Blanketed in old-growth forests of aspen, poplar, spruce and jack pine along sand-bottom lakes, this area is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Explore the backcountry canoe circuit, or enjoy a day with the family, casting into our large lakes. There are plenty of woods and waters for everyone to enjoy.

A variety of wildlife call the Lakeland home in the natural terrain and thick boreal forests — from moose and deer to the fur-bearing otters, wolves, lynx, black bears, and beaver that played an important role in Alberta’s fur trade history.

Over 250 species of songbirds, waterfowl and birds of prey live and migrate seasonally in this area. Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park and islands of Lac la Biche, and Lakeland Provincial Park and Recreation Area provide essential habitat for Canada’s bird populations and are classified as Important Bird Areas in Alberta.

You can connect with nature in many ways, in every season, with scenic trails for hiking and cycling and numerous lakes for boating and other water activities in summer, or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter.

Plan Your Lakeland Trip

If you’re camping for the first time, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park has lakefront cabins, an island campground and an on-site store for those daily treats or forgotten items. Group camping could not be easier than at Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area with a variety of group sites to choose from. Gather around the campfire each night and enjoy s’mores with family and friends as everyone recaps their adventures from the day!

Get a bit further off the highway in Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area, where campgrounds at Touchwood, Pinehurst, Seibert and Ironwood lakes offer beautifully treed lakeside camping spots. Nearby staging areas lead to 140 kilometres of backcountry trails for off highway vehicle (OHV) and snowmobile use.  In Lakeland Provincial Park, backcountry campsites provide basic comforts for hikers, canoe campers and anglers.

Explore and Discover

Discover Alberta’s finest lakes and beaches. There are many outdoor activities to enjoy every season of the year. From great camping and fishing, to miles of boardwalks and trails for exploring on foot, on wheels or on skis – a visit to Lakeland will fulfill the outdoor enthusiast’s wanderlust.

Deep into the wilderness, at the heart of Lakeland, is Alberta’s only backcountry canoe circuit. Paddle 38 kilometres through Jackson, Kinnaird, Dabbs, Blackett and McGuffin lakes to explore this hidden treasure in Lakeland Provincial Park. Sixteen backcountry camping sites located throughout the circuit can easily accommodate large touring groups, as well as smaller groups of weekend paddlers.

For more information on travel in the area, check Travel Alberta.

Activities

In Lakeland it’s all about the water. Rent a canoe, stand up paddleboard or kayak from the park store at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park. Paddle around the island’s shoreline to see waterfowl and shorebirds. Enjoy beaches and water activities at many locations. Spend the afternoon building sandcastles in-between swims or simply relax with your toes in the sand. Want to have a fish fry supper? Try casting from shore early in the season, or launch a boat to fish for northern pike, walleye, whitefish, perch or other species. Be sure to have an Alberta Sportfishing License and be aware of the fishing regulations for all of the lakes.

Explore the northern forest on horse-back. Poacher’s Landing Provincial Recreation Area has trails, with camping at Poacher’s Landing Campground for RVs and tents and a corral for horses. This river-side area offers native boreal forest landscape of wetlands and dense stands of poplar, aspen, spruce, birch and fir.

In the winter months, snowmobile trails throughout Lakeland Provincial Recreation Area take you to the backcountry and prime ice-fishing lakes. The short days and vast dark sky allow for spectacular views of the northern lights and maybe even a chance to catch a falling star. In Lakeland Provincial Park, discover 30 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails and other areas of untouched snow, perfect for snowshoeing, at Shaw Lake Day Use Area. Enjoy a winter day with the whole family as the day-use cabin provides a warm, dry shelter for a hot chocolate break between skiing and snowman building.