The 97 square kilometre Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area contains forests, pastures and wetlands. It is a multiple use area that supports a variety of activities, including agriculture, wildlife management, natural gas extraction and outdoor recreation.

Summer recreational activities include hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding. Active wildlife management programs in the area have created a wide range of habitats that support numerous wildlife species. As a result, there are excellent wildlife viewing opportunities along the area’s trail systems.

Seven pairs of nesting trumpeter swans have resided in the area since 2012. The trumpeter swan is the largest and rarest swan in the world. In Alberta, it is listed as a vulnerable species. If you come across the swans or their nesting sites, please do not disturb them. Trumpeter swans are a protected species in Canada and it is illegal to kill them.

ContactInformation Phone: (780) 922–3293 May–October Phone: (780) 672–7274 October–April

General Provincial Park InformationWeb: albertaparks.caToll Free: 1–866–427–3582Phone: (780) 427–3582

Fire Bans in AlbertaWeb: albertafirebans.ca

Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance)Phone: 911

222

16 16

2

44

33

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43

Cooking Lake-Blackfoot PRA

Red Deer

DraytonValley

Edmonton

WhitecourtBarrhead Westlock To Athabasca

To Lloydminster

To Calgary

Recreational Use• Cooking Lake-Blackfoot is open daily from

7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.• Although Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial

Recreation Area is a “day use only” site, overnight use by organized youth groups is permitted. Reservations for such use may be made by calling the recreation area office.

• Garbage receptacles are not provided along trails or in backcountry areas. Please pack out all garbage.

• Open fires are permitted only in firepits and stoves provided. For cooking, portable stoves are recommended.

• Staging areas are equipped with a shelter, cistern and hand pump, and privies. Potable water is not provided in the backcountry, with the exception of the large water tanks at Lost Lake, Meadow and Running Dog shelters.

• Avoid fields where cattle are grazing.• Leave all gates as you find them.

no equestrian access from Islet Lake Staging Area.

• Equestrian trails that originate from Blackfoot Staging Areas are closed to equestrian use from December 1 until March 31 so that they can be track-set for skiing.

Waskehegan Staging AreaBlackfoot (25.5 km): longest equestrian trail in the area. Connects Waskehegan and Blackfoot Staging Areas.Cutoff (0.5 km): connecting trail between Blackfoot & Waskehegan trails. Continues into Elk Island National Park. Equestrian use is not permitted north of Elk Island boundary fence.Detour (2.1 km): shortens Wanisan loop, following ungulate fence on the inside.Don’s Way (3.7 km): runs along boundary fence from Spruce Hollow to Wanisan junction. Used in winter for the mini-Birkie.Ed’s Way (2.7 km): runs along the boundary fence from Siksika to Wanisan/Detour junction (used for the full Birkie).Flattail (0.1 km): named for the beavers that live in the area (and sometimes drop trees along the trail).Grouse (1.2 km): named for one of the area’s bird species.Hare (0.8 km): watch for snowshoe hares along this connector between Siksika and Lost Lake trails.J.J. (0.9 km): begins at gate in northwest corner near Range Rd. 210. Connects onto Blackfoot Trail.Lost Lake (14.9 km): connects Islet and Waskehegan Staging Areas. Longest hiking trail in the recreation area.

Central Staging AreaBeaver Loop (2.6 km): active beaver colonies are numerous along this easy trail.Central Alleyway (16.8 km): this trail is the main alleyway connecting Waskehegan and Central Staging Areas. It is accessible from either end. Mule deer are occasionally seen in the area.Roundup (5.1 km): this “equestrian use only” trail links trails in Central area to those in the Blackfoot sector. The northern section is shared with cycling as a connector.Tie-In (1.1 km): this easy route connects Beaver Loop and Roundup trails.Wapiti (6.6 km): passes through one of the best areas for elk viewing.

Islet Lake Staging AreaHighline (2.4 km): mainly follows ridge crests. Excellent for bird watching.Middle (1.3 km): allows several loops of varying lengths to be made in the Ilset Lake area.Moose Link (2.5 km): Islet Lake trails can be accessed from Central Staging Area using this trail. Named for unusual moose antlers found along the route. Antlers are on display at the Heritage Interpretive Centre office.Porcupine (0.8 km): named for the frequent porcupine sightings in the general vicinity.Push Lake (1.9 km): this hilly trail accesses the west side of Elk Push Lake. Dividing ridge between Islet and Elk Push lakes. Excellent bird watching.

Trail InformationMountain Biking

• Mountain biking is permitted on all hiking trails, roads, and Central Alleyway.

• Mountain biking is not permitted on equestrian trails.

Hiking

• There are almost 85 km of hiking trails originating from four staging areas.

• Low areas may contain water during spring runoff and wet weather.

• There are several shelters, privies and a few bus stop shelters located along the trails.

Horseback Riding

• There are more than 85 km of equestrian trails and laneways in Cooking Lake-Blackfoot. Horseback riding is also permitted on most of the resource roads in the eastern half of the area. Some of the trails are narrow roads across open pastures. Riding is also permitted in designated pastures. Signs at pasture gates indicate which pastures are available for riding (“open”/”closed”). No riding allowed in the pastures where there is cattle in them and no riding allowed in the holding fields.

• Shelters, privies and a few bus stop shelters are situated along trails.

• Equestrian trails are accessible from Waskehegan, Central and Blackfoot staging areas. These areas are equipped with loading ramps and hitching posts. There is

Meadow (0.8 km): short connector with views of grazing fields. White-tailed deer & moose are sometimes seen along this route.Neon Lake (1.6 km): an easy trail that circles the western edge of Neon Lake.Siksika (4.6 km): remote trail in hilly terrain, with numerous beaver ponds. Moose are sometimes seen along this trail.Spruce Hollow (2.4 km): passes through some of the few spruce untouched by the forest fires in the early 1900s.Swan (0.7 km): named for the swans that live in the area during summer months. Trumpeter swans nest on Running Dog Lake near this trail.Wanisan (4.5 km): part of this trail runs near Wanisan Lake’s east shore. The main portion of the trail is located outside the ungulate fence and is not regularly maintained.Waskehegan (1.3 km): connects forests north and south of grazing fields. Equestrian use permitted north of junction with Central Alleyway.Winter (3.7 km [South 2.4 km; North 1.3 km]): excellent wildlife viewing. South portion is for skiing, north portion is for both equestrian use and skiing.

Blackfoot Staging AreaMost trails in the Blackfoot Lake sector are multi-use. Signs are provided to identify use restrictions.

Buck Run (2.3 km): good wildlife viewing along this trail, especially for white-tailed deer.Elkhorn (1.6 km): the large 6-point antler this trail is named for can be viewed at the Waskehegan administration office.Faraway (5.2 km): the equestrian portion of this trail is located in the northeast corner between the Blackfoot Staging Area access road and Blackfoot Trail junction, southeast of Elkorn Trail. Horse use is not permitted west of the entrance/Blackfoot Staging Area access road.Heron Hollow (2.1 km): short connector across Norris Creek to Elk Island boundary. Blue heron colony in vicinity.Muskrat (1.1 km): longer loops can be made using this trail and equestrian trails in the Blackfoot sector.Morningside (1.3 km): follows former gas transmission line. Provides access to loops of varying length.Muskrat (1.1 km): longer loops can be made using this trail and equestrian trails in the Blackfoot sector.Norris Ridge (2.1 km): generally Norris Creek to north boundary of recreation area.Outlet (0.5 km): provides access to ungulate fence from northeast loop of Blackfoot Trail.Springs (2.4 km): provides access to the southeastern boundary of Elk Island National Park and the northwest corner of the Blackfoot sector. Moose are sometimes seen in this sector.Well Site (1.0 km): access to the ungulate fence from this abandoned well site.Whitetail (3.1 km): watch for the blue heron colony on Blackfoot Lake. Be on the lookout for white-tailed deer along this route.

• Do not approach, harass or attempt to feed wildlife or livestock.

• Keep your pet on a leash at all times.• Be aware that hunting occurs in Cooking

Lake-Blackfoot during regular hunting seasons. Aboriginal hunting may occur in the area year-round.

• Hunters wishing to carry or discharge a firearm in the recreation area must obtain a Firearms Discharge Permit from the recreation area office. If no one is available, please leave a phone number so that we can contact you to arrange for a permit to be issued.

• Discharging firearms is not permitted within 400 metres of staging areas (boundaries are identified by bright orange-yellow signs), or within 200 metres of backcountry shelters. Note: under the Provincial Parks Act, bows are considered to be firearms.

• To prevent travel problems and conflicts with other users, please respect all cautionary and trail closure signs.

• If you encounter a steel animal trap, do not remove or tamper with it. A registered trap line is used to manage problem wildlife, especially (beavers breed rapidly, cause extensive damage to trails and other facilities, and are responsible for flooding nearby farms and residential lands).

SafetyTravel on recreation area trails can be hazardous. Weather can change quickly. Many of the trails are remote and are not patrolled on a regular basis. It is important that you be prepared by carrying the following in your pack or saddlebag:

• first aid kit• rain gear• an extra sweater or warm jacket and socks• extra food & drinks• headlamp or flashlight• lighter or matches• pocket knife• whistle• map and compass• hoof pick and leather sticker (equestrian users)• cell phone – there is cell coverage in most

areas of Blackfoot.

To obtain assistance in an emergency, use the pay phone at the Heritage Interpretive Centre to contact site staff. Use (780) 644–3880 for area emergency or call 911 to reach police or other emergency help. Be prepared to give a detailed description of your incident and your location.

Cooking Lake-BlackfootProvincial Recreation Area

Summer Trails

Printed June 2016

ISBN: 978–1–4601–2501–4

Islet Lake Staging Area

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Township Road 524

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36 31 32R.21 R.20

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N.U.L.#3

N.U.L.#2N.U.L.#1

N.U.L.#4

N.U.L.#5

N.U.L.#6

R

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Island

Bailey

Lakes

Flyingshot

Lake

Elk

National Park

WalterLake

0.8

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Interpretive Centre/Blackfoot

AdministrativeHeadquarters

Waskehegan

VoyegeurEstates

VoyegeurEstates

CaleboEstates

Sierra Grande

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NorthCookingLake Wye

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National

Railway

630

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UG

JonesGate

NeonLake

Mallard

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Wanisan

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DetourLake

Arrow HeadLake

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Field 7C

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PacmanLake

Magee

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MooseMeadows

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Field 6DCP 85 and 86256.4 Acres

Field 6ACP 85 and 86314.8 Acres

DugoutE

6.4 Acres

Field 6BCP 85 and 86328.3 Acres

Estates

Islet

Lake

Islet

Lake

IsletLake

ElkPushLake

E

6.5 Acres

Field 5B Field 5C

Field 5ACP 84

427.2 Acres

E

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Running DogLake

Field 4ACP 85 and 86251.6 Acres

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E

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2.6

N.U.L. West2.8

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164.2 Acres

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8.2 Acres

5.2 Acres

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Holding Field ACP 84

218.8 Acres

Central

Road

CentralDugout

LakeWapiti

Tie-in

Lakes

Field 4BCP 85 and 86355.4 Acres

Dugout

Geese andthe Bog

Lakes

Holding Field CCP 84

227.8 Acres

Field 1BCP 84

259.8 AcresROUND

West Sawmill

Lake

Field 3ACP 85

496.0 Acres

Dugout

N.U.L.

Blackfoot

Lake

Norris

Lakes

BlackfootLake

Coyote

Lake

MacKenzie

Field 3BCP 85

461.1 Acres

Lake

Field 3CCP 85

389.4 Acres

N.U.L. East

0.6

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MuskratLake

N.U.L.

Field 2ACP 85

358.0 Acres

EastSawmill

Lake

East

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Dugout

Field 2BCP 84

488.7 Acres

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308.9 Acres

E

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DugoutDugout

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September 2013

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0.4

0.3

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1.6

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2.4

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1.6

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Cooking Lake/BlackfootProvincial Recreation Area

Township 52, Ranges 19-20West of the Fourth Meridian

Summer Trail Use

Recreation Area Boundary

Trail - Equestrian

Trail - Hiking, Cycling

Trail - Shared (Equestrian, Hiking, Cycling)

Junction Distance (Kilometres)

Scale 1:25 000

metre 500 0 1 km

mile 0 1/4 1/2 1 Mile

Recreation Symbols

Bus Stop Shelter

Backcountry Shelter

Parking

Park O�ce

Picnic Area

Firepit

Firewood

Information Kiosk

Staging Area

Washrooms

Water

2.1

Total Trail Distance 171 Kilometres

Base Symbols

Secondary Highway

Improved Road

Gravel Road

Texas Gate

Restricted Road

Railway

R

Pipeline

Wellsite

Lake

Intermittent Lake

Creek

Pasture Symbols

Pasture

Enclosure, Corral

Ungulate Fence

Ungulate Gate

Barbed Fence, Single Wire Gate

Smooth Wire Fence

Elk Trap Jump Rails

UG

Field 6B

E C

Cooking-Lake Blackfoot Summer Trails Map