Calgary 
A trip to Dillberry Lake in general could bring you to Alberta or Saskatchewan. The Dillberry Lake Provincial Park, however, is on the Alberta side of the lake, which straddles the provincial border.
Credit: Alberta Parks
In fact, before you hit the park gates, there will be “Welcome to Alberta/Saskatchewan” signs along the highway. The lake sits quite close to the highway, although it remains hidden by the small hills and if not for the signs, you’d never know it was there!
And although part of the lake’s shore runs parallel to the highway, the Provincial Park campground, day use area, and sandy beach, are well set into the trees and away from the noise of the road. With that in mind, it is easy to consider Dillberry Lake Provincial Park a hidden gem in Alberta for several types of activities and interests. Aside from literally being hidden in the prairie hills, the park is also a hidden gem of a beach. The waters are crystal-clear and shallow at the park beach to make for perfect swimming or floating conditions.
Dillberry as an Ideal Recreational Lake
Eastern Alberta is dotted with hundreds of lakes and ponds, large and small, to the point where northeastern Alberta was dubbed the Lakelands and Lakeland County. Dillberry Lake is among these scenic boreal forest and prairie lakes, as one of the smaller in Eastern Alberta. This quiet part of the province is home to several lakes, much larger than Dillberry, and the Killarney-Reflex Heritage Rangelands. So, while off a main highway, Dillberry Lake Provincial Park is set within a peaceful, rural, and protected forested area.
The calm environment around Dillberry Lake makes an ideal setting for the many recreational activities permitted within the park. This includes fun both on and off the water. The clean, sheltered lake offers up all sorts of year-round recreation, while the trails offer a way to explore the other lakes in the area.
If you do get out on either the water or the trails, keep in mind that the park is part of an Important Bird Area due to the large number and variety of bird species that migrate through or are permanent residents. So, along the hiking trails, or the shores of the lake from a boat, keep your eyes and ears open for a huge array of bird species any time of year.
Exploring the Nature & Trails
Whether camping at Dillberry Lake, or whether you’re here for the day, the easy hiking trails around the park are the best way to admire the park’s birds and wildlife. And one of the best times to do so is either in spring or fall when migration seasons are in full swing.
- A short trail leads from the campground to a viewing area right on the AB/SK border. This area away from the beach is also a great place for viewing the park’s waterfowl residents.
- The second trail, which starts from the campground,d is the Kettle Lake loop, which is roughly 2km to Kettle Lake and back to the campground. This trail also continues and crosses Highway 17.
- From the Kettle Lake Trail is the chance to add on another 5km with the Loon Loop around Speedy Lake, and then another 2.5km or so around Ranger Lake.
Picnics or Beach Days at Dillberry Lake
Make the most of the beautiful waters around Dillberry Lake Provincial Park with a beach day, or day trip and picnic. Both the campground and day use beaches have amenities to help enhance the fun or comfort like picnic tables and plenty of space on the sand, washrooms, and a playground. Beach days in this region of Alberta are best from late June to early September, while picnic season lasts from May to September. The park is also open during the winter for anyone out enjoying the snow and planning for a cold-weather picnic.
The calm and quiet lake is perfect for lazy floating and paddling around on inflatables with possibilities for wildlife viewing along the shores.
More Fun on the Water
No matter what kind of boat you have, it is likely permitted on Dillberry Lake. This includes everything from inflatable paddle rafts to motorized craft. Enjoy a lazy day floating alongside the shores, a day of thrilling water adventures, or a quiet morning spent fishing. These east-facing shores also offer up incredible sunrises for anyone out on the water earlier in the morning.
- Fishing is a year-round activity at Dillberry Lake, with boating and shore fishing from spring to fall, or ice fishing in the winter months. The boat launch area also has a fish cleaning station.
- Take almost any kind of boat out onto Dillberry Lake! Boating is permitted with canoes or kayaks, inflatables, motorized boats, sailboats or windsurfing boards. And with motorized boating allowed, that means other adventures like water skiing or tubing are also possible.
Camping Trips to Dillberry Lake
The seasonal campground next to Dillberry Lake is near the north shore of the lake. These sites stretch north from the water and into the forest of aspen, which also serves as some privacy between sites. Most of the 83 campsites offer electricity,y while a handful are left without services at a lower nightly rate. That shoreline area near the campground offers a beach for campers only, with a second beach on the south side of the lake open to campers and day use visitors.
The spacious campsites each have their own firepit and picnic table, while all campers also have access to firewood for sale. Other campground amenities include flush toilets, a grocery and supply store, and showers.
Planning Your Trip – Dillberry Lake Provincial Park
What: Dillberry Lake Provincial Park surrounds a series of small lakes, including Dillberry Lake, in east-central Alberta. Dillberry Lake is on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border, with the west side of the lake home to the campground, group camping, and day use areas. The park is an Important Bird Area with a significant variety of bird species, either as permanent residents or migratory birds. This is an ideal campground for a family getaway with an abundance of peace and quiet, two beaches, playgrounds, and easy hiking trails.
Location and how to get there: 75 km south of Lloydminster on Hwy. 17 (at Alberta-Saskatchewan border)
Dillberry Lake Provincial Park is located approximately 460 km (5 hour drive) from Calgary,
290 km ( 3 hr 30 min drive) from Edmonton and 310 km (3 hr 30 min drive) from Red Deer.
Best time to go: day use open year-round; camping May-September
Cost: day use free; camping $34-$42 per night
For more information:
Dillberry Lake Provincial Park
