Information & Facilities

Lesser Slave Lake PP

Information: 780-849-2111 (May long weekend to Sept long weekend) 780-849-7100 (Off Season)

One of Alberta Parks’ signature parks, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park was established in 1966 to protect Marten Mountain (the easternmost foothill in Alberta), amazing and extensive natural sand beaches, and a rare road-accessible sand dune and wetlands complex at Devonshire Beach. In 1993 a new gem was added to the park’s crown: the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory, which is one of a handful of boreal bird observatories in the world.

This park has two campgrounds: Marten River and Devonshire South, as well as Group Use Areas. Over 35km of trails provide plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing; 25km of these are part of the Trans Canada Trail. Swim, soak up the sun, or build sandcastles on beautiful natural sand beaches at Devonshire and Marten River Campground. A variety of habitats ranging from foothills to mixed wood forest, from wetlands to shorelines to ancient sand dunes offer plenty of opportunities for viewing wildlife, especially birds. The lake provides great fishing, paddling, and windsurfing prospects; you can also launch a motorboat at the municipal boat launch south of the park for boating and waterskiing. Golf lovers will enjoy the Gilwood Golf and Country Club’s 18-hole golf course within the park.

Take in a bird observatory tour at the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory, and don’t forget to stop by the park’s Visitor Information Centre, the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation. Here, you can play with the interactive exhibits and ask friendly staff about birds, wildlife, and wildflowers you’ve seen or heard. Fun and fascinating interpretive programs are offered at various locations throughout the park Tuesday through Sunday in July and August.

Day Use (7)
Campgrounds (2)
Comfort Camping (1)
Group Use Areas (2)
Special Facilities (1)
Visitor Centre (1)

Advisories & Closures

No Advisories

Activities

Beach

Birding

Camping

Canoeing/Kayaking (AIS)

Environmental Education

Fishing

Hiking - Front Country

Interpretive Program

Mtn. Biking/Cycling

Swimming

Wind Surfing (AIS)

Cross Country Skiing

Ice Fishing

Snowshoeing

Hiking - Front Country

Golfing

Geocaching

Hiking - Interpretive

Boat Rentals

Electric Bicycles

Permitted activities may vary within a park. Please confirm details with park staff.

Be Bear Smart: Download pamphlet PDF.
Birding: The Lesser Slave Lake region is a designated Important Bird Area. Up to 20% of the western population of tundra swans stop to feed on the lake. Reeds around the lake provide nesting habitat for a globally important western grebe population. The area has an incredible concentration and diversity of migrant songbirds, including yellow warbler, bay-breasted warbler and red-eyed vireo. A Songbird Festival is held in the park each spring.
Boating: There is no boat launch in the park except for a hand launch at Marten River Campground, suitable only for canoes or kayaks that you carry by hand from the parking area, approximately 125m. Larger boats can be launched at the MD of Lesser Slave River boat launch, south of the park at Lesser Slave River. There is no charge for boat launching and parking is available.
Paddling: Stand-up paddleboards and kayaks can be rented online only, via Kayakomat
Golfing: Gilwood Golf and Country Club is located in the park.
Trails: There are trails for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing. In summer, some trails provide access to beach ridges and sand dunes.
Viewpoint: Marten Mountain Viewpoint overlooks Lesser Slave Lake, the largest auto-accessible lake in Alberta.
Winter Activities: Info
Nearby Attraction: North Shore Homestead has a museum and interpretive bison ranch tours.

Inclusion & Accessibility

Sandrider wheelchair available for visitors to borrow
Visitors can pick it up at the Marten River Campground booth during booth open hours.
A $100.00 deposit is required / will be returned with wheelchair return.
A larger vehicle is required to transport the Sandrider – minivan size or similar, at least.
The wheelchair can be used at:
- Marten River Campground beach – access the beach using the boat launch access from the Day Use Area
- Devonshire Beach North Day Use Area – access the beach from the viewing platform / ramp access to the beach.

Events

Berry BINGO (1)

Thursday, May 15, 2025 - Sunday, August 31, 2025
Berry BINGO (2)

Thursday, May 15, 2025
Discovery Journal (3)

Thursday, May 15, 2025 - Sunday, August 31, 2025
Discovery Journal (4)

Thursday, May 15, 2025

Maps & Guides

Park and Marten River Campground Maps

Regulations