Get Ready For Camping in the Athabasca Region
Spring is here, so it’s time to start planning your camping trips for 2024! If you’re looking to experience a Boreal getaway, take a look at the Athabasca Region!
The Athabasca Region is rich in camping opportunities for all tastes and skill sets. From fully serviced provincial campgrounds to RV parks to backcountry wilderness, you will find a special place to camp! There are more campgrounds than there are weekends in the summer!
Most camping opportunities now have online booking, so click the provided links to secure your spot. Most Athabasca Region campgrounds are open until the end of September, so take advantage of the amazing fall colours and generally mild weather.
When camping in the Athabasca Region, be sure to note weather conditions and fire bans and always have bear smart food storage. If you are using a watercraft, please clean it before and after use to prevent the spread of invasive species. If you use an ATV remember to keep your wheels out of water and stay on designated trails.
Long Lake Provincial Park
Provincial Campgrounds
Provincial campgrounds in the Athabasca region vary in size and amenities. All have lake access, except Poacher’s Landing, which provides access to the Athabasca River. While most have water available, please bring potable drinking water. Some sites sell firewood.
The Region’s provincial parks are from 1.75 to 2.5 hours from Edmonton and 2.5 to 3 hours from Ft. McMurray.
- 35 minutes to Athabasca
- Excellent opportunities for watercraft and fishing
- Firewood for sale
Chain Lakes Provincial Recreation Area
- First Come, First Serve (No advanced booking)
- Unserviced sites with tables and firepits
- Great for watercraft, fishing and hanging out on the sandy beach
- 40 minutes to Athabasca
- Great hiking and wildlife observation
- Showers and flush toilets
- Sani dump for registered campers
Lawrence Lake Provincial Recreation Area
- 30 minutes to Athabasca
- Fishing, watercraft and bird watching
- Easy access from Hwy 2
- 15 minutes to Boyle
- Many amenities including a concession, firewood for sale, flush toilets and showers
- Great for watercraft and has a trail system that connects with the White Earth Valley Natural Area
North Buck Lake Provincial Park
- 20 minutes to Boyle
- Amenities include a beach, bike trails, a playground and firewood for sale
- Excellent opportunities for watersports, fishing and birdwatching
Poacher’s Landing Provincial Recreation Area
- 40 minutes to Athabasca and 40 minutes to Boyle
- Boat launch into the Athabasca River and connected to the LaBiche River Wildland
- Trails for hiking, ATVs and horses, unserviced lots and first come/first serve
 |
 |
 |
Jackfish Lake Campground
Athabasca County Campgrounds
Athabasca County manages 9 campgrounds throughout the region. Set in the Boreal forest, all are on lakes and have access to the water. Some are as small as 3 campsites with basic amenities, while Forfar Recreation Park has 72 sites and more amenities. All County sites can be reserved online. Firewood is available at some sites, and others close by. Get supplies in Boyle or Athabasca, and take in one of the many events happening throughout the spring, summer and fall camping seasons.
There are seasonal sites available at Hope Lake and Forfar Recreational Area. Fill out an application before Jan 31st of the upcoming camping year and pay a non-refundable $50 fee to apply. You can find more information and the application at the County website: athabascacounty.com/seasonal-camping
Athabasca County campgrounds are around 2 to 2.5 hours from Edmonton and 3 to 3.5 hours from Ft. McMurray.
- 15 minutes to Athabasca
- Tent sites only
- Day-use area, playground, pier and boat launch
- 30 minutes to Athabasca
- Group camping and ATV storage
- Beach, swimming area, hiking trails and boat launch
- 25 minutes to Athabasca
- Boat launch for small boats only
- Great fishing with a fish cleaning station
- 25 minutes to Boyle
- Park office, firewood, ATV compound and cookhouse
- Excellent for hiking, fishing and swimming
- 25 minutes to Athabasca
- Good fishing with a fish cleaning station
- Birdwatching station and watersports
- 25 minutes to Athabasca
- good fishing and fish cleaning station
- Day-use area with beaches and swimming
- 25 minutes to Athabasca
- Only 3 sites, with a boat launch for small boats
- Fishing, watersports and hiking trails
- 30 minutes to Athabasca
- Great fishing, with a boat launch for small boats
- Day-use area and pier
- 25 minutes to Boyle
- Boat launch for small boats only
- Great bird and wildlife watching on the birdwatching platform
River Meadows RV Park
Private Campgrounds and RV Parks
Mostly catering to seasonal RV campers, the Athabasca Region has several private campgrounds. Some are adjacent to other recreational offerings including golf, disc golf (fling and footgolf, too), hiking, water access, and more. Some of these private operators offer online booking on their websites. Be sure to check the links for more information and rates.
- 15 minutes east of Athabasca and 20 minutes to Boyle
- Adjacent to a forested area with trails
- Across the highway from the Amber Valley Cultural Centre
- Managed by Blueberry Hill RV Park
- Great for groups
- Across the highway from Athabasca Golf & Country Club
- 10 minutes to Athabasca
- Seasonal RV park with some nightly camping
- Adjacent to Athabasca Golf & Country Club
- Located right in the Village of Boyle
- Close to the ball diamonds and historical walking trails
- Close to Boyle, on Chump Lake
- Beach and day-use area
Corrigal Lake (Round Lake) Campground
- Close to Wandering River
- Limited amenities
- Access to lake for small watercraft
- Close to Wandering River
- Full-service RV park
- 15 minutes to Grassland
- Sites have power, water and sewer and WiFi is free
 |
|
Left – Rocky Lane Fairways & Recreation | Right – Riverbank Golf & RV Park
- 45 minutes to Athabasca
- Serviced seasonal campground
- 5 minutes to Wandering River
- Mostly seasonal sites, but do have overflow sites
- 9 Hole scenic golf course
- 15 minutes to Athabasca
- Hiking trails and access to the Athabasca River
- Location of the Kapâwinihk Wilderness Triathlon
Rocky Lane Fairways & Recreation
- 10 minutes to Athabasca
- Unserviced sites with firepits and picnic tables; firewood available
- The golf course includes traditional golf, disc golf, fling golf and soccer golf
- 10 minutes to Boyle
- Close to Skeleton Lake Golf and Country Club and water access to Skeleton Lake
- Has a pool, restaurant, store and more
South Baptiste Cabins, RV & Camping
- 15 minutes to Athabasca
- Fully serviced campsites and shower/laundry facilities
- Close to quadding trails and Baptiste Lake water access
Back Country Camping/Wilderness Areas
If you’re looking for your next great adventure, check out the backcountry camping in the Athabasca Regions wilderness areas! Experience the boreal forest up close and personal in some untouched forest areas.
These areas have limited amenities and are set in boreal forest areas including wetlands, small lakes and wildlife. Some areas may have limited cell coverage. Use caution during hunting and fire seasons. Many trails are ATV-friendly, but please stay on the provided trails to preserve our amazing forested areas.
George’s Point Walk-in/Boat-in Tenting
- Located at Cross Lake Provincial Park
- Hike the trail (7 km, check for conditions) or use your watercraft to cross the lake
- Has some amenities like picnic tables, fire pits and toilets.
- Random backcountry camping
- ATV trails
- Access from Poacher’s Landing
- Undisturbed Boreal forest setting; random backcountry camping
- Good for horseback riding, ATV
- Random backcountry camping
- The access road can have seasonally poor conditions
- Part of the Trans Canada Trail
- The staging area is 25 minutes north of Athabasca
- Has some informal campsites with toilet facilities
Blueberry Hill RV Park
More Info
Sani-Dumps
Blueberry Hill, Forfar, Long Lake Provincial Park and Cross Lake Provincial Park have sani-dumps. Most private and provincial sites are for guest use only. Contact your host for details.
Public access:
Fishing Licences
Fire Bans
Please check here for current fire ban alerts.
Purchase Firewood
You can purchase firewood in multiple places in the County or Athabasca. Click here for listings. Many local gas stations and hardware stores sell bundled firewood.
Enjoy Your Trip
Whether you choose to RV or hike into the wilderness, you’ll experience the Boreal forest, lakes, rivers, wildlife and people of the region at their finest! You’ll want to return for your next camping getaway, and bring your friends too!
To make sure you enjoy your trip to the maximum, be sure to bring appropriate gear and supplies, make a plan and plan to have fun. If you have any questions about camping in the Athabasca Region, email ted@athabascacounty.com
Share your Athabasca Region camping experience on social media using the hashtags #LiveLifeOutside and #VisitTheAthabascaRegion.