Peter Lougheed Provincial Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Peter Lougheed Provincial Park |
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Upper Kananaskis Lake in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
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 Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Location in Alberta
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| Location | Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada |
| Nearest city | Calgary, Canmore |
| Area | 304 km2 (117 sq mi) |
| Established | September 22, 1977 |
| Governing body | Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation |
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is a large provincial park located in Alberta, Canada. This beautiful park is found in Kananaskis Country, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) west of Calgary. You can reach it by driving along the Kananaskis Trail.
The park is nestled within Alberta's Rocky Mountains. It was first known as Kananaskis Provincial Park. Later, it was renamed to honor Peter Lougheed. He was the leader, or "premier," of Alberta from 1971 to 1985.
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park is one of Alberta's biggest provincial parks. It covers a huge area of 304 square kilometers (117 square miles). This area includes the beautiful Kananaskis Lakes. The park offers many fun things to do, like camping and fishing. There are also trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. You can find six campgrounds where you can drive right up to your site. There are also six special campgrounds for backcountry trips.
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Wildlife in Peter Lougheed Park
You can see many different kinds of animals in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Keep an eye out for grizzly bears and black bears. Other animals include elk, deer, and moose. You might also spot bighorn sheep, cougars, lynx, and Rocky Mountain wolves. Sometimes, you might even see a mountain goat!
Park History and Creation
Before Europeans arrived, many Indigenous Peoples lived in the area that is now Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. These groups included the Stoney-Nakoda, Kootenai, Siksika, Kainai, Peigan, and Tsuut’ina people.
Much of this land was once part of Rocky Mountains National Park. But it was removed in 1911 and later given to the Government of Alberta. Over time, the land was developed. For example, dams were built to create hydroelectric power within the park's current borders.
By the 1970s, more people from Calgary wanted to visit the eastern slopes of the Rockies for fun. Two important people helped create the park: Bill Milne and Clarence Copithorne. Bill Milne was an architect and cared a lot about the environment. Clarence Copithorne was a rancher and a local politician. He wanted to improve the roads into the Kananaskis Valley. This would help guide people away from ranching areas.
Bill Milne asked the government to talk to the public about the road plans. A survey showed that people wanted a large protected area. It's said that Premier Lougheed decided to create the park in 1977 after a single helicopter flight. Bill Milne and Clarence Copithorne arranged this flight. The park was officially opened on September 22, 1977.
Park Facilities and Supplies
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park has seven campgrounds where you can drive your car right to your site. These campgrounds offer a total of 546 places to stay. There are also six backcountry campgrounds, with 83 sites for those who want to hike in.
The park has over 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) of paved bike paths. These paths connect the drive-in campgrounds. There are also many more hiking trails to explore. If you need supplies, you can find them at Boulton Creek Trading Post. Fortress Junction, just north of the park, also has supplies.
Fun Activities to Do
There are many exciting activities available in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park:
- Camping and backcountry camping: You can camp from May to August, but you need a permit.
- Water sports: Enjoy canoeing, kayaking, power boating, sailing, and windsurfing on the lakes.
- Cross-country skiing: You can ski on many trails, including Boulton Creek, Elk Pass, Pocaterra, and Upper Kananaskis Lake trails.
- Fishing: Try your luck at fishing and ice fishing in the park's waters.
- Hiking: There are many front country hiking trails. Some popular ones include Black Prince Cirque, Chester Lake, Elbow Lake, Rawson Lake, and Upper Kananaskis Lake trails.
- Mountain biking: Ride your bike on trails like Burstall Pass, Chester Lake, and Elk Pass.
- Horseback riding: You can ride horses on the Elbow Lake trail.
- Snowshoeing: Explore the park on snowshoes in winter.
- Climbing: For those who love adventure, there are climbing opportunities.
Images for kids
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A long exposure photograph of a small waterfall along Elpoca Creek during winter in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Alberta, Canada.
