Elk Lakes Provincial Park — Upper Elk Lake Campground

Elk Lakes Provincial Park sits at the end of the Elk Pass FSR corridor near Sparwood, right on the BC-Alberta divide. The Upper Elk Lake campground is a small, primitive BC Parks site — pit toilets, fire rings, and bear caches are your amenities. The setting earns its reputation: turquoise glacially-fed lakes framed by sheer limestone walls, mountain goats on the ridges, and grizzly bear activity that demands clean camp habits. It fills fast on summer weekends, especially with hikers crossing from Peter Lougheed Provincial Park in Alberta. Capacity is limited — don’t expect to roll in Friday night and find a spot.

The FSR approach requires a high-clearance vehicle and is subject to seasonal closures — typically passable late June through October depending on snowpack. The final stretch narrows and roughens considerably. No cell service. A BC Parks day-use fee may apply for parking at the trailhead; verify current regulations at sitesandtrailsbc.ca before your trip.

Alpine lakes camp on the Alberta border.