Back in the 1930s, the Alberta government started to develop provincial parks. The idea at first was to develop recreation places for Albertans and later to preserve natural spaces. Either way, Alberta has 250 provincial parks with nearly 14,000 campsites in the system.
“The idea the government had was to create designated parks on Crown land. It’s still an ongoing process, although there hasn’t been a new park since Antelope Hill (near Hannah) was developed because of land donated to the province,” said Tim Chamberlin, a spokesperson from Alberta Parks.
Antelope Hill is not a recreation site and remains closed to public access because the man who donated the land still lives there. The area is an important birding area and has been preserved to protect unusual species that live there.
Aspen Beach: Aspen Beach Provincial Park on Gull Lake on Highway 792 and Highway 12 near Lacombe is one of the oldest parks in the province. It’s easy to imagine that even in 1932 the white sands at Aspen Beach must have seemed like the perfect spot for Alberta’s first provincial park. Shallow Gull Lake is a child’s paradise because the waters are warm and you can wade until it’s deep enough to swim. A five-year-old can look across the vast expanse of big Gull Lake and easily imagine it to be an ocean. All the while, the water is just lapping at the knees.
Sir Winston Churchill Park: Located off Highway 855 just east of Lac La Biche, this park is on an island connected to the shore by a causeway. “This park is a northern playground for camping, swimming, boating, bird-watching and definitely for night sky viewing,” Chamberlin said.
Lac La Biche hosts Powwow Days August 4 to 6. In addition to the powwow there will be a fair, complete with a midway. Look for canoeing and paddle-boarding demonstrations on the lake.
Ram River Provincial Park: Located south of Nordegg on Highway 734, Ram River plunges 20 metres over a shale and sandstone cliff. From the walkway overlooking the Ram River Falls, you may see bald eagles, merlins and kestrels. Bighorn sheep can sometimes be seen near the falls. This is a great place for hiking and though you are not in the mountains, the rugged terrain and the green-blue water of the Ram River may make you feel as if you are.
Sheep River Provincial Park: Located in Kananaskis Country, west of Turner Valley on Highway 546, this park offers visitors a different camping experience. Here are some of the site names in this park: Bluerock, Indian Oils, South Gorge Creek Trail and of course, Sheep Trail.
“Hiking offers excellent views of the foothills, Rocky Mountains and the gorgeous river pools,” Chamberlin said.
Kinbrook Island Provincial Park: Located just off Highway 873 south of Brooks, on Lake Newell, this lake has warm, clear water. The lake can be crowded and camping is on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Wetlands near the campground provide excellent bird-watching and interpretive marsh trails. There are popular nesting sites here for double-crested cormorants and white pelican,” Chamberlin said.
Park Lake Provincial Park: Located northwest of Lethbridge off Highway 25, this provincial park is also one of the oldest in Alberta.
“An irrigation reservoir built in 1929 provides the setting. Campers enjoy the large planted poplar trees along the lake. There is fishing, hiking and mountain biking. Or get on the water for some sailing, wind surfing or stand-up paddle boarding,” said Chamberlin.
Whichever of the 250 Alberta parks you choose to stay in, visit Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca or call 1-877-537-2757 for information.
