Located on the banks of Wabamun Lake and featuring some great family-friendly camping and recreational opportunities, Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is a must-visit for those in Parkland County. The modern history of the area dates back to when the small summer village of Lakeview was established in 1913. Since then generations of families have flocked to Wabamun Lake to enjoy recreational activities and to also just kick back and relax.
The location of the park right on the lake means that visitors can go swimming until their hearts content, sunbathe on the sandy beach within the park or try their luck at catching the big one in the waters of the lake. Besides the water-based recreational activities you can also have some fun in the sun by going for a stroll on the boardwalk or get the binoculars out and enjoy some birding. Young visitors to Wabamun Lake Provincial Park can play on the playground that is located near the edge of the lake.
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park has two campgrounds that provide 275 sites that are suitable for RV camping. Both campgrounds feature a mixture of powered and non-powered sites and are heavily treed. Peak season at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park runs from May until October.
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is located in the central region of Alberta and is situated right off Yellowhead Highway. The park has two entry and exit points that allow you to access it from the highway and from the western side of Wabamun Lake.
A highlight of Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is how close the park is to numerous towns and the city of Edmonton. In Edmonton you will be able to find all the supplies and amenities you will need to enjoy your stay at the park, whether it be a short or long one. Besides Edmonton there are also other smaller towns located nearby, including Wabamun (which is just located on the western side of the lake), Duffield (around seven and a half miles or 12.5kms away) and Entwistle (around 26 miles or 42kms away). Edmonton is the closest major city at only 42 miles (68km) to the east of the park.
Accessing the park should be very straightforward since the park entrance is located right off the highway. The road into the park is a mixture of dirt and gravel but is kept in relatively good condition during the summer months. If you are looking to visit the park during the the winter we recommend you call the park office to confirm that the gate will be open.
There is limited parking in the day-use area.
The West End Campground at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is the largest of the two campgrounds at the park and is also the closest to the forested areas. The campground has a total of 160 sites that are known for being quite spacious and private thanks to the large treed areas of the campground.
The campground features two loops that are entirely electrical hookup while the other three are all primitive. Other amenities in the campground include multiple water collection points, coin operated hot showers, toilets, a playground and dump station access (which is located near the day-use area). The campground is also pet friendly and you should be able to get cell phone service on all of the major providers within the campground.
Since the campground is a popular destination due to its proximity to Edmonton we recommend that you book a reservation in advance before you begin your journey to the park. Camping at West End Campground is available from May until October.
The Main Campground at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is the smaller of the two campgrounds at the park and is also the closest to the beach and day-use area. The campground has a total of 116 sites that are known for being quite spacious and private thanks to the large treed areas of the campground.
The campground features two loops, both of which have electrical hookup options for all of the sites. Other amenities in the campground include multiple water collection points, coin operated hot showers, toilets, easy access to the park store, a playground and dump station access (which is located near the day-use area). The campground is also pet friendly and you should be able to get cell phone service on all of the major providers within the campground.
Since the campground is a popular destination due to its proximity to Edmonton we recommend that you book a reservation in advance before you begin your journey to the park. Camping at Main Campground is available from May until October.
There is no better way to spend a hot summer day at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park then by going for a swim in the lake. There is one sandy beach located on the north-eastern side of the lake that is a very popular location. The waters of the lake are usually very clear and shallow, making it a great swimming spot for people of all ages. Please note that swimmers itch can be prone to happen within the waters so check for advisories posted before you enter the water. Remember that there are no lifeguards on duty either so swim to your ability.
Once you have finished having fun in the water you have the chance to explore on top of the lake. There is a small boat launch that is available for park guests that can accommodate small fishing boats, canoes and kayaks. The park is also equipped with a lifeguard loaner station so you can enjoy boating on the lake in the safest way possible. If you don't have your own watercraft there is a boat rental facility at the park.
Looking to have a relaxing picnic during your stay? If so, look no further than the day/use picnic area located just behind the beach at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park. The day use area is the perfect place to have a picnic and contains some great amenities. These include multiple BBQs, bathrooms, a volleyball court and picnic shelter. If you want to use a BBQ, we recommend you arrive early as they tend to be a very hot commodity.
There are no public transport options that will take you to Wabamun Lake Provincial Park.
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park has some great lake fishing opportunities that will hopefully lead you to catching the big one. The lake features a diverse range of fish species but is popular with anglers thanks to the large pike and walleye that call the lake home. Try fishing at either daylight or sunset and using perch-looking lures. If you have a boat you can go out and fish the harder-to-reach spots, but you will also have fun fishing off the shoreline.
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is a birding hotspot thanks to the open waters of the lake. Birders who frequent the area will often see many diverse species, including hooded mergansers, bald eagles and mallards. Depending on the time of year that you visit, you could also get the chance to see migrating water birds such as herons, loons, kingfishers and sandpipers. Away from the water common ravens, gray jays and great gray owls can also be spotted in and among the trees.
Since Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is quite small there are no major hiking trails that will test you during your visit to the park. Despite this, there is the option for you to make the most of the boardwalks in the day use area. The boardwalks will allow you the chance to view the waters of the lake and can be accessed from both sides of the day-use area. There are also multiple small trails around the lake that you can use if you want a quieter walk.
