Event Camping Information
Below is group camping info that applies when the ARSA is hosting events at the Kananaskis surf wave. If you would like to book a private tent site at Canoe Meadows during surf season please visit the AWA camping website.
Location
Canoe Meadows Group Site
Amenities: Outhouse toilets, group fire rings (some wood provided), large open green space, small community shelter, waste bins.
https://goo.gl/maps/3bA6wRzRxZkVygta6
Directions
From Stoney Trail & TransCanada in Calgary – Drive 59 km westbound on Highway #1 to the Kananaskis Country, Highway #40 exit.
From TransCanada Highway and Highway #1A in Canmore – Drive 27.5 km eastbound on Highway #1 to the Kananaskis Country, Highway #40 exit.
From the TransCanada Highway – Drive south 5.6 km on Highway #40. Canoe Meadows Campground is located on the west side of Highway #40. The exit from Highway #40 is signed as Canoe Meadows. Begin slowing once you cross the cattle guard and can see the river on your right. Once you turn off the highway, drive through the public parking area to the gate on the far side next to the toilets. The campground is in the meadow past the gate.
Booking Procedure
Camping is charged per adult and per night. For example if you are competing in the surf competition and you are bringing your family to camp with you would select competition registration - quantity 1 and for you and your partner for Friday and Saturday night camping you would select - quantity 4 (kids are free).
If you attend the event and choose to camp but have not paid, use the event registration link to pay for your quantity of nights and adults after the fact. Failing to do so will cost the Association money and take funding out of the pot of wave construction.
Value
Most inland surfers spend thousands of dollars to fly to the world's best surf breaks so how fortunate are we to camp right beside Alberta's best surf break. The Canoe Meadows campsite is a group campground beautifully situated on the Kananaskis River. Set up camp and take multiple surf sessions throughout the day.
RSA camping events charge $20 per person per night to break even with the costs of the booking (base cost booking, insurance, etc) and the cost per camping unit*. The site is only open to members of the association and guests of members to camp because it is booked by the RSAs. The surfing is and will always be free to participate and spectate but in order to sleep at the wave members cover the cost to do so.
Camping Procedure Check In & Set Up
Upon arrival if the gate is locked please refer to your registration email for the gate code. You are welcome to set up tents and trailers anywhere in the main meadow. Camping is not permitted in the forest surrounding the meadow. It is recommended that trailers larger than 20ft park in the central location of the group site. Smaller trailers and tents can park along the tree line.
After setting up, find an Alberta RSA board member to check in. If you know of campers who are staying without paying, encourage them to visit the Alberta RSA website and pay for their stay (even after the fact).
Quiet hours are in effect in the campgrounds from 11:00 pm. until 7:00 am. Help yourself and other campers to enjoy the peace and tranquility of Canoe Meadows by avoiding excessive noise. Loud partying, stereos at high volume and other rowdy behavior are not tolerated at any time. Constant running of generators is considered excessive noise. Please respect nature and your neighbours by keeping generator use to a minimum.
Checkout time is 3:00 pm.
Fires and Firewood
Fires can only be made in the kitchen shelter stove or the group fire rings. No other open fires are permitted in the campground or the Provincial Park. Collecting deadwood or cutting of firewood in the Park is prohibited. Some firewood is provided, please seek out an Alberta RSA board member for fire pit tending. Fires are only permitted in the main two fire pits but propane fires can be used at your trailer/tent area.
Water, Wildlife, Food Management and Garbage
There is a handpump well located in the campground. It is not recommended to drink this water. Campers should bring potable water from home or fill containers at the Visitor Information Centre.
Bears have been spotted in the campground and campers should act accordingly
Keep food and waste water a minimum of 10 meters away from the water well so that the well is not contaminated.
For your safety and to protect wildlife do not approach, feed or harass wild animals - these actions may cause a wild animal to feel threatened and a threatened wild animal can pose a danger to humans and/or their pets
It is illegal to feed wildlife in provincial parks.
Store food (including pet food) and toilet articles such as soap and toothpaste in your
vehicle—never take these items into your tent or tent trailer.
Seal garbage in plastic bags and use the bear-proof garbage receptacles to dispose of
garbage.
Recycling receptacles are located beside the garbage bins.
Vehicles
Please drive cautiously and keep your speed in the campground and the public parking area below 15 km/hr. Children may be playing in the area and paddlers carrying canoes or kayaks on their head may not see or hear oncoming traffic. To prevent damage to trees and other vegetation, please keep all vehicles on designated roadways. Unauthorized vehicles are not permitted beyond the main meadow or down to the river. Operation of off-highway vehicles (OHVs) is not permitted in the campground or in the Provincial Park.
Pets
Provincial Park regulations require that Pets HAVE to be on a leash during your stay and while using trails to protect your pet, wildlife and other campers.
Pets are prohibited on public beaches, in public swimming areas and in public buildings.
Please pick up after your pet.
Be considerate of other campers—please ensure that your dog doesn’t bark excessively.
Fireworks and Liquor
Use of fireworks is prohibited in the Provincial Park and the campground. In accordance with the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Act, open possession and consumption of liquor is restricted to the Group Camping area. Liquor is prohibited in all public areas including the trails and walking paths, the public beaches, the washrooms, the public parking area and the day use areas.
The Kananaskis River, Trail System & Personal Safety
The Kananaskis River flowing beside Canoe Meadows is a beautiful place to visit and to enjoy. However there are a number of safety concerns both in the water and off the water for visitors.
The Kananaskis River is fast flowing and cold and can be very dangerous to poorly equipped or trained individuals. Please be careful when you are close to the river.
The Kananaskis Riverwalk runs from the bottom of the lower race course up to the top of the upper race course. The Riverwalk is an uneven natural surface with roots and boulders that can easily trip hikers. It is narrow in places and quickly drops into the river. A slip or tumble into the river can result in a harrowing swim through a series of rapids and may result in injury or death.
The lower trail is paralleled by the upper Escarpment Trail that runs alongside the Meadow. Steep banks and cliffs along the Escarpment Trail can be dangerous, especially when the trail is wet. Be careful near the edge, as the bank may not be as stable as it appears.
There are 6 designated connecting trails from the top down to the bottom, The downtrails are selectively placed to make it easy to move upslope or downslope along the race course. Please stay on the trails and do not use any shortcuts to access the river.
The AWA works constantly to maintain and upgrade the trail system at Canoe Meadows so that everyone can enjoy the river. Please respect this hard work by not damaging the trails, moving rocks or logs, or eroding the embankments.
The Kananaskis River is dam controlled and water flow is turned off and on to generate hydro-electricity by TransAlta. When the river is off, it can appear to be quite easy to cross the channel. But if the water comes back on while your group is on the far side, you could be stranded overnight before it is safe to cross.
Water is a natural attractant to children and they should be closely supervised and within arm's reach of a responsible adult at all times.
PLEASE NOTE: Canoe Meadows is a public area that is used extensively for canoeing, kayaking, rafting and surfing. Walking trails through the campground meadow, along the forest edge and alongside the river are open to the public and may interfere with any private functions that you are planning. Please book accordingly if you do not want to be disturbed by outside users walking through the area.The Alberta River Surfing Association (ARSA) was founded in 2005 and incorporated in 2011 as an Alberta registered not-for-profit. The Alberta RSA is recognized by Surf Canada as the Alberta Provincial Sports Organization for surfing. The ARSA built and maintains the river surfing waves in Alberta.
