Kakwa Wildland Park

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Kakwa Wildland Park

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Legal Land Description
Rocky Mountain Natural Region

Kakwa's complex array of natural features includes mountains, foothills, meadows, streams & rivers. The park is a great destination for backcountry recreation. Wildlife includes woodland caribou, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, moose, mule & white-tailed deer, grizzly & black bears, wolves, lynx & red fox. The road to Two Lakes is passable with 4 wheel drive; the trail to Kakwa Falls parking lot is passable with quad or 4x4 only. Kakwa became a wildland park in January 1996.

Temporary snowmobile camps: permits valid Dec. 1/09 - April 14/10 (if snow conditions poor, camps may require removal prior to April 14). Removal of structures & camp cleanup by April 16. Camps are not permitted beyond 150 metres of designated trails (designated snowmobile trails: access road to Kakwa Falls; Kakwa River from Kakwa Falls west to B.C. border; trail from Deadhorse Meadows to B.C. border; trail from east boundary to Lower Falls). Access to camp locations must be flagged on designated routes. Permit number to be displayed in visible location on exterior of camp structure when camp moved onto site. No-trace camping practises must be employed (garbage & refuse to be removed after each trip; human waste must be removed from the park). Outside the park, no toilet facilities within 50 metres of water courses. Camps are not to be located along logging or oil & gas industry roads. Cutting live vegetation prohibited (deadfall may be used for campfires).

Camping Season:
Camping Fees:	No fees charged
Operated By:	Parks Division
Information Phone Number:	780-538-5350

Overnight Campgrounds (1)

Deadhorse Meadows Backcountry
Fee: No on-site water supply; outside of this small rustic campground, overnight camping is random only - there are no other developed facilities in the park. Campsites for use by equestrian users only.
Total # of Units: 2

Recreational Activities

Backcountry camping
Random backcountry camping is permitted in the park, except within 1 km of Deadhorse Meadows and the day use parking area at the falls; the area is not regularly patrolled; visitors must be self-reliant; check with the Grande Prairie Alberta Parks office at 780-538-5350 to confirm road conditions south from Grande Prairie (road access is weather-dependent).

Hiking - backcountry
Trails in Kakwa Wildland Park are not maintained - backcountry hikers must be completely self-reliant.

Horseback riding
Equestrian staging facilities are provided at Sherman Meadows and Deadhorse Meadows.

OHV riding (on-site)
OHVs permitted on the trail to Kakwa Falls day use area only; trails from Two Lakes/Lick Creek suitable for OHVs and 4WDs only.

Snowmobiling (on-site)
Snowmobilers use the park mainly to access prime snowmobiling areas in British Columbia via a designated snowmobile trail; snowmobilers generally camp at Lick Creek OHV staging area. Winter snowmobile camps require a permit - contact the Parks Division office in Grande Prairie at 780-538-5350 for information.

Wildlife viewing
Wildlife species include bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, hoary marmot and a variety of mountain birds.

Trails (5)

Deadhorse Meadows
This loop trail crosses the Kakwa River downstream of the falls near junction of Francis Peak Creek; follows creek past Emerald Lakes back to the Kakwa River; it then crosses the river upstream of the falls and follows the main trail back to Deadhorse Meadows; overnight trip; be prepared for several water crossings; river levels depend on season, snowpack & rainfall; beautiful scenery; excellent equestrian staging area.

Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Length (km): 28.00

Elevation Gain (m): N/A

Trail Head: Deadhorse Meadows

Trail Activities:

Horn Ridge
This trail is located in the Kakwa corridor; 9 km from trail junction to mountain top; 15 km of trails along ridges; OHVs must stay on main trail; very unique alpine area with large expanse of alpine meadows, flora and wildlife; excellent views of Two Lakes/Kakwa corridor, mountain ridges & peaks.

Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Length (km): 24.00

Elevation Gain (m): 366.00

Trail Head: 4 km past Stinking Springs, west off main trail

Trail Activities:

Kakwa Falls Viewpoint
This easy walking trail, with just a slight incline, leads to a fenced viewing platform that provides a majestic view of the falls; 20 minute walk; gravel surface.

Difficulty: Easy
Trail Length (km): 0.75

Elevation Gain (m): N/A

Trail Head: Kakwa River parking lot

Trail Activities:

Sulphur Mountain
Challenging unimproved trail in Kakwa corridor; after approximately 1.5 hours of hiking, a clearing is reached & after another 15 minutes the trail re-enters trees for another hour or so, until it reaches tree-line; from here, a number of ridges and peaks can be visited; excellent mountain vistas; wildlife sightings common.

Difficulty: Difficult
Trail Length (km): 5.50

Elevation Gain (m): 580.00

Trail Head: Jones Cabin at Stinking Springs

Trail Activities:

Torrens Chutes
Unimproved trail located in Kakwa corridor; follows Torrens River through changing vegetation; trail drops sharply down to chutes (caution advised - no security fence or guard rail); makes a nice afternoon hike.

Difficulty: Moderate
Trail Length (km): 3.00

Elevation Gain (m): N/A

Trail Head: 3 km past Stetson Creek on west side of road

Trail Activities: