Travers Dam Campground

Location: 174kms south of Calgary. 28kms south of Vulcan on road #529. Northwest shore of Travers Reservoir Southern Alberta.

Description: Travers Dam campground contains 20 unmarked campsites for both RV’s and tents. None of the sites are marked or clearly defined, however the campsites do have picnic tables and steel cook stations. You’ll need to bring your own firewood.

Amnesties include manual water pump, dry toilets, communal camp kitchen, refuse containers and a good boat launch. Travers Reservoir offers good Pike and Walleye fishing. I did see several small fish jumping in the early evening, maybe perch. You’ll need a fishing license to try your luck. Wow, if you want to experience the great plains with flat views to the horizon this is the place.

See the 1st gravel road photo below. At this point on the gravel road you’ll get a strong sense of being in the middle of no where. The feeling of remoteness on the prairies is surprisingly stronger then the feeling of remoteness in the mountains. Probably because you can clearly see in all directions just how alone you are. You can watch your dog run off for a full day before disappearing over the horizon.

As far as campgrounds go Travers Dam is not that nice. Oddly though it sticks in my mind more than most. I think it’s the endless expanse of prairies and open remoteness that one will never forget. This campground is excellent for astronomers and star gazers, except for the 9km gravel access road. Night skies here rank #4-5 on the Bortle Scale.