Camping & Hiking · Alberta
Carstairs Campground
A small, tidy town campground in Carstairs, Alberta with level 30-amp sites, clean washrooms and friendly hosts. Trains sound their horns through the night, and there's no water or sewer at the sites.
What visitors say
Carstairs Campground is a small municipal campground of roughly 25 to 28 sites, a short hop off Highway 2A between Calgary and Red Deer. Reviewers describe it as quiet, well kept and shaded by mature trees, with a big grassy field, a small playground, picnic benches and even a book exchange.
The hosts are the most-praised part of the place. Over many years, campers have described the managers as welcoming, flexible and willing to help late arrivals get settled. Sites are level and spacious with 30-amp power, and the washrooms and coin showers are regularly called spotless; a few recent visitors mention showers costing about a dollar for several minutes. Firewood is sold at a fair price, and there's a sani-dump and potable water tap on site that passing travellers can also use for a small fee.
It works best as an overnight stop or a quiet base close to Airdrie and Calgary. Food, a coffee shop and small stores are within walking distance, and one visitor mentioned a golf course nearby. A cyclist crossing Canada and several RVers heading to the mountains said it was a comfortable place to rest. One reviewer pointed out there isn't much to do beyond relaxing.
The trains are the recurring complaint. Tracks run close by, and recent reviewers say horns can wake you in the small hours; a newer fire station next door can add sirens. There are no water or sewer hookups at the sites, and recent visitors say it's first come, first served, with cash needed for fees and Canadian quarters for the showers. Bring earplugs, fill your tank on arrival and carry some cash.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 118 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Carstairs Campground directly.