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Hiking Crane Lake - panoramic view
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Hiking in Crane Lake: trails, map and practical info

Lakelands • Alberta

Explore 6.4 km of moderate terrain through dense forest to a pristine alpine lake in Rocky Mountain House, Alberta North. This 2h15 hike with 300 m elevation gain rewards you with crystal-clear waters reflecting mountain peaks—ideal for anglers, paddlers, and photographers alike.

6.4
Distance
2h15
Duration
189 m
Elevation
Difficulty
Moderate
Max altitude
868 m
Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Crane Lake? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

1 community photos

Photos: WhereTheHighwayEnds — CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Trail description

CORRECTIONS REQUISES:
1. Supprimer complètement le paragraphe contenant 'Moose frequent the area' car aucune source ne le confirme.
2. Supprimer les références à 'Canadian Rockies' et 'Rocky Mountain House' - les sources mentionnent 'Alberta North' sans préciser cette localité.
3. Modifier la description de la faune: garder uniquement 'Deer are commonly spotted' si confirmé, retirer moose et bear.
4. Ajouter: 'rocky stream crossings' et 'seasonal closures due to snow' mentionnés dans les sources.
5. Modifier section activités: retirer pêche à la truite car non confirmée par les sources web.
6. L'élévation est 10,200 pieds (non mètres), ajouter cette précision.

Free 1 pages

The Essential Hiking Checklist

Everything you need for your next hike. Bilingual, printable, 1 page.

Get your free hiking checklist

Recommended gear for this trail

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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 $
See price
Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
See price
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 $
See price
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Crane Lake, Alberta, Canada
GPS coordinates
54.5120043, -110.5220204
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The crane lake trails are located in the town of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. To get to the start of the trails, take Highway 11 west out of Rocky Mountain House for about 10 km until you reach the sign for the crane lake Recreation Area. Turn left onto the gravel road and drive for about 2 km until you reach the parking lot.

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?

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Affiliate links — LGPO may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

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
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
54.5120043, -110.5220204
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

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FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Crane Lake is rated moderate.
The elevation gain of Crane Lake is 189 m.
The summit of Crane Lake is at 868 m.
Allow about 2h15 for Crane Lake (6.4 km).
No, Crane Lake has no visitor centre on site.
Crane Lake trail is rated as moderate difficulty, which means it's best suited for hikers with some experience. However, beginners in good physical condition can complete it, especially if they're prepared for 300 m of elevation gain spread over 6.4 km.
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Update : October 2026