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Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta group
Final up to date on January 11, 2025
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is a gorgeous “chain of lakes” (duh) positioned 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 typically confused with Chain Lakes Provincial Recreation Space, which is positioned close to Athabasca in northern Alberta. Seeing there are fairly a couple of 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 searching for a quiet lakeside getaway with attractive surrounding foothills.
Land Acknowledgement
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is positioned within the conventional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy) and the individuals of the Treaty 7 area. We acknowledge the entire many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit who inhabited the land for hundreds of years.
About Chain Lakes Provincial Park
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is positioned within the lovely foothills area between the Porcupine Hills and the Rocky Mountains. Solely 90 minutes away by automotive from Calgary, it gives an idyllic refuge for these searching for a dose of nature with out being too crowded. Marvel on the clear evening skies and relish within the silence of being outdoors 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. In style actions at this lakeside getaway embrace fishing, wildlife and fowl watching, canoeing, windsurfing and crusing.
The Greatest Time To Go to
This provincial park is open year-round! Nevertheless, the perfect occasions to view wildlife, get pleasure from summer time 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 contains hitting up the Cowboy Path! Head southwest on Crowchild Path out of 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 precise, 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 practically 30 km and going by way of the city of Turner Valley, flip proper onto AB-22 and comply with that for 53 km. Observe the indicators for the park and switch proper onto Township Rd 144A to enter. Relying on site visitors, this route takes roughly 90 minutes.
Click on right here for instructions from Calgary
From Lethbridge
The quickest technique to get to the provincial park from Lethbridge is to take AB-3 west out of 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 will probably be a fork within the highway after practically 10 km, and you have to to show left to remain on AB-533 W. The highway will flip into a spread 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 time season sometimes opening in early Could till the top of September, and 32 campsites are reserved for winter tenting through the winter months.
Facilities on the campground embrace 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 children.
For security causes, solely communal fireplace pits can be found for campers. A restricted day by day provide of firewood is provided at no further price. The 4 communal pits are positioned 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 excellent possibility! The Chain Lakes Reservoir can be primed for superior bird-watching alternatives and a big expanse of undisturbed foothills panorama to view whereas out on the water.
Boating
Numerous boating actions are allowed on the Chain Lakes Reservoir, together with energy boating, windsurfing, and crusing! Keep 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 filled with rainbow trout. Bull trout will also be seen; nevertheless, since they’re in danger within the space, they should be launched in good situation. Ice fishing is well-liked within the wintertime, and we suggest checking the Canadian Crimson Cross and My Wild Alberta for security ideas earlier than establishing.
At all times keep in mind that a sound Alberta Fishing License is required for any fishing. Data relating to licenses will be discovered right here.
Wildlife Viewing
The park’s lakes and proximity to the mountains present ample alternatives for fowl watching as the realm 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 will 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 applicable precautions are vital, corresponding to having bear spray and making certain the right 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 phases to get the coordinates for the following step. Please observe that Alberta Parks has particular geocache tips that should be adopted.
Pete is a co-founder of Street Journey Alberta. Rising up in Edmonton he has an in depth information of Alberta and every part the province has to supply. He likes to eat good meals, hike (particularly within the winter), play tennis and curl. Aside from operating Street 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.