We love this park. It is a bit out of way for our journey but well worth it. The drive to the park is stunning with gorgeous mountain views all the way to Waterton Lakes. Since August long weekend in Canada is coming up (first weekend in August) it means many of the campgrounds are crowded and/or full. So when in doubt make a reservation. Alberta Parks charge a $12 reservation fee…ouch..ouch…ouch! But if you are in a big rig and want a site sometimes you have to do what you have to do. Did I say ouch?
Campground: Beauvais Lake Provincial Park
Location: Southwest of Pincher Creek about 20 km and north of Waterton Lakes National Park about 30km (as the crow flies)
Site: 52
Cost: $26 (CAD)
Services: E (30 AMP)
Comments: A lovely campground at the edge of where the prairies meet the Rockies. A destination campground with a lake for boating and fishing and lots of hiking.
Link to Map in “Where We’ve Been”
Our site was long enough for our rig and toad. Alberta Parks does an excellent job on their website of showing photos of the campsite AND the lengths. We assumed there would not be any problem. But our back-in site was a bit narrow at the front part with tall trees with some stiff dead branches and then the site widened up in the back. This meant our rig got a bit scratched up trying to back in. Oh well. Elkhart here we come!
The campground offers 77 sites some with electric and some without, some sites are reservable and others are first come first serve. Here’s an example of some of them.
The hiking in the area is tremendous but it is “rough and wild” according to the rangers. The park is in a montane area right on the edge where the Rockies meets the prairies with lots of flora and fauna and wildlife. You are in grizzly territory so hike prepared and pay attention.
And let’s not forget the plant life in the park. An abundance of purple camas, Alberta Wild Roses, and poplar trees line the landscape.
Lisa, we are headed that way around the end of August. We would love to visit Waterton Lakes National Park. This may be good place to stay. We’ll check it out:)
We love Waterton, we even had a grizzly sighting near the campground. Your best bet would probably be to stay at the park. We stayed at Crandell Campground – http://www.thoseyoungguys.com/2009/08/09/crandell-lake-campground-alberta/
Beauvais Lake is about 30km from Waterton as the crow flies but takes about an hour to get to Waterton. We can’t wait to hear all about your visit to Waterton!