Blackfoot

Central

Islet Lake

Waskahegan

Lost Lake
Fee: Overnight camping and day use for educational youth groups only (booking information - 780-922-3293); on-site water tank available summer only.
Total # of Units: 4

Meadow
Fee: Day use only.
Total # of Units: 4

Running Dog
Fee: Overnight camping and day use for educational youth groups only (booking information - 780-922-3293); on-site water tank available summer only.
Total # of Units: 4

Commercial guided hiking
Watchable Wildlife Tours: Wayne Millar; 780-405-4880; web site www.birdsandbackcountry.com; $85.00/person; tour duration 6-7 hours; transportation, binoculars, water, food & hiking gear provided; morning & afternoon departures.

Golf course
Nearest Golf course Elk Island.

Birding

• Two pairs of nesting trumpeter swans, the largest and rarest swan species in the world, reside in the recreation area; there is a great blue heron colony on Blackfoot Lake.

Canoeing/kayaking

Cross-country skiing

• 100 km groomed trails; 60 km non-groomed trails. Ski loppets/races held throughout winter, as well as the Canadian Birkebeiner. Skijoring is permitted.

Dog sledding

• Beaver Hill dog sled races - Blackfoot Staging Area.

Hiking - front country

• Organized hikes held during summer months; rest areas & toilets along trails.

Horseback riding

• There are more than 85 km of developed equestrian trails; SPCA, Cancer and Rainbow trail rides held during spring/summer months; rest areas & toilets along trails.

Horseshoes

Hunting

Ice skating

• Waskahegan Staging Area

Mountain biking/cycling

• Races held during summer months; rest areas & toilets along trails.

Snowmobiling (on-site)

• Trails and 400-hectare open area available for snowmobiling.

Beaver Loop
Active beaver colonies are numerous along this trail.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.60
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Central Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Blackfoot
The longest equestrian trail in the recreation area; connects Waskehegan & Blackfoot staging areas.

Difficulty: Moderate	Trail Length (km): 25.50
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan, Blackfoot & Central staging areas
Trail Activities:

Buck Run
Good wildlife viewing along this trail, especially for white-tailed deer.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.30
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Central Alleyway
Main alleyway connecting Waskehegan and Central staging areas; accessible from either end; trail may be used by snow vehicles when snow depth sufficient.

Difficulty: Moderate	Trail Length (km): 16.80
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Central & Waskehegan staging areas
Trail Activities:

Cutoff
Connects Blackfoot & Waskehegan trails; continues into Elk Island National Park; equestrian use is not permitted north of Elk Island boundary fence.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 0.50
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Detour
Shortens Wanisan loop, following the ungulate fence on the inside.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.10
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Don's Way
This trail runs along the boundary fence from Spruce Hollow to Wanisan junction; used in winter for the mini-Birkie.

Difficulty: Moderate	Trail Length (km): 3.70
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Ed's Way
Trail runs along the boundary fence from Siksika to Wanisan junction; used in winter for the Birkie.

Difficulty: Moderate	Trail Length (km): 1.80
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Elkhorn
The large 6-point antler for which this trail is named can be viewed at the Waskehegan administration office.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.60
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Faraway
Equestrian portion of this trail is located in the northeast corner between Blackfoot Staging Area access road & Blackfoot Trail junction southeast of Elkhorn Trail; horse use is not permitted west of entrance/Blackfoot Staging Area access road; trail is used for practice & preparation for dogsled racing events.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 5.20
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Flattail
Named for the beavers that live in the area (& sometimes drop trees on the trail).

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 0.10
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staing Area
Trail Activities:

Grouse
Named for one of the area's bird species.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.20
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Hare
Watch for snowshoe hares along this connector between Siksika and Lost Lake trails.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 0.80
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Heron Hollow
Short connector across Norris Creek to Elk Island National Park boundary; there is a blue heron colony in the vicinity of this trail.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.00
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Highline
Mainly follows ridge crests; excellent bird watching trail.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.40
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Islet Lake Staging Area
Trail Activities:

J.J.
Begins at gate in the northwest corner of recreation area near Range Road 210; connects onto Blackfoot Trail.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 0.90
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Lakeside
Follows east shore of Wanisan Lake outside the ungulate fence.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.00
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Lost Lake
Connects Islet Lake and Waskehegan staging areas.

Difficulty: Moderate	Trail Length (km): 14.90
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Meadow
Short connctor trail that provides views of grazing fields; moose and white-tailed deer may be seen along the route.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 0.80
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Middle
Allows several loops of varying length to be made in the Islet Lake area.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.30
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Islet Lake Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Moose Link
Islet Lake trails can be accessed from Central Staging Area using this trail; nmaed for unusual moose antlers found along the route (antlers are on display in the Heritage Interpretive Centre).

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.50
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Islet Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Morningside
Follows gas transmission line; provides access to loops of varying length.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.30
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Muskrat
Longer loops can be made using this trail and equestrian trails in the Blackfoot area.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.10
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Neon Lake
This trail circles part of Neon Lake.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.60
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Norris Ridge
Generally follows Norris Creek to north boundary of the recreation area.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.10
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Outlet
Provides access to ungulate fence from northeast loop of Blackfoot Trail.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 0.50
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Porcupine
Named for the frequent porcupine sightings in the vicinity of the trail; keep pets on leash to avoid nasty vet bills!

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 0.80
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Islet Lake Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Push Lake
This hilly trail accesses the west side of Elk Push Lake; dividing ridge between Islet & Elk Push lakes; excellent bird watching.

Difficulty: Moderate	Trail Length (km): 1.90
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Islet Lake Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Roundup
Links trails in Central area to those in Blackfoot area.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 5.10
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Central Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Running Dog
Runs along north shore of Running Dog Lake; group shelter located just off the trail.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 3.00
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Siksika
Remote trail in hilly terrain; numerous beaver ponds; moose are sometimes seen along this route; very challenging trail for mountain bikers.

Difficulty: Difficult	Trail Length (km): 4.60
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Springs
Provides access to Ukrainian Cultural Centre.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.40
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Spruce Hollow
This trail passes through stands of spruce untouched by the forest fires that ocurred in the area in early 1900s.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.40
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Swan
Swans are often observed in this area during summer months.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 0.70
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Tie-In
Connects Beaver Loop & Roundup trails.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.10
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Central Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Ungulate
Follows the ungulate fence that surrounds most of Cooking Lake-Blackfoot recreation area; equestrian use permitted from Waskehegan north and east to Goose & Bog Lakes & from Central entrance road east & north to Jones' gate.

Difficulty: Moderate	Trail Length (km): 40.00
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan & Blackfoot staging areas & Central Staging Area entrance road
Trail Activities:

Wanisan
Part of this trail runs near the east shore of Wanisan Lake; main portion of trail is located outside the ungulate fence and is not regularly maintained.

Difficulty: Moderate	Trail Length (km): 4.50
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Wapiti
Passes through one of the best areas for elk sightings.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 6.60
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Central Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Waskehegan
Connects forests north and south of the livestock grazing areas; equestrian use permitted north of junction with Central Trail.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.30
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Well Site
Access to ungulate fence from abandoned well site.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.00
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Whitetail
Be on the lookout for white-tailed deer along this trail and the blue heron colony on Blackfoot Lake.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 3.10
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Blackfoot Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Winter North
Great wildlife viewing; connector between Wapiti and Central Alleyway trails for a shorter return loop to the staging area.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 1.30
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Winter South
Excellent wildlife viewing.

Difficulty: Easy	Trail Length (km): 2.40
Elevation Gain (m): N/A
Trail Head: Waskehegan Staging Area
Trail Activities:

Islet Lake

Indoor Exhibits
Exhibits located in the Friends of Blackfoot Society visitor centre.