Elk Lakes Provincial Park

elk lakes

BC Parks
kootenays · British Columbia · reservable

what to expect

A per-person fee is charged at Lower Elk Lake and Petain Creek Campgrounds which have tent pads, outhouses and food caches (designated areas). Wilderness camping is not permitted within 2 km of a designated area. The Alpine Club of Canada is permitted to operate a small public cabin, on behalf of BC Parks, at the trailhead. For more information or reservations contact the Alpine Club of Canada at 403-678-3200 or http://www.alpineclubofcanada.ca.

the basics

flush toilets
drive from calgary
1.3h · 96 km
drive from edmonton
4.8h · 358 km
drive from vancouver
7.9h · 590 km

stay options nearby

independent operators within search radius. campsearch may earn a commission on these links — see disclosure.

private campgrounds
camp at a private site

small farms, glamping, off-grid sites listed on Hipcamp near elk lakes.

browse hipcamp
hotel nearby
not camping after all?

hotels and inns near elk lakes when plans change.

check booking.com

what to know

updated each morning from provincial parks and Environment Canada.

no fire ban active
Last checked from the provincial fire-ban feed. Check at the gate before you light — conditions change.

what to bring

this list adapts to elk lakes. no showers means a travel towel;

common questions about elk lakes

does elk lakes have electric hookups?
No. Elk Lakes Provincial Park does not list electric hookups in its amenity profile. Plan for off-grid use.
how far is elk lakes from calgary?
Elk Lakes Provincial Park is 96 km from Calgary — approximately a 1.3-hour drive on highway routes.
do you need reservations at elk lakes?
Yes. Elk Lakes Provincial Park is operated by BC Parks and uses an online reservation system. Book direct via the operator link on this page.

nearby places

within ~100 km of elk lakes.

data last refreshed 2026-05-14 from bc parks + open sources

give back to this place

volunteer at bc parks

Provincial parks rely on volunteer stewards for trail maintenance, beach clean-ups, and shoulder-season hosting. Most parks run programs through their park association.

see how to help →