Tombstone Lakes

Overview

If you want classic Kananaskis scenery without a crush of crowds, this is a strong pick. The out-and-back to Lower and Upper Tombstone Lakes runs about 11.7 miles total from the Elbow Pass/Elbow Lake trailhead. Expect steady, mostly moderate grades with a steep opener to Elbow Lake and a steeper, rooty finish up to the lakes. Big views, emerald water, and open meadows are the calling cards here.

Route Experience

You’ll climb briskly for the first 1.3 km to reach Elbow Lake, then trace its west shore on a wide, road-like valley path. Early season can be wet in spots and there’s a simple log crossing over a creek. A worthwhile detour drops to Edworthy Falls before you carry on toward the Tombstone backcountry campground. From there, the spur to the lakes turns more rugged—rooty, steeper, and often muddy and braided thanks to horse traffic—before delivering you to the shoreline of Lower Tombstone and then the bigger prize: Upper Tombstone Lake beneath Tombstone Mountain (3,035 m).

Distance, Gain, and Difficulty

Plan on 11.7 miles total with roughly 1,198 feet of cumulative gain from the Highway 40 trailhead—moderate overall due to distance more than technicality. From the campground, it’s about 3.7 km one way (with ~180 m gain) to reach the lakes, so using the campground as a base makes the summit push friendlier.

Best Time to Hike

June through October is your sweet spot. Vehicle access to the primary trailhead typically runs June 15–November 30; there’s no vehicle access December 1–May 14. Late June can bring muddy tread but also a flush of glacier lilies in the meadows. For quieter hours, start early and treat this as a full-day outing.

Logistics, Access, and Permits

Park at the Elbow Pass/Elbow Lake Day Use on Highway 40 (a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park). There’s also an approach from the east via the Little Elbow trailhead on Highway 66 if that aligns better with seasonal road gates. If you’d like to split the hike, the Tombstone backcountry campground sits roughly 7.3 km from the Elbow Pass trailhead and makes a great base with 11 private sites, a communal cooking area, bear lockers, grey-water disposal, and fire rings. Reservations are required.

Tips and What to Bring

This corridor is multi-use—expect bikes and horses on the Elbow Lake/Elbow Pass approach—so sturdy, waterproof footwear is smart. Carry a filter and treat all water. Bug spray helps in June; sun protection is wise all summer. Dogs are allowed but must stay leashed. Group size is limited to 15. As always here, keep bear spray handy.

Why You’ll Like It (and Why You Might Not)

It’s a top-value mix of lakes, meadows, and mountain backdrops, with the option to turn it into a mellow overnighter using the campground. The tradeoffs: the approach can feel road-like, and the final stretch to the lakes is frequently muddy and braided from equestrian use. If you want a shorter day with similar alpine-water payoff, consider using the campground as an overnight base and tagging the lakes the next morning.