This is a list of provincial parks in the Canadian province of Alberta. They are maintained by Alberta Parks. For a list of protected areas in Alberta, see the List of protected areas of Alberta.
Provincial parks are established under the Provincial Parks Act to "support outdoor recreation, heritage tourism and natural heritage appreciation activities that depend on and are compatible with the natural environment".[1] Provincial parks differ from wildland provincial parks in that the former have better road access and allow a greater range of activities for users. Provincial parks have a focus on a variety of outdoor recreational uses and enjoyment of the natural environment.[1]
Wildland provincial parks are established under the Provincial Parks Act to "preserve and protect natural heritage and provide opportunities for backcountry recreation". "Wildland provincial parks are large, undeveloped natural landscapes that retain their primeval character."[1] Wildland parks are more remote and offer more difficult access than provincial parks. In addition, recreational activities are more limited to minimize visitor impacts on the natural environment.[1]
Willmore Wilderness Park was established in 1959 and is managed under the Willmore Wilderness Park Act. The intent of Willmore Wilderness Park is the preservation of the natural environment, similar to the more recent wildland parks.[1]
Name | Sub-region | Established | Image | Coordinates |
---|---|---|---|---|
Willmore Wilderness Park[159] | Improvement District No. 25 | 1959[160] | 53°42′5″N 119°3′21″W / 53.70139°N 119.05583°W[161] |
Alberta Parks has closed multiple parks throughout its history, with four parks being closed during the 1930s and a number of them being given to municipalities.
Name | Sub-region | Established | Disestablished | Notes | Image |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sylvan Lake Provincial Park | Red Deer County | 1980 | 2018 | Given to the Town of Sylvan Lake and ran as a municipal park. | |
Taber Provincial Park | Municipal District of Taber | 1936 | 1999 | Given to the Municipal District of Taber and ran as a municipal park | |
Elkwater Lake Provincial Park | Cypress County | 1932 | 1951 | Became part of the newly created Cypress Hills Provincial Park, which later became Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. | |
Ghost River Provincial Park | Municipal District of Bighorn No. 8 | 1932 | 1950s | ||
Hasse Lake Provincial Park | Parkland County | 1970s | 2000s | Given to the county | |
Lundbreck Falls Provincial Park | Municipal District of Pincher Creek No. 9 | 1930s | 1950s | Made a Provincial Recreation Area | |
Assineau River Crossing Provincial Park | Municipal District of Lesser Slave River No. 124 | 1930s | 1950s | Turned into a campground, then the campground closed | |
Gaetz Lake Provincial Park | Red Deer County | 1960s | 1980s-90s | Given to the city and turned into Kerry Wood Nature Sanctuary | |
Ma-Me-O Beach Provincial Park | County of Wetaskiwin No. 10 | 1950s-60s | 1980s-90s | Given to the Summer Village of Ma-Me-O Beach | |
Hommey Provincial Park | County of Grande Prairie No. 1 | 1930s | 1980s-90s | Given to the county | |
Saskatoon Mountain Provincial Park | County of Grande Prairie No. 1 | 1930s | 1950s | Given to the county | |
Blue Bridge Provincial Park | Municipal District of Smoky River No. 130 | 1930s | 1940s-50s | Given to the county |