Campgrounds and RV parks near Opportunity No. 17, AB

Lesser Slave Lake is the main draw: it is one of Alberta's largest road-accessible lakes, with sandy beaches, walleye and northern pike fishing, paddling, and swimming. Marten River Campground sits a short walk from the lake shore and beach, and connects into the Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park trail network. Over 35 kilometres of trails in the park support hiking and cycling in summer and snowshoeing or cross-country skiing in winter, with about 25 kilometres forming part of the Trans Canada Trail. The Marten Mountain Loop climbs to a viewpoint over the lake. The Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation, co-located with the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory, runs interpretive programs and tracks boreal songbird migration. Larger boats launch at the Slave Lake Municipal Boat Launch, roughly 30 kilometres south of Marten River on Highway 88.

The practical RV season runs from mid-May through September. Marten River Campground at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park typically opens around the May long weekend and closes in early fall, with reservations covering the full operating window. Most Alberta provincial campgrounds follow the same pattern, opening in mid-May and closing by the end of September. June through August is peak season. Long weekends and July fill earliest, and shoreline-adjacent loops at Marten River book out fastest because they offer the best beach access. Spring shoulder season in May and early June brings cool nights, fewer crowds, and active boreal songbird migration tracked at the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory. September delivers crisp days and quieter campgrounds, but services scale back and overnight temperatures often drop below freezing. Wildfire smoke is a real seasonal factor in this region. Northern Alberta has seen evacuations within the MD in past fire seasons, and Environment Canada air quality statements covering the M.D. of Opportunity area are common in mid to late summer. Travellers should check Alberta Wildfire and Alberta Parks advisories before departing.

Marten River Campground has 110 sites with a mix of powered and unserviced options, well spaced under boreal trees a short walk from the lake shore and beach. Pit toilets serve the loops, and the shower building has flush toilets, coin-operated showers, and a laundromat. A sewage disposal station, an amphitheatre, and a playground are on site, and the campground booth sells ice, firewood, snacks, drinks, and basic camping supplies. Water is available from standpipes. The nearest trailered boat launch is the Slave Lake Municipal Boat Launch, about 30 kilometres south via Highway 88. Big Fish Bay RV Resort and Big Fish Bay Resort sit on the southeast shore bordering the Town of Slave Lake, with full-service lakefront lots, sandy beach access, two playgrounds, and a free municipal boat launch about five minutes away. Pets are permitted with breed restrictions. Cell coverage is reliable around Slave Lake; expect gaps once you move north toward Wabasca.