Campgrounds and RV parks near Medicine Hat, AB

Medicine Hat sits in southeastern Alberta on the South Saskatchewan River, with a short drive separating it from one of the prairies' most unusual camping areas. The dominant destination is Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, located roughly 45 minutes south of the city and rising well above the surrounding plains. The park is the highest point in Canada between Labrador and the Rocky Mountains and contains a lodgepole pine forest that is uncommon elsewhere on the Canadian prairies. RV campers planning a stay typically split between two options. Redcliff Municipal Campground is the closest option for travellers who want quick access to Medicine Hat services, sitting on the edge of Redcliff about 9 km northwest of the city. For a forested setting at elevation, the Cypress Hills sites at Beaver Creek, Old Baldy, Ferguson Hill and Lodgepole sit inside the Alberta block of the interprovincial park near Elkwater Lake. Cypress Hills is also a designated Dark Sky Preserve, which is a draw for evening programs and stargazing.

The Alberta side of Cypress Hills, including Old Baldy, Beaver Creek, Ferguson Hill and Lodgepole, is reserved through the Alberta Parks reservation system at reserve.albertaparks.ca. Standard individual campsites can be booked up to 90 days in advance of arrival, while group sites open up to 180 days ahead. Reservation and change fees are non-refundable except in the case of a closure, so confirm rig length and hookup type before paying. Redcliff Municipal Campground is booked online through the Let's Camp platform at letscamp.ca, and the campground operates by reservation. For the Saskatchewan portion of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, reservations go through the Saskatchewan Parks system, which also requires a separate park entry permit.