Mastering spring camping in Calgary: What you need to know

Written by: Karen Ung

When camping in the spring near Calgary, you need to be prepared for all types of weather. It could be snowy one day, warm and sunny the next, or both on the same day. While nights tend to be around freezing (especially in the mountains) at this time of year, with a bit of planning, you can be ready for whatever Mother Nature throws your way. Here's how to keep warm and dry while spring camping near Calgary:

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Layers are your friend

Breathable base layers under rain gear are perfect for cool, damp days. In cold temperatures, add a fleece or down jacket as a mid-layer; and put on a toque and gloves. Last but not least, pop on a pair of rain boots, waterproof shoes, or hiking boots to keep your feet dry.

What to look for:

Base layers should be made of merino wool or synthetic fabric so they will keep you warm when damp. Avoid cotton, as it takes forever to dry and does not maintain warmth when wet.
Wool or technical socks are best for maintaining warmth and preventing blisters when damp.
Look for outer layers with a high waterproof rating. 5000-10,000mm is recommended for heavy rain. The higher the mm rating, the better the waterproofing. Check for taped seams.
Choose a breathable waterproof jacket or waterproof jacket with vents to prevent condensation buildup. An adjustable hood and wrist cuffs will also help keep you dry, though the best way to keep water off your face is to wear a ball cap with your rain jacket.
Bib pants (overalls style) provide more coverage and will prevent water from going down kids’ pants when they’re crouched down playing in the mud. Make sure the leg openings at the bottom are adjustable/stretchy and large enough to fit over rain boots.
High-top waterproof footwear like Chelsea boots provide more protection than sneaker styles, but for younger kids, rubber boots are recommended.

Tarp shelters are the best

There’s an art to building a tarp shelter and once you’ve mastered it, you won’t have to deal with water pooling and pulling your tarp down. Our favorite tarp shelter uses a “ridgeline” so the middle of the tarp is higher than the sides (making an A-shape shelter). For this setup, you will need a 10’x10’ tarp (or larger), three lengths of rope, two trees, and two pegs.

Set up one tarp over the eating and cooking area, and another over the tent so you can put on or take off rain gear outside the tent. Practice makes perfect – practice rigging a tarp shelter in the backyard so you can set one up quickly if storm clouds move in.

Cozy up in a cook shelter

In the shoulder season, we recommend staying at campgrounds with cook shelters so you can go inside and warm up if it’s windy or wet. Bring kindling, firewood, plenty of snacks, and board games, and you’re all set for a cozy evening. Be prepared to share the shelter with other campers, and observe campground quiet time.

Down hut booties are a must-have for cool spring nights. They’re like sleeping bags for your feet!

Meal planning

Keep meals simple so you have less dishes (toting and heating dishwater takes a while) and more time to relax. Warm up some beef stew and serve with rolls and veggie sticks, or serve chili mac with apple slices. Chicken souvlaki and veggie skewers (prepared at home) cook quickly over the fire, and are amazing with pita bread and tzatziki. The more prep you do at home, the easier it is to put meals together at camp.

Tent camping tips for spring

To keep dry, select a tent that has a rain fly that goes down to the ground and then peg it out properly so water doesn’t pool on the top of the tent and drip inside. Even the best tent will leak in heavy rain if you don’t secure the fly properly. Put a waterproof mat in the vestibule so your footwear doesn’t get muddy, and cover footwear with a plastic bag so water doesn’t get inside.

To keep warm in spring, use foam pads underneath self-inflating mattresses or line the floor of the tent with interlocking foam tiles. Remember to bring warm sleeping bags (minus seven degrees Celsius rated sleeping bags are good for spring in Alberta). If your sleeping bags are not that warm, bring extra blankets and wear warm clothes to bed. A toque keeps a lot of heat in, too.

Spring camping essentials

Remember to bring extra batteries for your lanterns and headlamps since spring days are shorter than summer days.
If your kids stay up past sunset, pack some glow sticks or a glow-in-the-dark ball or frisbee for after-dark fun.
Hot cocoa, roasting sticks, and s’mores ingredients should always be on the pack list!
Card games, board games, books, and sketch books make for fun screen-free time.
A propane fire pit provides smokeless heat, and can be used even when there’s a fire ban (if placed inside a designated fire pit) so it’s super useful whether you are a tent or trailer camper.
A battery bank is essential for recharging small devices (phones, inReach satellite communicator, headlamps) when you don’t have a power site.

In Alberta they say, “If you don’t like the weather, wait ten minutes” – and it’s true! The weather changes so quickly, it’s worth packing all the rain gear and warm woolies to make the most of these longer spring days. Some of our most memorable camping trips have been in spring – at Elk Island National Park’s Astotin Lake, when we saw young bison calves, and Banff National Park’s Tunnel Mountain, when we barbecued with friends while watching the sunset. Campgrounds are quiet in spring too, so it’s easier to get a campsite. Wishing you all an amazing camping season! Where will you go first?

Karen is a mother and a lover of maps, mountains, and mochas. With her geography degree and experience leading hikes and backpacking trips in the Rockies, she is full of ideas on where to go and what to do. The mission of her blog, playoutsideguide.com, is to provide everything families need to know to get outside and have fun.

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