Kimberley Underground Mining Railway

Pitch a tent or plug in your RV, then let the sounds of nature wash over you as you soak up the views of our surrounding Purcell and Rocky Mountains. Whether you settle into our beloved campground, the Kimberley Riverside Campground, or create your basecamp a little further away from town, we’ve got all the ins, outs, and insider tips to help you find your next favourite close-to-Kimberley camping spot. Let the adventure begin!

The Kimberley Riverside Campground

A very special first mention goes to our one-and-only within-city-limits campground: The Kimberley Riverside Campground. We may be a little biassed, but this place has it all: a mini putt course that all ages will love, an outdoor swimming pool, immediate access to kilometres of hiking and biking trails in the Kimberley Nature Park, private sites to accommodate both RV and tent campers, glamping tents for those seeking a little more luxury, and an Adventure Centre that offers e-bike, SUP and kayak rentals. Plus, as the name suggests, this spot is located along the picturesque banks of the St. Mary River, and is the perfect homebase for further-out adventures in the surrounding Purcell Mountains.

Provincial Parks

Here in Kimberley, we’re lucky to be within a short driving distance to many Provincial Parks. Each of these Parks offers the perfect escape into nature, while still being close enough to town to experience all of Kimberley’s perks. Set up camp at any of our surrounding Provincial Parks, then day-trip it back to town to shop our artisanal stores, head underground on the Kimberley Underground Mining Railway, nosh on delicious foods or sip craft beers, and peruse art at the many galleries peppered throughout our downtown core. When the day is done, make the short drive back to your Park of choice, and tuck into a chill night under the stars.

• Families love Wasa Lake Provincial Park, which offers easy access to sandy beaches and warm waters, and the added bonus of ice-cream shops to enjoy and paved paths to ride along

• Lake-lovers choose to rest their heads at Premier Lake Provincial Park. About a 40 minute drive from downtown Kimberley, Premier Lake offers close access to 6 separate lakes, crystal-clear waters, hiking trails, and a family-friendly dock to chill out on

• Norbury Lake Provincial Park is for those looking for crisp, cold waters and towering Rocky Mountain views. This spot is close to the historic Fort Steele Heritage Town, and is also a short drive to some of our favourite backcountry hiking spots like Tanglefoot Lake

• Our furthest-away option, White Swan Lake Provincial Park offers a true escape into nature. As it is about a 1 hour drive from downtown Kimberley, be sure to stock up on groceries, goodies, and gear in our downtown core before heading out

Rec Sites & Private Campgrounds

Aside from the many Provincial Parks in the area, there are also a handful of nearby Rec Sites and comfortable Private Campgrounds to enjoy. These spots range from bare-bone tenting pads, to full hook-up lots that are perfect for your roomy Fifth Wheel. All of these campgrounds are within a 40 minutes drive from downtown Kimberley.

• A perfect spot for those seeking adventure and adrenaline on their stay here, the Bootleg Mountain Rec Site offers easy access to many downhill mountain biking and hiking trails. Aside from a pit toilet, firepit, and a couple of picnic tables, amenities here are sparse. Bring your tent or self-contained travel trailer, and don’t forget to follow Leave No Trace principles while here

• Head 20 km from downtown Kimberley to find the cozy campsites at Hahas Lake Recreation Site. This is a great place to enjoy the warm, shallow waters of the lake, head out on an evening paddle, or wake up to fish for trout along the shores. All of the sites here are rustic, and not suitable for those looking for a full-hookup camping experience

• Another rustic campground on the shores of a beautiful, mountain lake is the campground at Lazy Lake. This is one of our favourite local lakes for rope-swinging, paddling, and fishing, and the sites all offer great views from the north end of the lake

• Fort Steele Resort & RV Park is a great year-round camping option for those looking to tent, RV, or spend the night in a comfy cabin. The Park is directly across the road from Fort Steele Heritage Town, and is nearby to many hiking, paddling, and fishing spots

• The St. Eugene RV Park is located within the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa Nation, and is an ideal place for anyone looking for dramatic views of iconic Fisher Peak, close proximity to the St. Mary River, and a vacation filled with golf rounds, gambling and good eats at the 3 on-site restaurants. Long-term stays are available for those looking to kick back and relax a little longer

Backcountry Adventures

Surrounded by two unique mountain ranges and established trails in every direction, our front and backyards are great places to adventure and explore on foot. Though there are many backcountry camping options to enjoy here, some of our recent favourites include the family-friendly hike into Top of the World Provincial Park, the picturesque tenting spots at Bear Lake, and the mountain-top shelter at Lakit Lookout. Please be aware that our backcountry camping spots are first-come-first-served, and are often user-maintained. It is important to practice Leave No Trace Principles while backcountry camping, take proper safety precautions before heading out, and be mindful of surrounding wildlife and other users out enjoying the trails.

Finishing Touches

In need of some last minute backcountry or camping equipment? Head to our local outdoor shop, Purcell Outdoors, to stock up on gear and goodies, then pop over to the Kimberley Visitor Centre to grab maps, apps and driving directions to your next favourite campsite. Looking for more? Check out our curated Seasonal Itineraries for all of our insider KImberley tips to make the most of your next camping trip here.