People who come to Edmonton to receive medical treatments are bypassing the costs of extended hotel stays by setting up their trailers at an Edmonton campground.

The option has become so popular that the Rainbow Valley campground has set aside three spots just for patients.

"They are visiting the Cross Cancer [Institute], the Stollery [Children's Hospital], or other surgeries that take place in Edmonton," said campground supervisor Lisa Olsen.

"Generally they come from the north or rural Saskatchewan or northern British Columbia."

Patients and their families say the familiarity of a trailer or RV is better than a hotel.

"This is more like home," said Joan Budd, whose husband is battling cancer. "Our own bed in the motorhome. Our own space."