Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park

Parks of Alberta Information 

Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park are amazing natural areas in southwestern Alberta, Canada. Running along the south part of the Crowsnest Pass and bumping up to the British Columbia border. This is a popular area for camping, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, OHV trails, snowshoeing, skiing, and much more. This is a park with 4 season adventures to enjoy! 

Where to stay when visiting Castle Provincial Parks 

This stunning area is teeming with camping opportunities, both front-country and backcountry options are available here. Castle Falls campground is a great option near a waterfall. There are many designated rustic style campsites throughout the park as well. You'll even find comfort cabins in a couple of the campgrounds around here, including the Beaver Mines Lake campground. Tent camping in the backcountry of Castle Wildland Provinicial Park is allowed without a permit. You'll want to note a campsite or fire must be at least 1km away from any facility or road. Additionally, you must be at least 50 metres from any trails. You can book a lot of these campsites online before arrival, but some are designated first come first serve such as Lynx Creek. The campgrounds are not open during the winter months, but backcountry camping is still allowed in the Castle Wildland section of the park only. Alternatively, you could stay in one of the communities that make up the Crowsnest Pass or nearby Pincher Creek, and use that as a basecamp for your outdoor adventures in the Castle region. 

Water Activities in the Castle Parks 

There are many rivers and lakes down in this area of Alberta. From summer fishing to winter ice fishing, paddleboarding, canoeing, as well as waterfall adventures. Bull trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish are the most common fish in this region. An Alberta fishing license is required. Cool off and take a dip in a mountain river or do some waterfall jumping at Castle Falls. A popular swimming area in the summer time. Enjoy some time and have a picnic at the many day-use areas along Castle River, Lynx Creek, Beaver Mines Lake, Butcher Lake and more.

Hiking Trails In Castle P.P. and Castle Wildland P.P. 

The hiking trails in the Castle region of Alberta are plentiful and offer some amazing and unique outdoor opportunities. Take a hike/scramble up to summit Table Mountain, enjoy more simple hikes like Beaver Mines Interpretive Loop, find some hidden waterfalls such as North Drywood Falls, or jump onto the Great Divide Trail North and go for days! The North York Plane crash trail lies in the north section of the park where it meets the Crowsnest Pass. Some trails are open year round while others are summer only. Best to check the Alberta Parks website for detailed up to date information whether a trail is currently open or not. As well as any current advisories in place. 

Winter Activities in Southern Alberta 

One of the areas you can backcountry snowmobile in Alberta! There are various staging areas throughout Castle Provincial Park and any tracked OHV is allowed. Wheeled OHVs are not permitted on trails in the winter season from December 1 to April 30. Ice Fishing is another winter activity enjoyed in the Castle area. Try your luck at Butcher Lake for some beautiful trout. Hunting is another permitted sport in the parks. If in the Wildland area, no discharge permit needed, but if in Castle Provincial Park you will need a discharge permit. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are permitted anywhere throughout the parks unless posted otherwise. Conveniently there is a public warming hut available at Syncline South in the Syncline Cross-country ski area. If snowshoeing, keep to the side of any cross-country trails you come upon. 

Wildlife in the Castle Region 

This area has a rich biodiversity and is considered part of the Crown of the Continent with many rare species of plants and animals as well as important wildlife corridors. Both grizzly and black bears call this area home, cougars, wolves, wolverines, beavers, moose, elk, are just a few of the creatures who live in the Castle parks of Alberta. Definitely be alert and bring your bear spray. Bring it even in the winter, bears could come out of their dens, but cougars don't hibernate and are active year round.

Visit the Castle Parks of Alberta Canada 

With this park surrounded by many other amazing parks and natural areas, including Waterton Lakes National Park, adventure opportunities are endless around here. No park pass is required for simply exploring the Castle Provincial Parks. Don't confuse Castle Mountain in the Pincher Creek area with Castle Mountain in Banff! Cell service is patchy at best if at all, services are minimal. Although there is a fantastic little general store in Beaver Mines that will likely have anything you need, including gas and even a small restaurant for some quick delicious food. It can get quite busy during peak season at this little store. I definitely recommend spending some time in the southern part of the province in the Castle Parks of Alberta, Canada. 

Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park

Crowsness Pass, Alberta, Canada