The Rawson Lake hike or snowshoe is a great winter activity in Kananaskis Country. If you’re looking for fresh air and mountain views, head over to Upper Kananaskis Lake to find the Rawson Lake Trailhead. A popular place in the summer, Rawson Lake is just as spectacular after the snow arrives and you can walk across its frozen surface. We found a small crowd here on New Year’s Day — not surprising for the fantastic reward-to-effort ratio on Rawson Lake Trail. These winter views are worth the uphill, wouldn’t you say?
Last Updated: February 14, 2024
Have you had a chance to visit Rawson Lake? My first time was on New Year’s Day in 2021. Not a bad way to start another year, on the snow-packed path with other happy hikers. The Rawson Lake hike or snowshoe is a nice place to stretch your legs in the wintertime, and many wear snowshoes with deep snow. On this overcast morning, I wasn’t sure if we would see much at the end, but was thrilled with snow-dusted mountains above the frozen-solid Rawson Lake. I would definitely do this hike again!
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Table of Contents
About Rawson Lake Hike
Location: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country
Distance: 7 km out and back
Difficulty: Moderate (slippery in the winter)
Elevation: 320 metre gain
Time: 3 – 4 hours
Dog-friendly: Yes, but must remain on a leash.
Features: This Rawson Lake hike begins at the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use, heading through the forest on Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail and veering left near Turret Falls. After an uphill hike, visitors can expect decent views of Rawson Lake and mountains towering above. Be prepared to gain over 300 km in a fairly short distance. The picturesque Rawson Lake is waiting at the end and is a lovely destination in any season.
Rawson Lake Trail Map
Finding the Rawson Lake Trailhead
If you’re driving from Calgary, head west on the Trans Canada Highway and take the exit toward Kananaskis Country (Highway 40). Drive south on Hwy 40 for about 50 km until turning right into Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. For the Rawson Lake Trailhead, visitors can park at the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area and access the trailhead from the south end of the parking lot. Don’t forget your Kananaskis Conservation Pass.
Read next: Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail: Family-Friendly Kananaskis Hike
Rawson Lake Hike — Best Kananaskis Winter Hikes
The Rawson Lake hike begins on the Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail alongside the lakeshore. After admiring Upper Kananaskis Lake winter scenes, continue for about 1.2 km until reaching the Rawson Lake turn-off on your left. You’ll see an official sign for Rawson Lake, but if you miss it you’ll continue hiking around Upper Kananaskis Lake (much longer!). That being said, the Upper Kananaskis Lake loop can be a nice winter option, but check for possible avalanche warnings near Mount Indefatigable.
After turning onto Rawson Lake Trail, you’ll find about 2 km of moderate uphill hiking or snowshoeing between you and the lake. If you’re planning to hike, wait a day or two after snowfall for snowshoers to pack it down (and bring micro-spikes or trail crampons for extra traction). I didn’t bring hiking poles this time, but you might want to bring them along. At the Rawson Lake entrance, there’s an outhouse on the left side and the trail continues on around the lakeshore. To explore more of the area, plan to return in the summer for Sarrail Ridge after the avalanche danger has melted away.
After walking on the frozen lake and admiring the winter scenery, we turned around to make our way back to the car. Bella could’ve stayed here all day, I’m sure. The return hike is mostly downhill and fairly flat once you’re back beside Upper Kananaskis Lake. We were in the parking lot after about an hour.
Read next: Tunnel Mountain Hike in Banff National Park
What To Bring — Rawson Lake Hike or Snowshoe
Before heading out to Rawson Lake, check your day pack to make sure you have the Ten Essentials for hiking. I tend to bring my water reservoir and sometimes a thermos full of hot chocolate, tea, or coffee. I’ve also been known to bring my Jetboil stove and boil water on the go. Depending on the snowfall, you could either hike up to Rawson Lake or strap on your snowshoes to trudge uphill. If you want to get serious about snowshoeing, I love using my MSR Lightning Ascents with the heel lift and sturdy construction (I’m somewhat hard on my gear… and they haven’t fallen apart yet!).
Are you new to hiking in the snow? First things first, make sure you know what to wear winter hiking to stay warm and have fun out there. Nothing’s worse than freezing outdoors because you didn’t layer properly or wore cotton clothing. For my moisture-wicking baselayer, I wear this Patagonia Capilene long-sleeve with a fleece sweater or synthetic jacket overtop (depending on the temperature). No matter the season, you should always have a rain shell / outer layer either in your pack or on your body. Weather patterns can change rapidly and are often unpredictable in the Rocky Mountains.
Read next: What To Wear Winter Hiking in Canada
Know Before You Go
Kananaskis Pass: Visitors must purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass before parking in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
Parking: You can park at the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area to access Rawson Lake.
Toilet: Visitors will find outhouses at the south end of Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use and beside Rawson Lake.
Pets: You can bring your four-legged friend but they must remain on a leash. Remember to pack out your dog’s poop (I recommend carrying this smell-proof bag).
Snowshoeing: If the snow is deep, you’ll want to bring snowshoes to avoid postholing your way up to Rawson Lake.
Trail closures: Check for advisories and trail closures in Kananaskis Country beforehand.
Safety: If you’re heading out on your own, make sure someone you trust has your trip plan and expected return (check out AdventureSmart). Carry a first aid kit to deal with minor injuries on the trail.
Wildlife: Kananaskis Country is prime grizzly habitat and visitors should become bear aware before heading out. Even in the winter months, bear encounters can happen. Bring bear spray and know how to use it. Maintain a safe distance and never feed wildlife in Kananaskis.
Navigation: Finding the Rawson Lake Trail is fairly straightforward, but I recommend bringing the Gem Trek Kananaskis Lakes Map and a compass just in case. You can also download the Rawson Lakes Trail on AllTrails (or another GPS) as a backup.
Rawson Lake Trail — New Year’s Day Meeting!
Bella and Rosie took a photo with us!
On our way up to Rawson Lake, I caught a glimpse of a passing Bernese mountain dog that seemed oddly familiar. I glanced up and blurted out, “Are you Leigh?” Sure enough, I had crossed paths with Leigh McAdam from HikeBikeTravel.com, walking her daughter’s Bernese (Rosie) I recognized from blog photos. After using HikeBikeTravel to plan several hikes (including Rawson Lake), I was thrilled to meet Leigh and her husband, John, on this New Year’s Day happenstance.
After our meeting, Leigh offered to share her insights to help with my newly started website. I took her up on the offer and am thankful for her generosity. Since then, Leigh, John, and I (and our pups) even had the chance to hike Ribbon Falls together. Leigh’s work and life inspires me to keep seeking an adventure-filled life. If you’re looking for ideas, pick up a copy of Leigh’s Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures — it’s fantastic! Can you tell I’ve met one of my local heroes?
Have you experienced the Rawson Lake hike or snowshoe in the winter? What are your go-to winter hikes? Let me know in the comments below!
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Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
