Calgary Stampede 2027 RV Rental and Camping Guide

Which rental brands suit the Calgary Stampede?

One brand returned vans in our live search for a Calgary pick-up: Cruise Canada (the Canadian arm of Cruise America). Its Calgary rental centre at 2980 26th Street NE is about 9 km (6 miles) from Stampede Park and about 12 km from Calgary International Airport. It offered four motorhomes for our Stampede dates: the Ultra Compact 18 ft (sleeps 2), Compact 21 ft (sleeps 4), Standard 25 ft (sleeps 5) and Large 30 ft (sleeps 7). All have a toilet, shower and fridge.

CanaDream also has a Calgary depot, in Rocky View County north of the airport, but it returned no vehicles in our search for these dates, so we cannot offer it for the Stampede right now.

• Size for the RV parks: the Lake Louise and Tunnel Mountain campgrounds in Banff take units up to 15 metres (50 feet), and Mountain View Camping has 50 amp pull-through sites, so even the Large 30 ft is an easy fit.
• Power: in Canada only the Large 30 ft has a generator. The other models rely on a powered site or on battery, and Cruise America says the Ultra Compact needs external power for its 120 V furnace and air conditioning. Book a 30 or 50 amp site if you want air conditioning in July. Calaway notes that its 15 amp sites will not run an air conditioner.
• Sundays: Cruise Canada rental centres are closed on Sundays and holidays, so you cannot pick up or return on the final Sunday of the Stampede (18 July 2027). Plan a Saturday or Monday return.
• Cancellations: Cruise America's FAQ says that for areas where special events such as music festivals occur, cancelling within 45 days of pick-up forfeits your reservation down payment. It does not say whether this covers Calgary in Stampede week, so ask before you book.
• One-ways: Cruise Canada offers one-ways between most rental centres by advance reservation, so a Calgary to Vancouver trip after the Stampede is possible. A drop fee applies and the one-way down payment is non-refundable.

Compare these vehicles for your dates on our Calgary motorhome and campervan page.

What does Calgary Stampede RV rental cost?

Live prices from the Campervan Rental Guide search for a Calgary pick-up on Thursday 8 July 2027 and return on Saturday 17 July 2027 (9 nights), searched on 19 October 2026. Prices are the nightly rate shown on each result in Canadian dollars, with the total for 9 nights.

• Ultra Compact 18 ft (sleeps 2): C$255.39 a night, C$2,361.50 total
• Compact 21 ft (sleeps 4): C$263.87 a night, C$2,437.74 total
• Standard 25 ft (sleeps 5): C$334.04 a night, C$3,069.30 total
• Large 30 ft (sleeps 7): C$342.62 a night, C$3,146.57 total

Stampede week is peak season. A 14 night September 2027 search from Calgary, run on 18 October 2026, showed the same four motorhomes at C$97 to C$125 a night.

What is not in those prices

• Kilometres: Cruise America's FAQ says Canadian rentals are charged for an estimated 160 km per night (1,440 km over 9 nights) at 39 cents per kilometre, collected up front, with extra kilometres charged and unused ones refunded at return. The FAQ does not state the currency. The trip plan below covers about 850 km, well under that estimate, so the unused kilometres are refunded. A Half Price Mileage Deal (promo code FRDM) is listed for departures through 31 October 2027.
• Kits: a Personal Kit is listed at 75 dollars per person and a Vehicle Provisioning Kit (cookware, crockery, cutlery, kettle) at 125 dollars per vehicle, currency not stated.
• Generator: the Large 30 ft generator is listed at 3.50 dollars an hour, currency not stated.
• RV park fees: Stampede-week rates for powered sites at Calgary RV parks ran from C$53 to C$76 a night in 2026, plus tax (details below).
• Park passes: a Parks Canada daily pass for Banff is C$12.25 per adult or C$24.50 for a family or group of up to seven in one vehicle, and a Discovery Pass is C$167.50 per family or group for a year. Powered sites at Tunnel Mountain and Lake Louise cost C$40.00 to C$47.25 a night (2026 fees).
• Stampede tickets: park admission, Rodeo and Evening Show tickets are separate. 2027 admission prices were not published when we checked.

Where to camp in an RV for the Calgary Stampede

Stampede Park has no campground or RV sites. The official 2026 parking map says every vehicle must fit a 9 by 19 foot stall, that no oversized vehicles, RVs or trailers are permitted, and that cars parked overnight must leave by 8 AM. The Stampede says 2027 parking details will be published in spring 2027. Calgary also bans detached trailers and campers from city streets. So the way to do the Stampede in a motorhome is to base yourself at an RV park and ride a shuttle, the CTrain, a taxi or an Uber into the grounds.

Mountain View Camping (east of Calgary, Stampede shuttle)

• Where: 244028 Conrich Road, Rocky View County, about 3 km east of the city limits off the Trans-Canada Highway. It is about 17 km (11 miles) by road from Stampede Park, around 20 minutes, and about 12 km from the Cruise Canada depot.
• Stampede shuttle: runs to and from the Stampede grounds with two departure and return times a day, plus an extra morning departure on Parade Day, for C$15 per person each way. No advance booking is needed.
• Sites: 180 RV sites with power, water and sewer, from 15 amp up to 50 amp pull-throughs. Published peak date rates (Stampede week is a peak period) run from C$62 a night for 15 amp power and water to C$76 for a 50 amp pull-through, plus tax.
• Good to know: no tents, a maximum of 6 people per site, one RV plus one car per site, a dump station, coin showers, a 24-hour laundromat and a store. There are no refunds for cancellations over the Stampede period (1 to 20 July). Book through Campspot via the official site.

Calaway RV Park and Campground (west of Calgary)

• Where: 245033 Range Road 33, beside Calaway Park amusement park off Highway 1 at Springbank Road, just west of the city. It is about 25 km (16 miles) from Stampede Park, around 30 minutes by road.
• Sites and 2026 Stampede rates: 104 sites. Full service 50 amp back-in C$67, full service 30 amp pull-through C$62, full service 15 and 30 amp back-in C$57, power only C$53 and tenting C$48 a night, plus GST.
• Stampede rules: check-in from 12 PM, check-out by 10 AM and gates closed from midnight to 6 AM during the Stampede. Maximum stay 14 days a season. Packages and pass discounts do not apply in Stampede week.
• Getting in: the official campground page does not mention a Stampede shuttle, so plan on a taxi or Uber, or ask when you book on the official site.

Bow RiversEdge Campground (Cochrane)

On the Bow River at 900 Griffin Road East in Cochrane, about 40 km (25 miles) from Stampede Park, around 45 minutes by road. Owned by the Lions Club and Rotary Club of Cochrane, it has full-service 30 and 50 amp sites, washrooms, showers and a laundromat, and Travel Alberta lists it as open 1 April to 1 November. It is a quieter base that is closer to the Rockies, but you will need a taxi or rideshare to reach the Stampede.

Before you book

• Book as early as you can. Calgary RV parks charge higher Stampede rates and Mountain View does not refund Stampede cancellations.
• Stampede Park does not allow pets during Stampede time (service dogs aside), so plan for any pet that travels with you.

Getting to Stampede Park with an RV

Stampede Park sits south-east of downtown Calgary along Macleod Trail, between 12 Avenue SE and 25 Avenue SE. You do not need to drive your motorhome there, and you cannot park it there.

• From the Cruise Canada depot (2980 26th Street NE): about 9 km (6 miles), around 13 minutes, so Calgary is the obvious pick-up.
• From Calgary International Airport: about 19 km (12 miles), around 20 minutes. The depot is about 12 km from the airport and Cruise Canada does not provide airport transfers, so take a taxi or rideshare.
• CTrain: take the Red Line to Victoria Park/Stampede station (fastest for the BMO Centre and Saddledome) or Erlton/Stampede station (fastest for GMC Stadium). In 2026 the CTrain ran 24 hours a day during the Stampede. The Stampede says 2027 transit details will be published in spring 2027.
• Uber and taxis: Uber is the official rideshare partner, with zones at Lot 11B (north end), the Erlton exit east of 3rd Street (south end) and Macleod Trail between 13th and 14th Avenue (west end). Taxis use Stampede Trail between 12th and 14th Avenue, Lot 7/8 and the same Macleod Trail stretch.
• Parking a car: if you also have a car, 2026 Stampede-time public parking was C$30 a day at the 11th Avenue Lot, the Greenline Lot and Lot 11, with reserved spots at C$65. Cars only: stalls are 9 by 19 feet and RVs and trailers are not allowed.
• Parade Day: the 2026 parade started at 9 AM on the opening Friday, with downtown roads closing from 6 AM and reopening around 2 PM. Do not drive a motorhome downtown that morning. Use the Mountain View shuttle, the CTrain or walk.

Drive times are free-flow estimates from OSRM. Compare pick-ups on our Calgary page and read the official Getting to Stampede Park page.

A 10 day Calgary Stampede and Rockies road trip

This plan matches our live search: pick up Thursday 8 July, return Saturday 17 July 2027. Cruise Canada pick-up is normally 1 PM to 4 PM and drop-off 9 AM to 11 AM. Book the RV parks and the Banff campgrounds early: Parks Canada had not announced its 2027 reservation launch dates when we checked.

Day 1 (Thu 8 Jul): Pick up in Calgary

Collect your motorhome in north-east Calgary, shop for groceries and drive about 12 km (8 miles, 15 minutes) to Mountain View Camping for three nights.

Day 2 (Fri 9 Jul): Parade and opening day

Take the campground's extra Parade Day shuttle in for the Stampede Parade (2026 timing: 9 AM start), then spend the afternoon at Stampede Park. In 2026 parade-goers got free park admission from 11 AM to 1 PM, so check whether that returns for 2027.

Day 3 (Sat 10 Jul): Rodeo and Evening Show

The Rodeo runs every afternoon and the Evening Show, with the Rangeland Derby chuckwagon races and the Grandstand Show, every night. Buy tickets ahead and catch the shuttle or the CTrain home.

Day 4 (Sun 11 Jul): Into Banff National Park

Drive about 141 km (88 miles, around 2 hours) to Tunnel Mountain Trailer Court, 2.5 km from the town of Banff, with full hookups. Buy your Parks Canada pass before you enter the park.

Day 5 (Mon 12 Jul): Banff

Leave the motorhome at camp and use the public transit stop at Tunnel Mountain to explore the town.

Day 6 (Tue 13 Jul): Lake Louise and Moraine Lake

Drive about 62 km (38 miles, an hour) to Lake Louise Hard-sided campground. RVs cannot park at the Lake Louise Lakeshore and Moraine Lake Road is closed to private vehicles, so book the Parks Canada shuttle from the Lake Louise Park and Ride.

Day 7 (Wed 14 Jul): Icefields Parkway

Drive the Icefields Parkway past Bow Lake and the Peyto Lake viewpoint to the Columbia Icefield Discovery Centre, about 130 km (81 miles, 2 hours) each way, and return to Lake Louise. Fill up first: the only fuel stop is at Saskatchewan River Crossing, and there is no year-round mobile coverage.

Day 8 (Thu 15 Jul): Yoho and Kananaskis

Cross into Yoho National Park for Emerald Lake, about 38 km (24 miles) from Lake Louise, then drive about 174 km (108 miles, 2 hours 30 minutes) to Mount Kidd RV Park in Kananaskis Country.

Day 9 (Fri 16 Jul): A last night at the Stampede

Drive about 115 km (72 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes) back to Mountain View Camping and ride the shuttle in for one more Evening Show.

Day 10 (Sat 17 Jul): Return

Empty the tanks and return the motorhome between 9 AM and 11 AM, about 11 km from the campground. Want the final weekend too? Return on Monday 19 July instead, as rental centres are closed on Sundays.

Tips for the Calgary Stampede in an RV

• Book the RV park before the motorhome. There is no camping at Stampede Park, Calgary RV parks charge Stampede rates and Mountain View Camping gives no refunds for Stampede cancellations.
• Leave the RV at camp. Stampede lots do not take RVs or trailers, so use the Mountain View shuttle (C$15 each way), the Red Line CTrain or an Uber.
• Choose a 30 or 50 amp site. July in Calgary can be hot, only the Large 30 ft has a generator, and a 15 amp site will not run the air conditioning.
• Plan around Sundays. Cruise Canada centres are closed on Sundays, so you cannot return on the final Sunday, 18 July 2027.
• Buy your Parks Canada pass early. You need a valid pass to stop in Banff and Yoho and to drive the Icefields Parkway. At C$24.50 a day per vehicle group, a Discovery Pass (C$167.50) pays off after seven days.
• Watch the kilometres. Cruise America charges 39 cents per kilometre beyond the estimate. The Half Price Mileage Deal (FRDM) runs for departures through 31 October 2027.