Camping & Hiking · Scenic Views · Alberta
A quiet, rustic recreation area on a cold, clear lake about 30 km up a gravel road from Highway 40 in Alberta, with private sites, free firewood and great trails, but no potable water or cell service.
Rock Lake Provincial Recreation Area is set around a beautiful, cold, clear lake in the foothills, reached by a gravel road of roughly 30 km from Highway 40. Campers describe it as quiet and well kept, with forest loops of large, private sites and a few areas with partial lake views. Elk bugling at night and deer on the road come up in reviews.
Facilities are basic. There are clean pit toilets, free firewood, a playground and water pumps, but the water isn't drinkable, so bring your own. Several loops are available, including Green Mountain with long sites that fit big rigs, smaller open sites near the lake, walk-in tenting at Hikers Haven, and equestrian sites with corrals. Staff get credit for keeping the place in good shape.
Hiking is a highlight, with trails from the river bridge to the lake and around it, plus mountain biking and horse trails. The calm lake suits canoes, kayaks and float tubes, and one visitor fly-fished the river for small bull trout. It's a good place to unplug.
Plan ahead. There's no cell service from about 10 km off the highway, so book sites and print maps before you go. The road is manageable even for a large trailer, according to one detailed review, but it's dusty, has some loose gravel and a sharp dip before the bridge. Some sites on the outside of the Green Mountain loop are on a slope.
Summarised from visitor reviews on Google Maps. Based on 56 Google reviews. Details change — confirm hours, prices and bookings with Rock Lake Provincial Recreation Area directly.
