About Pierre Grey’s Lakes
Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park is a provincial park in Northern Alberta along the Rocky Mountains in the west. It is located just off the Bighorn Highway (Highway 40) about 37km east of Grande Cache. There are 5 lakes in the campground – 3 larger ones and 2 smaller ones. The larger ones are: McDonald Lake, Moberly Lake, and Desjarlais Lake. The smaller ones are unnamed and more remote but are located southeast of the Desjarlais.
The park was named after Pierre Gris (Grey) who was a Metis trader who opened a trading post on the northern shore of Moberly Lake in the 1880s. The trading post was successful until Pierre, and his wife Anne died of the 1918 Spanish Flu. The remains of his trading post are still visible today.
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Activities at Pierre Grey’s Lakes
Visitors to Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park can enjoy camping, fishing, wildlife viewing, and the stunning natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
One of the main attractions to Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park is the fishing. The park’s larger lakes – McDonald Lake, Moberly Lake, and Desjarlais Lake – are home to a range of fish species, including rainbow trout and brook trout. Anglers can enjoy fishing from the shore, or from a boat or canoe.
Another popular activity at Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park is hiking. The park has a range of hiking trails that wind through the surrounding forest and offer visitors the chance to see a range of wildlife, including moose, black bears, and a variety of bird species. The trails range in difficulty from easy to challenging, and there’s something for hikers of all skill levels.
Camping is another popular activity at Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park. The park offers both primitive and serviced campsites, as well as group camping areas. The campsites are situated in beautiful natural settings, and visitors can enjoy a range of amenities, including picnic tables, fire pits, and washroom facilities. The park is also home to a range of wildlife, including beavers, muskrats, and a variety of bird species, which visitors can often see while camping.
Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park offers a variety of winter activities for visitors to enjoy as well. The park’s frozen lakes provide ample opportunity for ice fishing, while the park’s numerous trails are popular for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. There are over 15km of groomed trails and another 9km of ungroomed ski trails through the park.
Overall, Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park is a stunning destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of northern Alberta. Whether you’re interested in fishing, hiking, or camping, there’s something for everyone at this incredible park. With its range of amenities and activities, as well as its natural and cultural attractions, Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park is a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the area.
Camping at Pierre Grey’s Lakes
There is one larger campground at Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park with both power and unserviced campsites.
| Campground | Amenities | Type of Site | Amount Available | Cost/Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Grey’s Lakes Campground (May 17 – October 10) | Boat launch, cook shelter, firepits, fish cleaning stations, outhouses, water pumps, playgrounds, firewood (for sale), pier | Power (30 amp) | 61 | $38.00 |
| Unserviced | 22 | $30.00 |
Day Use at Pierre Grey’s Lakes
The McDonald Day Use area at Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park has a cook shelter, firepits, fish cleaning stations, hand launch, outhouses, and water pumps. The day use area is year round however the access is on foot only in the wintertime.
Distances to Alberta Cities
Distance to Calgary: 550km
Distance to Edmonton: 398km
Distance to Red Deer: 452km
Distance to Lethbridge: 792km
Distance to Grande Prairie: 227km
Coordinates: 53°54’30.0″N 118°35’24.9″W
