Kananaskis Country

Alberta Parks

Peter Lougheed

Updated: May 03, 2025

Updated: May 03, 2025 | Print Report

A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park your vehicle in Kananaskis and the Bow Valley.

    May 2nd: Trails at lower elevations are a mix of bare ground, snow and ice, and higher elevation trails are mainly snow covered, deep in places, with some sun exposed bare spots likely.  Winter to summer sign changeover is currently underway, with most trails complete except the Paved trails and a few other areas. Downed trees are likely on many trails not maintained during the winter. Both Lakes are still ice covered, with the exception of the very south end of Lower Lake where flow enters from Upper Lake.

    Hiking trails will be partly snow covered, icy in places, with expanding bare spots, especially at lower elevations. Deeper snow will exist at higher elevations.

    Be bear aware, as there is a possibility of bears on the trails.

    It's tick season! Make sure to check you and your pets when you get home. For best protection, use a bug repellent with DEET.

    Avalanche hazard is "spring conditions", so be sure to check avalanche.ca while planning your day. 

    Always come prepared for a variety of conditions, that can change suddenly throughout the day. You may want to consider bringing hiking poles, micro spikes, toques, gloves and multiple layers.  

    Be aware of closures in the area and check advisories before you go.

     

    Annual Road Closures:

    Highway #40: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 14, from Kananaskis Lakes Trail to Highwood House Junction.

    Notes:

    • Be aware of avalanche conditions. Current conditions can be found at Avalanche Canada.
    • Practice wildlife safety. Travel in groups, make noise on the trail, and keep pets on leash. Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it is highly recommended, even in winter.
    • Caution is advised for natural hazards such as downed trees. Please report any downed trees on the trails.
    • Be sure not to overestimate your ability when planning your trip: Humility can be a life saver. Plan for rapidly changing conditions and bring extra clothing.

    Snow Depths:

    Highwood Pass: 101cm

    Burstall Pass: 139cm

    Mud Lake: 77cm

    Aster Lake: 150cm

Maps

Trail Weather

Peter Lougheed
May 3 @ 04:08 PM 14 °C

Sunny

Trail Name Permitted Activities (Legend) Length Status Keywords
1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Interpretive

April 29th: Mainly snow covered

Hiking Hiking 2.1 km Open
Bill Benson

May 2nd: Mainly Bare at top, snow and ice accumulated in shaded area close to the lake

Hiking Hiking 0.7 km one-way Open
Black Prince Cirque Interpretive

April 30th: Snow covered.

Note: The Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge is NOT accessed from this trail.

Hiking Hiking 4.2 km Open
Boulton Creek Interpretive

April 30th: Sign changeover complete.

Hiking Hiking 4.9 km Open
Burstall Pass

April 30th: Mainly deep snow.

Note: Bikes permitted on first 2.9 km of trail ONLY.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 7.4 km one-way Open
Chester Lake

Chester Lake: Closed May 1 - Jun 29 to allow area to dry and prevent damage to trail.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 4.6 km one-way Closed
Elbow Lake

April 29th: Snowbound.

Warning: No vehicle access via HWY 40, Dec 1 - Jun 14.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking Horseback Riding Horseback Riding 1.4 km one-way Warning
Elk Pass

April 30th: Mainly snow covered, deep in places. Sign changeover complete. 

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 5.6 km Open
High Rockies

April 29th: Mainly snow covered.

Note: Hiker-cyclist camping allowed at select day use areas only from Jun 1 - Sep 20. See details.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 63.0 km Goat Creek to Peninsula Day Use; 80.0 km Goat Creek to Elk Pass Open
Highwood Meadows

Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Dec 1 - Jun 14.

Hiking Hiking 0.6 km one-way Warning
Kananaskis Canyon Interpretive

Closed: Stream crossings washed away by penstock/dam construction. Trail is impassable and is closed indefinitely.

Hiking Hiking 0.8 km Closed
Lookout

April 29th: Deep snow cover. Sign changeover complete.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 1.7 km Open
Lower Lake

April 29th: Mainly bare with some snow and ice.

Hiking Hiking 3.5 km one-way Open
Lower Lake Interpretive

April 29th: Mainly snow/ice covered.

Hiking Hiking 0.5 km one-way Open
Marl Lake Interpretive

April 29th: A mix of bare and snow cover. Sign changeover complete.

Hiking Hiking 1.5 km for loop Open
Maude-Lawson

April 29th: Deep snow.

Note: This trail has been redirected just west of Forks for access to Turbine Canyon.

Hiking Hiking 7.5 km Open
Peninsula Hiking Hiking 0.4 km Open
Peter Lougheed Paved

April 29: A mix of bare and snow up to 30cm's in some places. Watch out for icy spots. Winter signage still in place. 

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 12.1 km one-way Open
Pocaterra

April 23rd: Bare stretches at lower elevations to snow covered at high elevations.

Note: This is not the undesignated Pocaterra Ridge or Cirque route.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 9.9 km one-way Open
Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive

April 29th: Snowbound

Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Dec 1 - Jun 14.

Hiking Hiking 4.5 km Warning
Rawson Lake

April 30th: Snow covered.

Hiking Hiking 3.9 km one-way Open
Rock Glacier Interpretive

Warning: No vehicle access to trailhead, Dec 1 - Jun 14.

Hiking Hiking 0.15 km one-way Warning
Rockwall

April 30th: Mostly bare with some icy sections.

Hiking Hiking 0.5 km Open
Three Isle Lake

April 30th: Snowbound

Note: Bikes only permitted to Invincible Creek, 3.8 km from trailhead

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 10.2 km Open
Upper Lake

April 30th: Mainly snow covered.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 15.7 km Open
Whiskey Jack

April 24th: Mainly snow covered. Sign changeover in progress.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 3.9 km one-way Open
William Watson Lodge Access

April 30th: Mostly bare with some icy sections.

Biking/Cycling Biking/Cycling Hiking Hiking 0.6 km one-way Open