclean creek
McLean creek campground is also open year round. They plough out the loops and spots which are open. I will say Mclean creek is geared up for OHV’s, when we camped here, we stayed in the power loop because the sites offered more privacy and the OHVs seemed to all be in the other loop.
There is a nice easy campground trail that can be done, and outside of the campground there are hiking and biking trails in nearby Bragg Creek or head down into the Elebow Valley and check out Elbow Falls. To get the blood pumping head up Prairie Mountain for a great spring hike with gorgeous views.
3.) Bow River
The Bow River campground is one of the first front country campgrounds to open for summer. It typically opens mid April, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to get out for some spring camping.
It isn’t the most remote spot ever, but just off the highway, there are some sites which back up to the highway itself, but many have waterfront views looking out over the Bow River. The great thing about this spot is, you are only a ten minute drive to Canmore, meaning if the weather does turn, you aren’t far from civilization and a warm meal.
There are lots of hiking opportunities nearby including popular spots like Grotto Canyon, the Heart Creek Bunker and for those wanting more of a sweat, Ha Ling or Mount Lady MacDonald (closed in 2023) are short drives away.
4.) Abraham Lake
Due to the windy nature of Abraham Lake, camping near the lake typically becomes snow free quite early. It is possible to spring camp at many spots around Abraham Lake, just always remember that it isn’t a lake but a reservoir and therefore water levels can change massively with little notice. Preachers Point makes a great spot to set up camp and they have also installed outhouses in the area.
Wherever you decide to stay in the area, always practise leave no trace, in order to keep this area as beautiful as it is and allow continued access by campers. You will also need to purchase a Public Lands camping pass before heading out.
5.) Little Elbow
The road to the Little Elbow campground only opens on May 15th every year so camping here happens later in Spring. That being said, you can still get your fair share of crazy weather even in May at this campground. We often go in the first week it is open and have experienced hot sunshine and insane snow storms.
This campground is typically very quiet mid week when it first opens, so it is a perfect spot to relax and rest. There are also plenty of hiking opportunities in the valley such as Forget Me Not Ridge and Nihahi Ridge. Check trail reports before heading out as conditions can vary hugely at this early time.
What You’ll Need To Go Camping In Spring
Before heading out for spring camping, I’d suggest checking the weather, however regardless of what it suggests pack for any and all weather conditions!
While spring camping the temperatures tend to drop significantly over night, so focus on clothing layers for warm days and cold nights. Merino base layers make a great start as does a down jacket on top.
Sleep is important so through the shoulder seasons I still like to use my Mountain Hardwear Bishops Pass 0F bag, this bag is my absolute favourite, lofty and soft and perfect for chilly evenings.
I also enjoy wearing my North Face Thermoball slippers in camp whilst spring camping. These are comfortable with hard soles, perfect for keeping your feet toasty while relaxing, without having to wear bulky hiking boots.
At the same time, it is also useful to pack sunscreen and a sun hat because during the day, you may need these, while a toque may be more necessary once the sunsets.
Check out my cold weather camping essentials list but also remember it may be warm during the day. So pack for all outcomes to have the best time spring camping!