Castle Provincial Park covers more than 259,000 acres (105,000 hectares) of scenic Canada. Located near Calgary and the U.S.-Canada border, it is a popular destination for international tourists and weekend warriors alike.
The area is famous for its waterways, with both Beaver Mines Lake and the Castle River offering cool, clear water ready to be enjoyed. Guests can swim, power boat on the lake, and canoe and kayak on the river. Fishermen can cast a line in search of Rainbow Trout.
The park offers a trail system of 23 multi-use trails open to hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. In the winter months, the trails host cross-country skiers, snowshoers, and snowmobiles.
In the evenings, look up at the expansive night skies to see breathtaking views of the Milky Way.
RV campers can take advantage of four different campgrounds and two additional group campgrounds. The Castle River Bridge Campground features 30 amp electrical hookups.
Guests are expected to bring their own water for drinking, cooking, and washing. A water pump is available for putting out fires only. Wheelchair accessible washrooms are available as well as pit and vault toilets. Each site includes a fire pit. Firewood is available for sale. The campground are generally open from mid May to Labor Day depending on weather conditions. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Castle Provincial Park is located in southwest Alberta, Canada. It is about a two and a half hour drive south of Calgary, Alberta, and an hour and a half drive southwest of Lethbridge, Alberta.
Visitors driving in from the United States can reach the park in about four hours from Great Falls, Montana, and in about six hours from Spokane, Washington.
Located between Crowsnest Provincial Park and Waterton Lakes National Park, campers entering Castle Provincial Park can access it by traveling on Highway 507 through the small town of Beaver Mines.
All roads within the park and the campground are paved and accessible for RVs and trailers.
Parking is available at each site in the campground. Additional parking can be found in the day use areas and near the park registration area. Park only in designated areas, and do not park along roadways.
Bicycles are welcome at Hidden Valley Territorial Park. Biking is allowed on all park and campground roads as well as on the trails. All bicyclists under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
Equestrians can ride through the park and on the trail system.
Beaver Mines Lake Campground features 96 sites without hookups for RV camping. The scenic campground sits in a wooded area near the lake. Guests are expected to bring their own water for drinking, cooking, and washing. A water pump is available for putting out fires only. Wheelchair accessible washrooms are available as well as pit and vault toilets. Each site includes a fire pit, and the campground has a public boat launch. Firewood is available for sale. The campground are generally open from mid-May to Labor Day depending on weather conditions. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Castle Falls Campground features 45 sites without hookups for RV camping. The scenic campground sits in a wooded area near the Castle River. Guests are expected to bring their own water for drinking, cooking, and washing. A water pump is available for putting out fires only. Wheelchair accessible washrooms are available as well as pit and vault toilets. Each site includes a fire pit, and the campground includes access to the river for swimming, fishing, and boating. Firewood is available for sale. The campground are generally open from mid-May to Labor Day depending on weather conditions. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Castle River Bridge Campground features 30 sites with 30 amp electrical hookups for RV camping. The scenic campground sits in a wooded area near the Castle River. Guests are expected to bring their own water for drinking, cooking, and washing. A water pump is available for putting out fires only. Wheelchair accessible washrooms are available as well as pit and vault toilets. Each site includes a fire pit, and the campground includes access to the river for swimming, fishing, and boating. Firewood is available for sale. The campground are generally open from mid-May to Labor Day depending on weather conditions. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Castle Rock Provincial Park covers more than 259,000 acres (105,000 hectares). Its extensive backcountry offers wide open exploration for visitors. If you wish to stick to the mapped trail system, 23 multi-use trails are open to equestrians and mountain bikers. Bikers are encouraged to travel with repair kits and a pump. The Syncline A and B Group Campgrounds feature horse corrals and equestrian staging areas. Park Rangers remind guests to travel with bear spray.
Visitors to Castle Rock Provincial Park have ample opportunity to enjoy the water. Castle River winds through the park, and Beaver Mines Lake provides scenic views. Several boat launches are available for public use including one in the Beaver Mines Lake Campground. Power boats can speed along the lake, while the river is popular for non-motorized watercraft like canoes and kayaks. Swimming is available in both the lake and the river, but lifeguards are not on duty.
Castle Provincial Park features 23 multi-use trails for campers to explore. In the summer months, the trails host hikers. In the winter time, the trails are popular with cross-country skiers. Ask Park Rangers for a trail map. One of the most popular hikes takes guests to the summit of Table Mountain. The trail is 5.3 miles (8.5 kilometers) long with an elevation gain of 2,529 feet (771 meters). Dogs are allowed on the trails but must remain on leash.
Castle Provincial Park offers two adjacent group camping areas that offer sites without hookups for RV camping. Area A features 15 sites and Area B offers 20 sites. Guests can take advantage of a shared picnic shelter, fire pits, pit toilets, and a horse corral. Campers should bring their own water. The campgrounds are generally open from mid May to Labor Day depending on weather conditions. Dogs are allowed on leash.
Lynx Creek Campground features 18 sites without hookups for RV camping. The location gives campers easy access to the falls or the wooded hiking trails. Guests are expected to bring their own water for drinking, cooking, and washing. A water pump is available for putting out fires only. Wheelchair accessible washrooms are available as well as pit and vault toilets. Each site includes a fire pit. Firewood is available for sale. The campground are generally open from mid-May to Labor Day depending on weather conditions. Dogs are allowed on leash.
The Castle River and Beaver Mines Lake offer excellent fishing opportunities for locals and visiting anglers. Fishermen can launch onto the lake from several public boat launches throughout the park or launch smaller watercraft into the river. Find a secluded spot on the shore to set up for the day, or fish from the water. Visitors can catch Rainbow Trout and other native species. Ice fishing is available in the winter months. All fishermen should be sure to have a current fishing license.
The skies at Castle Provincial Park offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience rare natural phenomena. Because the park is far away from the light pollution of cities, stargazing is a popular activity. Stay up late and watch the night sky come to life. On clear nights, guests can typically see the Milky Way on full display. For the best viewing, hike up Table Mountain or set up on the lake. Many of the campgrounds are great spots for stargazing in comfort as well.
Castle Provincial Park is the perfect location for enjoying the Canadian winter. Depending on weather conditions, certain campsites are open for winter camping. Guests must bring their own water and firewood. Visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing along the trails. Explore the backcountry by snowmobile, and view the native wildlife. Fishermen can enjoy ice fishing on the lake or on the Castle River. Winter weather conditions can change quickly, so visitors should exercise caution.
