It is turning out to be a great summer for swimming, beaches, and lakes! The warm weather is begging you to take a trip to one of Alberta’s nicest lakes for a dip, a camping trip, or a luxurious cabin getaway. Beautiful lakes can be found all over Alberta, you just need to know where to look!
A great way to find your beach getaway in Alberta is to search the provincial parks, provincial recreation areas, and private campgrounds. This list includes a bit of every type of accommodation with all the places sharing one important thing in common: beach access!
Northern Alberta
1. Sturgeon Lake
This northern gem is an excellent summer getaway with an inviting beach on Sturgeon Lake’s southern shores. Williamson Provincial Park is a small part of the large lake, with other Provincial Parks located on the lake’s northern shores offering even more to do. The Sturgeon is also a great place to take your boats and enjoy water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, or tubing. The Williamson campground is a short walk away from the beach and offers change rooms, washrooms, firepits, and a playground.
Places to Stay
- Williamson Provincial Park: First Come First Served camping only
Best Campsites in Alberta You Don’t Need to Reserve In Advance
2. Fawcett Lake
Alberta’s Fawcett Lake offers a week or weekend of lakeside camping on the lake’s northeast shores where you’ll find a variety of activities. On a hot day, take to the beach’s waters for a swim, and on a cooler day, cozy up to your fire pit. The campground is near a boat launch and pier, a small grocery store, and is just a short walk to the beach! If camping isn’t your ideal way to spend a beach getaway, the Provincial Park is also home to the Anchor Inn Resort who do offer camping, but also a variety of cabins.
Places to Stay
- Fawcett Lake Provincial Recreation Area: First Come First Served camping only
- Anchor Inn Resort – Year-round. Reserved sites only
3. Cardinal Lake
Cardinal Lake is north of the Peace River and the Provincial Wildland Area. On Cardinal’s southeast shores is a large and scenic campground with a beach area that offers plenty to do with boat launches, a playground, volleyball courts, cook shelters, and all of it is a short walk from the campsites.
Places to Stay
- Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park: First Come First Served camping only
4. Shaw’s Point Resort
Your beach getaway at Shaw’s Point on Lesser Slave Lake can include a tent, RV, or cabin stay, with group campsites also available. While you’re here you can shop the Open Air Market, rent boats and explore this massive northern lake via the water, or spend lazy summer days on the beach. Rainy weekend? No problem: The Resort hosts a PG/G movie night every Friday.
Places to Stay
- Shaw’s Point Resort: northwest end of Lesser Slave Lake, 40km northeast of High Prairie on AB-750
5. Lesser Slave Lake
On the opposite side of Lesser Slave Lake is the Provincial Park and day use areas. The park is home to two campgrounds, two group camping areas, at four-day use areas- two of which have beaches. Spend your days relaxing in the sand and water, exploring the trails, plan a visit to the nearby Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation, or fit in a game of golf.
Places to Stay
- Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park: First Come First Served camping and reserved sites
6. Cold Lake South Shores
Kinosoo Beach is a popular swimming spot on the south shores of Cold Lake with many accommodation options ranging from camping to glamping. These resorts and campgrounds are either a short walk or a short drive away from Kinosoo beach, local dining, shopping, and the large marina.
Places to Stay
- Baywood Park & Cabins – Reserved sites only – Year-round
- Cold Lake Provincial Park Campground – Reserved sites only: May 20 – October 12
- Cold Lake Municipal District Campground – Reserved sites only
7. McLeod Lake
A McLeod Lake vacation will include access to a small peaceful lake with a sandy beach enclosed by a line of tall trees and adjacent to trails which lead back to the campsites. The small lake is also a great place to explore by canoe or kayak, and just as great a place to fish. Handy amenities include showers, washrooms, a hand boat launch, and a dump station.
Places to Stay
- Carson Pegasus Provincial Park – McLeod Lake Day Use Area – Reserved sites only
8. Hope Lake
The smaller Hope Lake is nestled between the larger Skeleton and North Buck Lakes and is a short drive northeast of Boyle. Your summer getaway at Hope Lake Campground can be spent on the sandy beaches of the north shore, on the ATV and quadding trails, hiking through the trees, or relaxing by the fire.
Places to Stay
- Hope Lake Campground: Boyle, Athabasca County – From Boyle: North on Hwy 63 6 km to Skeleton Narrows Road, then north 11 km on Rge Rd 191 (winds north and west). – Reserved sites only
Central Alberta
1. Annette Lake
As you drive down the Yellowhead Highway towards the townsite of Jasper you will pass crystal clear lakes and creeks while also following the Athabasca River. North of town and a quick turn off the Yellowhead is Annette Lake, one of Jasper’s best beaches. For a hot summer such as this year’s, a mountain lake dip might be just what you need to cool down. Several hotel and lodge accommodations can be found in Jasper, and Translucid Adventures is located on Edith Lake, a short drive away from the beach. Translucid offer paddleboard rentals and workshops during the summer.
Places to Stay
- Various Accommodations in Town – Booking.com Link
2. Buffalo Lake
For a perfect prairie beach experience, Rochon Sands on Buffalo Lake can be the next stop for those from Calgary, Red Deer, or Edmonton. The campground is on the south-central shores of the lake and close to the park’s beach where you can swim or lazy float or take your bigger boat out to explore the large prairie lake. Some campsites can be found lakeside with incredible views, while the rest are nestled in the trees.
Places to Stay
- Rochon Sands Provincial Park – Rochon Sands Campground: FCFC camping and reserved sites
- The Narrows Recreation Area – The Narrows Campground: FCFC camping
3. William A. Switzer Park Lakes
This campground and Provincial Park bring you to the doorstep of Alberta’s Rockies. You may not be right in the Rockies, but you’ll have many chances for mountain views on your trip to William A. Switzer while you swim at one of the park’s 5 lakes. This nontypical beach getaway can be enjoyed through one of the park’s five lakes and of their five campgrounds.
Places to Stay
- William A. Switzer Provincial Park: FCFC camping and reserved sites
4. Pigeon Lake
Pigeon Lake is large and wide, creating plenty of room for power boats, water sports, and sailing in addition to a whole summer village. Pigeon Lake offers all you would need in terms of groceries, coffee, and a gas station, while the campground itself offers its own amenities. You can choose from classic tent and trailer spots or spend your weekend in a furnished yurt. And for off-the-water adventures, check out the multiple front-country hiking trails which surround the lake.
Places to Stay
- Pigeon Lake Provincial Park: Reservations only
5. Gull Lake – Aspen Beach
This central Alberta campground offers over 200 power RV and trailer sites, as well as 27 non-serviced sites for the tent-goers. The campground has its own private beach but is also adjacent to another (via walking trails) which hosts Ripples Concession stand. Aspen Beach is on the large Gull Lake where you can spend an afternoon swimming, Sea-doing, power boating, canoeing, and kayaking.
Places to Stay
- Aspen Beach Provincial Park: Reservations only
- Gull Lake Summer Village Accommodations
6. Sylvan Lake
Sylvan Lake is home to one of the largest beach communities in Alberta and is an excellent weekend getaway for those in northern, central, and southern Alberta. This large central Alberta Lake has an expansive beach on its east end which runs alongside Lakeshore Drive: here you can dine at the local restaurants, grab a drink at a local pub, or enjoy a bit of shoProvincial Parking. Water sport rentals are available on the south end of the beach on the pier via The Launch, Sun Sport Recreation, Nomads, and Castaway Adventure Fishing.
Places to Stay
- Jarvis Bay Provincial Park Campground: Reservations only
- Various Accommodations in Town – Booking.com Link
7. Whitney Lakes
This Park consists of 4 lakes in total and 3 front-country campgrounds. In addition to beaches, camping and fishing, you can also get in plenty of hiking and canoeing around these gorgeous lakes. One large beach is located on Whitney Lake in the southwest portion of the park, while Ross Lake has three swimming areas around the lake. Both Ross and Whitney Lake campgrounds are walking distance to these beaches.
Places to Stay
- Whitney Lakes Provincial Park: Reservations only
8. Crimson Lake
This could be the perfect central Alberta destination for an extended beach stay with amenities like laundry, showers, and a grocery/souvenir shop. There are two campgrounds within the Provincial Park with RV and tent sites and five group camping areas, both of which are near a beach, boat launch, and pier. After the beach, you can take to their 10+km of trails or launch the boat for a fishing trip.
Places to Stay
- Crimson Lake Provincial Park: Reservations only
9. Seba Beach
Across from the Provincial Park beach on Wabamun is the option of the Summer Village of Seba Beach. This is a great place for those wanting a little more water adventure with boat rentals and an August Long Weekend festival and parade. There are three RV resorts on this side of Wabamun, as well as the Provincial Park on the east side.
Places to Stay
10. Whitefish Lake
Choose between a cabin or powered RV site for your stay. While you’re here you can relax or have a picnic at the beach on the shores of Whitefish Lake, go for a swim, or take in the views from the docks. There is a convenience store near the beach and camping area, event space, shower houses, firewood for sale, and potable water.
Places to Stay
- Kikino Silver Birch Resort: Reservations only
Southern Alberta
1. Waterton Reservoir
These non-serviced campsites offer a serene wilderness getaway along the northern shores of the Waterton Reservoir. This area is home to a wide beach where you can relax, swim, or embark on a float. The Park’s pier gives you awesome lake views, and the boat launch is suitable for power- and paddleboats. If you are looking for somewhere wide, large, and open to waterski or tube, this is the perfect lake.
Places to Stay
- Waterton Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area: FCFS camping only
2. McGregor Lake
The Provincial Park and campground at McGregor Lake cover the northern shores of the narrow lake. Near the campground is a day-use area with beaches where you can relax and picnic or take a dip in the cold water. Power boating is permitted on the lake, so you can take out the skis, sea-doos, or fishing rods. Canoeing and kayaking are also permitted if you are looking for a more relaxing boating trip.
Places to Stay
- McGregor Lake Provincial Recreation Area: FCFS camping only
3. Stafford Lake
Your quiet lake haven awaits at Stafford Lake where you can escape in a tent, RV, or cabin. While you’re here you can embark on a number of water activities and sports, or just take it easy on their new beach. After a day at the water, your campsite offers an inviting atmosphere with your own picnic table and fire pit as well.
Places to Stay
- Stafford Lake Resort: east end of Township Rd. 92
4. Elkwater Lake
This southern Alberta beach and summer village makes for an exciting beach getaway within the heart of the Cypress Hills Provincial Park. There are numerous campsites which can be found among the trees, in the open, or close to Elkwater Lake. The village has a few trails to explore which can take you to lake lookouts, showers, boat rental facilities, and a playground.
Places to Stay
5. Little Bow Reservoir
Located near the Little Bow Reservoir, and at the west end of the Travers Reservoir is the Little Bow Campground, a small and scenic campsite with plenty of beach fun to offer. The naturally sheltered sandy beach is home to a concession, washrooms, picnic tables and a boat launch, while the camping areas offer showers, washrooms, fire pits, and water taps.
Places to Stay
- Little Bow Provincial Park: Reservations only
6. Willow Creek
The Stavely Elks Parks consist of the Pine Coulee, Clear Lake, and Willow Creek campgrounds. For a beach getaway, your best choice is Willow Creek which provides numerous swimming opportunities in the shallow waters of the creek. On hotter days, you can catch shade under the taller cliffs and large trees surrounding the creek bed.
Places to Stay
- Willow Creek Campground: FCFS camping and reserved sites available
7. Lake Newell
The east side of Lake Newell offers a large Provincial Park area close to Brooks and Calgary where you’ll find a beautiful beach vacation. There are almost 200 campsites and two beaches, several boat launches, a concession, fishing opportunities, showers, a playground, and extensive trails which connect all of these activities and amenities.
Places to Stay
- Kinbrook Island Provincial Park: Reserved sites only
8. Highwood River
Nestle yourself among creek cliffs and forested campsites for the weekend while you enjoy a private beach off the Highwood River. The small and low flowing river is perfect for a swim or float on a hot day and is walking distance from the campsites. The [private campsites offer fire pits and are close to washrooms.
Places to Stay
- Nature’s Hideaway Family Campground: Reservations only