Whitney Lakes
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Whitney Lakes Provincial Park Combines Fun with Fun Features
Chilling rules, but Whitney Lakes Provincial Park is about more than just relaxing. This forested gem protects an esker formed when glaciers retreated more than 10,000 years ago. Hike the esker for raised and sweeping lake views. Between the Park’s four lakes—one non-motorized—camping, biking, boating, and beaching captivate all who visit this surprise of a park. Cultural history is rife, too.
Go
Whitney Lakes Provincial Park is made up of four lakes—Ross Lake, Whitney Lake, Laurier Lake and Borden Lake—is 65 kms southeast of St. Paul, Alberta, and 223 km east of Edmonton. Stop in Elk Point on Hwy. 646 for last minute floaties or BBQ necessities at Rona’s Hardware. For details, campground maps, and other information, click here
Eat
Stop for the tastiest cinnamon buns or muffins ever at Golden Loaf Bakery in Elk Point. They have dinner plate size donuts and – if you come on the right day – deep fried chocolate croissants. Pick up pizzas, wraps or burgers at Magic Pizza. They have the best homemade dough and fresh cheese, and—yes—they have a magic pizza on the menu.
Be Lakeside
Lakes deliver different things to different people. Whitney Lakes Provincial Park has four lakes, one of which will be ideal whether you motor, paddle, frolic or fish. Ross Lake has three sand beaches and Whitney Lake has one. Kids will have a blast in the water and smaller tykes can also check out the playground. Both lakes have excellent boat launches to set up for waterskiing or tubing. The largest, Laurier Lake, also has a boat launch but fewer amenities. Borden is non motorized, and more isolated, so it’s best for paddle boarding, kayaking and wildlife viewing and back country camping.
Walk
Thirty kilometres of trails connect three of the lakes, but the 4.6 km Glacial Esker Trail at Borden Lake is provincially significant and the park’s pièce de résistance. An esker is a winding narrow ridge of gravel and sand left behind by a retreating glacier more than 10,000 years ago. The kids will get a kick knowing that pilots have been known to navigate by the longest, biggest eskers— like giant worm tunnels from the air—all over northern Canada.
This trail is accessible by hiking the backcountry trails from the northern parking lot. Around this quieter lake, listen or watch for deer, moose, beaver, as well as for frogs and the elusive tiger salamander. Watch for the Northern Flicker, a large predominantly brown woodpecker with a long, slightly downcurved bill.
Make extra time:
Camp Overnight – Ross Lake has 149 sites and Whitney Lake has 53, the majority of which have power.
Frog Lake National Historic Site - located 15 minutes east on TWP RD 562. Take a walk along the interpretive trail, cemetery, the archaeological remains of the historic Frog Lake Settlement, and the sites of the Woods Cree and Plains Cree camps in 1885.
Dewberry - Visit the world`s largest chuckwagon that speaks to this communities love of chuckwagon racing, the 11 drivers and 1 announcer who call it home.
Graham Town - 40 minutes southeast you`ll find a western town replica complete with trail rides.
