Elk Lakes Provincial Park

This park encompasses more than 17,000 hectares (42,000 acres) of rugged wilderness along the British Columbia side of the Canadian Rockies. The park lies adjacent to the southern border of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Alberta, but the only road access is from Highway 3, more than 120 km (75 miles) to the south. Head north for 35 km (22 miles) from Sparwood, between Cranbrook and the Alberta border, on a paved road to Elkford, then take an unpaved forestry road 67 km (42 miles) farther north into the park.

The end of the road, where you’ll find a kiosk with a park map and up-to-date trail conditions, is the park’s main trailhead. From this point it’s an easy one km (.6 mile) to Lower Elk Lake and then another kilometer beyond the end of the lake to Upper Elk Lake. At the lower lake, a narrow trail climbs to a lookout. Aside from the long drive in, the ratio of effort to reward in reaching these lakes is unmatched in the Canadian Rockies. The stunningly beautiful upper lake is surrounded by steep snowcapped peaks, and several avalanche paths end right at water’s edge. Fishing in the lower lake is productive for Dolly Varden and cutthroat trout.