Finding Beautiful Harvest Hosts in Alberta
TL;DR: Discover Alberta's hidden gems with Harvest Hosts, including golf clubs, dairy farms, cattle ranches, and market gardens.
Just north of the US state of Montana and east of the Canadian province of British Columbia, we can find the beautiful province of Alberta. As the westernmost of Canada’s three prairie provinces, Alberta contains so many places and sights to see, making it an ideal RV road trip destination. However, the popular cities of Edmonton and Calgary and the three national parks found in the Canadian Rockies - Banff, Jasper, and Yoho - often end up taking most of Alberta’s spotlight. While each of these places is spectacular and worth a visit, there are many more places in Alberta to see and visit. If you have a Harvest Hosts membership, you can find a number of beautiful locations available for overnight camping with no camping fees, with many more available when you have the upgraded golf membership. Continue on for a list of six Harvest Hosts possibilities in this large region of Canadian countryside.
1. Highwood Golf & Country Club - High River, Alberta
Just south of Calgary in the little town of High River lies Highwood Golf and Country Club. This gorgeous location offers a twenty-eight hole golf course and a grass tee driving range, as well as a beautiful clubhouse, recreation space, and a full-service restaurant with an attached patio. They are open from mid-April to mid-October, and they have special rates for both early afternoon and late afternoon. From the parking lot, where Harvest Host members can park overnight, there are views of the walkway and canal that run from the golf course to the little town of High River. This host location has four reservable and pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size.
2. Van der Gun Dairy - Red Deer County, AB
From early May to early October, Harvest Hosts members can also pay a visit to Van der Gun Dairy in Red Deer County. This establishment has been open for nearly twenty years and creates a variety of delicious dairy products from milk produced by their herd of cows. Harvest Hosts guests are invited to park in the hay field overnight. Many guests have been thrilled by the behind-the-scenes look at a modern dairy farm operation, and this is the perfect place to learn about the industry. In the summer months, the farm also plants a variety of crops, which may be for sale depending on the time of year that you visit. Van der Gun Dairy has two reservable, pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size, so be sure to call ahead and reserve.
3. Acme Golf Club - Acme, Alberta
Just about forty-five minutes east of Calgary, you can find another excellent golf course location. Acme Golf Club features a waterway amidst a nine-hole golf course, complete with rolling green slopes and a gentle countryside. Golfers of all abilities tend to enjoy this course, and they have high season and low season rates. There are also golf carts available for rent. The course can be played as a nine-hole course or as an eighteen-hole course (playing through the nine-hole course twice). There are four pet-friendly spaces available for RVs of any size, so be sure to call ahead to reserve, and book a tee time if you plan to stay and play.
4. Reese Cattle Company - Didsbury, AB
Between the cities of Calgary and Edmonton lies Reese Cattle Company. This grain and cattle farm grows a variety of crops in the summer. They are open from early June to late September each year, and they have a market garden and meat sales (whole chickens and beef) available. Tours are provided by appointment, and there are plenty of fresh products for purchase. Harvest Hosts members can call ahead to reserve one of two pet-friendly spaces available for RVs of any size.
5. Fort in View Golf Course - Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Just north of Edmonton and just a few minutes west of downtown Fort Saskatchewan, travelers can find Fort in View Golf Course. This relaxed course offers twenty-seven holes, with all different skill and ability levels represented. Many players even report seeing eagles and all sorts of other bird species, and the golf rates are reasonable. There is also a restaurant available, serving breakfast and other meals throughout the day. Members can park with a beautiful view of the fields, in a rather serene and beautiful setting. They offer four reservable and pet-friendly spaces for RVs of any size, so be sure not to miss this one.
6. Summer’s Gold Market Garden - Crooked Creek, AB
Summer’s Gold Market Garden is located in Crooked Creek, just east of the town of Grand Prairie. For many, this is an excellent stop on the way to Alaska. They are open from early July to mid-October, and they grow a wide variety of produce for purchase. This includes u-pick berries, lettuce, sprouts, beans, squash, potatoes, corn, carrots, cucumbers, a variety of fresh herbs, and more. In their produce shop, they also sell a variety of other fresh products, including strawberry-rhubarb milkshakes, orange juice, barbecue sauce, fresh meat, jelly, and so much more. This place is a must stop, and they have two pet-friendly spaces for RVs less than forty-five feet in length.Alberta is a truly beautiful province full of mountainous views, unique cities and towns, and plenty of rolling countryside. Between the golf courses, dairy farms, and produce farms, Harvest Hosts members have so many places to choose from when visiting. Be sure to check out any of these excellent stops on your way to or from the Canadian Rockies, Alaska, or anywhere else in Alberta that your travels take you. Keep in mind that the weather is nicest between mid-June and late September, so you will want to take advantage of these stops in the summertime.Have you visited Alberta? Did you enjoy it? Tell us all about it below!