Alberta’s Lakeland Region offers abundant campgrounds near quiet lakes and a welcome escape from city life. With dozens of lakes, provincial parks, municipal campgrounds and forested recreation areas, it’s a popular destination for families, paddlers, anglers and anyone looking to slow down for a few days.
We’ve visited several campgrounds throughout the region and put together this quick guide to help you decide where to stay. Each campground review includes the type of camping available, what we liked, what to know before booking and things to do in or near the park.
We want to acknowledge that the Lakeland Region is situated on Treaty 6 territory—the traditional home and gathering place of the Cree (Nehiyawak), Denesųłiné (Dene/Chipewyan), and Métis peoples. This land is home to many distinct First Nations, including Cold Lake, Kehewin, Frog Lake, Saddle Lake, and Beaver Lake Cree Nations, as well as the Kikino, Buffalo Lake, Fishing Lake, Elizabeth, and Victoria Métis settlements.
Thank you to the past, present, and future generations of Indigenous peoples who have cared for these lands and waters. We are grateful to explore these lands and waters, and will do so in the spirit of respect, stewardship, truth and reconciliation.
10 Campgrounds in the Lakeland Region, Alberta
These campground reviews are honest opinions based on our true experiences camping in Lakeland. They are listed in no particular order.
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
At a Glance
Resources
This provincial park is made up of eight islands, with the largest called ‘Big Island’, where you’ll find the campground, facilities, trails, and beaches. You can access it via a manmade causeway. The campsites are large and mostly private, treed, shady, and most have power and are a short walk to the beach.
What we liked
This is one of our favourite campgrounds. We liked the close proximity to the lake, beaches and playgrounds. The island is very beautiful, and you feel immersed in nature. Plus, if one side of the island was windy and choppy, you could drive or bike to the other side for a calm beach day.
Other highlights are the renovated shower house and ice cream from the camp store!
What to know before you go
The sites closest to the campground beach are in loops B and C. Reserve early, though you’ll likely always find a spot if you’re not too choosy. Each loop has a pit toilet, and the flush toilets and showers are a short walk away at the registration building. Firewood is for sale at the registration building.
Lac La Biche is enormous and can get quite choppy and windy. It can get blue-green algae later in the summer. Call the office before your trip to ask about conditions.
Things to do
Fishing, swimming and beach days are popular activities. A vast network of hiking trails and scenic viewpoints is also available. This is a good choice for families who enjoy beach days with easy access to the lake. It’s also great for paddlers, as circumnavigating the Big Island is one of our favourite things to do here.
Find more outdoor fun at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park.
Ross Lake Campground – Whitney Lakes Provincial Park
At a Glance
Resources
This forested campground sits on the shores of Ross Lake in Whitney Lakes Provincial Park, a small kettle lake formed by glaciers during the last ice age. It has a sandy beach, playground, walking trails, and clean, clear water. Most sites are powered, and it’s a favourite for camping in Lakeland.
What we liked
This sounds cliché, and it is, but this campground is a hidden gem in eastern Alberta. It doesn’t get completely packed like other popular campgrounds; the sites are private and set apart, and the lake is clean and clear all summer long. A hiking trail circles the lake, and the beach is easy to reach. It’s relaxing and laid-back here.
This park is also home to a unique glacial esker, accessible via hiking or paddling on Borden Lake.
What to know before you go
Whitney Lake Provincial Park has two front-country campsites: Whitney Lake and Ross Lake. Both require reservations, and Ross Lake is much nicer. While Whitney Lake is nice, the campsites are open and dusty, and the trees seem smaller. We recommend Ross Lake.
There are bears here. Last time we were there, in spring, we saw three different black bears. Remember to keep your campsite clean and carry bear spray.
Things to do
Beach days, hiking, biking, and paddling are popular. You can also launch a boat on Ross Lake. Our favourite thing to do here is hiking to the unique glacial esker that the park protects.
Read more about glacial eskers at Whitney Lakes Provincial Park.
Garner Lake Provincial Park
At a Glance
Resources
Located 5 km north of Spedden, this campground is in a quiet lakeside park. It has a large day-use area and beach, playgrounds and large sites (powered and unserviced) situated in a mixed forest. It has a few hiking trails and is ideal for people looking for a quiet weekend away with a few fun lake activities.
What we liked
It’s quiet here, and the trails are really beautiful. Some of the campsites are massive and feel more like a lake lot than a campsite! A central bathroom has showers and flush toilets, and the day-use/beach area has a big sandy area and a playground for the kids.
There are also a few trails, including one that follows the lakeshore to a little island with a view.
What to know before you go
Garner Lake isn’t close to any big towns or cities, so stock up on supplies before you go. While it has a large sandy area, they’ve kept the riparian zone (land near the water) wild, so you’ll have to go through grass and rushes to reach the water. It might be difficult to supervise young children in the water if they’re behind the tall bushes and grass.
Garner Lake is susceptible to blue-green algae. Check advisories before heading out!
Things to do
Garner Lake is small, so it’s ideal for canoeing and kayaking. Families can enjoy the swimming area and playground. It’s also popular for fishing, and the park has about 5 km of walking trails.
Floatingstone Lake Park
At a Glance
Resources
This is one of the most well-maintained campgrounds we’ve ever visited. The lawns are cut, the wide sandy beach is harrowed, the campsite gravel is raked, and the washrooms are clean. While some sites are less private than others, this is a beautiful spot for a family or group to camp.
What we liked
It’s rare to find a park that is so lovingly cared for. Park attendants are on site to help with questions and concerns. They have a brand-new boat launch with a floating dock and an enormous sandy beach!
The park also has a large gazebo picnic shelter that is available for groups by reservation.
What to know before you go
Like many lakes in this part of Alberta, they are clean and clear early in the summer but can develop blue-green algae blooms later on. Floatingstone is one of these lakes, but it is still fine for swimming as long as the bloom isn’t directly at the swimming area.
Things to do
Beach days, swimming, and beach volleyball are a must here. There’s also a boat launch for motorboats, kayaks and canoes, and the lake has decent perch fishing. When we were there, we went on a nature walk around the campground.
Minnie Lake M.D. Park
At a Glance
Resources
Minnie Lake is true to its name. It’s a very small lake. However, it is deep, calm, and the water is clean. There are two places to camp. Minnie Lake West is small, with seven campsites and a boat launch. Minnie Lake East is where the action is. It’s an open-concept, RV Park-type campground with large sites, a grassy area and a sandy beach. It’s a great option for groups and families who want to spend time together enjoying the water, sand and sun
What we liked about it
This park is quaint and has welcoming vibes. There are newer change rooms and a lovely camp store that sells ice cream, snacks and paddle rentals. The water is deep, cool and clean, and the swimming platform is a major hit for the kids.
It’s also a lovely place to kayak and paddleboard because the lake is small and sheltered.
What to know before you go
There is little to no privacy at the Minnie Lake Campground. The sites are wide open at both the east and west campgrounds, and the east campground is essentially a field with power hookups. The beach and swimming area can also get quite busy on weekends. If you’re looking for a private, quiet retreat, this park might not be for you.
Minnie Lake can also give you swimmer’s itch, especially after wading in the lake’s shallow areas. We swam out to the floating platform and didn’t have an issue, but towel off immediately after exiting the water to avoid the itch!
Things to do
Beach and water activities are the draw. Swimming, paddling, boating, frisbee golf and relaxing on the beach are how to pass the time at Minnie Lake. There’s also a playground for the kids.
Moose Lake Provincial Park
At a Glance
Resources
Moose Lake Provincial Park sits on a large, wild peninsula teeming with birds and wildlife. The campground doesn’t have many bells and whistles, with two small camping loops and pit toilets, but it’s quiet and a peaceful spot for a laid-back camping experience. It also has a beautiful white-sand beach and a network of scenic hiking trails.
What we liked
The campground beach has beautiful, soft sand and is in a small cove, protected from the wind. The park has an extensive trail network that is accessible from the campground, and there is a lot of wildlife. We’ve seen osprey, bald eagles, black bears, moose and whitetail deer here.
This park is generally quiet and peaceful outside of long weekends.
What to know before you go
The Jack Pine forest suffers from a parasitic plant called Dwarf Mistletoe. It weakens the trees and grows in clusters on the branches. While this natural occurrence is unique to look at, the park has cleared most of these dead and dying trees from the campground. As a result, the campsites aren’t private, except for the ones near the loop entrances, which are still in healthy forest.
The park has water taps, but the water isn’t potable. Bring your own drinking water.
Moose Lake is also susceptible to blue-green algae blooms. Check advisories before heading out.
Bears are active here, especially in the late summer and fall when the blueberries are out. Carry bear spray when hiking on the trails.
Things to do
Beach days, paddling, boating and fishing are go-to activities from this campground. There are also some great trails, with many along the water, offering pretty forest and lake views. In late summer, people come here to pick blueberries and saskatoon berries.
Read more about what you’ll discover at Moose Lake Provincial Park.
Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area
At a Glance
Resources
On the other side of Moose Lake is the popular Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area. This large campground has nearly 200 sites! It offers more amenities and services than Moose Lake Provincial Park, but isn’t surrounded by wilderness in the same way. The campsites are closer together, but it has hot showers, flush toilets, and a camp store where you can get ice cream.
What we liked
This is a hot spot for big families and groups who want to camp close together. On a summer weekend, all the sites around the central playground, closest to the beach and swimming area, are packed with people who clearly came together. If that’s your style of camping, we recommend this spot.
Franchere Bay is also the launching point for paddling up the nearby Thin Lake River.
What to know before you go
The campsites in the campground’s central area are not private at all. Camp here and you will have kids on bikes blasting to and from the playground. For a quieter experience, choose a back loop or the secluded lakefront loop. The loops have pit toilets, but a shower house and flush toilets are closer to the lake.
Moose Lake is also susceptible to blue-green algae blooms. Check advisories before heading out.
Things to do
Beach days, swimming, paddling, boating and fishing keep campers busy at Franchere Bay. There is good fishing off the bridge over Thin Lake River, and you’ll often find people there.
Muriel Lake M.D. Park
At a Glance
Resources
Muriel Lake M.D. Park is a well-maintained campground with large, private sites. Each site is a little different and is maintained by park attendants. Unfortunately, Muriel Lake’s quality has declined, so it’s no longer the main attraction. Instead, campers enjoy 13 km of hiking trails, 8 km of horse trails, ball diamonds, sports courts and playgrounds.
What we liked
Muriel Lake M.D. Park is in a large, mixed forest. You can spend a day hiking or biking the trails, and there are several high viewpoints of the lake. The campsites are large, private, and you’ll feel like you have the place to yourself.
Park attendants on site will help with anything you might need.
What to know before you go
Muriel Lake’s water levels have been declining for decades. You’ll have to cross a grassy area and a long sandy stretch to get to the water, and the quality isn’t what it used to be. You can launch a canoe, kayak or paddleboard, but it’s too shallow for a motorboat, and the sport fishery is non-existent. Set your expectations accordingly, and plan for a different kind of camping trip.
Muriel Lake gets blue-green algae blooms in the summer. If water activities are a high priority, check advisories before your trip.
Things to do
Despite the dropping water levels, there are still plenty of fun things to do here! It’s one of the largest campgrounds in the area, offering hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, volleyball courts, ball diamonds, picnic areas and even trails for horses.
Cold Lake M.D. Park
At a Glance
Resources
Located right in the City of Cold Lake and a five-minute walk from Kinosoo Beach (one of the best beaches in the province for families), Cold Lake M.D. Park offers a different kind of camping experience. This lovely park has lakefront sites, more private treed sites, a camp store, and a sandy beach. Cold Lake is, well, cold, but one of the cleanest lakes in Alberta.
What we liked about it
The best thing about this park is that Kinosoo Beach is just down the street. It has an inflatable waterpark, zipline, concession, splash park, playground, paddle rentals, sports courts and multiple ice cream vendors.
The campground itself is really nice, too. If you want a quieter day on the beach, the sand is soft, and the water is crystal clear. It has all the amenities, including clean washrooms with running water and a camp store for snacks.
Things to know before you go
Cold Lake M.D. Park is right in town. As such, it doesn’t really give a wilderness experience. When you look down the beach, you’ll see private docks and houses. The lakefront sites have their own beach access, but are close together and not private. For privacy, book a treed site in the back loops.
Things to do
This park is perfect for families who want access to lots of fun activities. Most people spend their days here beaching, swimming, and boating. You can also spend long summer days taking in the action at nearby Kinosoo Beach. Read the Ultimate Guide to Kinosoo Beach in Cold Lake, Alberta.
English Bay Provincial Recreation Area
If you want to check out Cold Lake but want to feel like you’re out in the wild, go here. This quieter campground offers on-the-lake sites, beach access, and long stretches of golden sand. The lakefront sites are more open and breezy, while the sites at the back of the loop are tucked into the forest.
What we liked about it
It is so peaceful here. We had a lakefront site and spent hours sitting under the shade of birch trees, playing on the beach and swimming. When you look down the beach, you see wilderness stretch on as far as the eye can see. The sites are spacious, and the ones at the back of the loops are private.
We were lucky to get a calm day, and loved paddling the wild shoreline.
What to know before you go
The lakefront sites are nice, but not private. This is a more primitive campground, so it has only pit toilets, no showers, and only non-potable water. There is also no sani-dump station, and it doesn’t have a playground. But who needs a playground when you can play at the beach?
Bears are active in this area. It is known for its berries, and the bears come to eat them down the trails. Keep your campsite clean, keep your dog on a leash, and carry bear spray on walks.
Things to do
Beach days and swimming are our favourite things to do here. If the lake is calm, it’s great for paddleboarding, kayaking and canoeing. You can paddle north up the shoreline to Medley River, which is a fun beach to spend the afternoon. Other activities include boating and fishing.
Campground Amenities Checklist
| Campground | Powered Sites | Potable Water | Showers | Sani-Dump | Camp Store |
| Sir Winston Churchill | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Ross Lake | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Garner Lake | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Floatingstone Lake | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Moose Lake | ✔ | ✔ | |||
| Franchere Bay | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Muriel Lake | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | |
| Minnie Lake | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ||
| Cold Lake | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| English Bay | ✔ |
Practical Tips for Camping in Alberta’s Lakeland Region
Book early during peak summer
Popular lakeside campgrounds can fill quickly during July and August. Book early to secure your spot, or to reserve a specific site. All of these campgrounds operate with online registration.
Plan for mosquitoes
Some years are better than others, but mosquitoes can be annoying at campsites. Bring bug spray and a Thermacell!
Be bear aware – keep a clean campsite
The Lakeland Region is home to black bears, and you can see them at every park mentioned in this article. Being bear aware means keeping a clean campsite, carrying bear spray, hiking in groups and keeping a respectful distance from wildlife.
Check fire ban advisories
Fire bans can occur at different places throughout the summer. Check for fire bans in the area you plan on camping, and respect them. If there is no fire ban, never leave a fire unattended, and soak, stir, and soak it completely when you’re done. Only use designated fire pits.
Leave No Trace
Practice the Leave No Trace principles. That means packing out all your garbage, recycling and wastewater, including organics. Stick to established trails, camp only on provided gravel pads, and leave all natural things behind. Respect wildlife, give them plenty of space, and be considerate of other campers.
Plan your adventure in Lakeland!
- The Best of Moose Lake, Alberta by Paddle: 3 Routes We Love
- Métis Crossing: Walk in the Footsteps of the Metis in Alberta
- Explore the Glacial Esker at Whitney Lakes Provincial Park
- Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park: Outdoor fun at Lac La Biche
- Ultimate Guide to Kinosoo Beach in Cold Lake, Alberta
