From Sherwood Park, just east of Edmonton, the drive is about 45 km or 45 minutes east.
At the Park
Cooking Lake-Blackfoot, which is 97 square km, contains peaceful forests, pastures and wetlands. It's a multi-use area that supports a variety of activities including agriculture and wildlife management.
Active wildlife management programs in the area have created a wide range of habitats that support numerous wildlife species such as coyote, deer, elk, foxes, moose and lynx.
The area provides excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along its more than 170 km of cross-country ski trails.
Cooking Lake-Blackfoot is the home of the Canadian Birkebeiner Ski Festival, Canada’s largest classic style cross-country ski festival. This fun-filled weekend has activities and smaller ski events for the whole family. The main event of the “Birkie” is the 55 km loppet, celebrating an 800-year-old legend about the original Birkebeiners who saved the heir to the Norwegian throne in an epic 55-km journey. This festival is held each year in February.
Play
Cooking-Lake Blackfoot is a huge area - it could be the only place you need for all your winter fun this season!
Are your animals looking for winter fun? Saddle up and head out on the equestrian trails accessible from Waskehegan or Central Staging Areas. Another option - dogsled from Blackfoot Lake Staging Area.
What about skijoring? Or, what is skijoring? Using a skijor trained dog, a cross-country skier is pulled across the snow in this dogsledding-skiing mash up. Skijoring can be done from Blackfoot Lake Staging Area.
Stay
Cooking-Lake Blackfoot is an easy drive from Edmonton or Sherwood Park with lots of accommodation options.
Looking for a hardier winter experience? You can winter camp at Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, about an hour’s drive south from Cooking-Lake Blackfoot.
Tips
Check the trail report for conditions for skiing, snomobiling, equestrian, dog sledding and skating.
There are picnic shelters, warm up shelters and fire pits for warm-up breaks or picnic lunches.
Cooking-Lake Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area is multi-use so be courteous to other users.
Safety first! Be sure to bring water, food, first aid kit, and extra warm clothes for your outing. A cellphone is also recommended.
Did You Know...
Alberta Parks has over 70 places for you to cross-country ski? Check "XC Skiing" in Find A Park.