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GCBD
Kids and adults alike can enjoy the swim-friendly pond plus enjoy the expansive sports field, frisbee golf course, and more.
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GCBD
The Great Canadian Barn Dance Campground is open from April thru September with seasonal rates and lots of 40 x 70 ft are available.
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GCBD
The weekend entertainment includes a country-style buffet and live music devised to interact in a family-oriented atmosphere.
Words by Steve Fennell
Many RV parks strive to differentiate themselves from the competition. However, The Great Canadian Barn Dance RV Park in Hillspring, AB, is unique as its concept stems from a generation that enjoys live, interactive, weekly entertainment that the whole family can enjoy. What began as a weekly country dance reflecting the style of the rural 1950s, evolved into a RV park where seasonal and transient RVers come to visit with their families season after season.
“Starting an RV park was far from our wildest dreams,” says owner Trevor Kunkel. “My father played music all his life and he wanted to create dances like the ones he enjoyed while growing up in rural Alberta. After starting these dances, people began to ask if they could park for the night. Eventually, we opened the RV park in 1995 and now we have live entertainment every weekend for families and our guests. Friday night is our Legends of Music Dinner Show and Saturday are the regular dinner and dance.”
Held from May through to September, the entertainment includes a country-style buffet created by the park’s resident chef and provides the chance for families – from grandparents to grandkids – to interact in an exciting, family-oriented atmosphere.
Located approximately an hour from Lethbridge on Range Rd. 275, The Great Canadian Barn Dance RV park is in fact, “in the middle of nowhere.” Yet that’s perhaps the other secret to their success that makes it popular among RVers, especially those looking for a site on a seasonal basis.
“We have really seen an influx of seasonal RVers,” says Kunkel. “We have room to expand and that’s what we are focusing on right now.”
When RVers aren’t kicking up their heels on the weekends (to the house band that consists of Kunkel and his family), the park’s location makes it the ideal place to relax among its grounds.
For instance, the park consists of 55-plus sites to include:
- Pull-though and tent sites (groups welcome)
- Power and water hook-ups (15, 30, and 50-amp electrical)
- Picnic tables and fire pits
- Modern bathrooms/showers
- Pump-outs
- Laundry facilities
When it comes to activities, kids and adults alike can enjoy the swim-friendly pond where they can canoe or fish, plus enjoy the expansive sports field, frisbee golf course, and more. Off-site is just as desirable. Commercial services are in Pincher Creek and there are two nearby UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and Waterton Lakes National Park, which makes for exciting day trips. Many local festivals and events are held throughout the season as well.
“The campground is located up on a vista where you can see for miles, which offers amazing views,” says Kunkel. “This is a destination park and families, or grandparents can let their kids play freely as there’s nobody around for miles.”
The Great Canadian Barn Dance Campground is open from April thru September with seasonal rates and lots of 40 x 70 ft are available. For those visiting families or friends, The Lodge offers large, country-themed rooms with queen-size beds and “The Bunk House” is also available featuring three bedrooms, a living room, fridge, and microwave.
For all the details call (866) 626-3407/ (403) 626-3407 or visit www.gcbd.ca