Victoria Day weekend

[Veebyes]

Oh Dear, it looks like we should be in the highest demand CG are, Banff/Jasper right over that weekend. Due to later commitments there is not much leeway on dates Due to what is never known I am reluctant to make reservations.

How bad is it? We don't mind dry camping. Prefer the PPs actually but we are big so no reservation sites available are limited.

We got caught by a big Canadian holiday weekend before. You all go nuts over your camping. We really don't want to end up in a carpark again.

[Veebyes]

I'm thinking I should be pretty good with Lake Louise Trailer CG. They don't take reservations till into June so that would indicate that even the Victoria Day weekend is not full for them. In any case we will try to arrive early. Never had a problem with a nonreservable CG.

[Baxtersparents]

Here is a site I find quite helpful with picking out RV spots :

http://www.rvparkreviews.com/regions/Alberta/Banff_National_Park.html

[trigley]

Veebyes wrote:
Hmmmm, just as I was afraid of. We like peace & quiet but don't mind a circus every once in awhile. Even been known to be in the ring with the clowns. Weather is not much of a problem either. Been caught by a snowstorm before. Power would be nice. Water onsite not needed. We are fairly adaptable & prepared.

Will give Lake Louise Trailer CG a try. Any suggestions for a plan B not far either side of that one? Jasper is too far.

Within the National Parks with electrical & reservation. Tunnel Mountain in Banff.
Outside the parks a commercial campground in Canmore or Cochrane.
Kananaskis - Mount Kidd. Very Popular. Doubt you could get in now.
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Some in Elkwood & Boulton have power. Possibly too late.
Bow Valley Provincial Park. Not sure if any power and possibly too late.

[Veebyes]

Hmmmm, just as I was afraid of. We like peace & quiet but don't mind a circus every once in awhile. Even been known to be in the ring with the clowns. Weather is not much of a problem either. Been caught by a snowstorm before. Power would be nice. Water onsite not needed. We are fairly adaptable & prepared.

Will give Lake Louise Trailer CG a try. Any suggestions for a plan B not far either side of that one? Jasper is too far.

[n7bsn]

I'm glad some folk made the point about the weather, something folk "down south" really don't realize

May is NOT summer in that country.


We almost always go camping that weekend, in the mountains of Montana and Idaho we have seen snow on numerous trips, it was deeper and colder north of us.

Although we have have seen temps rising to near 90(F)

Along the same line, while Labor Day is often nice, I can recall a trip near Banff where it went below freezing very night, the only reason it didn't snow was because it was clear.

[jspence1]

Booking doesn't open until April 2 for most parks in Banff, I'm waiting myself to book.

[trigley]

For the Victoria Day Weekend in Western Ab you could have temperatures approaching 30C or you could have 0C with 1 or 2 feet of fresh snow.
If it is at all nice it will be the busiest and rowdiest of our long weekends. Most decent sized campgrounds work hard to keep control but it has been a long winter so expect some noise particularly in smaller unserviced areas.
If the weather is ugly there will be sites but an electrical outlet would probably be appreciated.
Either way a reserved serviced site in the National Parks would seem like the best alternative to me.

[96Brigadier]

Rvpapa wrote:
There are two unserviced C/Gs north of Lake Louise. First is Mosquito Creek, about 30 klicks. Second is Waterfowl, about another 50. Neither have reservations and are a bit far out for local traffic. I don't think they are real busy until mid June when the overseas traffic arrives.
Art.

Neither of these campgrounds are open in May. In fact, most campgrounds in Banff National Park do not open until June. Opening/closing dates found here:

http://www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/ab/banff/activ/camping.aspx

The May long weekend is the first big camping weekend in Alberta, if you don't have a reservation for the Provincial campgrounds already you'll have problems finding a place to stay.

Reservations for Banff open in the first week of April.

[loulou57]

I just did a quick search and there are .some other provincial parks around Banff available to book now. Enjoy your trip!

[Rvpapa]

There are two unserviced C/Gs north of Lake Louise. First is Mosquito Creek, about 30 klicks. Second is Waterfowl, about another 50. Neither have reservations and are a bit far out for local traffic. I don't think they are real busy until mid June when the overseas traffic arrives.
Art.

[loulou57]

Book now!!!!!! If you are going to a provincial park then go on their website now and see if you can book. In Ontario it is 5 months before. The date is may 19th. Take the $ loss if you can't make it, it will be a %.

Yes, we Canadians love camping and Victoria Day is one of the busiest if not the busiest.