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Mount Lorette Ponds Day Use Area

Enjoy Mount Lorette Ponds Day Use Area Year Round

A road trip to Bow Valley Provincial Park for winter adventures is a must year round.

Mount Lorette Ponds Day Use Area is a short drive from Calgary, Alberta Canada and is a great family friendly accessible place to spend the day. Located only 1 hour west of Calgary in the Bow Valley Provincial Park in Kananaskis Country in Alberta Canada is a beautiful 4 season day use area filled with picnic tables, fire pits, plenty of seating around the ponds and fantastic mountain views.

Mount Lorette Day Use Area trail comes to an end in the Bow Valley Provincial Park.

End of the trail at Mount Lorette Day Use Area Photo Credit - Andrea Horning

A visit to Mount Lorette Ponds while hiking the trail in the Bow Valley Provincial Park.

A visit to Mount Lorette Ponds in January Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

Mount Lorette Ponds Day Use Area is a Great Family Friendly Destination

Picnicking at Mount Lorette Ponds

Grab your family and friends and head out to Mount Lorette Ponds for an enjoyable afternoon in the mountains. At the same time pack your lunch, bring some local firewood, and settle in for a wonderfully relaxing afternoon. The ponds are great for families with toddlers and or mobility challenged family members. It's a flat trail, well maintained in the summer months with an accessibility ramp for wheelchair fishing in the summer. In the winter the trail is not maintained or plowed, so be prepared for icy winter conditions on the trails.

In the Bow Valley Park is a fantastic day use area and it is only 1 hour from Calgary Alberta Canada.

A fantastic day use area only 1 hour from Calgary Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

Picnicking, hiking and sightseeing are enjoyed at this popular day use area near Calgary Alberta Canada.

Multiple semi-private day use areas are scattered all around the ponds Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

Don't Forget to Bring Your Fishing Rod

Mount Lorette is a Stocked Trout Pond

Ever want to fish in a mountain lake? Now is your chance! Conveniently located, within 1 hour of Calgary, Mount Lorette Ponds Day Use Area is a fantastic fishing destination. In other words, bring the kids and try your luck at catching a beautiful rainbow trout. The water is so clear you can see them all swimming around during the warmer months. Ranging in size, you aren't likely to catch a monster fish in these ponds, but they will keep you busy all day! Alberta fishing regulations apply, please be aware of where you are fishing at all times and the regulations for the area.

A rainbow trout is spotted in Mount Lorette Ponds in the Bow Valley Provincial Park.

A rainbow trout swimming around in Mount Lorette Ponds Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

Family fishing trips for trout near Calgary Alberta Canada.

Fun Family Fishing Destination Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

Kananaskis is known for its natural beauty

Mount Lorette ponds are no exception. Regardless of the season, this area is worth a visit. Walk the trails around the ponds and find yourself in awe no matter which direction you are facing. The summer months show off the bright greens and stunning wildflowers of the area as well as the beautiful blue water of the ponds. Furthermore, fall is one of the top times to visit Mount Lorette Ponds. The stunning fall colours set upon a mountain backdrop are like no other! Winter brings a fun experience of walking around the semi-frozen ponds, and if you are lucky, you can find the methane bubbles frozen into the ice in the ponds. Much like the well known Abraham Lake bubbles!

Inclusive tourism fishing opportunities at the Mount Lorettte Ponds in Alberta Canada.

Easy access fishing for our friends in wheelchairs Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

The reflections of the forests and mountain in the Bow Valley Provincial Park in Alberta Canada.

The water reflections of Mount Lorette in Mount Lorette Ponds Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

About the area of Mount Lorette Ponds

The Ponds are named after the closest mountain, stunning Mount Lorette. Mount Lorette is a well known landmark easily seen from HWY 40 in Kananaskis Alberta. Interestingly, Mount Lorette is a 2,487 meter summit that was unofficially named in 1922 after Lorette Spur. The name was officially recognized and permanent as of 1953. The ponds are found not far from the base of their namesake mountain in this Bow Valley Provincial Park area. Access to the Mount Lorette summit trail are dependent on weather. The ponds themselves were once a flowing loop of the Kananaskis river, but when the highway was built, they were cut off. However, instead of leaving them to dry up, they sourced and connected some underground springs to keep the ponds alive and a source of beauty for us all to enjoy now and in the future. To park anywhere in the Kananaskis region, you need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. Your national parks pass will not work, but these passes are easily purchased online or at the Kananaskis Information Centres as you enter the park. You can purchase a day pass for $15 or a yearly pass for $90 (2023) and you can register 2 license plates/vehicles. For this reason the pass covers everyone in the vehicle as a group pass. Don't get caught without it! No one wants a ticket while trying to relax in nature.

Mount Lorette Ponds in August in all its glory in the Bow Valley Provincial Park.

Mount Lorette Ponds in August Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

Hiking the trail at the Mount Lorette Ponds in January.

Walking the Mount Lorette Ponds Trail in January Photo Credit- Andrea Horning

An All Around Great Adventure Destination for Anyone Looking to Relax

Mount Lorette Ponds has everything you need to have a lovely day in the Canadian rocky mountains. From the easy walking trails, the picnic areas, fire pits, multitude of seating areas, beautiful crossings, wildlife, and even fishing opportunities, how can you not relax and enjoy this stunning area off HWY 40 in Kananaskis Alberta? Take a drive and get outside!