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Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Alberta Parks
Information

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

Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground

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Effective Date: September 1, 2026 - Until Further Notice

Where: Frost Heave Snowshoe Trail , Graupel Snowshoe Trail , High Rockies Trail , Peter Lougheed Provincial Park , Sawmill Loop Snowshoe Trail , Snowdrift Snowshoe Trail , Mount Murray Viewpoint, Sinter Trail, White Out Trail, Wind Chill Trail, High Rockies Trail (partial)

Details: The snowshoe trails between Chester Lake Day Use Area and Sawmill Day Use Area are closed due to flood damage from the June rain event.

Map of Affected Area

Effective Date: August 21, 2026 - Until Further Notice

Where: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park , Woolley Trail , Sparrow's Egg Lake

Details: Wildlife feeding on a dead moose in the area.  Woolley Trail is closed from the junction of Wheeler/Meadow Trails to Amos Trail. 

If you come across wildlife, remember to:

  • Give them plenty of space – at least 30 metres/100 feet (3 bus lengths).
  • Be aware of your surroundings.
  • Keep your pet on a leash.
  • Do not feed wildlife.
  • Learn more about Wildlife Safety

Report sightings and incidents to 310-LAND (5263).

Effective Date: July 6, 2026 - Until Further Notice

Where: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park , Pocaterra Cirque, Pocaterra Ridge & Surrounding area

Details: Please be advised that Alberta Forestry and Parks will be completing trail construction work and reclamation in and around Pocaterra Cirque Trail within Peter Lougheed Provincial Park between July 6 and Fall 2026, or until further notice. Construction crews will be on site beginning July 6, 2026. To safely complete this work, the areas outlined in red on the attached map will be temporarily closed for the duration of construction. The temporary closure is necessary to:
  • Protect public safety while construction crews and heavy equipment are active on the trail.
  • Allow trail construction and reclamation work to proceed safely and efficiently, minimizing the overall duration of the closure.
  • Protect newly reclaimed alpine vegetation and restoration areas while they are being established.
Please note:
  • Highwood Meadows Day Use Area will remain open throughout construction.
  • Alternative hiking opportunities during the closure include Ptarmigan Cirque, Rawson Lake, Chester Lake, Heart Creek, Picklejar Lakes, and Burstall Pass, subject to current road conditions, trail closures and advisories. Visitors are encouraged to check current conditions before travelling to the area.
Conservation Officers will enforce the area closure under the Provincial Parks Act. Do not cross construction barriers and follow all signage. Visitors looking for alternatives can call the Kananaskis Information Line at 1-403-678-0760 or stop by a Kananaskis Information Centre.

Follow the direction of all signage and personnel in the area and stay out of active construction zones.

Map of Affected Area
FAQs

Updated: August 8, 2026 

Effective Date: July 27, 2026 - Until Further Notice

Where: Black Prince Cirque Interpretive Trail , Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Details: The bridge just beyond the parking lot that provides access to this trail has been washed out.

Effective Date: June 5, 2026

Where: Boulton Creek Campground , Peter Lougheed Provincial Park

Details: The Boulton Creek Campground dump station is now open as a dry dump only (no water). Potable water is still available at Canyon Dump Station.

Information: 403-678-0760
Directions
Lat: 50.637443 Long: -115.009242

Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground is in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, 75 km south of Hwy. 1 on Hwy. 40. The closest access is at Elbow Pass Day Use Area. It is 1.3 km from the trailhead via Elbow Lake Trail. There are around 15 tenting pads in the forest along the emerald green lake. Here there are pit/vault toilets, and secure food storage lockers. 

This trail is 1.3km one way with 125 meters of elevation gain and is rated easy. 

Note: Please note that it is illegal to remove, deface, injure or destroy trees. Using dead wood lying on the ground for firewood is also prohibited.

Camping

Sites $/Person/Night Water Source Camping Season Current Status
15 $12 Lake Jun 15 - Nov 29 Book It
  • Elbow Lake Backcountry campground is in the East Kananaskis permit area
  • Reservations can be made 90 days in advance of arrival date.
  • A maximum of 6 people and 1 tent is permitted on each site with some exceptions.

Amenities

Currently Booking to
Nov 29, 2026
1-877-537-2757
1-877-537-2757

Maps & Guides

  • Backcountry Etiquette Parks: Peter Lougheed PP Big Elbow PRA Bow Valley PP Bow Valley WPP Spray Valley PP Elbow-Sheep WPP Facilities: Aster Lake Backcountry Campground Big Elbow Backcountry Campground Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground Forks Backcountry Campground Lillian Lake Backcountry Campground Jewell Bay Backcountry Campground Mount Romulus Backcountry Campground Mount Romulus Equestrian Backcountry Campground Point Backcountry Campground Quaite Valley Backcountry Campground Ribbon Falls Backcountry Campground Ribbon Lake Backcountry Campground Rummel Lake Winter Backcountry Campground Three Isle Lake Backcountry Campground Tombstone Backcountry Campground Tombstone Equestrian Backcountry Campground Turbine Canyon Backcountry Campground -- 7cdaac4f-8452-47da-8214-d83eeb277794 True
  • Elbow Valley Summer Trails Map Map, Kananaskis, Big Elbow Backcountry, Cobble Flats PRA, Dawson PRA, Elbow Falls PRA, Elbow River PRA, Elbow River Launch PRA, Elbow-Sheep WPP, Little Elbow PRA, McLean Creek PRA, Moose Mountain Trailhead PRA, Mount Romulus Backcountry, Tombstone Backcountry, West Bragg Creek PRA, Beaver Flats Interpretive Trail, Elbow Falls Interpretive Trail, Fullerton Loop Trail, Little Elbow Interpretive Trail, McLean Creek Interpretive Trail, Nihahi Ridge Trail, Paddy’s Flat Interpretive Trail, Tombstone Lake Trail, Riverview Trail, Big Elbow Trail, Diamond T Loop Trail, Ford Creek Trail, Ford Knoll Trail, Elbow Valley Trail, Little Elbow Trail, Moose Mountain Trail, Nihahi Creek Trail, Powderface Creek Trail, Powderface Ridge Trail, "Prairie Link Trail", Sulphur Springs Trail, Threepoint Mountain Trail, Tom Snow Trail, Trail Creek Trail, Wildhorse Trail, Crystal Line Trail, Elbow Trail, Hostel Loop Trail, Moose Loop Trail, Sundog Trail, Telephone Trail, Kananaskis Country, Map, River Cove Group, Paddys Flat Group, Cobble Flats Group, Little Elbow Equestrian, North Fork PRA, Mesa Butte PRA, Gooseberry PRA, Gooseberry Campground, Fisher Creek PRA,Peter Lougheed PP, Kananaskis Country,Elbow Lake Backcountry Campground Map, Parks: Ings Mine PRA Park Map Trails, Ing's Mine PRA Ings Mine Day Use -- 7cdaac4f-8452-47da-8214-d83eeb277794 True
  • Spray Valley & Peter Lougheed Map (Geo Referenced) Map, Kananaskis Country, Spary valley PP, Peter Lougheed PP, map Campground: Eau Claire, Lillian Lake Backcountry, Ribbon Falls Backcountry, Ribbon Lake Backcountry, Spray Lakes West, Rummel Lake Winter Backcountry,Boulton Creek, Canyon, Elkwood, Interlakes, Lower Lake, William Watson Lodge, Mount Sarrail Walk-in Tenting, Aster Lake Backcountry, Elbow Lake Backcountry, Forks Backcountry, Point Backcountry, Three Isle Lake Backcountry, Turbine Canyon Backcountry Group Use: Lower Lake, Pocaterra Walk-in Tenting Day Use: Buller Mountain, Driftwood, Galatea, Goat Creek, Mt. Shark, Opal, Sparrowhawk, Spray Lake, Wedge Pond, Black Prince, Boulton Bridge, Burstall Pass, Canyon, Chester Lake, Elbow Pass, Elk Pass, Elpoca, Grizzly Creek, Highwood Meadows, King Creek, Little Highwood Pass, Lower Lake, North Interlakes, Panorama, Peninsula, Pocaterra, Rock Glacier, Sawmill, Upper Lake, White Spruce, Elkwood Trailhead Trails: Banff, Galatea Creek, Mount Shark, Terrace South, Wedge Connector, Frozen Toad Loop Snowshoe, Rolly Road Training Grid, South Sawmill Loop, Tailwater Snowshoe, Torpor Loop, William Watson Lodge Connector -- 7cdaac4f-8452-47da-8214-d83eeb277794 True

Safety

Updated: Jul 2, 2026
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