Effective Date: November 24, 2025 - Until Further Notice
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Group Use , Sir Winston Churchill Campground , Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
Details:Please be advised that construction activities will be occurring on the causeway bridge at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park between November 2025 to early March 2026. To accommodate construction, there will be no access to Big Island during the construction period.
We recognize the closures are inconvenient; however, they are necessary to ensure public safety and support construction efficiency.
The Government of Alberta is committed to improving high-traffic recreational areas across the province. The project will ensure infrastructure meets current standards, improves public safety, and supports positive visitor experiences.
To support construction activities, Alberta Parks will have to intermittently close access to some areas of the park to reduce danger to visitors as contractors work in the area with heavy equipment, and to improve efficiency of the contractor to complete the works without having to keep track of the public in the area.
Conservation Officers have the ability to enforce area closures under the Provincial Parks Act. Please do not cross construction barriers and follow all signage.
Dates are subject to change.
Updates to area closures from November 2025 through March 2026 will be posted in the future as construction progresses and project schedule details are finalized.
Access to Long Island that has the year-round Comfort Camping, the Community Facility, and Boat Launch will remain throughout construction. The access to these facilities/amenities and operations will not be impacted by the construction.
Access to Big Island of Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park will be closed for construction from November 2025 to March 2026.
KEY POINTS – SEPTEMBER 2025
Visitors looking for recreational alternatives can call the Alberta Parks Information Line at 1-877-537-2757. For further information about the closures, please see the attached Area Closure Map and Frequently Asked Questions.
Map of Affected Area
Effective Date: November 12, 2025 - Until Further Notice
Where: Boardwalk Trail , Long Point Trail , Old Growth Alley Trail , Sir Winston Churchill Campground , Sir Winston Churchill Group Use , Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
Details:Starting Wednesday, November 12, there will be vegetation management work taking place at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park on Big Island. Please be advised that the trails and roadways (including winter parking area of the Dump Station) will be closed due to heavy equipment operation within the area. Please follow all posted signage.
Access to Long Island with Comfort Camping, Community Facility, and Boat Launch will remain open during this time.
Effective Date: July 30, 2025 - Until Further Notice
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
Details:
Please be advised that Cyanobacterial (Blue-Green Algae) has been identified in the water at this location. Additional information can be found online at AHS Health Advisories
Visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water at any time. Boiling this water will not remove the toxins produced by cyanobacteria. An alternative source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock while this advisory is active.
Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another. As such, this advisory will remain in effect until further notice.
Please note: Waters in which the cyanobacterial bloom is NOT visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this Health Advisory is in place.
Effective Date: July 18, 2025 - Until Further Notice
Where: Camper's Beach Day Use , Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
Details:
The water at this location is tested weekly by Alberta Health Services. Our most recent test has produced fecal indicator bacteria levels that exceed the recommended limits. Additional information can be found online at AHS Health Advisories
Contact with these waters may cause illness, and swimming is not recommended.
Never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any lake or reservoir, at any time. Water-borne organisms, including fecal bacteria, can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
For more information on beach monitoring, please contact Alberta Health Services at 811.
Effective Date: June 23, 2023 - Until Further Notice
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Campground , Sir Winston Churchill Group Use , Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
Details:An inspection by Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors identified structural issues on the bridge on the causeway leading to SWCPP. The identified issues require immediate load reductions to ensure the safe use of the bridge:
|
LOADING TYPE |
JUNE 2023 REDUCTION |
|
CS1 |
11.4 tonne (25,100 lbs) |
|
CS2 |
19.9 tonne (43,800 lbs) |
|
CS3 |
25.8 tonne (56,800 lbs) |
CS1 is defined as an axle spacing of less than 4.5m. This means that any truck / car towing a trailer that has less than 4.5m from the towing (rear) axle to the trailer axle must be less than 15 tonne (total vehicle/trailer weight).
CS2 is defined as an axle spacing over 4.5 m. So if the spacing from the towing axle to the trailer axle is over 4.5m, the weight can be up to 25 tonne (total vehicle/axle weight).
CS3 is defined as a truck and a full trailer with 2 tandem axles, in the case where the inter-axle spacing between the tandem axle groups is 5.0 metres or more.
What does this mean for campers? You may be unable to bring your motorhome to SWCPP. Class A and Class B motorhomes fall under loading type CS1. Without water and sewage, a Class A motorhome can weigh up to 16 tonnes and a Class B motorhome can weigh up to 10 tonnes.
We are working with Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors to find solutions; however, upcoming reservations will need to be cancelled if your vehicle exceeds the identified weight limits. Please call 1-877-537-2757 or visit to www.Shop.AlbertaParks.ca to cancel or change your reservation. Alternate sites that can accommodate your vehicle and camping unit are available in the area.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. For more information about load ratings, visit http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/content/doctype260/production/trans-restricted-bridge-list-for-provincial-highways.pdf.
Effective Date: May 18, 2023 - Until Further Notice
Where: Sir Winston Churchill Campground , Sir Winston Churchill Group Use , Sir Winston Churchill Cabins Comfort Camping , Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park , Sir Winston Churchill Tipis Comfort Camping
Details:The boardwalk portion of Kinglet Trail (part of the interior loop of the island trails) near the entrance of Big Island, is not passable. Please obey all signage for closed trail and use detour.
