Calgary 
The northwestern Alberta foothills are slightly more remote than the southern hills. The foothills around Grande Cache offer much in the ways of things to do- all year! Pierre Grey’s Lakes highlight the area and offer a huge amount of wilderness to explore.
Credit: Alberta Parks
The park, named for Metis settler Pierre Gris, is where Mr. Gris (Grey) ran a successful trading post throughout the late 1800s. Some remains of the original trading post are still visible today. The blend of history and nature in Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park easily fills an entire weekend of camping here. The park and campground are set in dense forest and encompass the shores of all five lakes.
Hike to Pierre Gris’ Trading Post
To see the entire Provincial Park, you can follow a 10.5km trail that loops around the campground.
Around the halfway point is the abandoned fort and trading post and a small cemetery. A shorter loop extends from the McDonald Day Use Area to the Trading Post. The shorter route takes you past the shores of McDonald Lake and Moberly Lake. The longer route takes you past each lake.
Fishing and Boating on the Five Lakes
Read up on Alberta Fishing Regulations before you hit these lakes! Find boat launches and parking at the McDonald Day Use Area, the Moberly Campground, and the Desjarlais Area Boat Launch.
- For boating, you’ll need an electric motor, or motorless boat like a canoe or kayak. One could spend days exploring each of the lakes, their shorelines, and the wildlife.
- The lakes are stocked with rainbow or brook trout, depending on the lake.
Wildlife Viewing and Birding
Keep your eyes and ears open. You could hear or spot osprey, bald eagles, or a loon. These five lakes support a diverse range of wildlife. The park is an excellent spot for patient birdwatchers and photographers, especially during the spring and fall migrations.
- You could spot some rather large mammals in these trees as well like caribou, elk, moose, bears, or deer.
- The park’s looping trails are an excellent way to view the birds and wildlife. A peaceful shoreline paddle can also offer up amazing opportunities to see eagles, bears, and more.
Visit the Sulphur Gates
The Sulphur Gates Provincial Recreation Area (50km from Pierre Grey’s Lakes) includes and surrounds a unique, beautiful, and highly elevated natural attraction. The road to the PRA will take you up to a parking lot. From here, you’ll find the campground and equestrian posts. Follow the trail into the trees to get an unbeatable Alberta view.
- The PRA stands above the confluence of the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers. A boardwalk trail leads you along the cliffsides to incredible river, mountain, and foothill views all in one.
- The trails can also lead up the mountains to additional views (several trails in the area from which to choose).
- On your way in or out of the park, stop by the Crack of Doom. The natural geological formation is a large rock left over from glacial movement long ago and is large enough that you can walk right through the crack.
Mountain Biking and Cycling around Grande Cache
Grande Cache, the Smoky and Sulphur River valleys, and the surrounding wild hills, make the area excellent for mountain biking of all skill levels.
- The series of trails between Grande Cache and the Smoky River include simple cycling trails, and more challenging mountain biking trails.
- Pierre Grey’s Lakes are close to 50km of mountain biking trails, including the large campground loop.
Fall & Winter at Pierre Grey’s
As the seasons change in northwestern Alberta, the available activities will, too, at Pierre Grey’s Lakes. But luckily, there are recreational activities open here for any one season.
- Fall is the best time to visit the five lakes when it comes to scenery. The lush and dense forests around the lakes become a sea of warm and vibrant colours. This time of year will also see flocks of migratory birds crossing the skies and stopping in the waters.
- The quiet and pristine lakes become even more so in the winter. And there are two main ways to get most of the park in winter: using the groomed cross-country ski trails, or ice fishing on the lakes.
Camping around Pierre Grey’s Lakes
The Pierre Grey’s Lakes Campground is open from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving weekend each year. While the area will feel remote, the campground has many amenities to add comfort to your stay. These include a communal cook shelter, picnic tables, fire pits, firewood for sale, and vault toilet washrooms.
The campground consists of four loops of sites. Each of these loops is beside a different lake. So, no matter where you go, you get lakeside views. Some sites offer power hook-ups, while the others have no services.
Credit: Alberta Parks
Plan your Trip – Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park
What: A Provincial Park built around five lakes, and the historic trading post of Metis settler, Pierre Gris. The forested lake lands have a diverse wildlife population, historical sites, and plenty to do. The year-round park offers cross-country skiing, ice fishing, hiking, cycling, camping, boating, and fishing.
Best time to go: year-round.
Location and how to get there: about 40km east of Grande Cache
Use Highway AB-40 to access Pierre Grey’s Lakes Road which leads into the park and campground.
Cost: Camping $30-$38 per night
For more information
Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park
