TSUUT’INA FIRST NATION— Offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life, a Tsuu’tina First Nation family has launched a one-of-a-kind camping destination in the Bragg Creek area.
Owner and manager of Onespot Crossing Campground Ginger Onespot said they have been planning the campground for two-years and envisioned it as a must-see destination in the Bragg Creek area. She added the site will offer families a chance to escape the rush of city life and reconnect with nature.
“There nothing around here that caters to families,” Onespot said. “The Indigenous atmosphere here that we are going to incorporate there’s nothing like that around here.”
Onespot Crossing Campground had a light launch last summer but this week they will be holding their grand opening. They have been officially open to the public since July 1.
To celebrate the official launch of Onespot Crossing Campground the site will be hosting a Heritage Days festival from Friday (July 31) to Sunday (Aug 2). Campers that visit over the weekend are encouraged to “bring their heritage with them” including any kind of foods or items, said health and safety administrator Samantha Smith. She added that Onespot Crossing will also be hosting a powwow with food trucks and each night will end with a fireworks display.
Onespot said the idea for the camp was inspired by her husband David— The campground sits on Tsuu’tina First Nation land and has been passed down through David’s family for generations.
“His family stayed here, they pioneered this land, they settled it,” Onespot said. “We decided to open up to the public to share our knowledge and to teach people to connect back to the world, to connect back to Mother Earth.”
The campground is surrounded by a rich environment with spacious sites that allow guests to enjoy mountain and valley views with easy access to the Elbow River, Smith said.
“You don’t hear or see the camper next to you,” Smith said. “We’ve made it COVID friendly— The lots are a little bit bigger due to the pandemic that we're in.”
She added that washroom and sanitizer stations will also be available for guests.
The launch marks the first phase of the campground, Onespot said, explaining that they are slowly growing the campsite so it will be able to host 500 spots and include an array of fun and unique activities for visiting families. During phase one the camp will be open to tenting and RVs. There are currently 30 to 50 camping spots available, but more lots will be opened as they grow.
Phase two will see the implementation of hiking, biking, water rafting, mini-golf and the creation of a venue for special events, Onespot said. During this time 60 to 200 spots will be available.
When Onespot Crossing Campground enters into phase three of their opening they will create a camp for youth who have special needs and disabilities, Smith said. She added that they plan on having more than 60 horses that can be utilized at the camp for youth. At the same time the campground will be building cabins along the riverfront, Smith said.
“It’s an amazing adventure one that I think everyone should experience,” Smith said. “If you’re looking for that all-natural feeling of a campground and you want to be respected and want that privacy to yourself but yet you still want to have that campground feel then it’s definitely a spot you want to come to take your family.”
To rent a site at Onespot Crossing Campground during the weekend it is $50 for trailers and $35 for tents. The campground will also be adding teepees to stay in for $105 for personal use and $140 for a family of four, this includes breakfast and wood for fires.
Onespot Crossing is located on Wintergreen Road, northwest of the Bragg Creek hamlet.
This article has been updated to reflect Onespot Crossing Campground will be hosting a Heritage Days festival from Friday (July 31) to Sunday (Aug 2).
