Alberta Parks
Spray Valley Provincial Park
Alberta Est. 2001 258 km²
The quieter half of Kananaskis — Spray Lakes reservoir and the Smith-Dorrien road.
Overview
Spray Valley connects Peter Lougheed to Banff along the gravel Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail. Spray Lakes Reservoir dominates the north end and offers rustic lakeside camping with straight-across views to Mount Assiniboine. Trailheads for Chester Lake, Burstall Pass and the Rummel Lake larch hike all leave from this road — quieter than the Highwood side, harder to reach, and beloved by locals.
- Spray Lakes reservoir camping with Assiniboine views
- Chester Lake larches and Burstall Pass trailheads
- Quieter alternative to the Highwood corridor
- Gravel road drive links Canmore and Peter Lougheed
Quick facts
- Size
- 258 km²
- Established
- 2001
- Main road
- Smith-Dorrien / Spray Trail (gravel)
- Reservoir length
- 22 km
Things to do
Spray Lakes paddle
Chester Lake larch hike
9 km RT, third week of Sept
Burstall Pass day-hike
16 km RT
Winter ice-fishing on Spray Lakes
Camping
Reservations: Recommended · Frontcountry: Yes · Backcountry: Yes · RV: Yes · Glamping: No
- Spray Lake West rustic campground (60 sites)
- Mount Shark trailhead access to Assiniboine backcountry
- Winter camping allowed
Campgrounds in and near this park
- Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Kananaskis, Alberta · 29 km away
- Tunnel Mountain Village
Banff, Alberta · 40 km away
Hiking
Chester Lake
Moderate · 9 kmThe area's most-loved larch hike; go the third week of Sept.
Burstall Pass
Hard · 16 kmLong day-hike to a pass with Mt Assiniboine on the horizon.
Rummel Lake
Moderate · 9 kmTurquoise larch lake with fewer crowds than Chester.
Sawmill Trails
Easy · 5 kmFamily cross-country network in winter, gentle walking in summer.
Wildlife
Common
Elk, Mule deer, Bighorn sheep
Signature
Grizzly bear, Wolverine, Cougar
Viewing tips
Grizzlies frequent in Burstall drainage; sheep on lakeside cliffs.
Safety
Bear spray mandatory on every trail; group up on Burstall in fall.
Photography
- Spray Lakes with Assiniboine at sunrise
- Chester Lake larches (Sept)
- Rummel Lake tarn reflection
- Milky Way over Spray Lakes (dark skies)
Best time to visit
spring
Late May: reservoir accessible; larches still bare.
summer
Jul-Aug: prime hiking window.
fall
Third week of Sept: peak larch colour, book Chester trailhead early.
winter
Ice-fishing, ski touring, quiet camping.
Peak: Third week of September · Shoulder: August, first week of October
Family & accessibility
Family
- Reservoir paddling with kids near West campground
- Sawmill snow-play area in winter
Accessibility
- Rustic campground — limited accessible infrastructure
Reservations
Book through Alberta Parks Reserve — opens 90 days ahead of arrival.
Requires Kananaskis Conservation Pass ($15/day).
Reserve nowSuggested itineraries
weekend
Larch Weekend Basecamp
Two nights at Spray Lake West, Chester Lake day one, Rummel Lake day two.
3-day
Canmore-to-Kananaskis Loop
Drive the Smith-Dorrien from Canmore, camp two nights, exit via Peter Lougheed.
FAQ
Is the road paved?
No — Smith-Dorrien is gravel and often washboard. Drive slowly, carry a spare.
Is it worth it over Banff?
Yes for solitude and larches — same terrain, fewer people, cheaper camping.
Nearby
National parks
- Kootenay National Park · 49 km
- Banff National Park · 82 km
- Yoho National Park · 101 km
Other provincial parks
- Peter Lougheed Provincial Park · 29 km
- Dinosaur Provincial Park · 272 km
- Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park · 331 km
- Wells Gray Provincial Park · 353 km
Plan this trip with a human
Our Travel Concierge builds custom itineraries around Spray Valley Provincial Park — permits, campsites, driving times, and shoulder-season strategy included.
Talk to the Concierge
