Elkwood Campground sits inside Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, about 50 km south of the Trans-Canada on Hwy. 40. After that, it’s just a short stretch down Kananaskis Lakes Trail.
This place is one of the bigger campgrounds in Kananaskis, with 130 sites spread out across several loops. It draws a steady crowd of families, RV travellers, and tent campers from May through October.
We stayed in Loop A with our travel trailer, and here’s the short version: Elkwood is a well-run, family-heavy campground with solid amenities and easy lake access, but you really need to pick your loop carefully if you’re towing anything longer than 25 feet.
Some loops feel tight, a lot of sites slope, and cell service is basically nonexistent. If you show up ready for that, you’ll have a great time.
At Along The Rockies, we camp in Kananaskis regularly with our family of five and our dog Remington. Elkwood is a campground we come back to more than once.
This guide covers what we’ve learned on the ground, loop by loop, so you can actually book the right site for your rig and your crew. If you’re planning a broader Kananaskis camping trip, our site has a full RV camping guide for the region that pairs well with this review.
Key Takeaways
- Elkwood offers 130 sites with a mix of unserviced and power/water hookups, but loop choice matters a lot for RV access and privacy.
- The campground is built around families, with paved bike paths, a playground, flush toilets, hot showers, and direct access to Kananaskis Lakes and hiking trails.
- Cell service is essentially zero on site, the dump station has a short operating window, and levelling blocks are a must on most sites.
What To Know Before You Book
Elkwood fills up fast in peak season. The 90-day booking window, the campground’s location deep in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, and its proximity to Kananaskis Lakes Trail all shape how you should approach a reservation here.
Who Elkwood Is Best For
Elkwood works best for families with kids and RV travellers who want a basecamp near the lakes. The campground leans heavily toward a family atmosphere, with paved paths, a playground, and evening programs that keep young kids entertained.
Tent campers will find good options here too, though honestly, the campground’s size and activity level mean it’s not the place for a quiet backcountry feel. If you want solitude and you’re traveling solo or as a couple, Boulton Creek or one of the smaller campgrounds in the park might be a better fit.
Season, Reservations, And The 90-Day Booking Window
Elkwood typically runs from early May through mid-October. For 2026, the posted season is May 7 to October 12.
Reservations open on a rolling 90-day window, so you can book exactly 90 days before your arrival date. New dates drop at 9 a.m. Mountain Time.
Peak weekends in July and August sell out within minutes of opening. Set a reminder, have your dates and preferred loop ready, and be logged into the Alberta Parks reservation system before 9 a.m.
Walk-in availability is rare during summer, though shoulder-season weekdays sometimes have openings if you get lucky.
Location And Access Off Hwy. 40
You reach Elkwood by heading south on Hwy. 40 from the Trans-Canada. Then, you turn south onto Kananaskis Lakes Trail.
The drive from Calgary takes about 90 minutes. The road is paved and in good shape, but it’s winding in spots and climbs steadily.
Keep an eye on your trailer mirrors through the curves. Cyclists often share the road near the campground entrance, so heads up there.
Choosing The Right Loop For Your RV
Elkwood has four main loops, and honestly, the difference between them matters more than most campground maps suggest. Site sizes, turn radii, tree cover, and surface conditions vary enough that your choice of loop can make or break the trip for RVs and tents alike.
Every loop has well-treed sites, but not every loop works for every rig. No matter which loop you pick, you’ll find firewood at the host station.
Loop A: Our Stay, Privacy, And Site Feel
Loop A is where we camped, and honestly, it’s the loop we’d book again. The sites along the outside edge of the loop back onto forest, giving you a sheltered campsite with a genuine sense of privacy that’s hard to find in a campground this size.
Trees between sites are mature and thick enough to muffle noise from neighbours. The trade-off is that many Loop A sites just aren’t level side to side.
Levelling blocks aren’t optional here. Bring a good set and expect to use them.
The sites themselves are packed gravel with enough depth for a picnic table, firepit, and awning space. Backing in was straightforward for our trailer, though angles vary by site.
Loops A And B For Larger Rigs
Loops A and B are your best options if you’re towing a trailer over 25 feet or driving a motorhome. The roads are paved and wide enough for standard RV turns, and most sites have the depth to fit longer rigs.
Power and water hookup sites cluster in these loops, which makes them the go-to choice for RV travellers. That said, “larger rig friendly” doesn’t mean easy.
A few sites have tight entrance angles, and backing in can take some patience—especially if the campground is full and kids are riding bikes through the loop. Having a spotter makes life easier.
Loops C And D For Tighter Access
Loops C and D tend to have smaller, more compact sites with tighter turn spaces. These loops work well for tent camping, pop-up trailers, and smaller RVs.
If you’re driving anything over about 24 feet, navigating some of the turns can get stressful. The upside is that these loops often have a slightly quieter feel, depending on occupancy.
They also include unserviced sites, which come at a lower nightly rate. Not a bad trade-off if you’re flexible.
Packed Gravel Sites, Paved Roads, And Levelling Blocks
Across all four loops, the campground roads are paved. The sites themselves sit on packed gravel, which holds up well in rain but does slope on many pads.
We saw plenty of rigs propped up on one side with blocks, and a few that were clearly not level and dealing with the consequences. Bring more levelling blocks than you think you need.
A set of Lynx Levellers or a couple of stacked blocks should do the job on most sites. Definitely check the slope before you unhitch.
Hookups, Facilities, And Campground Logistics
Elkwood offers a solid set of amenities for a provincial park campground, including flush toilets, hot showers, firepits, and secure food storage at every site. The details around power, water timing, and the dump station are worth knowing before you arrive.
Power And Water Site Options
The campground has 67 power and water sites and 59 unserviced sites. Power sites provide 30-amp service with a water hookup.
The nightly rate for a serviced site is $47, while unserviced sites run $31 per night. If you need power and water, book a Loop A or B site since those loops hold most of the serviced pads.
Unserviced sites are scattered across all loops and work well for self-contained RVs or tent setups.
Flush Toilets, Vault Toilets, And Hot Showers
Elkwood has both flush toilets and vault toilets distributed through the campground. The flush toilet buildings are cleaner and more comfortable, while the vault toilets serve as backups in the outer loops.
Hot showers are available and are token-operated. You can buy tokens on site.
The showers are basic but functional. They get busy in the morning, so if you head over mid-afternoon, you’ll usually have a shorter wait.
Dump Station Timing And What To Expect
The dump station runs from roughly early June through September, and it’s weather-dependent. If you’re camping in May or early October, plan to dump somewhere else.
Even during the operating window, the dump station can get a lineup on checkout mornings. If you can dump the evening before you leave, do it—you’ll save yourself 20 to 30 minutes of idling in line.
Cell Service, Water, Firewood, And Food Storage
Cell service at Elkwood is basically zero. Don’t count on it for navigation, communication, or streaming.
Download your maps and trail info before you arrive. Potable water taps are available seasonally from mid-May to early September, depending on the weather.
Outside that window, bring your own water supply. Firewood is available for purchase on site from campground attendants, so you can skip the extra trip for supplies.
You can also pick it up at the Boulton Creek Campground store nearby. There’s a pay phone on site if you need to make a call.
Every site has a secure food storage locker, which is mandatory bear country protocol. An on-site manager is present throughout the season.
The Family Atmosphere On The Ground
Elkwood is one of the busiest family campgrounds in Kananaskis, and you can really feel that vibe. Paved bike paths, a playground for kids, and wide campground roads make it feel like a small outdoor neighbourhood on summer weekends.
What The Busy Family Vibe Feels Like
On a Friday evening in July, Elkwood hums. Families are setting up, kids are running between sites, and the smell of campfires fills the loops by 7 p.m.
It’s friendly and social, not rowdy, but it’s also not quiet. If you’re looking for a serene retreat, this just isn’t it.
The flip side is that your kids will find other kids to play with almost immediately. The playground gets steady use, and the paved paths create a built-in activity loop that keeps children entertained for hours.
Kids On Bikes And Road Safety
The paved bike paths are one of Elkwood’s biggest draws for families, and also one of its biggest things to watch for. Kids ride constantly, often in groups, and they don’t always watch for vehicles.
If you’re pulling in or out of your site, go slow. Really slow.
During our stay, kids rode bikes on every loop road at nearly all hours of daylight. It’s not dangerous if you’re paying attention, but it’s worth being aware of, especially when you’re backing your rig out.
Why Elkwood Works Well For Family RV Trips
Elkwood really works for families because it mixes convenience with enough outdoor access to make the trip feel like more than just sitting around a campsite. The playground, bike paths, and proximity to the lakes mean you’re not stuck driving everywhere, and the nightly interpretive programs give kids a full schedule.
For RV families, having power and water hookups makes a huge difference. You can run the fridge, keep devices charged, and stay comfortable without stressing about battery levels every hour—which, honestly, is a lifesaver with toddlers or little kids in tow.
Trails, Lakes, And Things To Do Nearby
The real draw, though, is what surrounds the campground. Kananaskis Lakes, a network of hiking trails, and those seasonal interpretive programs are all just a quick walk or bike ride from your site.
Easy Access To Kananaskis Lakes
Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes sit just a short drive or bike ride away. Canoeing, kayaking, and poking around along the shoreline are all fair game here.
Fishing is big on both lakes, but don’t forget—you’ll need an Alberta fishing licence.
The Lower Lake day use area is closest, with a beach that’s perfect for younger kids. On those hot summer days, it gets busy by mid-morning, so showing up early helps.
Hiking And Riding From Camp
You can hop on several hiking trails right from or near Elkwood. The Marl Lake Trail is a short, easy loop that’s doable for all ages and takes about an hour, give or take.
If you want something longer, trails to Rawson Lake and along the Kananaskis Lakes shoreline offer a bit more challenge—without needing to drive to the trailhead.
The paved bike path system connects Elkwood to other campgrounds and day use spots in the park. That means you can ride to a trailhead instead of piling into the car every time.
AllTrails lists 12 trails accessible from the campground area, with options for hiking, camping, and even winter snowshoeing if you’re up for it.
Interpretive Programs And Evening Activities
Alberta Parks runs interpretive programs at Elkwood during the summer. Staff usually hold these at the campground amphitheatre in the evenings, covering wildlife, ecology, and a bit of park history. They’re free and geared for families, so you don’t have to worry about bored kids.
Check the bulletin board at the entrance for the current schedule when you arrive. These programs are honestly a great way to wind down after dinner, especially if your kids are still buzzing with energy at 8 p.m.
How It Compares To Boulton Creek
If you’re torn between Elkwood and Boulton Creek, you’re definitely not the only one. They’re the two most popular campgrounds in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, just a few minutes apart on Kananaskis Lakes Trail.
Forest Feel And Privacy Differences
Boulton Creek feels more enclosed, thanks to a denser forest canopy. Thick trees separate the sites, and the whole place feels quieter and a bit more tucked away.
If privacy is what you care about most, Boulton Creek probably wins. Elkwood’s Loop A almost matches that vibe on the outer sites, but overall, Elkwood is more open and active. You trade a bit of seclusion for better amenities and more space for kids to run around.
Amenities, Convenience, And Basecamp Style
Elkwood comes out ahead in amenities. More serviced sites, a playground, paved bike paths, and a slightly bigger footprint make it feel like a more complete basecamp.
Boulton Creek has its own store, which is handy for firewood and snacks, and the facilities are solid, but it just doesn’t quite match Elkwood’s range of on-site options. Both places have flush toilets, showers, and firepits—the difference is really in scale and layout, not quality.
Which One We Would Choose For Different Trips
For a family trip with kids under 10, we’d pick Elkwood every time. The bike paths and playground keep the kids busy, and the serviced sites make RV life so much easier.
For a quieter couples trip, or if you’re tent camping and want to disappear into the trees, Boulton Creek is the better call. It’s got a slower pace and feels closer to backcountry camping.
If you’re in a big RV and want hookups, Elkwood just has more serviced sites to choose from.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make a reservation, and are walk-ins accepted?
You book through the Alberta Parks online reservation system. The booking window opens 90 days before your arrival date at 9 a.m. Mountain Time.
Walk-in spots are rare during peak summer, but you might get lucky on weekdays in the shoulder season.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Alberta Parks usually sets check-in at 2 p.m. and check-out at 11 a.m. Double-check your booking, since times can change a bit with the season.
What campsites and hookup options are available (tent, RV, power, water, sewer)?
Elkwood has 130 sites total. Sixty-seven of them have 30-amp power and water hookups for $47 per night, while fifty-nine are unserviced at $31 per night.
There’s no sewer hookup at individual sites, but a dump station is open seasonally. Both tent and RV setups fit across the loops.
Are pets allowed, and what are the leash and quiet-hour rules?
Pets are allowed at Elkwood, but they have to stay on a leash at all times. Quiet hours run from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., and rangers do check.
Make sure you clean up after your pet and keep them secured at your site—nobody likes a loose dog in their dinner.
What amenities are on site (washrooms, showers, firewood, potable water, dump station)?
Elkwood has flush toilets, vault toilets, token-operated hot showers, firepits, secure food storage lockers, a playground, paved bike paths, an amphitheatre, a pay phone, and an on-site manager. You can buy firewood on site.
Potable water taps run seasonally from mid-May to early September, and the dump station operates from around early June through September.
What are the fees, and what payment methods are accepted?
Unserviced sites cost $31 per night. If you want power and water, those sites run $47 per night—yep, a bit pricier, but sometimes you just want that extra comfort.
You’ll pay for your reservation through the Alberta Parks online system. They take all the major credit cards, so no weird hoops to jump through there.
Firewood and shower tokens? You’ll need to grab those separately once you’re actually on site. It’s a bit old-school, but honestly, it works just fine.
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