An Alberta provincial park and lake are absolutely huge, and there is so much to explore within.
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is located southeast of Edmonton, about an hour’s drive away from the city. Out here in the wilderness, there’s ample time for lounging, so much space for RVs and trailers, and the perfect atmosphere to truly get a dose of the wild.
As part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, this provincial park has some of the clearest skies to see the stars. This makes it one of the best spots for camping, where you can sleep under the constellations and immerse yourself in the forest.
If you’re looking for a day trip or weekend away from the city, this provincial park is just awaiting your arrival.
What is there to do?
There’s one thing that has to be the focal point of this park: the lake.
Here, you’ll be able to find a wide, sandy beach which is perfect for sunbathing, picnicking, and building sandcastles. Not to mention, there are numerous forested picnic spots surrounding the beach, so you won’t have to be directly in the sun on those bright days. This lake is also great for non-motorized aquatic activities, like kayaking and canoeing, but there are no launching facilities for power boats.
For the kids in your life, there’s also a playground located near the beach.
The lake is perfect for lounging, not swimming. Keep that in mind when you visit, because the large amounts of vegetation, algae, and bacteria in the water will most likely not sit well with you.
Miquelon Lake is also a great place to witness all the wildlife, as it’s considered a wild landscape. It’s currently home to a variety of wildlife, ranging from reptiles and amphibians to large mammals like moose, deer, and elk. Coyotes are also common residents, and the park can occasionally be visited by black bears, cougars and wolves.
Your best chance to witness some of these visits is by camping. There are several unserviced, powered, and pull-through sites to choose from.
Not to mention, you’ll have more time to explore the extensive trail systems ahead of you.
The best trails to hike
Miquelon Lake has a significant number of trails to explore. Instead of going through all of them, we’re going to highlight some of the best out of the bunch.
Beaver Hills Loop has to be the first one we mention, because it is one of the most popular hiking trails here— and for good reason. With scenic views of the terrain, wildlife (especially beavers), and a challenging but not strenuous path, this loop is a great start for those looking to delve into the hikes here.
You’ll be able to access this trail through overflow parking (next to the baseball diamond) at the day-use area parking lot.
If you’re looking for a paved path, the Shoreline Path Trail will do it for you.
Not only does this path connect Campground Loops A, B and C, but it also connects the day-use area. As you walk this trail, you’ll get beautiful views of the lake, as well as easy beach access for whenever you want to rest your legs and relax.
If you do want to take a look at every trail, check out the Alberta Park’s website. You can also find a map online as well!
Ready to take a nice long walk on the beach? We sure are, so don’t miss your chance to enjoy the sunny lake this summer in Alberta.
Where: Directions online
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