About Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park was established in Northern Alberta – northeast of Edmonton. It was created in 1952 along the shores of Lac La Biche and named after Sir. Winston Churchill who served as one of the United Kingdom’s Prime Ministers. Sir. Winston Churchill was highly influential and important to the allied war efforts during World War II.
The park spans across several islands with the largest landmass connected by a road across a thin berm. The park has camping, ‘comfort camping,’ group use, and day use opportunities.
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Summer at Sir Winston Churchill
In the summertime, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park offers visitors with some decent activity options. There is ample water activities including power boating, swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. For thrill seekers, water skiing, sailing, and wind surfing are allowed on the lake. There is geocaching opportunities in the park.
There is three designated trails through the park:
- Boardwalk – A 1.2km long trail that goes through 300 year old boreal forest. The reason that the forests were able to grow so old is that the island is protected from forest fires by the surrounding lake. This is an easy trail.
- Long Point – This 2.5km trail heads through varying vegetation types found in the park. It is an easy trail that allows for stunning views of lac La Biche.
- Old Growth Alley – This is a 6km perimeter trail around the entire perimeter of the island. It connects the Long Point and Boardwalk trails with other trails and roads on the island. It is similar to the Amerada Trail at Crimson Lake Provincial Park.
Winter at Sir Winston Churchill
In the wintertime, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park is a popular spot for cross country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. For skiers in particular, there is 8km of groomed trails through the park.
Camping at Sir Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park has a decent sized campground with good facilities as well as the option of comfort camping through both cabins and tipis. Group Camping options also exist in the park.
| Campground | Amenities | Type of Site | Amount Available | Cost/Night |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Winston Churchill Campground (May 18 – October 10) | Amphitheatre, Boat Launch, Firepits, Firewood (sold), Fish Cleaning Stations, Flush Toilets, Picnic Shelter, Outhouses, Playgrounds, Power Hookups, Sewage Dump, Showers, Water (tap), Concession | Power (15/30 amp) | 72 | $42.00 |
| Sir Winston Churchill Cabins | Electric heaters, lights, electrical outlets, cookware, fridge, stove, microwave, coffee maker, toaster, kitchen table and chairs, private deck with furniture, BBQ with grill and side burner, fire pit, picnic table, trailer parking and power (extra $43.00/night) | Cabin #6 – 15 (January 1 – December 31) | 8 Person | $175.00 ($120.00 Off Season) |
| Same as #6-15 | Cabin #1 – 5 (May 18 – October 2) | 8 Person | $160.00 | |
| Sir Winston Churchill Tipis | Electic heater, lights, fan, electrical outlets, access to full serviced, enclosed cook house with cookware, BBQ, Firepit, Picnic Table. | Tipi #16 – 17 (May 18 – July 31) | 4 Person | $129.00 |
| Same as above. | Tipi #16 – 17 (August 1 – September 30) | 4 Person | $145.00 | |
| Group Camping (May 18 – October 10) | Unserviced and Power (6 sites) | 15 units | $255/5 units + $39/extra unit + $8 Power hookups |
Day Use at Sir Winston Churchill
There are 7 designated day use areas within Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park.
- Day Use Beach – This day use area is focused around a beach on lac La Biche.
- Open: May 15 – September 3
- Amenities: Change rooms, Cook Shelter, Firepits, Firewood (sold), Pay Phone, Outhouses, Playground, Water (tap), Supply Store, Lifejacket Loaner Station.
- Activities: Swimming, Beach Activities, Birding, Canoeing/Kayaking, Picnics, Hiking (Front Country), Mountain Biking, Wildlife Viewing
- Pelican Islands Viewpoint – This is an interpretive viewpoint within the park.
- Open: Year Round
- Amenities: Interpretive Viewpoint
- Activities: Birding, Hiking (Front Country), Mountain Biking, Wildlife Viewing
- Boardwalk Beach – This day use area is focuses around a beach however it is less developed than the Day Use Beach day use.
- Open: May 15 – September 3
- Amenities: Outhouses
- Activities: Beach, Swimming, Hiking (Front Country), Mountain Biking, Birding
- Long Point – The westernmost and most remote day use area on the main island.
- Open: May 15 – September 3
- Amenities: Outhouses
- Activities: Birding, Wildlife Viewing, Hiking (Front Country), Mountain Biking
- Lac La Biche Lookout – A day use area centered around a lookout point.
- Open: May 15 – September 3
- Amenities: Interpretive Viewpoint
- Activities: Birding, Wildlife Viewing, Hiking (Front Country), Mountain Biking
- Camper’s Beach – Campers Beach is the second most developed beach on the island.
- Open: May 15 – September 3
- Amenities: Playground, Outhouses, Water (tap), Lifejacket Loaner Station
- Activities: Beach, Swimming, Birding, Canoeing, Kayaking, Hiking (front country), mountain biking.
- Boat Launch – This day use area is centered around the boat launch.
- Open: Year Round
- Amenities: Boat Launch
- Activities: Canoeing, Kayaking, Fishing, Power Boating
Distances to Alberta Cities
Distance to Calgary: 531km
Distance to Edmonton: 224km
Distance to Red Deer: 383km
Distance to Lethbridge: 668km
Distance to Grande Prairie: 553km
Coordinates: 54°50’01.8″N 111°58’11.1″W
