Highwood and Cataract Creek

The Highwood/Cataract Creek areas stretch from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park [1] to the southern border of Kananaskis Country [2]. This is the least developed area in Kananaskis Country. The jagged peaks of the Highwood Mountains, mostly protected by remote Don Getty Wildland Provincial Park are the dominant feature; high alpine meadows among the peaks are home to bighorn sheep, elk, and grizzlies. Lower down, spruce and lodgepole pine forests spread over most of the valley, giving way to grazing lands along the eastern flanks.

The main access from the north is along Highway 40, which drops 600 vertical meters (1,970 feet) in the 35 kilometers (22 miles) between Highwood Pass [3] and Highwood Junction. From the east, Highway 541 west from Longview joins Highway 40 at Highwood Junction.

All three campgrounds in the Highwood/Cataract Creek areas are south of Highwood Junction and are operated by High Country Camping (403/558-2373 or 866/366-2267, www.campingalberta.com [4]).