Moose Lake is in the heart of Lakeland, an area in northeastern Alberta along the edge of the boreal forest known for its many lakes. You can’t miss Moose Lake on a map, as it looks like a moose head with two arms jutting out to make up the antlers. Though cottages and homes dot the shorelines, large sections of the lake remain wild, including the large peninsula that makes up Moose Lake Provincial Park.
Moose Lake (mōswa sākahikan in Cree) is located in Treaty 6 territory and is the traditional homeland of the Cree, Dene and Metis people. We recognize, honour and thank the Indigenous people who have lived on and cared for this land and water since time immemorial and are grateful that we get to explore and experience it today.
Moose Lake Provincial Park: An insider’s scoop
Having spent all my springs and summers at Moose Lake at our family cottage, I’ve had a lifetime of exploring every corner of Moose Lake Provincial Park and its nearby counterpart (also on Moose Lake), Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area.
It’s a lesser-known Alberta provincial park and doesn’t have all the bells and whistles you’ll find in parks near the Rocky Mountains or in the Canadian Badlands. But this quiet park is beautiful in a way unique to Lakeland and offers a simple and peaceful way to spend time outdoors.
What makes Moose Lake Provincial Park unique?
Easy and quick access to wilderness and wildlife.
Moose Lake Provincial Park is situated on a large peninsula. It has beaches, trails, and picnic sites on both sides. The park also runs along the Moose Lake River, the lake’s drainage tributary. Trails within the park offer access to the sandy public beach and the lesser-used, wild bay closer to the river mouth. Keep your eyes peeled for the local wildlife, including whitetailed deer, moose, rabbits and black bears. Over 100 bird species live here, including pelicans, osprey, bald eagles, sandpipers, loons and other waterfowl.
Once you’re in the trail system or on the wild side of the peninsula, you’ll really feel immersed in wilderness. It is not uncommon to hike for an entire afternoon and not run into another person. The bay on the peninsula’s west side is particularly teeming with birdlife, and in the spring, you’ll experience a chorus of bird and waterfowl song just standing on the shore.
From here, you can start on a hike up to Deadman’s Point or have a picnic on a natural sand dune beach. The day-use area at the very end of the park road also offers a spot for launching kayaks or canoes.
Easy hiking and biking
The maintained trail system is suitable for hiking and biking, and Alberta Parks sets cross-country ski tracks throughout the park in the winter. You can choose trails that follow the shoreline along the edge of birch and aspen forests or head inland and walk along the soft forest floor beneath towering Jack Pine.
If you’d rather hike or bike on the road, the park roadway sees very little traffic once you pass the campground loops, making it easy to bike to the day use area and back.
White sand beaches
Moose Lake is known for its natural white sand beaches. The main campground beach in Moose Lake Provincial Park is one of the best on the lake. Visitors can spread out on this large beach and enjoy swimming in a broad but protected cove. The sand is warm and soft, perfect for building sandcastles, picnicking, and swimming in the water.
Jack Pine and Dwarf Mistletoe
Most of the forest in Moose Lake Provincial Park consists of Jack Pines. They grow in the sandy soil that surrounds the lake and are usually surrounded by wild roses, blueberries and thick, soft moss. Like most pine forests, there is little underbrush so you can stretch your eyes through the forest and its sun-dappled floor.
The forest here is unique, as many of the trees suffer from a parasitic plant called Dwarf Mistletoe. This plant feeds off the Jack Pines and causes the branches to form tangled clusters. These clusters of Dwarf Mistletoe look like brooms and are dubbed “witches’ brooms.” Unfortunately, it slowly weakens the trees, and, frankly, it doesn’t look great to a lot of visitors. The Jack Pines and Dwarf Mistletoe have lived together here for as long as I can remember (40 years), and have never diminished my experience in the park.
Things to do in Moose Lake Provincial Park
Moose Lake has been a hub for outdoor recreation for a century, and even more so nowadays. People are drawn to its sandy beaches and fishing, camping, and boating opportunities. Here are some of my favourite things to do in the park.
Hiking and Biking
There are enough trails in the park to keep you busy exploring for several hours. As mentioned, they offer varied scenery from lakeshore views, sandy Jack Pine forests, thickets of birch and aspen and double-wide trails on the north side of the park road.
From the campground, you can combine the Jackpine, Muskeg, Deadman’s and Lakeshore trails for a loop that shows off a bit of everything. From the campground, this loop should take between 1 and 2 hours to complete on foot.
Warning: Bears live in Moose Lake Provincial Park. Always travel in groups, make lots of noise and carry bear spray.
Paddling
Moose Lake is a beautiful and unique lake to explore via canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. You can launch from the main boat launch, campground beach or the day use area. You’ll see a wide range of birds and wildlife here. From my kayak, I’ve seen beavers in and out of the water, moose along the shore getting a drink, and dozens of massive pelicans congregating in the reeds on Deadman’s Point.
You can paddle towards the river mouth and under a historic trestle bridge that is now part of the Iron Horse Trail. The river goes under the highway, so you can continue to explore Moose Lake River as far as you want to.
For those who want to relax on a SUP, head to the campground beach. This area is in a cove, which is often protected from southwest winds. It’s a good spot to paddle out and relax on the water.
Swimming and Beach Days
Swimming is a popular activity and can be done from the beach or from your boat. The water near the campground has a sandy bottom and is shallow, perfect for young children who love to splash and wade. There are weeds further out, but it’s usually clear close to shore and around the beach.
Blue-green algae advisories: Moose Lake is susceptible to blue-green algae blooms throughout the summer and fall. You will see signs around the park, and if there is an active bloom, it can be toxic and harmful to pets and humans. Do not go into the water and keep your dogs on a leash. However, if you do not see the bloom in the water, it is safe to swim in.
Boating and Watersports
With much of the lake being developed into subdivisions, summer camps, and recreational areas, boating is a big part of Moose Lake’s local culture. On a summer Saturday, the lake could be busy with boats enjoying wakeboarding, tubing, kneeboarding, and water skiing. If you own a boat, join in the fun!
There are places to launch your boat or Sea-Doo in the park and around the lake. Campers can beach and tie up their boats on either side of the swimming area at the campground beach.
Note: The Moose Lake Provincial Park boat launch can be very shallow if the water levels are down. Finding a deeper launch on the lake is recommended, unless you have a high truck that can go further into the water. If the water is too shallow for your vehicle, you can try the boat launches at Franchere Bay, Vezeau Beach or the Pelican Point Campground.
Fishing
Fishing is a popular recreational activity on Moose Lake. Anglers can catch perch, Northern Pike (Jackfish), whitefish and Walleye. The catch limits and regulations change from season to season, so always ensure you have a fishing license and check the latest fishing regulations for Moose Lake before you head out.
At the time of writing, May 2025, tags are required for walleye.
Camping
Moose Lake Provincial Park offers quiet camping in two small reservable loops. There are 12 unserviced and 47 powered sites available. The campground offers firepits, picnic tables, pit toilets, a playground and firewood for sale. There is also a sani-dump close to the entrance of the campground loops. Both loops have trails that lead to the shore, but the main beach is accessible from Loop 2.
Because the Dwarf Mistletoe was weakening the trees, many were taken out after a windstorm event in 2018. There are pros and cons to this.
- Pro: The campsites along the outer loop closest to the lake now offer water views!
- Con: The campground offers less shade and privacy than it did before.
When reserving a site, the best sites are on the waterside of either loop. You’re not right on the water, but you’re facing the healthier part of the forest and will have peek-a-boo lake views. Loop 1 has the best views. of the lake. Plus, several little single-track trails lead to the water.
For more shade, choose a site on the outside of the loop, nearer to the entrances. This area has healthier trees, more shade and a little more privacy.
Note: There is no potable water available in Moose Lake Provincial Park. There are water taps for washing and putting out your campfire, but drinking it is not advised. Please bring in your own water.
Cross-country skiing
In the winter, local volunteers set tracks and groom trails for cross-country skiing in Moose Lake Provincial Park. The double-wide Fire Loop Road (4.8 km) is an excellent trail for beginner skiers, as is the trail leading from the boat launch to the campground loops. If you’re in the area over the winter and don’t have skis, the Bonnyville Nordic Ski Club offers ski rentals.
The park gate is closed during the winter, but you can still access parking along the road and the boat launch parking lot. The Fire Loop Road trailhead is on the other side of the park gate.
Check out Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area
Franchere Bay is located on the other side of the lake and accessible from Highway 660. It is a popular camping spot, especially for families, and is worth the visit. The area is smaller but has nearly 200 campsites compared to Moose Lake Provincial Park’s 59.
Franchere Bay also offers more amenities and services than Moose Lake Provincial Park, but it isn’t surrounded by wilderness in the same way. It has campsites with power and water, and more with power. The campground also has washrooms with running water and hot showers, and a recent and welcome addition of a camp store. This campground also has a boat launch, beach, and swimming area.
What to do in Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area
Camping
Franchere Bay is great, but it’s essentially just a campground. It’s a more popular campground than Moose Lake Provincial Park, and people usually camp in groups in the loops that circle the playground. It’s ideal for relaxing and spending time with your friends and family, while watching the kids congregate and play in the centre.
The campsites in this area are not private and are close together. Because of the opportunity to socialize, more people like to camp in clusters here, which means it’s not as quiet. If you want more shade, trees, quiet, and privacy, reserve a spot along the outer loop furthest from the lake.
Swimming and Beach Days
There is a nice swimming area at Franchere Bay, though the sand is brought in and not the natural, soft white sand you’ll find in other areas of Moose Lake. The water can also be a little more weedy here, but it’s still great for little kids who don’t need to go very deep. There’s also a big grassy area near the beach for playing games and sports. You’ll also find day-use picnic and campfire areas near the beach.
Like anywhere on Moose Lake Provincial Park, Franchere Bay is also susceptible to toxic blue-green algae blooms throughout the summer months. Please avoid contact with the water if you see blue-green algae.
Boating and Fishing
You can launch your boat here, though the launch can be shallow. You can also beach and tie up your boat on the left side of the swimming beach.
Fishing off the bridge at the Thin Lake River mouth is also very popular among visitors to Franchere Bay. It’s a great option for those who don’t have a boat. However, check the latest fishing regulations to ensure fishing is permitted there and what you can catch and keep!
Getting to Franchere Bay
Franchere Bay is located just up the road from Moose Lake Provincial Park. Turn west on 660 and follow for about 7 km. Turn left at the sign for Franchere Bay Provincial Recreation Area and follow signs into the park.
Plan your trip to Moose Lake Provincial Park
Planning your trip to Moose Lake Provincial Park is pretty straightforward. There are almost always a few campsites available, but there are a few things you should know before you go.
Things to remember:
- Make a reservation.
- Bring potable water and supplies.
- The town of Bonnyville is 11km away and has grocery stores, gas stations, camping supply stores, etc.
- Check local fishing regulations.
- Check and obey fire bans at albertafirebans.ca.
Getting to Moose Lake Provincial Park
Moose Lake Provincial Park is located on Hwy. 41, 3 km north of Bonnyville, Alberta, and 10 km west on Hwy. 660.
From Edmonton: Get on Highway 28 via 97th Street or Highway 15 (Fort Road). Follow Highway 28 most of the way there. Then, turn north on Highway 881 and right on Highway 660. Look for signs for Moose Lake Provincial Park.
