The bright beautiful sky is the limit when it comes to things to see and do in Alberta, but where to stay? Travel across Alberta in an RV and you can do it all — on your time and your terms — when you bring your own bed and the kitchen sink!

Top Ten Reasons to RV in Alberta

Need to persuade any members of your family to consider a roaming vacation? Here are the top 10 reasons why your next vacation should be in an RV across Alberta.

10. RVing is not just for summer travel. Consider a winter getaway in a winter-equipped trailer or motorhome.

9. Personalize your space and bring everything your family needs. (Plus, you’ll have space to bring back souvenirs!)

8. No matter what the day brings, your RV will keep you warm and dry at night.

7. You can stock your trailer with toys, games and everything you need to keep the kids happy and entertained.

6. Today’s modern RVs are for anything but roughing it. Slide-outs, microwaves, satellite TVs and air conditioners are just a few comforts of home that will make an extended mobile holiday enjoyable.

5. Don’t have your own RV? It’s actually pretty easy to rent a motorhome and they are readily available in Alberta.

4. An RV holiday is a very affordable way to travel. Campground fees are a fraction of hotel costs, plus by preparing and cooking your own meals, you can save tons of money.

3. There is no shortage of RV spots across the province. Alberta boasts 5 national parks, 72 provincial parks, and over 250 recreation areas and campgrounds. Reserve your spot with or without power, water and sewer.

2. Mobility gives you the opportunity to find something for everyone – festivals, outdoor adventures, beaches, shopping and more – all on the same day if you wish!

1. You can literally experience every corner of Alberta in an RV — and believe us when we tell you it’s worth it!

RV Holiday Ideas

Your Alberta RV holiday can be anything you want it to be! But if you would like just a few ideas to get you started, consider:

• Your quest to find your family’s favorite campground; depending on your family, you might enjoy wilderness camping and hiking in the Rockies, playing in the water and building sandcastles at one of Alberta’s many lakes, or fishing for lunch — and stories about the one that got away.
• A scenic drive that you’ll never forget; see below for some suggested routes.
• A refined holiday (RVing isn’t just about roughing it); many municipal campgrounds are on the edge of towns, close enough to museums and galleries.
• A golf tour – with over 280 spectacular courses across the province, you can establish your own Alberta tour 
• Festival frenzy– Albertans has dozens upon dozens of outdoor festivals and fairs across the province; summers are precious – we’ve created reasons to be outside enjoying them!
• Visiting Alberta’s historic sites – experience our rich heritage and culture at sites throughout the province.

Travel Routes

Whatever your Alberta RV vacation looks like, here are some favorite routes among visitors and Albertans alike:

• Cowboy Trail– A beautiful drive through ranch and Cowboy Country that stretches 694 km (434 miles) from the Crowsnest Highway in the south through Mayerthorpe, northwest of Edmonton. Drive a bit further south-west and you’ll reach Waterton Lakes National Park, with its stunning scenery, laid-back feel and beautiful campsites.
• Columbia Icefields Parkway– This 230 km parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper, flanked by majestic mountains, historic glaciers, waterfalls and opportunities to see wildlife, is arguably the most stunning drive in the province. More on Icefields Parkway …
• Dinosaur Trail– A relatively short trail in the Badlands around Drumheller, but one you absolutely must build into your itinerary; the Hoodoos simply have to be seen to be believed!
• David Thompson Parkway – Experience rugged wilderness, pristine lakes, waterfalls and a slower pace of life on this quiet highway between Red Deer and the Banff/Jasper Highway. More on the David Thompson Parkway in the Central Alberta region.

When travelling by RV, always check the Alberta road reports for traffic and weather-related news before you leave. And finally, a bit of advice from a novice RV- er: “Don’t forget to shut your cupboards before you drive!"

RVing in Alberta lets you truly experience this gorgeous province through your front window and your back door. Plan your trip and reserve your campsites soon!

Cindy Joly, My Destination Alberta
September 2011

Photos: RV on Icefields Parkway courtesy of Travel Alberta