Place · 0.6 mi away
Overview
Interlakes is the lakeside, first-come, first-served campground in the heart of Peter Lougheed. It’s small (48 unserviced sites) and wonderfully simple: firepits, vault toilets, hand pumps, and a front-row seat to Lower Kananaskis Lake. A manager/caretaker is on site and you can pay with Visa or Mastercard. Firewood is sold on site or at the nearby Boulton Creek store. There are no hookups. The typical operating season is May 14–October 11, and as of December 2, 2025, it’s closed for winter.
Campsites & Amenities
About half the sites hug the shoreline; the others sit just across the road and are roomier for larger rigs, with a few pull-throughs. Expect pit/vault toilets, firepits, bear-pole food storage, and hand-pump water (bring drinking water). There’s a hand-launch for small boats. What you won’t find: hookups, showers, a dump station, a playground, or a formal beach.
Location & What To Do
You’re camped on Lower Kananaskis Lake, so paddling and fishing are right there. The paved campground road doubles as an easy spin for kids. For bigger days, trailheads close by lead to Upper Kananaskis Lake loop, Rawson Lake, Elbow Lake/Elbow Loop, Hidden Lake, the Kananaskis Fire Lookout, Fossil Falls, Aster Lake, and Three Isle Lake.
Wildlife & Safety
This is active bear country. Interlakes is known for strict attractant rules and regular patrols—store all food and coolers immediately and chat with the hosts about current bear activity. Alberta Parks advisories can change through the season; recent notes (late November 2025) mention a closure at Blackshale Suspension Bridge, a bear-related closure in the Kent Ridge North/James Walker Drainage, and construction-related closures around Elkwood’s amphitheatre/parking/trail.
Vibe & Who It’s For
Interlakes is the scenic, rustic option: quiet nights, water lapping the shore, and mountains in every direction. If you need hookups or an easy dump, look elsewhere. If you want a no-frills base camp on the lake, this is the one.
Best Time to Visit
Because it’s FCFS and popular, aim for weekdays. Arrive early—turnover is often late morning to early afternoon (roughly 10 am–1 pm). Winds can pick up on the lake, and temperatures dip at elevation, so plan layers and sturdy tent stakes. In summer, the best shot at a lakeside site is midweek and before noon.
Practicalities
- No dump station on site; the nearest noted option is the Fortress Gas Plus on Hwy 40.
- Firewood is sold on site or at Boulton Creek store.
- No potable water from the pumps—pack in what you drink.
- Hand-launch only; there’s no ramp.
Pros
- Many sites sit right on Lower Kananaskis Lake with big mountain views
- Hand-launch access for canoes and kayaks
- Visa/Mastercard accepted at this first-come, first-served campground
Cons
- No hookups or dump station
- Hand-pump water only—bring your own drinking water
Tips
- For a lakeside spot, arrive on weekdays and before late morning; turnover is often 10am–1pm.
- Bring your own drinking water; the on-site hand pumps are not potable.
- Expect wind on the lake—stake tents well and secure tarps.
- No dump station here; use the Fortress Gas Plus on Hwy 40.
- Ask the hosts about current bear activity and closures, and use the bear pole.
