Wilson’s Beach Campground, located along the eastern shoreline of Gull Lake, Alberta, offers seasonal and nightly camping options, a lakefront rental cabin, and a lineup of community events.
The campground, originally developed by the Lacombe Fish and Game Association in the 1950s, has maintained much of its original layout, offering nearly 90 sites across wooded and lakefront areas.
Its pier, first built in the 1980s, underwent full restoration in 2023, with every plank replaced to preserve it as a central gathering point for campers.
The property features a mix of seasonal and nightly campsites, including both powered and unserviced sites. Lakefront seasonal campsites are in particularly high demand, with some featuring direct paths to the shoreline.
The campground also accommodates groups with large sites designed for multiple trailers or tents.
For visitors without RVs or camping equipment, the Beach Bunkie—a compact rental unit equipped with a queen bed, private bathroom, kitchenette, and floor-to-ceiling windows—provides an alternative lodging option.
Amenities include potable water stations, washrooms with flush toilets, a shower house, a playground, hiking and biking trails, paddleboard rentals, and a small beach store.
While the site does not provide a dump station or open boat launch, it promotes nearby attractions such as Anderson Park, local honey farms, and the town centers of Bentley and Lacombe.
The campground also hosts activities throughout the season, ranging from scavenger hunts and beach bingo to pancake breakfasts and bean bag tournaments.
Key annual events include Canada Day fireworks, outdoor movie nights, and the campground’s largest gathering, “Ding Dong Days,” which features children’s activities, live entertainment, food vendors, and games.
For business owners in the outdoor hospitality sector, Wilson’s Beach Campground illustrates how smaller, independently operated campgrounds can balance heritage, community, and modern amenities.
Its approach highlights several industry takeaways: maintaining a sense of nostalgia while updating infrastructure such as the pier, diversifying lodging with rental units for non-RV guests, and creating value-added experiences through events that foster repeat visitation.
Seasonal camper communities also play a role in building long-term loyalty, something operators elsewhere may consider when developing strategies for guest engagement.
Featured image by Wilson’s Beach Campground via wilsonsbeachcampground.com