There are several ways to explore and create adventures out of a trip to Kananaskis Country. K-Country spans several parks across Alberta’s foothills and mountains from Calgary to Banff. This includes Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, the second-largest provincial park in Alberta.
The Heart of Kananaskis Country: The most significant natural features of Kananaskis, aside from the towering mountain peaks, are the Kananaskis Lakes and River. The Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes are at the southern end of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, while the river winds its way north to meet with the Bow near Canmore. The Kananaskis River passes alongside a few of the Peter Lougheed campgrounds, up toward the Village, through dense forests, and eventually to the Bow!
While Kananaskis Village is the heart of the region in terms of services, amenities, and accommodations, the areas to the south and within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park offer a stunning showcase of Alberta’s mountain scenery.
The Upper Lake sits at the base of Mt. Sarrail and Lyautey to the south, offering extensive trails around the lake for hikers, bikers, and backcountry campers. This is a wide and expansive lake surrounded by mountains, which create an imposing yet beautiful wall over the lake. The Lower Lake, on the other hand, it much longer and narrower. So, while there are also trails around the Lower Kananaskis Lake, these do not loop around the lake as they do around the Upper Kananaskis Lake.
Beyond the two lakes, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park’s showcase of that beautiful mountain scenery also includes many other natural features. Take in views of meadows and wildflower blooms, serene ponds in secluded forests, waterfalls over turbulent rivers and creeks, or the incredibly diverse wildlife population- all within the same park!
Highway 40, also known as the Kananaskis Trail, offers a scenic 104 km drive through Kananaskis Country, including Peter Lougheed and Spray Valley Parks, passing Highwood Pass (the highest paved pass in Canada) and Kananaskis Village before ending at the Trans-Canada Highway.
A Quick Guide to Hiking & Cycling the Kananaskis Trails
Kananaskis is a hiking and mountain biking destination given the extensive trail systems that wind through Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and the surrounding parks. These trails and systems include everything from simple nature walks and interpretive trails to moderate climbing and gentle hills, to the more difficult mountain summit trails, which often involve scrambling and large elevation gains.
- The Peter Lougheed Paved track runs north to south through the park for a little over 12km. And with this path, you’ll get access to some of the park’s best hiking opportunities. The paved path itself permits foot and bike traffic, but some of the connected trails may only permit hiking. Enjoy views of both Kananaskis Lakes along the trail.
- Some of the simpler and less strenuous trails around Peter Lougheed PP include interpretive trails which offer information on the area’s nature or history. Hike the more moderate Boulton Creek Interpretive or Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive at 4.5km each, or choose among shorter trails like the 1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition, Lower Lake Interpretive, Marl Lake Interpretive, or the Rock Glacier Interpretive, all under 2km each.
- The Upper Lake Trail, open to hikers and cyclists, is an awesome option for anyone after a scenic mountain bike ride. The trail totals just under 16 km as it loops around Upper Kananaskis Lake, offering waterfront views, rockslide views, and passing two gorgeous waterfalls.
- Peter Lougheed is also home to several trails which are multi-use for hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders. This includes the popular Big and Little Elbow trails, which extend over 25km each and offer beautiful riverside scenes along the Little Elbow River and adjacent to Elbow Lake.
- The Blackshale Suspension Bridge is a scenic, family-friendly hike along the High Rockies Trail. The 6.8 km round trip offers forest views, moderate elevation, and a thrilling canyon crossing above Blackshale Creek.
- The Peter Lougheed Provincial Park trail report provides detailed information on each trail with notices for snowfall or trail closures, distances, and trailhead locations listed.
Recreation on the Mountain Lakes
The Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes are at the heart of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. And these lakes provide more than simply a pretty view. The Kananaskis Lakes are open to boating, as well as year-round fishing/ice-fishing.
- Launch onto Lower Kananaskis Lake from the Canyon day use area, or the Upper Lake from the same-named day use area. Most types of boating are permitted: motorized, sail, and paddle boats are all allowed to sail the two large lakes. And for non-motorized boats, the small coves and inlets near the boat launches make for some easier paddling and exploration.
- Trout is a common catch from these lakes; however, the draw of fishing on the Kananaskis Lakes isn’t so much the guarantee of a catch, but rather the surrounding scenery.
Planning a Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Picnic
A handful of the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park day use areas are only open for a select number of months, with some opening for the season in May, and others in June. These make an ideal stop for a spring, summer, or fall picnic or quick stop off the highway as some of the area’s natural habitats go untouched by humans for several months.
- Take advantage of the beautiful picnic sites around the Little Highwood Pass, Highwood Meadows, King Creek, Grizzly Creek, or Elpoca day use areas while each is open!
- On top of those listed above are several more day use areas which offer picnic settings of lakeside views, grassy meadows, or small ponds in the forests.
- Head to the northern side of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, or stop on the way into the park, at one of many options for picnic foods and snacks in Canmore, or from those in the Kananaskis Village. The Village offers the closest dining options to include Summit Restaurant, Moose Family Kitchen, Blacktail Bar, Two Trees Bistro, or Forte- all of these spots offer takeout!
Birding & Wildlife Viewing in the Rockies
The bird and wildlife population of Kananaskis and Peter Lougheed is so incredibly diverse! The area attracts photographers of all kinds, bird watchers, and anyone looking to spot their first-ever large mountain mammal.
- Those bigger mammals that call these mountains home include bears, elk, bighorn sheep, lynx, cougars, moose, or deer.
- Listen and look for dozens of different bird species across the park; those areas around smaller ponds or quieter lakeshores, as well as further into the forest trails, will offer excellent chances for birdwatching.
Summer Events at Peter Lougheed
Join the Alberta Parks staff at Peter Lougheed Provincial Park for a number of different summer shows and presentations at the Elkwood Campground! These are all family-friendly events or activities with kids in mind. The Elkwood Campground is home to a small amphitheatre where fun educational shows and interactive performances take place throughout the season.
- Each show focuses on a different part of the park’s natural world to include animal shows on bears, ducks, and deer, survival shows, species at risk, or the weather of Kananaskis. Each performance has a handful of different dates throughout the season.
Camping at Peter Lougheed
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is a bit unique in regard to just how many camping options the park has, as well as additional nearby accommodation options. This includes backcountry campsites for tents, front country campgrounds for tents, trailers, group campsites, and a large cabin for rent for those with accessibility or mobility challenges.
- One of the park’s six backcountry campgrounds, Point Backcountry, is open year-round, while the other five are open from spring to November.
- Peter Lougheed offers six more campgrounds for the front country campers! Those in search of a site with services will want to look for a site at the Elkwood (power/water), or Boulton Creek (power/water/sewer) campgrounds. All of the front country campsites are equipped with firepits and picnic tables and are set in a huge variety of scenery and settings.
- For example, campgrounds like the Interlakes, Upper Lake, and White Spruce campgrounds are all near the shores of either the Upper or Lower Kananaskis Lake while campgrounds like Elkwood or Boulton Creek are set further away from the water and in the foothill trees.
- The William Watson Lodge is a large part of what makes Peter Lougheed’s options more unique among other Alberta Parks. The lodge, cabin, and campsite were built with accessibility in mind to create a comfy camping experience for wheelchair users or those with mobility issues. In order to book the William Watson Lodge, guests must meet a set of eligibility requirements. A stay at the lodge includes the choice between a lodging room or an accessible campsite with electrical hookup. The campground provides excellent views of Lower Kananaskis Lake.
37 Alberta Parks You Should Add to Your Outdoor Adventure Bucket List
Planning Your Trip – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
What: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park surrounds the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, as well as part of the Little Elbow River. The park is within Kananaskis Country, where there are multiple other Provincial Parks that surround Peter Lougheed. The year-round park offers a wide range of outdoor recreation activities, including camping, hiking, cycling, horseback riding, boating, fishing, and winter sports such as ice fishing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. And while a year-round park, the south section of Peter Lougheed (from Pocaterra) is closed to vehicles during the winter. Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is also a great stop-over while driving through Kananaskis with dozens of picnic areas, several photography or wildlife viewing opportunities, and short or simple trails. The park also lends itself to backcountry enthusiasts with trail access to more remote campgrounds or parts of the park.
Location and how to get there: December-June, use Highway AB-40 south from Highway AB-1
In summer and fall, you can also access Highway AB-40 in the south from Highway AB-22 and 541
Best time to go: open year-round
How much: Kananaskis Conservation Pass for day use and camping: $15/day, $90 per year
Front country camping $31-$55 per night
Backcountry camping $12 per night
WW Lodge Camping $21 per night
WW Lodge Cabins $33-$50 per night
For more information:
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park