Just an hour-and-a-half south of Calgary and only 30 minutes from the town of Vulcan lies a little-known gem. The Little Bow Resort and its collection of 250 bare land condominium properties is located along the sandy shores of Travers Reservoir, a 17-kilometre-long lake with crystal clear waters fed by the Little Bow River.

"It really is beautifully clean, and it is a deep lake and quiet, so you can really enjoy boating and all of the sports that go along with it," said Calgary real estate professional and Little Bow property owner Bill MacDougall.

During the summer months, it's always nice to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little R and R – whether for a few weeks or only a weekend – which is why the idea of owning a vacation property is so appealing to many Calgarians.

Thankfully, there are no shortage of options here in the province for vacationers of all stripes.

The town of High River, located 30 minutes south of Calgary on the banks of the Highwood River, has bounced back from the trials and tribulations of the 2013 floods with grace and determination.

Alberta vacation communities for Calgarians

During the summer months, it's always nice to be able to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city for a little R and R – whether for a few weeks or only a weekend – which is why the idea of owning a vacation property is so appealing to many Calgarians. Thankfully, there are no shortage of options here in the province for vacationers of all stripes.

Here are 10 popular vacation communities within three hours of Calgary:

How to buy a vacation home without getting burned

While sunburn can ruin a holiday, getting burned on a vacation home purchase can sting for much longer. Fortunately, doing your homework will help you find your place in the sun without feeling the heat.

"The market has seen price drops lately, so a lot of people are finding vacation properties at $300,000 or below," said Bill MacDougall, a real estate professional with Optimum Realty Group in Calgary.

Lake communities offer waterside fun in the sun

Vanessa Verkley needs little encouragement to grab a towel and head to the lake these days.

Like other Calgarians, the Auburn Bay resident has been feeling the heat of the second hottest July in seven decades.