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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta staff
Final up to date on January 11, 2025
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is an exquisite “chain of lakes” (duh) situated off of the notorious Cowboy Path, aka Freeway 22. It’s a gem in southern Alberta. simply southwest of the city of Nanton. Nestled snugly in opposition to the Rocky Mountains, it’s usually confused with Chain Lakes Provincial Recreation Space, which is situated close to Athabasca in northern Alberta. Seeing there are fairly just a few kilometres between the 2 (608 km, really), it’s good to get the excellence right earlier than you begin driving!
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is likely one of the small however mighty Alberta parks that’s ideally suited for these in search of a quiet lakeside getaway with beautiful surrounding foothills.
Land Acknowledgement
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is situated within the conventional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) and the individuals of the Treaty 7 area. We acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who inhabited the land for hundreds of years.
About Chain Lakes Provincial Park
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is situated within the stunning foothills area between the Porcupine Hills and the Rocky Mountains. Solely 90 minutes away by automotive from Calgary, it offers an idyllic refuge for these in search of a dose of nature with out being too crowded. Marvel on the clear evening skies and relish within the silence of being exterior the town.
Known as an oasis on the prairie, guests benefit from the campground alongside the Chain Lakes Reservoir, which options over 90 websites with willow bushes for privateness. Widespread actions at this lakeside getaway embody fishing, wildlife and chicken watching, canoeing, windsurfing and crusing.
The Finest Time To Go to
This provincial park is open year-round! Nevertheless, the most effective occasions to view wildlife, take pleasure in summer season tenting, and go boating are Could – September. Tenting and ice fishing (when ice circumstances are protected) are each obtainable within the winter months, however facilities are restricted.
Attending to Chain Lakes Provincial Park
From Calgary
The route from Calgary to the park consists of hitting up the Cowboy Path! Head southwest on Crowchild Path out of the town. From Crowchild, take the exit towards Glenmore Tr West/AB-1/TC after which merge onto AB-8 W. After a 3 km exit to the correct, comply with indicators for Tsuut’ina Trl. Keep on Tsuut’ina Path/AB-201 for 12.5 km, then exit onto AB-22X W till reaching Priddis, Alberta. As soon as in Priddis, flip left onto AB-22 (indicators for Turner Valley/Black Diamond/Millarville).
After almost 30 km and going by way of the city of Turner Valley, flip proper onto AB-22 and comply with that for 53 km. Comply with the indicators for the park and switch proper onto Township Rd 144A to enter. Relying on visitors, this route takes roughly 90 minutes.
Click on right here for instructions from Calgary
From Lethbridge
The quickest strategy to get to the provincial park from Lethbridge is to take AB-3 west out of the town, then take a slight proper onto AB-23 N/AB-3A W. When you hit the roundabout in Nobleford, take the third exit onto AB-519 W. After driving 32 km, flip proper onto AB-2 N with indicators for Claresholm/Calgary. Upon reaching Nanton, comply with the indicators and switch left onto AB-533 W. There might be a fork within the highway after almost 10 km, and you will have to show left to remain on AB-533 W. The highway will flip into a variety highway, and proceed straight onto Township Rd 144A to enter Chain Lakes Provincial Park. This route takes roughly 1 hour 36 minutes.
Click on right here for instructions from Lethbridge
Chain Lakes Provincial Park Campground
The campground at Chain Lakes Provincial Park has 123 campsites; 31 are unserviced, and 60 have energy choices of both 15 or 30-amp with willow bushes for privateness all through. The campground is open year-round, with the summer season season usually opening in early Could till the tip of September, and 32 campsites are reserved for winter tenting in the course of the winter months.
Facilities on the campground embody picnic tables, group tenting, a picnic shelter for cooking, a pier and boat launch, a public payphone, pit/vault bathrooms, and sewage disposal for a payment of $6. Moreover, there’s a quick meals concession and ice cream store that’s open from Could to August, in addition to a playground for the youngsters.
For security causes, solely communal fireplace pits can be found for campers. A restricted each day provide of firewood is equipped at no additional value. The 4 communal pits are situated within the centre of every tenting loop.
NOTE: Propane fireplace pits as substitutes for campfires should not permitted within the campsites.
Campsites are 100% reservable by way of the Alberta Parks web site for $28 – $36 per evening.
Issues To Do At Chain Lakes Provincial Park
Canoeing and Kayaking
The seaside at Chain Lakes Provincial Park is extra of a wading seaside than a swimming seaside, and there’s no marked swimming space, so water actions like canoeing and kayaking are an incredible possibility! The Chain Lakes Reservoir can also be primed for superior bird-watching alternatives and a big expanse of undisturbed foothills panorama to view whereas out on the water.
Boating
Varied boating actions are allowed on the Chain Lakes Reservoir, together with energy boating, windsurfing, and crusing! Bear in mind that there’s a 12 km/h velocity restrict for energy boats and no towing allowed, so actions like water snowboarding, tubing, and wakeboarding on the lake are prohibited. There’s a small craft boat launch obtainable on the campground.
Fishing
In the summertime, this provincial park lake is stuffed with rainbow trout. Bull trout will also be seen; nevertheless, since they’re in danger within the space, they have to be launched in good situation. Ice fishing is standard within the wintertime, and we advocate checking the Canadian Crimson Cross and My Wild Alberta for security suggestions earlier than organising.
All the time do not forget that a sound Alberta Fishing License is required for any fishing. Info relating to licenses could be discovered right here.
Wildlife Viewing
The park’s lakes and proximity to the mountains present ample alternatives for chicken watching as the world is a favoured migration stop-over for eagles, osprey, and trumpeter swans. With scenic views of the Livingstone Mountain Vary and the enchantment of the lake, many wildlife species could be noticed within the panorama, together with pelicans, moose, cougars, lynx, wolves, and each grizzly and black bears. This spot is kind of rustic and surrounded by wilderness, so acceptable precautions are crucial, akin to having bear spray and guaranteeing the correct disposal of rubbish.
Geocaching
There’s a two-stage multi-cache geocaching alternative in Chain Lakes Provincial Park. The route begins and ends contained in the park and requires a sequence of inquiries to be answered correctly with totally different levels to get the coordinates for the subsequent step. Please word that Alberta Parks has particular geocache tips that have to be adopted.
Pete is a co-founder of Highway Journey Alberta. Rising up in Edmonton he has an in depth information of Alberta and every thing the province has to supply. He likes to eat good meals, hike (particularly within the winter), play tennis and curl. Aside from working Highway Journey Alberta, he’s a director with HMI, a digital media company, half of the Hecktic Travels duo, and a co-creator of the favored card sport Journey Chaser.
