Are you looking for an easier day hike in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park? Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail is about 16 kilometres around the vibrant turquoise lake and is a must-visit for nature lovers in the summer months. Whether you’re camping nearby at Boulton Creek Campground or just in the area for a day trip, the Upper Kananaskis Lake hike offers a family-friendly experience with spectacular landscapes. Don’t miss your chance to explore this fantastic Kananaskis hike!
Last Updated: February 1, 2024
Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail is a family-friendly hike located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. Less than two hours from Calgary, visitors can experience one of the largest lakes in Kananaskis Country by hiking the entire loop or simply meandering along the shoreline. If you want more of a challenge, you could include the side trip to Rawson Lake or Sarrail Ridge. Upper Kananaskis Lake tends to be a popular place in the summer months, and it’s worth visiting if you’re in the area.
You might be interested to know that both the Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes are natural. However, in the 1930s, the first dam was built on Upper Kananaskis Lake and today both lakes serve as reservoirs. Upper and Lower Kananaskis are both open for recreational purposes, including paddling and swimming, but these glacier-fed waters are typically very cold (refreshing on a hot day!). Upper Kananaskis Lake reaches a depth of 108 metres and is surrounded by scenic Rocky Mountain landscape — a perfect place for a weekend adventure!
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About Upper Kananaskis Lake Hike
Location: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Kananaskis Country, Alberta
Distance: 16 km loop
Difficulty: Easy to moderate (due to length)
Elevation: 269 metre gain
Time: Approx 5 to 6 hours
Dog-friendly: Yes, but dogs must remain on a leash.
Features: Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail begins in the forest with peak-a-boo views of the turquoise waters and towering Rocky Mountains above. You can choose to hike clockwise or counterclockwise around the lake depending on your preference. Upper Kananaskis Trail passes by Mount Indefatigable and Point Backcountry Campground, and includes side trip options like Rawson Lake and Sarrail Ridge. You’ll also pass a couple of waterfalls along the way. If you visit on a hot day, Upper Kananaskis Lake is a great spot for a cold dip!
Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail Map
Upper Kananaskis Lake Parking
To access both Upper and Lower Kananaskis Lakes, take the exit toward Kananaskis Country from the Trans Canada Hwy, and then follow Hwy 40 for about 50 km to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. For the Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail, you can either park at the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area, White Spruce Day Use Area, or North Inter-Lakes Day Use. We found parking at the White Spruce Day Use where the 1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Trail starts. From the parking lot, it was a short walk up a hill to find Upper Kananaskis Lake, and we hiked Upper Kananaskis Loop in the counterclockwise direction. Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area is the most popular trailhead where visitors hike around in the clockwise direction.
Read next: Boulton Creek Campground: Car Camping in Kananaskis Country
Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail — Hike in Kananaskis
We started hiking around Upper Kananaskis Lake around noon. After only 2 km, we came across a group who had turned around after spotting a young grizzly bear. When hiking in the Rocky Mountains, you have to be prepared for possible bear encounters. When I first moved to Alberta, I was quite nervous about grizzly bears in the backcountry. I slowly became more comfortable and prepared with more knowledge and experience. Whether you’re hiking solo or with a group, make noise (i.e. talk) and carry bear spray (and know how to use it). We cautiously continued on and assessed the situation. Turns out, there was plenty of space along the shoreline to safely pass by.
Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail is about 16 km and took us about 5 hours to complete. Starting from White Spruce Day Use, we chose to hike around in the counterclockwise direction. Upper Kananaskis isn’t an overly technical hike, but you should be prepared and self-sufficient for several hours of hiking. We passed by several families and solo visitors without day packs, water, or snacks. Hiking without water on a hot summer’s day can cause serious and avoidable problems. I brought two litres in my Osprey water reservoir and an extra Nalgene water bottle. On this particularly warm day, I also had my MSR Trailshot water filter — and we used it!
We hiked through the forest for several kilometres, with periodic views of the turquoise lake and mountain landscape. Upper Kananaskis Trail leads through the North Inter-Lakes Day Use Area, where we stopped for a short bathroom break. After the outhouse, we returned to the forested trail and eventually found rocky terrain at the base of Mount Indefatigable closer to the campground.
Note: Mount Indefatigable Trailhead is accessible from this route, but the hiking trail passes through prime grizzly territory and no longer maintained by Alberta Parks. Consider hiking a different trail in the area, such as South Lawson or King Creek Ridge, to helps preserve and protect grizzly bear territory in Kananaskis Country.
Upper Kananaskis Lake Camping
After this rocky section, we went back into the forest and it wasn’t long before Point Backcountry Campground. Point Campground is a popular overnight for beginner backpackers or families with children, with 20 reservable campsites, shared fire pit, picnic tables, and bear storage lockers. You can book your stay through Alberta Parks online.
After passing Point Backcountry Campground, the trail approaches the roaring Upper Kananaskis Falls with an easy spot to filter water. Then we continued through the forest, spotting adventurous swimmers on the shore, and finally made it to Turret Falls. By this point, I was especially sore from my pack rubbing against my sunburnt shoulders from Lower Kananaskis canoeing the day before (don’t forget sunscreen). Thankfully, it wasn’t long to reach the Upper Kananaskis Lake Day Use Area and the end of our hike.
Read next: Yates Mountain via Prairie View Trail in Kananaskis, Alberta
Rawson Lake Hike — Side Trip Kananaskis Hike
I have only hiked Rawson Lake in the winter and shoulder seasons. If you have time and want the adventure, Rawson Lake is a scenic glacier-fed lake about 2.2 km from the Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail. After leaving Upper Kananaskis, it’s a steady climb through the subalpine forest to the lake. Hiking poles and sturdy hiking boots are recommended. If you’re extra motivated, you could continue past Rawson Lake up to Sarrail Ridge for some of the best views around. Whatever you choose, you’ll find many Kananaskis hikes to explore here!
Read next: Rawson Lake Hike in Kananaskis, Alberta
What To Bring For Day Hike
Here is my packing list for the Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail:
- Day pack (Osprey Hikelite 18)
- Hiking boots (Scarpa Kailash)
- Hiking poles (Komperdell)
- Rain shell (Arc’teryx Beta LT)
- Waterproof pack cover
- Water reservoir (Osprey 2L Reservoir)
- Water bottle (Nalgene)
- Water filter (MSR TrailShot)
- Emergency shelter
- Lighter / matches
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Bug spray
- Toilet paper
- Headlamp (Petzl)
- Knife (Mora)
- First aid kit (Adventure Medical Kit)
- Map / compass
- Satellite communications (Zoleo)
- Powerbank (Anker)
- Food / snacks
Read next: 10 Day Hiking Essentials: What to Bring on a Hike
Know Before You Go
Park Pass: The Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for Upper Kananaskis Lake parking. Purchase your pass to avoid fines and support conservation efforts in Kananaskis Country.
Parking: You have several parking areas to choose from, including Upper Kananaskis Day Use Area, White Spruce Day Use, and North Inter-Lakes Day Use. No additional parking fees.
Toilets: Outhouses are available in the parking areas and at Point Backcountry Campground.
Water: Carry enough water for the duration of your hike (I use this 2-litre reservoir or water bottle). Consider bringing a water filter or purification tablets to treat freshwater.
Safety: Kananaskis Country is grizzly bear territory. Always keep a safe distance and carry bear spray in case of an encounter.
Sun Protection: Upper Kananaskis was somewhere between 25 and 30 °C when we visited. Don’t forget to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and any other sun protection you need.
Swimming: Upper Kananaskis Lake is open for recreational use, including canoeing, kayaking, SUPing, and swimming. If you’re planning a dunk, bring a towel to dry off. Remember, Upper Kananaskis Lake is typically very cold even in the summer months.
More Kananaskis Hikes To Try
Are you looking for more Kananaskis hikes for your list? Here are a few that you might want to consider:
- Galatea Lakes Hike in Kananaskis Country, Alberta
- Yates Mountain via Prairie View Trail in Kananaskis, Alberta
- The Ptarmigan Cirque Trail in Kananaskis
- Ribbon Falls Hike in Kananaskis Country, Alberta
- Tent Ridge Hike: One of the Best Hikes in Kananaskis
- South Lawson Peak in Kananaskis, Alberta
Have you hiked the Upper Kananaskis Lake Trail? What was your experience like? Are you planning a trip soon? Let me know 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.
