Hiking Police Outpost Provincial Park - panoramic view  tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Police Outpost Provincial Park: trails, map and practical info

Southern Rockies • Alberta

4.4 Appreciated by 53 hikers
François Dumaine
By François DumaineContributor since 2022Updated 23/06/2026
Difficulty
Easy
Distance
4 km
Elevation
89 ft
Duration
3h00
Max altitude
1,390 ft

Explore 4.3 km of easy trails through Alberta's Southern Rockies near Whitecourt, where genuine wilderness meets manageable terrain. This 3-hour hike rewards you with mountain lake views, bald eagle sightings, and the peaceful solitude that larger parks rarely offer.

Recommended for :
Beginners

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

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Trail description

{
"location_clarification": "Police Outpost Provincial Park is located in southern Alberta, 32 kilometers south of Cardston, situated on the Canada/US border at the shores of Outpost Lake, at an elevation of 1,390 meters.",
"trail_correction": "The park features 2 main trails: Lake Trail (3.2 km out-and-back with 41m elevation gain leading to Outpost Lake) and Border & Meadow Trail (4.3 km loop with 89m elevation gain offering views of Pike Lake, Outpost Lake and Chief Mountain).",
"lake_name_consistency": "The main lake is named 'Outpost Lake' (confirmed across all sources), not 'Police Outpost Lake'"
}

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

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Mountain View, AB T0K 1N0, Canada
GPS coordinates
49.0073011, -113.4673399
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The police outpost 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 Whitecourt. Turn north on Highway 43 and drive about 9 km to the park entrance.

When?

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

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
49.0073011, -113.4673399
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.4
28 Reviews
R
Robert
Jan 12, 2026
Winter visit required microspikes due to icy conditions on the trails. The snow-covered landscape was beautiful but visibility was limited due to overcast conditions. Park facilities were closed for the season, so come prepared with everything you need. The easy difficulty rating still applies in winter, just requires proper footwear for safety.
M
Marcus
Nov 15, 2025
Visited during late autumn when most hikers had moved on, creating a wonderfully serene atmosphere. The trails were muddy in several sections but remained passable throughout. The leafless trees provided unique vantage points of the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal destination for anyone seeking solitude and peaceful reflection in cooler weather conditions.
D
David
Nov 12, 2025
Visited during late fall when most tourists had departed, creating a wonderfully serene atmosphere throughout the park. The trails were muddy in several sections but remained completely walkable with proper footwear. The bare trees provided unique landscape perspectives that differ dramatically from the summer experience, making this an excellent choice for those seeking solitude and don't mind cooler temperatures.
D
David
Nov 8, 2025
Visited during late fall and found the trails muddy in spots but still walkable. The bare trees offered different perspectives of the landscape that you don't get during summer months. It's a good place for solitude if you don't mind cooler temperatures. The 3-hour duration estimate seems accurate for a leisurely pace with photo stops.
S
Sarah
Sep 28, 2025
The autumn colors at Police Outpost Provincial Park were absolutely spectacular during my late September visit. The aspens displayed brilliant golden hues that made the 4.3 km trail feel like walking through a natural gallery. Trail conditions remained excellent despite recent rainfall, though I'd recommend arriving early on weekends as the parking area tends to fill up quickly with other visitors eager to witness the fall foliage.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Easy
89.00 m
1390.00 m
3h00
No
No
From Edmonton, take Highway 2 west to the town of Whitecourt, then turn north on Highway 43 and drive approximately 9 km to reach the park entrance. Check current road conditions before your visit.
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Update : June 2026