Moms' Comfort Camping Adventure at Sundance Lodges

I've wanted to do an overnight "moms and kids trip" for a couple of years now but challenges have always gotten in the way. Backpacking was out because I don't have the strength to carry gear for two people into a backcountry campground, and while regular camping was the easier option, I've really come to like my trailer (which I can't tow on my own.)

An overnight trip I can handle on my own at Sundance Lodges, Kananaskis

Sundance Lodges in Kananaskis - Solo "Mom Trip" Perfection

One of the tipis at Sundance Lodges

I've always wanted to stay at Sundance Lodges in Kananaskis and decided it just might be the perfect overnight summer trip that I could do solo with my son. 

Sundance Lodges is a private campground offering comfort camping options in the form of canvas walled trappers tents and canvas tipis. I figured if we stayed in one of the trappers tents, it would make for a very easy camping experience. We'd still be camping without having to haul the trailer out on my own and we'd get to sleep in a tent (which my son would love as a change of pace from the trailer.)

I invited a girlfriend and her daughter to join us for a night at Sundance Lodges and our plan was set into motion for a moms and kids overnight mountain trip. We even planned a very ambitious hike for the following day and my friend lined up child care for her younger son.

As a bonus, we'd get this great camping experience from a campground we could drive up to in a short 45 minute trip from Calgary! We'd save our hiking adventures for the next day when we could travel light with day packs.

Sundance Lodges Takes Most of the Work out of Camping 

We showed up at Sundance Lodges late afternoon and brought a very simple dinner with us that would involve no cooking. My friend brought a rotisserie chicken with her and I brought wraps and some veggies. Chicken burritos were served in minutes and we never needed to pull out a camp stove.

We took "lazy" to a whole new level after that and packed up all of our dishes to take home and wash the next day. After all, it was only one night!

Entertainment was easy with the beaver ponds day use area next door. A short walk took us over to a creek where the kids happily played in the shallow water.

Playing in the creek at the Beaver Ponds, Sundance Lodges

We went back to camp and made a small fire, roasted a few marshmallows, and went to bed - in our tent that was already set up for us when we arrived! My girlfriend is a regular tent-camper and said it was the easiest camping trip she'd ever done. No tent to set up, no mattresses to blow up, and no set up of any kind at all. You won't even need a screen tent because there's a lovely canvas awning in front of the tent with a picnic table underneath in case it rains.

Camping at Sundance Lodges with our cozy trappers tent

Our tent had a double bed and two single beds in it (all with vinyl mattresses.) Bring sleeping bags and you're good to go. There was also a heater inside which we should have honestly used because it gets chilly in Kananaskis at night.

The next morning we built a small fire to warm up, had a simple breakfast of cinnamon buns and fruit (no cooking being a goal on our short trip,) packed up our dishes again to wash at home, and then headed out for our day hike.

A look at the inside of our trappers tent at Sundance Lodges

It was the easiest camping trip ever.

And the kids have asked for a repeat trip next summer. Success!!

Morning at camp. Experience EASY camping at Sundance Lodges in Kananaskis

A Beautiful Area for a Campground 

Whether you want to try comfort camping in a trappers tent or in a tipi, you want to bring your own tent, or you want to bring your trailer, Sundance Lodges has options for all styles of camping.

Sundance Lodges has over 20 trappers tents, over 10 tipis, and over 25 normal campsites.

Sundance Lodges is located in Evan Thomas Provincial Recreation Area along Highway 40, minutes away from Kananaskis Village.  It is set beside the Kananaskis River which is ideal for evening or morning walks!

Sundance Lodges is located beside the scenic Kananaskis River

In the nearby vicinity you can find the following areas to explore:

Beaver Ponds Day Use Area, Sundance Lodges

• Beaver Ponds Day Use Area (cute little creek area for kids to play in)
  
  
  
• Kovach Pond Day Use Area (starting point if you want to bike the paved Bill Milne Trail to Wedge Pond and back)
  
  
  
• Ribbon Creek Day Use Area (access for hiking Ribbon Creek or for hiking to Troll Falls) - you can also start from the Stoney Trailhead for hiking to Troll Falls
  
  
  
• Kananaskis Village (dining, a playground, walking paths, and mountain bike trails) 

Playing in the Beaver Ponds at Sundance Lodges

And if you want to read about the hike we did after staying overnight at Sundance Lodges, this is the epic trip report from our hike up Grizzly Peak. 

Day hiking in Kananaskis up the Grizzly Peak Trail

For More Information 

Please visit the Sundance Lodges website for more information on camping, reservation, rates, and season dates.

Wild children at play at Sundance Lodges

Disclaimer: We received complimentary camping for a night at Sundance Lodges. As always, all words and opinions are my own and I was not paid to write this review.

We would happily stay at Sundance Lodges again.

Thank you to Sundance Lodges for the great trip and for making a solo trip possible for two moms and our kids.

Evening at Sundance Lodges, Kananaskis