Hiking Miquelon Lake Provincial Park - panoramic view
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Hiking in Miquelon Lake Provincial Park: trails, map and practical info

Edmonton & Area • Alberta

4.2 Appreciated by 39 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2022Updated 23/06/2026
Difficulty
Hard
Distance
16 km
Elevation
20 ft
Duration
4h30
Max altitude
722 ft

15.6 km of interconnected trails through Alberta's aspen parkland, where forest transitions seamlessly into meadow and lake. This 4h30 hard hike about 40 minutes southeast of Edmonton rewards wildlife watchers with deer, beavers, and Important Bird Area designation—a biosphere reserve gem with surprising ecological diversity.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Miquelon Lake Provincial Park? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

5 community photos

Trail description

Wildlife Along the Way

Wildlife encounters are genuinely common here, not just a possibility. Deer browse the meadow edges, particularly in the early morning and around dusk. Beavers have been active near several water features throughout the park, and their dams and lodges make for interesting stops along certain sections of trail. The mix of open water, wetland edges, dense forest, and grassland creates a patchwork of habitats that supports a wide range of species — and that variety is noticeable as you move through the different sections of the route.

Miquelon Lake is part of the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve and holds designation as an Important Bird Area, which tells you something about the quality of the birdwatching here. Bald eagles nest in the taller trees and are regularly spotted soaring overhead. The forest-to-grassland edge habitat is particularly productive for bird diversity, so bringing binoculars is genuinely worth it rather than just a nice-to-have.

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
20514 SEC HWY 623, AB T4V 2N1, Canada
GPS coordinates
53.2362336, -112.906813
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The miquelon lake provincial park is located in Alberta, Canada. To get to the start of the trails, take Highway 2 west from Edmonton to the town of Barrhead. In Barrhead, turn north on Highway 33 and drive for about 30 minutes until you reach the park.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
53.2362336, -112.906813
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.2
25 Reviews
D
David
Jan 15, 2026
Excellent winter hiking destination just 45 minutes from Edmonton. The backcountry trail network offers multiple loop combinations ranging from easy family walks to the challenging 15.6km outer loop. Trail signage is clear and the knob-and-kettle terrain provides nice variety despite minimal elevation change. Encountered beaver activity evidence throughout and the historic homestead sites add interesting cultural elements. Mosquitoes were intense during summer visits so timing and bug spray are essential.
R
Robert
Dec 3, 2025
Solid hiking destination with well-marked trails and good facilities, though the hard difficulty rating seems more about distance than technical challenge. The soft terrain and root sections make it more demanding than expected for a relatively flat route. Park fees for both entry and parking make it pricier than anticipated for a day hike. Wildlife viewing is excellent especially around the wetland areas, and the trail variety from packed earth to boardwalks keeps things interesting throughout the journey.
M
Marcus
Nov 18, 2025
Tackled the full 15.6km loop on a crisp autumn day and it was absolutely stunning. The trail winds through diverse terrain from dense aspen forests to open wetlands with excellent boardwalk sections. Spotted several moose tracks and countless bird species throughout the journey. The minimal elevation gain makes it more about endurance than technical skill, but don't underestimate the distance - took me just over 4 hours with photo stops. Entry and parking fees add up but the well-maintained trails justify the cost.
S
Sarah
Oct 15, 2025
The autumn colors around this lake were absolutely stunning, with vibrant foliage reflecting perfectly in the calm waters. The 15.6km loop took me about 5 hours to complete, winding through varied terrain including packed earth, wooden boardwalks, and some rocky patches. Wildlife viewing was excellent - spotted fresh moose tracks and numerous waterfowl species throughout the day.
S
Sarah
Oct 15, 2025
The fall colors around this lake were absolutely stunning, with vibrant foliage reflecting perfectly in the calm waters. The 15.6km loop took us through varied terrain including boardwalks and rocky sections that kept the hike engaging. We spotted fresh moose tracks and plenty of waterfowl, making it a photographer's paradise. The drive from Barrhead was scenic and worth the trip for the autumn display.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Hard
20.00 m
722.00 m
4h30
No
No
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is open from sunrise to sunset. Plan your hike accordingly to ensure you have sufficient daylight to complete the 15.6 km trail safely.
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Update : June 2026