Not sure if winter camping is for you? Try glamping in a fully stocked and insulated yurt at Miquelon Lake. The best part is that if you discover winter camping isn’t for you, you’re barely an hour away from home.
As one of the province’s most popular trout fishing spots, you can isolate your group in an ice fishing tent on Carson/McLeod lake (it’s divided by a “sea” wall) in Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park, then just sit back and listen for fishes.
You’ve almost certainly frolicked in and around Pigeon Lake in the summer, but have you ever seen it… covered in snow? The campground keeps 10 powered sites operating at reduced winter rates, so load up the RV with cross-country skis and fat-tire bikes and head out to your new favourite winter lake destination.
Nordegg is already a bit of a hidden wilderness gem. Head an hour south and you’ll find the even more secluded — and therefore more special — Peppers Lake campground.
The Lower Lake Group Use site at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is a large site for big groups. If any of your friends are hesitant to join, tell them about all the trails and activities they can do, and that they can escape to nearby Canmore if need be (or consider getting braver friends).
A bit farther north of the city, Lakeland Provincial Park has 11 bodies of water to snowshoe on and around, making it Alberta’s most aptly named provincial park, and a great place for scenic winter exercise.
