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With just 10 campsites nestled in a mountain forest setting, this public campground provides a close connection with nature. Tall spruce trees surround the campsites: the earlier sites 1 – 5 are more open with less privacy but better sun exposure and closer to Cedar Lake. Sites 6-10 are more secluded and deeper making them better for larger rigs.

The campground is open from May 1 to Oct 15 and costs $12 per night to camp. Outside these dates, the campground remains open and accessible and you can camp there for free. The website says it is closed outside these dates, but the signage at the campground does not, and there is no gate barring access. A local confirmed it is fine to camp there off-season. To get there, you drive 8 km up the mountain on a paved road Kicking Horse Pass. Turn left on Dog Tooth Road, a gravel road with some ruts and potholes but entirely passable and only about 2 km to the campground.

Cedar Lake itself is small but pretty with a day use area at the lake with parking, pit toilets and picnic tables. A trail runs along one side and there is a rope with a platform you can swing high over the water and jump in. There is an extensive network of super pretty trails in the area. Signage on the trails provides some guidance; you can also see the trails on Google Maps to help you find your way.

Cell signal was excellent at the campground. The campground has 2 pit toilet buildings but no dump station. There are 2 dump stations in the town of Golden. The one at the visitor centre is more accessible, right off Highway 1 but charges $7 by pay station and was already closed for the season when we were there in late October. The other dump station is located in town at the Golden Municipal Campground and is free! However this campground is open May 1 to Oct 31 – dump station is likely closed outside the operating season.

The town of Golden is gorgeous in a valley surrounded by the Rocky Mountains and with a river running throught it. A lovely network of urban trails follow the Kicking Horse River, including a gorgeous timber frame pedestrian bridge. The town has a library with free wifi, a brewery, restaurants, a cinema and a vibrant main strip. A business called Free Energy on Highway 1 near the A&W filled our 20lb propane tank for just $16 and had a small store with RV supplies.

Located just outside the town of Moosonim on the south side of the TransCanada highway with access from both directions. Dump station is freely accessible with no lock and no sign requesting payment. Located adjacent to the Tim Hortons. Overnight truck parking also at this location on dirt surface - it was quite dusty when we were there.

We called ahead and spoke with a manager to get permission to stay overnight. Security guards approached us shortly after store closing to ask us to leave but once we explained we had permission and gave the manager's name, they were fine with that.

The store Manager Allan came by the next day to let us know that RVers are welcome for overnight stays. The second day as well the director of operations for the complex came by and offered us an electric hookup behind an adjacent building which we gratefully accepted for the next couple nights as the overnight temps were low.

About 4kms south of the Cabela's is a nature preserve called FortWhyte Alive. There is an admission fee but you can access for free via free a bike path that leads to FortWhyte from the back corner of the condo complex adjacent to the Cabela's. The pathway is pet friendly at the north end but once you enter FortWhyte, no dogs are allowed. Great place to go cycling - they have a herd of Bison you can see from that trail.

About a 25 minute drive from hwy 101 on paved roads, this campground has 3 loops with approximately 8 sites per loop. Loop A is the first and closest loop to the entrance and was the only one open when we arrived in early November 2017. Loop B is the prettiest, with more spacious sites. Sites in loop C are clustered around a fenced grassy area which is presumably for horseback riding. Loops B and C are designated for equestrian campers.

Off loop C is a trail down a small embankment to a creek. Trail is short but pretty - worth a quick stroll. Campground is quiet even though it is not far from the road, we didn't notice any road noise.

We arrived in the evening. Around 9am a truck stopped out front out site and someone got out and checked our vehicle, presumably to confirm we had the Discover Pass, then drove on. Around 11:30am a couple people arrived on foot to check and clean up the site - we saw them just as we were leaving.

No garbage, dump, or water. 7 day camping limit is enforced by asking you to self-register your license plate at the iron ranger.

Gravel road leading to area is short but has fairly deep potholes so you need to go super slow. The footing in the camping area is a mix of gravel, dirt and sand. If you scope the area out carefully, it is possible to avoid the deeper sand in case you have a heavier rig or 2wd only that might get you stuck. Lots of room for multiple rigs and you can camp right next to the river with beautiful towering mountain peaks to the south.

The water is clear and quiet with direct access. I saw a beaver swimming lazily downstream while I stopped by for just a few minutes. The river is perfect for tubing – you can float down the river in an inflatable – just be sure to jump out at the campground before you reach the Million Dollar Falls. Don’t worry it won’t be difficult and you could even walk back. Definitely check the falls out while you are here!

Location is set back a bit but still near the road and part of it is within view of the bridge that goes over the river so there will be some road noise. No cell signal here. Great spot for a wild camp overnight on your way down to Haines from Haines Junction. Enjoy!

Dump station adjacent to rest area, accessible both before and after you drive through the rest area parking lot and possible to loop around to it a second time if needed. Water supply spigot beside dumping area only with sign warning water is unsafe to drink. No other water spigots at the rest area. Free and in a beautiful location!

Scenic free camping location about 35 minutes east of Strathmore and 30 minutes south of Drumheller. About 1 hour from Calgary!

Good cell signal on high ground but gets weaker down by the water.

We camped on the hill to the right of the main drive in. Footing is grass but with dirt patches. Dirt here turns to sticky mud with rain so choose your spot carefully if wet weather is in the forecast during your stay.

Friendly community of campers were staying for several months at the water's edge on the north side of the resevoir when I was there in Oct 2019. No stay limit currently at this location.

Possible to drive around and camp on the south side but the road gets sketchy after the turn around. Scout this first if you are unsure.

Some road noise from adjacent gravel road but traffic is very infrequent and mostly farm equipment.

Pit toilets and garbage dumpsters on site.

No water or sanidump. Free potable water is available at the municipal campground in Standard, about 15 minute drive south. Standard also has a dump for $5 but it was locked when I was there on Oct 4, 2019.

Right beside the main road just north of the municipal dumpsters. There is water for flushing only.

Very clean when I went. Opening is raised a couple inches off the concrete base.

City dump located beside hwy 97. Dedicated exit ramp on the right accessible when traveling northbound. If traveling southbound you will need to pass the dump and double back to access the off ramp. Very loud highway noise here.

Pay station accepts credit card for $10 fee. Gives you 1 minute to open the lid on the dump and 15 minutes to keep it open before an alarm will sound. Water hose at the dump for rinsing - sign specifically says non-potable. No potable fresh water fill here. Sign says there is free public WIFI there.

Note there is a free dump in Penticton at the petro canada gas station and a $5 dump at the Penticton Canadian Tire.

This sanidump station has 2 dumping bays that can be accessed from either direction with separate water fill. Pay station takes loonies and toonies - $5 needed to release the dump hatch.

Note dump station is closed and inaccessible behind a locked gate in the off-season. Open dates appear to be mid-march to Oct 31.