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Lac des Arcs
Overview
Lac Des Arcs Campground offers a scenic escape nestled within the breathtaking Bow Valley of Alberta. This provincial park facility provides a rustic camping experience for travelers seeking to immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the Canadian Rockies. Known primarily for its stunning lakefront views and proximity to the Trans-Canada Highway, it serves as a tranquil base for exploring the surrounding wilderness while maintaining easy accessibility for those traveling through the mountain region.
Location & Surroundings
Situated right along the shores of the glacier-fed Lac des Arcs, the park is framed by towering limestone peaks and lush evergreen forests. The location is famous for its strong valley winds, making the lake a popular destination for windsurfing and kiteboarding enthusiasts. Visitors can enjoy the dramatic contrast between the turquoise waters and the rugged mountain skyline, offering a peaceful atmosphere that feels worlds away from the busy corridors nearby.
Amenities & Park Features
As a provincial park destination, the focus here is on a traditional outdoor experience. The sites are unserviced, catering to RVers who enjoy a more self-contained or boondocking style of travel. Essential facilities include:
- Vault toilets and basic sanitation facilities
- Individual fire pits for evening campfires
- Picnic tables at every campsite
- A communal playground for children
Travelers are encouraged to bring their own potable water supply for convenience during their stay in the Alberta wilderness.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The park serves as a gateway to some of Alberta's most iconic landscapes. A short drive brings visitors to the charming town of Canmore, where local boutiques and dining options await. For outdoor adventurers, the world-renowned trails of Banff National Park are easily accessible for day trips. Closer to the park, guests can enjoy hiking, birdwatching, or simply watching the windsurfers navigate the whitecaps on the lake's surface from the rocky shoreline.
Who This Park Is Best For
This destination is ideal for RVers who prioritize spectacular scenery over modern luxury amenities. If you appreciate a quiet spot to watch the sunset over the mountains or need a convenient stopover while traveling through the Bow Valley, this park fits your style perfectly. It is particularly well-suited for outdoor enthusiasts and photographers who want direct access to the water and the dramatic lighting often found in this unique mountain corridor.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Jakub Skorski
Nice little campground with 2 pit toilets, boat launch. Most of the sites are nice and private. We stayed in #27. Close walk to the lake and playground. It is close to the highway but it didn't bother us we didnt focus on listening to to highway but rather focused on enjoying our camping so the noise didn't bother us. Visit our YouTube channel to see the campground Canadian Rockies Explorers
Emily C
Adequate for a basic no frills tent site Bring ear plugs because it’s quite noisy from the highway. Gravel was dirty full of garbage and Cigarette butts 😢 Also ground is very compact so hard to get pegs in… And watch out for the (what I suspect to be) marmot holes! I ended up parking my truck over top of them so that I wouldn’t trip on them in the night going to the bathroom! For what it is I think it should be cheaper but honestly I’d stay here again. Other than the highway noise, it was relatively quiet and the sites were spaced well enough apart.
Skippin Rocks
Campsite itself is adequate. The grass around the sites is tall which makes the mosquitos more of an issue. We barely squeaked our 44’ fifth wheel into our site, which is not a fault of the campground, just an observation. The road noise is acceptable but noticeable with the windows down. The lake has a parasite warning, so we didnt fish or kayak or let the dogs play in it. In general I would have rather stayed somewhere else. Some of the views are incredible and the location is good.
M Prins
Spacious, private sites, mature trees, spectacular views of mountains, cute playground. But… no drinking water (and one hand pump), constant hum of hiway, only one set of pit toilets, no showers, garbage dumpster was packed full, and within a few minutes of standing in the lake front we had leeches all over our feet—you can’t really swim (but yes to canoes, etc). Convenient location for access to Canmore and Kananaskis, but not a destination campground.
William Ness
Nice campground. Not much for amenities, but it's a good place to setup a base camp while exploring the surrounding communities. The check-in system is confusing. The card from our email says to drop the slip in the deposit box, but no deposit box could be found? Very odd. The roads are a little worse for wear and have many holes in them. Anyhow, nice open campsites with close water access and a boat launch. I would come here again.