About Sheep River
Sheep River Provincial Park is located about 23km west of Turner Valley, Alberta and is part of Kananaskis Country. It encompasses a portion of the Sheep River valley just east of the Rocky Mountains. It is directly east of the southern portions of Peter Lougheed Provincial Park.
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Summer at Sheep River
Sheep River Provincial Park offers visitors a variety of summertime activities to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for hiking, fishing, camping, or just a relaxing day in nature, Sheep River Provincial Park has something to offer everyone.
With over 50 km of hiking trails connecting to the park, Sheep River Provincial Park is a hiker’s paradise. The trails range in difficulty from easy walks to challenging hikes that lead to stunning viewpoints and waterfalls. Some of the most popular trails include the Sheep River Falls Trail, Foran Grade Loop, and Windy Point Ridge Trail.
Sheep River is home to a variety of fish, including Cutthroat and rainbow trout, and mountain whitefish. Fishing is allowed in designated areas of the river, and there are several spots along the riverbank that are ideal for fishing.
Sheep River Provincial Park has several campgrounds that offer a range of camping experiences including both regular camping and equestrian camping. The park’s campsites are located in beautiful natural areas, with amenities such as picnic tables, fire pits, and washrooms. The park also has several picnic areas and day-use areas that are perfect for a relaxing day in nature. Many of these areas offer stunning views of the river and mountains, making them a great spot for a family picnic or a romantic lunch for two.
Sheep River Provincial Park is home to a variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, moose, bears, and cougars. Visitors can often spot these animals in their natural habitats while hiking or driving through the park.
In conclusion, Sheep River Provincial Park is a beautiful natural area that offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for a challenging hike, a relaxing day in nature, or an opportunity to spot wildlife, Sheep River Provincial Park has something for everyone. So, pack your hiking boots, fishing gear, or camping gear, and head out to Sheep River Provincial Park for a memorable outdoor experience.
Winter at Sheep River
Sheep River Provincial Park is a winter wonderland that offers visitors the chance to enjoy two popular winter activities: cross-country skiing and ice skating.
Sheep River Provincial Park is home to over 37 km of groomed cross-country skiing trails that wind through beautiful winter landscapes. The trails range in difficulty from easy to challenging, with options for both classic and skate skiing. Skiers can enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests, and may even spot wildlife such as elk, deer, and coyotes.
The park is a popular spot for ice skating, with a large skating rink maintained by park staff at the Sandy McNabb Campground. The rink is surrounded by beautiful winter scenery, making it a great spot for a family outing or a romantic skate for two. Visitors are advised to check ice conditions before skating, as they can vary depending on weather conditions.
With its breathtaking scenery and wide range of winter activities, Sheep River Provincial Park is the perfect destination for anyone looking to escape the city and embrace the magic of winter. So, grab your skis or skates and head out to Sheep River Provincial Park for an unforgettable winter experience.
Camping at Sheep River
There are four main campgrounds in Sheep River Provincial Park offering both regular camping and equestrian camping opportunities. There are also two group use areas in the park located at the Sandy McNabb Campground.
| Campground | Amenities | Type of Site | Amount Available | Cost/Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluerock Campground (May 15 – September 18) | Firepits, outhouses, water pumps | Unserviced | 66 | $31.00 |
| Bluerock Equestrian Campground (May 15 – September 18) | Firepits, outhouses, water pumps, hitching rails, horse corrals, loading ramp | Unserviced | 17 | $38.00 |
| Sandy McNabb Campground (May 1 – October 9) | Firepits, flush toilets, outhouses, playgrounds, power hookups, sewage dump, showers, water taps | Unserviced | 112 | $39.00 |
| Sandy McNabb Equestrian Campground (May 1 – October 9) | Firepits, flush toilets, outhouses, playgrounds, power hookups, sewage dump, showers, water taps, pay phone, loading ramp, horse corrals, hitching rails | Power (30 amp) | 20 | $46.00 |
| Group Camping | ||||
| Sandy McNabb A Group Use (May 1 – October 9) | Firepits, firewood, pay phones, picnic shelters, outhouses, power hookups, showers, water taps | Power (30 amp) & Unserviced | 15 RVs + 20 tents | $475/10 units + $39/ extra unit |
| Sandy McNabb B Group Use (May 1 – October 9) | Firepits, firewood, pay phones, picnic shelters, outhouses, power hookups, showers, water taps | Power (30 amp) & Unserviced | 15 RVs + 10 tents | $475/10 units + $39/ extra unit |
Day Use at Sheep River
There are nine day use areas in Sheep River Provincial Park including picnic areas, staging areas, and trailheads. Additionally, there is a visitor center in the park with flush toilets, information kiosk, and sewage dump.
- Big Horn (Open May 15 – November 30) – The Big Horn day use area offers visitors with front country interpretive hiking opportunities. This area is also a good place to have picnics as there are picnic tables and outhouses.
- Gorge Creek (Open May 15 – November 30) – Gorge Creek day use area provides access to both front country and backcountry trails. There are mountain biking and equestrian opportunities here as well. The only facility is an outhouse
- Indian Oils (Open May 15 – November 30) – Indian Oils day use area is an equestrian focused day use area that provides access to both front and backcountry hiking (or biking) opportunities. There are hitching rails, loading ramps, and outhouses here.
- Sandy McNabb (May 1 – October 8) – The Sandy McNabb day use area is a well developed day use area that offers access to front country trials for equestrian, hikers, mountain bikers, fat bikers, cross country skiers, and snowshoes. The area is also a good picnic spot as there are firepits, picnic shelters, outhouses, and water taps.
- Sheep Falls (May 15 – November 30) – The Sheep Falls day use area offers access to Sheep Falls and it serves as a good picnic spot that also has hiking, equestrian, mountain biking, and trail running opportunities.
- Junction Creek (May 15 – November 30) – The Junction Creek day use area offers access to equestrian trials, front country interpretive hikes, an area to fish, and picnic. There are firepits, outhouses, and hitching rails for horses.
- Sandy McNabb Trailhead (Year-Round) – The Sandy McNabb Trailhead offers visitors with basic facilities to access trails with horses. There is a loading ramp and outhouses here.
- Foran Grade Trailhead (Year-Round) – The Foran Grade Trailhead offers visitors access to hiking in both the front and back country.
- Windy Point Trailhead (Year-Round) – The Windy Point Trailhead offers visitors access to hiking trails.
Distances to Alberta Cities
Distance to Calgary: 105km
Distance to Edmonton: 400km
Distance to Red Deer: 250km
Distance to Lethbridge: 227km
Distance to Grande Prairie: 814km
Coordinates: 50°37’48.3″N 114°41’01.6″W
