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Did you know there is a must-visit provincial park between Hinton and the Jasper Park Gates?
Credit: Alberta Parks
While many of us usually drive on Highway 16 and beeline it from Hinton to Jasper, there is a major reason to detour north. Head north on Highway 40 from Hinton and uncover winter fun for all ages at William A. Switzer Provincial Park. The area can be used as a scenic roadside and picnic stop, or as a full getaway destination.
William A. Switzer offers convenient year-round camping, so no matter why you visit, you can always stay the night at one of two campgrounds. The park has five small lakes, which are a main source of recreation in any season. From spring to fall, you can explore the lakes with a canoe or kayak, relax on the beach, hike, bike, camp, and more. But the park stays open for the winter months, too, with a long list of things to do.
The lakes provide scenic snowshoe trails, quiet ice-fishing spots, and beautiful skating places. Beyond the lakes, William A. Switzer’s winter trails are the second biggest source of recreation, with groomed ski trails and areas for fat biking.
Cross-country skiing at the Hinton Nordic Centre
Take your pick from over 35km of groomed foothill trails around the Hinton Nordic Centre. The main building is on the south end of William A. Switzer, with the trails heading westward from Highway 40. The Centre grooms several Novice and Intermediate ski trails near the main lodge, with the Expert trails about 3km from the main lodge and parking. You can also access the Expert trail systems via additional parking.
Ice Skating on Kelly’s Bathtub
Wild ice skating is one of the Alberta Rockies’ biggest draws each winter. And for a good reason. The ponds and lakes around the mountains and foothills are the most scenic natural skating experiences in the province. The ice conditions are not monitored (hence ‘wild’ ice skating), so its essential to always go as a group, to go during daylight hours, and to test ice thickness before skating.
The ideal thickness is 20cm or greater.
Snowshoeing The Friendly Vistas
The Friendly Vistas trail is a 2.5km loop around Jarvis Creek and is an excellent spot for snowshoeing thanks to the scenery and the wildlife.
The trail is a great place to see a vast variety of winter birds and smaller animals. There are a variety of viewpoints to stop and see along the Friendly Vistas trail, and picnic benches at different rest areas.
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Ice Fishing
You can create your cozy ice fishing spot on any one of the five William A. Switzer lakes. If you’re camping here for a winter weekend, you can ice fish right near your site at either Gregg Lake or Jarvis Lake. These are also the two larger lakes in the park and provide plenty of space for several different groups of ice fishers. If you visit for a February weekend, you can catch ice fishing demos and activities with the Winter Magic Festival.
Rent Fat Bikes from Vicious Cycle & Snow
Hinton’s local Vicious Cycle & Snow offer you the chance to get out on the trails with some added traction. The fat tire bikes, which they offer as rentals, allow you to make your way through the snowy or icy trails with a bit more ease, and a lot more speed. There are a few trails in the park that allow fat biking, all of which are approximately 3-3.5km in length. These are the trails which do not get groomed for cross-country skiing, and include Beaver Ranch, Blue Lake, Fish Lakes, Friendly Vistas, Gregg Lake, and Kettle Trails.
Sledding at the Hinton Nordic Centre Hill
If you’re travelling with younger kids, the Hinton Nordic Centre can provide many ways to enjoy your time at the park. The Centre offers a thrilling sledding hill, appropriate for all ages, and shorter walking trails.
Winter Camping
There are two convenient winter campgrounds open at William A. Switzer PP: Gregg Lake, and Jarvis Lake. Winter camping is first-come-first-served with over 100 sites available. This can be an ideal time for adventurous tent campers or RVers, to enjoy the peace and calm of the park in winter.
You’ll have a private picnic table and fire pit, access to washrooms, and a full weekend of winter recreation to keep you entertained. And if your camping nights are clear, you can enjoy the spectacular stargazing available from the shores of the lakes.
Hinton’s Winter Magic Festival
Almost all of the winter activities listed above will be part of Hinton’s Winter Magic Festival. 2026 is the 39th Winter Magic, a festival which takes place in both Hinton and William A. Switzer PP. The event runs from February 7 to 23, and includes free skiing at the Nordic Centre, winter disc golf, snowshoe adventures, ticketed dining events, shopping, ice fishing, and skating.
Planning your Trip
What: The main feature of William A. Switzer Provincial Park is the small, interconnected lakes. The park is a haven for summer canoers and kayakers thanks to these waterways, with other summer activities ,including swimming, hiking, camping, and biking. But as a year-round park, William A. Switzer, and its beautiful natural areas, offer just as many winter activities. The lakes, from north to south, include Gregg, Graveyard, Cache, Blue, and Jarvis Lake,
Best time to go: The Park has several year-round facilities, including two day-use areas, a Visitor Centre, three campgrounds, The Blue Lake Centre, and the Hinton Nordic Centre. The group camping, the remaining two campgrounds, and the Jarvis Lake day use, are all open from May Long Weekend.
Location and how to get there: The park sits on the eastern edge of Jasper National Park, and north of the town of Hinton. Highway 40 runs through the park and connects to Highway 16 on the south end.
How much: Free for day use
William A. Switzer Provincial Park
