Off the beaten path: Try camping in the Crowsnest this Labour Day weekend

As the summer camping season windsdown, there is still time to squeeze in some camping in the Crowsnest Pass.

Parks and campgrounds in the province have been slammed this camping season, butKaren Ungthe CalgaryEyeopener's family road trip columnistsays the Crowsnest Pass area south of Calgary is still a well-keptsecretdestination.

"This area, it's known as the 'Crown of the Continent' and it has got some really neat geography," Ung said.

"So you're kind of in the Foothills, you've got these beautiful mountain views, lots of wildlife, great fishing. It's just somewhere different to go and it seems a little quieter."

Ung said campgrounds in theCastle Wilderness areahaven't been swarmed by guests like they haveinKananaskis, and many spots are available, even on long weekends.

Campsites less visited

With the Labour Day weekend fast approaching, Ung recommended staying at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, about two and a half hours from Calgary.

The campground features30 kilometres of trails, a boat launch and more than 80 campsites50 of which are powered.

It's also close to Turtle Mountain and the Frank Slide Historic Site, where the town of Frank was buriedby a rock slide in 1903.

"So this is kind of a place you can sort of settle in for several days. But I would still recommend heading over to Frank Slide because it is so interesting," Ung said.

Crowsnestday-trips

LundbreckFalls Campground is another option for campers looking to escape to the Foothills, with about 60 campsites, access to fishingand a walking trail toLundbreckFalls.

Ung said there are lots of family-friendly activities to take in when camping in the Foothills.

Campers can take trips back in time at the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site or theHead-Smashed-In BuffaloJump World Heritage Site, highlighting Blackfoot culture.

"You can go to special presentations. They're having a thee-hour presentation [this weekend] on buffalo huntingif you really want to know how that was done."

Castle Mountain will hostthe 22nd-annual Huckleberry Festival this weekend. Ung said visitors can ride the chairlift up the mountain to pick berries andtake insome live music.

For more camping suggestions on where to visit this summer, head toUng's website atplayoutsideguide.com.

With files from theCalgaryEyeopener

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