Camping & Hiking · Alberta
A small hike-in backcountry campground off the Heart Creek trail in Alberta's Bow Valley, good for first-timers, with bear lockers, a shared fire circle, supplied firewood and pit toilets.
Quaite Valley Backcountry Campground is a hike-in site reached from the Heart Creek trailhead, about 5 km in over rolling terrain with a scenic uphill finish. Several campers say it is an ideal first backcountry trip, and the walk can be shortened by starting where the service road begins. There is also access from the highway, but you park there at your own risk.
Sites are described as clean, well groomed and sheltered from the wind. There is a large shared fire circle with benches, several picnic tables, and firewood with an axe provided. Food goes in the bear lockers; there are only about eight, so expect to share on busy nights. Campers found that people generally followed bear safety.
Once set up, there are plenty of paths around the campground and more hikes of varying difficulty from there. It gets very quiet after dark, and on a clear, moonless night the stars are a highlight. It looks good in winter too.
Facilities are basic: a couple of pit toilets, so bring your own toilet paper, and a water source that must be filtered or boiled. Some people report highway noise, though others heard none. There is nowhere to swim.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 53 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Quaite Valley Backcountry Campground directly.
