RV Parks In Olds, Alberta
51.7834° N, 114.1020° W
Quick Overview
Olds makes a comfortable, well-placed camping base on the Queen Elizabeth II corridor, halfway between Calgary and Red Deer and a short hop from the Red Deer River foothills. The heart of it in town is the O.R. Hedges Lions Campground, a fenced, gated municipal park a short walk from downtown with 42 serviced 15/30-amp power-and-water sites, pull-throughs, coin showers, free wifi and a public sani-dump on site. It is the friendly, affordable town campground RVers appreciate, run by the local Lions Club and open roughly May through mid-October.
When you want full hookups with sewer, Wagons West RV Park near Sundre, about 30 km west on the Red Deer River, is the nearest full-service private park, big-rig friendly with 30-amp pull-throughs. The county-owned public Westward Ho Park sits along the river between Olds and Sundre with year-round camping, and for a rustic foothills night, provincial sites like Fallen Timber South offer unserviced, creekside camping about an hour southwest. Between the in-town Lions park, the private full-service option, the public county park and the backcountry provincial sites, Olds covers a real range of camping styles.
The appeal is location. From an Olds base you sit right on the QEII, so Calgary and Red Deer are each about an hour away for big-box shopping, RV service and the Calgary Stampede, while Highway 27 runs west to Sundre and the eastern slopes for fishing, floating and backcountry drives. The town has full groceries, fuel, propane and the public dump, making it an easy staging point. Book the Lions sites ahead for summer rodeo and Olds College event weekends, and use the town to stock up before heading into the foothills. It is the kind of unpretentious, central base that lets you spend your days on the river or in the mountains and your evenings walking a quiet small town, all without the crowds or the prices of the resort corridor closer to the Rockies.
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Gear for Your Trip to Olds
All Dump Stations Near Olds
| Station Name | Distance | Rating | Category | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O R Hedges Lions Campground | 0.4 mi | 3.7 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Didsbury Elks Campground | 4.1 mi | 5.0 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Rosebud Valley Campground | 8.4 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Didsbury Mobile Home Park Ltd | 8.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Carstairs Campground | 15.0 mi | 4.4 | Dump Station | Varies |
| Anthony Henday Campground | 18.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Rainbow Ridge RV Park | 19.3 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Hidden Gem RV Park | 21.8 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Riverside RV Village | 23.0 mi | N/A | Dump Station | Varies |
| Wagons West R.V. Park Ltd. | 24.3 mi | 4.6 | RV Park | Free |
O R Hedges Lions Campground
0.4 miDidsbury Elks Campground
4.1 miRosebud Valley Campground
8.4 miDidsbury Mobile Home Park Ltd
8.8 miCarstairs Campground
15.0 miAnthony Henday Campground
18.3 miRainbow Ridge RV Park
19.3 miHidden Gem RV Park
21.8 miRiverside RV Village
23.0 miWagons West R.V. Park Ltd.
24.3 miTraveling to Olds by RV
Olds is easy to reach and base from. The QEII, Highway 2, bypasses town to the east as the fast route between Calgary, 90 km south, and Red Deer, 55 km north, while Highway 2A and Highway 27 lead into the walkable town centre. The roads in are standard paved routes with no unusual RV restrictions, and there is plenty of parking, though overnight stays belong in campgrounds rather than street lots. Fly-and-rent travelers can pick up an RV in Calgary and be settled at O.R. Hedges within about an hour.
Heading west on Highway 27 toward Sundre opens the Red Deer River foothills, with pavement giving way to gravel on the Forestry Trunk Road backcountry, which is best scouted before towing a big rig. Watch for deer on Highways 27 and 2A at dawn and dusk, and be ready for summer hail and chinook-driven winter conditions. For big-box RV parts, full service and groceries, Calgary and Red Deer are each a short drive, making Olds a convenient hub for a foothills trip.
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Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials
Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Olds, Alberta, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.
Check your RV insurance coverage
A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.
Know your roadside assistance options
RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.
Decide about an extended warranty early
Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.
Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees
A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.
RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.
Dump Station Costs in Olds
Camping around Olds is a good value. The municipal O.R. Hedges Lions Campground offers reasonably priced serviced sites with power and water, plus a public sani-dump included for guests, and it puts you within walking distance of downtown. Wagons West near Sundre sits in a moderate price band for its full-service, big-rig-friendly sites on the river, a fair deal when you need sewer hookups. The county-owned Westward Ho Park is affordable with year-round camping, and rustic provincial foothills sites like Fallen Timber are cheaper still, trading hookups for a natural setting.
Because Olds is a county service hub with Calgary and Red Deer each about an hour away, the surrounding trip costs, groceries, fuel and propane, are competitive and cheaper than the mountain resort corridor to the west. That combination of affordable serviced town camping and low resupply costs makes Olds a budget-friendly base for exploring both the QEII corridor cities and the Red Deer River foothills without paying a premium to camp closer to the Rockies.
Contact station for pricing details.
Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.
What RVers Are Saying About Olds
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Best Time to Visit Olds by RV
Winter
Nov - Feb
-15°C - -3°C
Crowds: Low
The in-town Lions campground and provincial foothills sites close for winter; for a serviced site you would look to year-round options like Westward Ho, though chinooks keep conditions volatile.
Spring
Mar - May
-2°C - 12°C
Crowds: Low
O.R. Hedges and county campgrounds open around May 1; book early for the long weekend, and expect variable weather with possible late snow.
Summer
Jun - Aug
9°C - 22°C
Crowds: Medium
Peak season with warm days; the in-town Lions sites fill on rodeo and Olds College event weekends, so reserve ahead, especially for a serviced pull-through.
Fall
Sep - Oct
1°C - 14°C
Crowds: Low
Crisp, colourful September is a favourite for foothills trips; most campgrounds close by mid-October, so confirm dates for late-season stays.
Explore the Olds Area
Reserve a serviced site at O.R. Hedges by phone or email ahead of summer weekends, especially around rodeos and Olds College events when the 42 sites fill fast. If you need full hookups with sewer or a bigger-rig full-service base, book Wagons West near Sundre on the Red Deer River. Planning to camp in the foothills backcountry beyond Sundre? Budget for a Public Lands Camping Pass, arrive self-contained, and scout the gravel Forestry Trunk Road before taking a large rig in.
Take advantage of the town while you are here: the free Olds College Botanic Gardens are an easy, dog-friendly stroll, and the Mountain View Museum covers local history. Stock groceries, fuel and propane in Olds before heading west, since services thin out toward the eastern slopes. And pack layers even in summer, as foothills nights are cool and chinooks make shoulder-season weather swing quickly from mild to cold.
National Parks Nearby
Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Olds
What are the best RV parks and campgrounds in Olds?
The standout in-town choice is the O.R. Hedges Lions Campground, a fenced, gated municipal park a short walk from downtown with 42 serviced 15/30-amp power-and-water sites, pull-throughs, coin showers and free wifi. For full hookups with sewer, Wagons West RV Park near Sundre, about 30 km west on the Red Deer River, is the nearest full-service private park. The county-owned Westward Ho Park sits along the river between Olds and Sundre with year-round camping, and rustic Fallen Timber South in the foothills offers unserviced provincial-park sites. Together they range from convenient town camping to riverside and backcountry options.
Do Olds campgrounds have full hookups?
It depends where you stay. The in-town O.R. Hedges Lions Campground offers 15 and 30-amp power and water at its serviced sites, plus a public sani-dump, but not individual sewer hookups. For true full hookups with sewer at the site, head about 30 km west to the private Wagons West RV Park near Sundre, which has 30-amp full-service pull-through and big-rig sites on the Red Deer River. The public county park at Westward Ho mixes serviced and unserviced sites. So if you need sewer at your site, choose Wagons West; if power, water and an on-site dump suffice, O.R. Hedges is the convenient in-town pick.
How far ahead should I reserve a campsite in Olds?
For summer weekends, book several weeks out, especially around rodeo weekends and Olds College events, when the 42 serviced sites at O.R. Hedges fill quickly. Reserve the Lions Campground by phone or email. Wagons West near Sundre takes reservations and, being full-service, is a reliable big-rig fallback. The provincial foothills sites like Fallen Timber can require online booking in peak season through Alberta Parks. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are easier to come by, but if you want a specific serviced pull-through in July or August, plan ahead, as this is a busy stretch of the corridor.
Can big rigs camp in Olds?
Yes. The O.R. Hedges Lions Campground includes pull-through sites and its public sani-dump is described as big-rig friendly, so larger motorhomes and trailers are welcome, though it tops out at 30-amp power with no sewer. For a big rig needing 30-amp full hookups with sewer, Wagons West near Sundre is purpose-built for it with full-service pull-throughs. Getting around is easy, since Olds sits right on the QEII. The main caution is heading west past Sundre onto the Forestry Trunk Road, where gravel backcountry roads should be scouted before taking a large rig in.
Are there free or first-come campsites near Olds?
Within Olds there is no sanctioned free or dispersed camping. For no-cost camping you head west toward the eastern slopes beyond Sundre, where dispersed Crown-land camping is allowed along the Forestry Trunk Road, requiring self-containment and a Public Lands Camping Pass. That is genuine backcountry camping with no services. Closer to town, the county-owned Westward Ho Park offers affordable riverside sites, and rustic provincial sites like Fallen Timber are first-come or bookable. For most RVers, an inexpensive serviced night at O.R. Hedges in town is a better value than hunting for a free foothills spot.
Can I use Olds as a base for the foothills and mountains?
Absolutely, and many RVers do. Olds sits on the QEII with Highway 27 running west to Sundre, the gateway to the Red Deer River foothills and the David Thompson corridor toward the Rockies. From a base at O.R. Hedges in town, or Wagons West nearer the river, you can day-trip west for fishing, tubing, foothills hiking and backcountry drives, and east to Calgary or Red Deer for shopping and services. The town's full groceries, fuel, propane and public dump make it a convenient staging point before or between trips into the eastern slopes.
When do Olds campgrounds open and close?
The in-town O.R. Hedges Lions Campground runs roughly May 1 to October 15, matching the public sani-dump season. County and provincial campgrounds generally open around May 1 and close by mid-October, though the county-owned Westward Ho Park offers year-round camping. Foothills provincial sites like Fallen Timber run about late April to mid-October. If you are planning a shoulder-season trip in early May or October, confirm which campgrounds are open, since chinook-driven weather swings and early snow can affect opening and closing dates from year to year in this foothills region.
What is there to do around Olds while camping?
Olds blends relaxed town stops with foothills access. Stroll the free Olds College Botanic Gardens and Constructed Wetlands, about 30 acres of pathways, and visit the Mountain View Museum downtown. The town hosts summer rodeos and agricultural events at the Olds Regional Exhibition. Head west on Highway 27 to Sundre for river floating, fishing and eastern-slopes backcountry, or continue toward the David Thompson corridor and the mountain front. Calgary and Red Deer, each about an hour away, add big-city attractions and the Calgary Stampede. It is an easy base for mixing town comforts with foothills adventure.
Do the campgrounds have showers, laundry and amenities?
Yes, at the serviced parks. The O.R. Hedges Lions Campground offers coin showers, free wifi, powered water sites and a fenced, gated setting a short walk from downtown, plus the public sani-dump. Wagons West near Sundre provides full-hookup sites with the amenities of a private RV park on the Red Deer River. The county-owned Westward Ho Park has a river-valley setting with a mix of services. The rustic provincial sites like Fallen Timber, by contrast, are unserviced with vault toilets and a hand pump, so come self-contained for those. Choose based on the comfort level you want.
What is the camping weather like in Olds?
Summers are pleasant, with July and August highs around 22°C and cool foothills nights, though June is the wettest month and afternoon thunderstorms and occasional hail roll off the mountains. September is crisp and colourful, a favourite shoulder month before frosts arrive. Spring is variable with possible late snow into May, and winter is volatile: chinook winds can swing temperatures 15 to 22°C in an hour, but hard cold snaps to -30°C still occur. For comfortable camping with everything open, aim for late June through early September, and pack layers for the cool evenings year-round.
Can I camp with a tent or small rig near Olds?
Yes. The O.R. Hedges Lions Campground welcomes smaller rigs and has unserviced pull-throughs alongside its powered sites, and its walkable-to-town location suits simple setups. The county-owned Westward Ho Park along the Red Deer River and rustic provincial sites like Fallen Timber in the foothills both take tents and small trailers, offering river and creekside settings. Rosebud Valley Campground in nearby Didsbury is another option. So whether you are in a big motorhome, a small trailer or a tent, the Olds area has a comfortable choice, from serviced town camping to quiet riverside and foothills spots.
Where do I dump tanks and get water while camping in Olds?
If you stay at the O.R. Hedges Lions Campground, the public sani-dump and potable water fill are right there, included with your stay, and available to the public for $10 otherwise. Wagons West near Sundre has full hookups at each site, and the county and provincial campgrounds have their own facilities. The backup sanitation site behind the UFA on Highway 27 is another in-town option. For a full rundown of local sani-dump locations, fees and hours, see our companion guide to RV dump stations in Olds, which covers the utility side in detail.
Is Olds good for family RV camping?
Yes. The in-town O.R. Hedges Lions Campground is fenced, gated and a short walk from downtown, which suits families wanting a safe, convenient base with showers and wifi. The free Olds College Botanic Gardens make an easy outing, and summer rodeos and fairs add family-friendly events. West toward Sundre, the Red Deer River offers gentle floating and fishing, and private parks like Wagons West have the amenities families appreciate. With Calgary's attractions about an hour south and quiet foothills country to the west, Olds gives families a comfortable mix of town convenience and outdoor activity without the crowds of the mountain resorts.
What are the best RV parks and campgrounds in Olds?
The standout in-town choice is the O.R. Hedges Lions Campground, a fenced, gated municipal park a short walk from downtown with 42 serviced 15/30-amp power-and-water sites, pull-throughs, coin showers and free wifi. For full hookups with sewer, Wagons West RV Park near Sundre, about 30 km west on the Red Deer River, is the nearest full-service private park. The county-owned Westward Ho Park sits along the river between Olds and Sundre with year-round camping, and rustic Fallen Timber South in the foothills offers unserviced provincial-park sites. Together they range from convenient town camping to riverside and backcountry options.
Do Olds campgrounds have full hookups?
It depends where you stay. The in-town O.R. Hedges Lions Campground offers 15 and 30-amp power and water at its serviced sites, plus a public sani-dump, but not individual sewer hookups. For true full hookups with sewer at the site, head about 30 km west to the private Wagons West RV Park near Sundre, which has 30-amp full-service pull-through and big-rig sites on the Red Deer River. The public county park at Westward Ho mixes serviced and unserviced sites. So if you need sewer at your site, choose Wagons West; if power, water and an on-site dump suffice, O.R. Hedges is the convenient in-town pick.
How far ahead should I reserve a campsite in Olds?
For summer weekends, book several weeks out, especially around rodeo weekends and Olds College events, when the 42 serviced sites at O.R. Hedges fill quickly. Reserve the Lions Campground by phone or email. Wagons West near Sundre takes reservations and, being full-service, is a reliable big-rig fallback. The provincial foothills sites like Fallen Timber can require online booking in peak season through Alberta Parks. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are easier to come by, but if you want a specific serviced pull-through in July or August, plan ahead, as this is a busy stretch of the corridor.
Can big rigs camp in Olds?
Yes. The O.R. Hedges Lions Campground includes pull-through sites and its public sani-dump is described as big-rig friendly, so larger motorhomes and trailers are welcome, though it tops out at 30-amp power with no sewer. For a big rig needing 30-amp full hookups with sewer, Wagons West near Sundre is purpose-built for it with full-service pull-throughs. Getting around is easy, since Olds sits right on the QEII. The main caution is heading west past Sundre onto the Forestry Trunk Road, where gravel backcountry roads should be scouted before taking a large rig in.
Are there free or first-come campsites near Olds?
Within Olds there is no sanctioned free or dispersed camping. For no-cost camping you head west toward the eastern slopes beyond Sundre, where dispersed Crown-land camping is allowed along the Forestry Trunk Road, requiring self-containment and a Public Lands Camping Pass. That is genuine backcountry camping with no services. Closer to town, the county-owned Westward Ho Park offers affordable riverside sites, and rustic provincial sites like Fallen Timber are first-come or bookable. For most RVers, an inexpensive serviced night at O.R. Hedges in town is a better value than hunting for a free foothills spot.
Can I use Olds as a base for the foothills and mountains?
Absolutely, and many RVers do. Olds sits on the QEII with Highway 27 running west to Sundre, the gateway to the Red Deer River foothills and the David Thompson corridor toward the Rockies. From a base at O.R. Hedges in town, or Wagons West nearer the river, you can day-trip west for fishing, tubing, foothills hiking and backcountry drives, and east to Calgary or Red Deer for shopping and services. The town's full groceries, fuel, propane and public dump make it a convenient staging point before or between trips into the eastern slopes.
When do Olds campgrounds open and close?
The in-town O.R. Hedges Lions Campground runs roughly May 1 to October 15, matching the public sani-dump season. County and provincial campgrounds generally open around May 1 and close by mid-October, though the county-owned Westward Ho Park offers year-round camping. Foothills provincial sites like Fallen Timber run about late April to mid-October. If you are planning a shoulder-season trip in early May or October, confirm which campgrounds are open, since chinook-driven weather swings and early snow can affect opening and closing dates from year to year in this foothills region.
What is there to do around Olds while camping?
Olds blends relaxed town stops with foothills access. Stroll the free Olds College Botanic Gardens and Constructed Wetlands, about 30 acres of pathways, and visit the Mountain View Museum downtown. The town hosts summer rodeos and agricultural events at the Olds Regional Exhibition. Head west on Highway 27 to Sundre for river floating, fishing and eastern-slopes backcountry, or continue toward the David Thompson corridor and the mountain front. Calgary and Red Deer, each about an hour away, add big-city attractions and the Calgary Stampede. It is an easy base for mixing town comforts with foothills adventure.
Do the campgrounds have showers, laundry and amenities?
Yes, at the serviced parks. The O.R. Hedges Lions Campground offers coin showers, free wifi, powered water sites and a fenced, gated setting a short walk from downtown, plus the public sani-dump. Wagons West near Sundre provides full-hookup sites with the amenities of a private RV park on the Red Deer River. The county-owned Westward Ho Park has a river-valley setting with a mix of services. The rustic provincial sites like Fallen Timber, by contrast, are unserviced with vault toilets and a hand pump, so come self-contained for those. Choose based on the comfort level you want.
What is the camping weather like in Olds?
Summers are pleasant, with July and August highs around 22°C and cool foothills nights, though June is the wettest month and afternoon thunderstorms and occasional hail roll off the mountains. September is crisp and colourful, a favourite shoulder month before frosts arrive. Spring is variable with possible late snow into May, and winter is volatile: chinook winds can swing temperatures 15 to 22°C in an hour, but hard cold snaps to -30°C still occur. For comfortable camping with everything open, aim for late June through early September, and pack layers for the cool evenings year-round.
Can I camp with a tent or small rig near Olds?
Yes. The O.R. Hedges Lions Campground welcomes smaller rigs and has unserviced pull-throughs alongside its powered sites, and its walkable-to-town location suits simple setups. The county-owned Westward Ho Park along the Red Deer River and rustic provincial sites like Fallen Timber in the foothills both take tents and small trailers, offering river and creekside settings. Rosebud Valley Campground in nearby Didsbury is another option. So whether you are in a big motorhome, a small trailer or a tent, the Olds area has a comfortable choice, from serviced town camping to quiet riverside and foothills spots.
Where do I dump tanks and get water while camping in Olds?
If you stay at the O.R. Hedges Lions Campground, the public sani-dump and potable water fill are right there, included with your stay, and available to the public for $10 otherwise. Wagons West near Sundre has full hookups at each site, and the county and provincial campgrounds have their own facilities. The backup sanitation site behind the UFA on Highway 27 is another in-town option. For a full rundown of local sani-dump locations, fees and hours, see our companion guide to RV dump stations in Olds, which covers the utility side in detail.
Is Olds good for family RV camping?
Yes. The in-town O.R. Hedges Lions Campground is fenced, gated and a short walk from downtown, which suits families wanting a safe, convenient base with showers and wifi. The free Olds College Botanic Gardens make an easy outing, and summer rodeos and fairs add family-friendly events. West toward Sundre, the Red Deer River offers gentle floating and fishing, and private parks like Wagons West have the amenities families appreciate. With Calgary's attractions about an hour south and quiet foothills country to the west, Olds gives families a comfortable mix of town convenience and outdoor activity without the crowds of the mountain resorts.
Are there free dump stations in Olds?
Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Olds.
All Dump Stations Near Olds (40)
RV ParkO R Hedges Lions Campground
RV ParkDidsbury Elks Campground
RV ParkRosebud Valley Campground
RV ParkDidsbury Mobile Home Park Ltd
RV ParkCarstairs Campground
RV ParkAnthony Henday Campground
RV ParkCrossfield Mobile Estates Ltd
RV Park




