Riding up the Cowboy Trail into Alberta on Monday July 8th. Going to the Stampede Tuesday night.

Need advice about tent camping near Calgary
and secure bike parking downtown.

There will be 3 of us on 3 bikes.

 

There is no tent camping right in town that I know of. There is a campground on the East end of town and one on the West side, both as you are leaving the city on the Trans Canada highway.
Downtown parking is tough to find especially during Stampede. I would talk to the guy's at Kanes HD which is located on the edge of downtown and very close to the Stampede grounds, I'll bet they'd let you park in their lot all day.

 

Good idea, thanks Skidder!

After the stampede we were going to head up the Galcier Parkway.
Lake Louise, Jasper etc. then west to southern BC.
Anything special or "don't miss" advice would be appreciated.

 

Lots of camping around the city fishhead. Use google maps to find it. For parking downtown.. go to the Elbow River Casino. They have underground parking, with a security guard. Free parking. Just roll in, park, then go into the Casino. Slip out the front door and across the street to the Stampede grounds.

 

I like the way you think.

This is the kind of local knowledge that makes this forum worthwhile.
This and the oil threads

 

I wouldn't make a bee-line for the door when you come out of the stairwell from the parking lot. Just hang around a bit, maybe put a few quarters in a slot. Better yet stop into the buffet for brunch. It's something like 10 bucks all you can eat.

 

This might not be the year for the Stampede. Lots of damage to roads from the flood, the Stampede hype has been abeyanced as they focus on saving homes and businesses.

 

Bring a boat