Calgary 
The David Thompson Highway section in Central Alberta which covers the length of Abraham Lake is a jaw-dropping turn to make.
The bright blue waters of Abraham Lake sit in the foreground of foothills and the Rocky Mountains, with towering cliff faces surrounding the massive lake which all come into full view from Highway 11 just after Nordegg. The Lake’s south tip is then just a 15-minute drive from Banff National Park‘s gates.
Near Abraham Lake are several large rivers like the Bighorn, the North Saskatchewan, the Cline, and the Blackstone. With these, more lakes, and the Rocky Mountain setting, the Abraham Lake area has tons for you and your family to do this summer and fall.
Remember, this is bear country!
Scenic Summer/Fall Drive – David Thompson Highway
There are almost too many viewpoints and lookout points around Abraham Lake to get to in a day. But, as you travel the David Thompson Highway beside the Lake, you can do your best to pull over at the rest-stops, trailheads, and Provincial Day-use Areas to snap some awe-inspiring scenery and memorable selfies.
Extended road trip ideas with Abraham Lake:
- Edmonton to Jasper Via Abraham Lake
- Canadian Rocky Mountain National Parks Road Trip: Calgary – Waterton Lakes – Kootenay – Banff – Yoho – Jasper
Hike For a View
While there are many roadside pullouts, if you are fit and not a beginner in hiking, then scramble up the Windy Point Ridge trail or easier (compared to Windy Point) Vision Quest trail located in Kiska/Willson Public Land Use Zones (PLUZs) for a rewarding view of the Lake.
Fishing
Abraham Lake is home to brook trout, cutthroat trout, and sunfish, and along the David Thompson Highway, around Abraham Lake are several other great (smaller) fishing lakes and rivers. The North Saskatchewan and Blackstone Rivers have access points to cast off, and the smaller lakes include Goldeye and Fish Lake.
- Aylmer PRA (North Saskatchewan River)
- Goldeye Lake PRA
- Fish Lake PRA
- Thompson Creek PRA (North Saskatchewan River)
- Wapiabi PRA (Blackstone River)
Rock Climbing/Via Ferrata
The smaller Rocky Mountains around Abraham Lake and the entire corridor draw in crowds of rock climbers each year. Abraham slabs are a popular spot due to their end views of the lake, while Kootenay Plains on the Lake’s south tip provide good beginner routes.
Guided rock climbing is also available for younger ones and beginners through Via Ferrata David Thompson tours.
Pack a Picnic
Along the Abraham Lake Corridor are a few Provincial Day-use Areas equipped with all you need for a nice picnic: firepits/rings, picnic tables, washrooms, and gorgeous views.
On the north side of the lake is the Fish Lake PRA, where you can dine lakeside and walk off your meal on the shoreline trail. Crescent Falls PRA offers picnic areas next to a raging waterfall and a large valley with trails as well.
And on the south tip of the Lake, Thompson Creek offers Creekside camping with trails leading to the North Saskatchewan River.
Wildlife Viewing
Venture onto some of the secondary roads, Provincial Recreation Areas, or river access roads, and you are likely to see some large wildlife from your car. Around Abraham Lake, there are deer, moose, black or grizzly bears, feral horses, marmots, or bighorn sheep. One of the best locations for this in the area, especially if you would like a quick walk, is the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve. If you are hiking around here, some good things to bring include a small music speaker and bear spray.
ATV- and OHV-riding
The Bighorn Backcountry is covered in trails which make for fun and exciting off-roading in your ATV/OHV. Whether you want to bring out your quad, ATV, dirt bike, or other OHV, these trails lead to scenic areas, offer a few challenges, and are near several campsites and camping areas. Alberta Parks consistently updates trail conditions and access for this area, so its worth checking ahead before you leave.
Visit the Hoodoos
A short hike will take you to a collection of small natural hoodoos also near a small cave. Your hiking adventure begins at a trailhead marked for Hoodoo Creek Trail, accessed via AB-11. You will be pleasantly surprised at the end of your hike by an almost aerial view over Abraham Lake and the surrounding valley.
Guided Hikes
With mountains, forests, raging rivers, and deep valleys come beautiful locations and the need for some caution. If you want to get the best of the area with an experienced guide, Nordegg Adventures can take you to all sorts of pretty places with views at the end and along your hikes. Guided hikes include tours to Siffleur Falls, Coliseum Mountain, Coral Creek, or Whitegoat Falls.
HeLa Ventures – Family Adventures
HeLa Ventures offers six different kinds of family-focused adventures in the David Thompson country. Try river rafting on the North Saskatchewan, a lake canoeing course, mountain hikes, an interpretive hike through the forest, a wilderness skills guide, or their introduction to camping.
Paddling the Nearby Lakes
Paddling and lazy floating on Abraham Lake itself are not recommended. The unpredictable Rocky Mountain weather combined with the lake’s size makes it easy for a small floatie or raft to make it a long distance.
But there are a few alternatives! Fish Lake (on the south side of the highway) is a perfect-sized lake for a swim on a warm day, paddle boarding, kayaking, and canoeing. Goldeye Lake PRA (north side of the highway) is another smaller lake with a boat launch and first-come, first-served camping.
Stargazing
The viewing areas along Abraham Lake also serve as perfect places to park while you gaze over the night sky. The Rocky Mountain skies serve as a beautiful backdrop at night, and you can see constellations, aurora borealis, and sometimes bright planets.
David Thompson Resort
You have three accommodation options at the David Thompson Resort, just off Highway AB-1: the hotel, a cabin, or a campsite (for both tents and RVs). A visit to this Rocky Mountain resort is a guaranteed relaxing week or weekend but with plenty of adventure surrounding you. The cabin stays come in full-service or rustic options, while the campsites offer 15- or 30-amp power.
Back Country Camping
There are a few popular Provincial Park campsites around Abraham Lake, but this location is great for those looking for more back-country camping. As you drive the highway next to the lake, you will find several turns off the road leading to magnificent campsites located on Crown Land. This means there are likely to be no washrooms, but many of these locations are popular enough that you can spot existing fire pits. Keep in mind that many of these campsites require either walk-in tenting or a four-by-four vehicle.
Waterfall Hikes
There is no limit to the amount of beauty in this area. In some cases, you can spot small waterfalls from the highway or your car, but if you would like to venture off on foot, there are some larger ones you must see. Crescent Falls is one of the larger falls to see and is via a 2-3-hour hike or by parking at the PRA. Siffleur Falls is another popular one to see and is accessed via a 14.2km trail- this one includes up to three waterfalls!
Abraham Lake is very famous for its special phenomenon of ice bubbles, which appear when the Lake freezes during the winter season.
