2019 camping thread.

[speedog]

Top picture of mine above was taken in the Manyberries badlands - Google Maps link.

Dirt roads for sure and nothing around, certainly no tourists.

[schurchill39]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Spent the past week working in Elkwater in Cypress Hills Provincial Park. If you want somewhere to camp that isn't crazy busy, this would be a great choice. Now there's really nothing in the way of shopping like Banff offers, one gas station, two general stores (one which was still it's off season closure period) and three restaurant/cafes (one still off-season closed, a second one still operating on off-season hours).

What surprised me was the amount of campgrounds and camping spots in the park and especially right around Elkwater. Cell phone service is non-existent at the more remote campgrounds (Reesor, Spruce Coulee) but the roads are all paved to even the remote campgrounds and are in fantastic condition.

Its interesting that you found Elkwater not that busy. I guess things have changed drastically since I was a teenager living in Medicine Hat. Most of the locals would avoid it over may long like the plauge. It was always ridiculously busy, and overun with partying kids from all the highschools (of which I was one of those idiots for a few years). Liquor bans, and more CO's than you could shake a stick at really make that place not fun over may long. I know I wouldn't want to be anywhere near the hundreds of teenagers and loser drunk 40 year olds that were out there now that I am an adult with a family.

That being said, off of long weekends it was always great. But with it being such a short drive from the Hat it was usually packed any long weekend.

EDIT: We used to do day trips to the Manyberries area and Red Rock Coulee all the time as kids and I completely agree with you, its an incredible place.

[ExtraSlow]

Well, Long weekends are a special case, and frankly, that isn't at least 1 hour on gravel and 3+ hours from a city is going to be awful. Regular summertime weekends or weekdays aren't so bad in Elkwater.

[speedog]

I was in Elkwater Monday-Friday and it's still considered the off season when I was there, can only comment on what I saw.

- - - Updated - - -

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Well, Long weekends are a special case, and frankly, that isn't at least 1 hour on gravel and 3+ hours from a city is going to be awful. Regular summertime weekends or weekdays aren't so bad in Elkwater.

I believe any campground there is now accessed via pavement.

[ExtraSlow]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I believe any campground there is now accessed via pavement.

I think that's correct

[BavarianBeast]

Just out of curiosity - buy why doesnt it seem like very many people in this forum utilize crown land?

[Tik-Tok]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Just out of curiosity - buy why doesnt it seem like very many people in this forum utilize crown land?

Shhhhut uuupp

[KPHMPH]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Just out of curiosity - buy why doesnt it seem like very many people in this forum utilize crown land?

Constant quiet power, unlimited running water, hot forever daily showers, sewer...the list goes on.

[BavarianBeast]

Hmm, I’ll take my private spot over those amenities!

[ExtraSlow]

Lots of us have used crown land, and it has some advantages, but some disadvantages. Honestly, my biggest problem with it is the people I meet out there and how disrespectful they are to the land. Garbage everywhere. Cutting down live trees to burn in huge smoky fires. ATVs and dirt bikes at all hours, and open frame generators.

Nearby provincial campgrounds have been a much better experience. But maybe I've been unlucky?

I will say I've never been to a campground with a sewer hookup that was a pleasant experience either.

My Goldilocks kind of experience is small rustic campgrounds out in the boonies like Dutch creek and Livingston falls.

[Thaco]

i dont typically go to crown land because there's no guarantees and some of the camping areas are unpredictable, you never know if you're gonna get a spot, and if you do, you don't know if you're gonna get stuck trying to get in or out.

[killramos]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Constant quiet power, unlimited running water, hot forever daily showers, sewer...the list goes on.

Yea I don’t need to leave the city for those things...

[Thaco]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Yea I don’t need to leave the city for those things...

you also dont need to be without them when you do leave the city... different people camp differently, as long as you're enjoying yourself and it doesn't impact other people., who cares how others do it?

[Brent.ff]

I grew up camping on crown land, but was pretty well chased from the north livingstone, all the way south and then all the way up to above the oldman river falls by OHVers and people that leave their trailers in place for the entire season. I’ll take the campground fees to get away from OHVs alone..

Might give the livingstone a try this year with the new PLUZ, see if it’s any better. Last time I was there it was still hillbilly central and it hurt my soul having seen it when it was pretty much left alone

[stealth]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

Just out of curiosity - buy why doesnt it seem like very many people in this forum utilize crown land?

All I use is crown land. We take ATVs and guns and all camp grounds don't allow both lol.

I have a generator. I have unlimited water if I am by a stream/river (water filtration system for showering) and lots of potable water I bring with me. I have a sewer, its called a extra long hose in the middle of the bush.

We pack out all of our garbage that we bring in. Some places have been horrible for shotgun shells being left over and beer cans.

[Brent.ff]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I have a sewer, its called a extra long hose in the middle of the bush.

Annnnd this is what's wrong with a lot of the random camping mentality

[spike98]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

I have a sewer, its called a extra long hose in the middle of the bush.

I was with you until this dude. Thats pretty fucking disrespectful running your shit into the bush. I imagine you are one of the clowns that the rest of us like to avoid.

[stealth]

No different, than taking a shit in the bush? We actually dig a hole and cover it up once done. And that is only if we go long enough that our tanks are full.

100% not one of the clowns, we pack out all garbage we bring in and don't damage any forestry/property.

[ExtraSlow]

But how hard would it be to leave your shit in the tanks and haul it out? Really bud.

[stealth]

This quote is hidden because you are ignoring this member. Show Quote

But how hard would it be to leave your shit in the tanks and haul it out? Really bud.

After 6 days, it would overflow bud! Tanks have a certain capacity.

You seem to have a big problem with something, no one would ever see or run into. Like I said no different than shitting in the bush, if anything its better. Its exactly like someone who has a septic system pumped into a farmers field. It is all underground. Get off your high horse and stop bitching.