Recreation

Access

Horse trails provide the primary access for trail riding, hiking and backcountry camping. Roughly 100 km of trails have been mapped but they are not well-marked, maintained or patrolled.
The road as far as Two Lakes Provincial Park (120 km south of Grande Prairie) is passable in good weather. Summer travel beyond Two Lakes to Deadhorse Meadows requires a quad or 4-wheel drive vehicle. See the Two Lakes Kakwa Corridor map.
The road from Deadhorse Meadows to Kakwa Falls parking area is only accessible by quad. OHVs are not permitted anywhere off that road.
Snowmobiles are also permitted on the road to Kakwa Falls and on the trail from Deadhorse Meadows into B.C. Permits are required for winter snowmobile camps.
For information about road conditions or to obtain a winter camp permit for the park, contact Parks Division in Grande Prairie at 780-538-5350.

Deadhorse Meadows Backcountry Campground

Random Backcountry Camping

Random backcountry camping is permitted in the park, EXCEPT within 1 km of the designated backcountry campsite at Deadhorse Meadows and the Kakwa Falls parking area.
Follow random backcountry camping rules.
Use a backpacking stove. If a wood fire becomes necessary in an emergency, know how to have a campfire safely.

Backcountry Camping Guidelines

Equestrian staging facilities are provided at Deadhorse Meadows, Sherman Meadow and Lick Creek. The staging areas at Sherman Meadow and Lick Creek are on public land outside Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park. See the Two Lakes Kakwa Corridor map.
The road south beyond Lick Creek Staging Area is not suitable for horse trailers.
Please abide by these guidelines.
- Use established trails and routes.
- Be especially cautious when passing hikers.
- To prevent over-grazing and reduce competition with wildlife for food, please use supplemental feeds like grain pellets and alfalfa cubes or hay. Grain or alfalfa pellets are preferred. Hay could potentially introduce noxious weeds into the backcountry.
- All supplemental feed should be stored in sealed containers to prevent tampering by wildlife.
- Use ropes or approved electrical wire to make corrals. Make sure that horse holding areas are located at least 100 metres from any watercourse or body of water.
- Don’t tie horses to live trees. This can cause damage to bark and eventually kill a tree.
- Scatter manure before breaking camp.
- Avoid soft and marshy edges when watering horses.
- Salt should be kept in a waterproof container and elevated above ground. This prevents leakage into the soil which can attract wildlife.

Fishing is permitted in Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park, subject to Alberta fishing regulations. For detailed information, check the Alberta Guide to Sportfishing Regulations.
Cold temperatures and low nutrient levels make some of the rivers and streams in Kakwa unproductive fish habitat. However, mountain whitefish and bull trout can be found in deeper pools. Bull trout are considered a threatened species in Alberta and are “catch & release” only.

Trails are not maintained. Backcountry hikers must be completely self-reliant.
Ensure you prepare adequately. While you hike, follow tips for hiking and backcountry safety.
If you choose to bring your dog, it must be on a leash at all times for the safety of both you and your pet.

Hunting is permitted in Kakwa Wildland Provincial Park, subject to Alberta big game regulations. For detailed information, check the Alberta Guide to Hunting Regulations.
Carrying and discharge of firearms are permitted as allowed under Alberta's hunting regulations.
For more info, check hunting in Wildland Provincial Parks.
To ensure personal safety, visitors are encouraged to wear bright colours during hunting seasons.
See our safety tips about hunting in bear country. If there is a bear at your kill site, don’t attempt to chase it away. Leave the site and the carcass to the bear. Report the incident to a Conservation Officer as soon as possible at 780-833-4369.
If you see a poaching offense, please Report A Poacher. Dial toll free 1-800-642-3800. Violations include hunting or fishing out of season, night hunting, exceeding bag limits and destruction of natural habitat.

OHVs are only permitted on the trail to Kakwa Falls day use area.
The road south of Lick Creek Staging Area is only accessible with OHVs and 4WDs (see map).
Only OHVs are recommended between Deadhorse Meadows and Kakwa Falls parking area.

The park provides access to snowmobile areas in British Columbia. Check B.C. Kakwa Provincial Park for details, including the Snowmobile Zoning map.
There is snowmobile staging at Lick Creek Staging Area (see map).
Temporary winter snowmobile camps require a permit (valid December 1-April 14). Contact Parks Division in Grande Prairie at 780-538-5350 to obtain a winter camp permit.
In poor snow conditions, camp removal may be required before April 14. Camp clean-up must be completed by April 16.
No camps are permitted beyond 150 m of designated trails (i.e. road to Kakwa Falls, trail from Deadhorse Meadows to the B.C. border).
Access to camps must be flagged on designated routes. The permit number must be displayed at the camp.

Kakwa Wildland Park is located in the alpine and subalpine sub-regions of the Rocky Mountain Natural Region.
Over 450 plants have been identified in the park, including 30 listed as rare in Alberta. There are also 28 plant species that are at the extreme edge of their range.
Mammals in the area include: woodland caribou, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, mule and white-tailed deer, grizzly and black bears, wolves, wolverines, lynx and red fox.
Be familiar with wildlife safety for travel in Kakwa.