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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta staff
Final up to date on January 11, 2025
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is a good looking “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 a couple of kilometres between the 2 (608 km, really), it’s good to get the excellence appropriate earlier than you begin driving!
Chain Lakes Provincial Park is among 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 folks 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 situated within the stunning foothills area between the Porcupine Hills and the Rocky Mountains. Solely 90 minutes away by automotive from Calgary, it supplies an idyllic refuge for these in search of a dose of nature with out being too crowded. Marvel on the clear night time skies and relish within the silence of being exterior the town.
Referred to 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 perfect occasions to view wildlife, take pleasure in summer time tenting, and go boating are Might – September. Tenting and ice fishing (when ice situations are secure) 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 suitable, observe 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 means of the city of Turner Valley, flip proper onto AB-22 and observe that for 53 km. Observe 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 approach 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, observe the indicators and switch left onto AB-533 W. There might be a fork within the highway after almost 10 km, and you have to 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 time season sometimes opening in early Might till the top of September, and 32 campsites are reserved for winter tenting throughout 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 charge of $6. Moreover, there’s a quick meals concession and ice cream store that’s open from Might to August, in addition to a playground for the children.
For security causes, solely communal fireplace pits can be found for campers. A restricted each day provide of firewood is equipped at no further value. The 4 communal pits are situated within the centre of every tenting loop.
NOTE: Propane fireplace pits as substitutes for campfires are usually not permitted within the campsites.
Campsites are 100% reservable by means of the Alberta Parks web site for $28 – $36 per night time.
Issues To Do At Chain Lakes Provincial Park
Canoeing and Kayaking
The seashore at Chain Lakes Provincial Park is extra of a wading seashore than a swimming seashore, and there’s no marked swimming space, so water actions like canoeing and kayaking are an awesome 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! 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; nonetheless, since they’re in danger within the space, they should be launched in good situation. Ice fishing is fashionable within the wintertime, and we suggest checking the Canadian Purple Cross and My Wild Alberta for security suggestions earlier than establishing.
At all times keep in mind that a legitimate Alberta Fishing License is required for any fishing. Data relating to licenses may be discovered right here.
Wildlife Viewing
The park’s lakes and proximity to the mountains present ample alternatives for chicken 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 may 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 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 collection of inquiries to be answered correctly with totally different phases to get the coordinates for the subsequent step. Please be aware that Alberta Parks has particular geocache tips that should be adopted.
Pete is a co-founder of Highway Journey Alberta. Rising up in Edmonton he has an in depth data of Alberta and all the things the province has to supply. He likes to eat good meals, hike (particularly within the winter), play tennis and curl. Other than 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 recreation Journey Chaser.