Staycation Alberta: Camping at DTR

I interrupt my Thailand ranting to bring you and episode of Staycation Alberta. We’re now in prime camping season in Alberta, and it’s a short season. My husband and I almost never vacation at the same spot twice; we feel that there is too much of this giant globe to explore to settle down at one vacation spot. Our one exception to this rule is David Thompson Resort. We have camped here in various forms for years as a couple and individually with our families when we were kids. DTR, as it’s affectionately known, is found on the David Thompson Highway heading west from Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House. Along the way you’ll come across the hauntingly beautiful Abraham Lake. It’s a turquoise color not unlike the seas around Antigua, but Abraham Lake has a weird ghostlyness to it. The area is generally still and quiet and visually is unique from the rest of the Rocky Mountains. This area is less popular than the Rocky Mountain national parks but is only about a 40 minute drive to Saskatchewan Crossing where you can enter Banff National Park and head north to Lake Louise or Jasper, or south to Banff, Canmore or Kananaskis.

Driving in on the David Thompson Highway

A lunch stop at Goldeye Lake

A lunch stop at Goldeye Lake

A lunch stop at Goldeye Lake

Previously, we’ve tented here (slept in the van- this is bear country), rented a trailer with an RV company and this time we rented one of the resort’s trailers. DTR has options for tenting, trailers and they also rent a selection of pre-set up trailers if you don’t have your own or don’t have the ability to tow a rental. There is a small selection of cabins to rent as well. DTR does group camping, has a small amphitheater and even a wedding venue. There are basic washroom facilities with pay showers and even a communal kitchen wash station, which is handy when your Coleman stove bites the bullet and you have no way to make hot water…

Our rented trailer

View from the campsite

Shawn mugging for the camera

There is a quaint motel with laundry facilities, a restaurant, convenience store with all the extra camping things you may have forgotten, and gas station. There are two parks for the kids to play in and a mini golf course. During peak season on Friday and Saturday nights, they have a rustic bar in the camping area to gather with friends (or make new ones) and they serve a cowboy breakfast (for a fee) in the mornings on weekends. Being in the middle of the wilderness, internet is still iffy, but they have free gust WiFi at the hotel lobby, so it’s a good way to really disconnect for a bit. DTR also allows dogs, just not in their trailers. 

Shawn re-living his childhood in the giant rocket

If you’re not one for sitting around the fire the entire trip, there are lots of nearby activities. There are some really cool hikes down to the lake from the camp site, but lots of really great other hikes a short drive away as well. Usually the staff are fairly knowledgeable about hikes and activities in the area. The hikes in this area are much quieter than the crowded national park trails, so you may have a lot to yourself (bring your bear spray). There’s a helicopter base just down the road where you can book a trip to see the mountains like never before, there’s a trail riding company across the highway and an interpretive fire trail with information about the controlled burn done in 2009 where you can hike through the burn area. If you’ve got a vehicle that can handle a bit of off-roading, there are lots of cool places off the highway and along the lake to explore.

MMMMMmmmarshmallows

RIP Coleman stove

Lex enjoying some sunny weather

pay showers

pay showers

kitchen wash station

Taking a late evening hike to Abraham lake on the summer equinox. Plenty of daylight left. 

Abraham Lake

A cairn down by the lake

Gorgeous golden hour

This next set of photos is from our trip last year, when we took Lex with us (and stayed in the van). We did some exploring around Abraham Lake and its shores:

Shawn and Lex

I was delighted to find out this year that DTR even has hummingbirds as regular visitors to the area during the summer. I spent a few mornings stalking them on the restaurant patio:

If you’re looking for a place to camp that’s nestled in the mountains, quiet and away from the city, but still has amenities, this is the place you should check out the summer.

Have you been to David Thompson resort before? What are your favorite Alberta mountain camping getaways? As always, feel free to comment or ask questions. Thanks for stopping by and until next time, safe and happy travels!

-L