One of the fun things about being a Canada Adventure Seeker is that it motivates you to discover new places, to go exploring, and to try new activities. Our Coyote Lake adventure in Leduc County Alberta was one of these. After our hike to check...
One of the fun things about being a Canada Adventure Seeker is that it motivates you to discover new places, to go exploring, and to try new activities. Our Coyote Lake adventure in Leduc County Alberta was one of these. After our hike to check out the Graves Wildlife Sanctuary at Pigeon Lake I was playing around on Google Maps trying to find other places to explore. That is when I discovered Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. Having never heard of Coyote Lake before we decided that we absolutely had explore the area. This is our winter hiking adventure to Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary in Leduc County Alberta. We are hoping to return to snowshoe this season and then to go hiking again when the Wild Roses are in bloom.
Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary is part of the Upper North Saskatchewan River Basin Natural Area. This park protects over 470 Hectares (1,200 Acres) of boreal forest and parkland along the shores of Coyote Lake, Alberta. There are approximately 8km of natural hiking trails throughout the nature sanctuary. We hiked a little over 6.5km of them in an hour and 40 minutes and were pleasantly surprised by the interesting rolling terrain. Twenty-two types of mammals, 266 types of plants and 154 different birds have all been spotted within the park making this an area rich in biodiversity.
One discrepancy that we noted was that the website indicated that dogs are allowed if they are on a leash. However, the information sign in the park says they are not.
Undoubtedly the viewing platform overlooking Coyote Lake must make an excellent bird watching spot in the spring. Thankfully, there is an interpretive panel describing some of the birds that visitors may see so that even non-birders can try birding.
Most of the trails at Coyote Lake can be combined to create any length of trail you like up to 8km. The Lakeview Trail is a short but pretty trail that leads from the parking area to the viewing platform overlooking the lake.
The West Boundary Trail is 2.3 km long and is accessed from either the Old Swamp Trail or the Memorial Trail. The trail rolls and weaves through mixed boreal forest. Nearly the entire length of the trail is lined with Alberta's official flower,...
The West Boundary Trail is 2.3 km long and is accessed from either the Old Swamp Trail or the Memorial Trail. The trail rolls and weaves through mixed boreal forest. Nearly the entire length of the trail is lined with Alberta's official flower, the Wild Rose. I bet is smells amazing when the roses are in bloom. As the trail skirts the park's boundary it follows a fence line net to a farmer's field for a good portion of the trail. The trail connects with the East Boundary Trail.
The Memorial Grove is a short trail (0.3km) the loops through a gently rolling and forested area where people have placed memorial plaques. This tunnel marks the entrance into the Memorial Grove. There are some newspaper clippings and information...
The Memorial Grove is a short trail (0.3km) the loops through a gently rolling and forested area where people have placed memorial plaques. This tunnel marks the entrance into the Memorial Grove. There are some newspaper clippings and information sheets inside the tunnel.
This plaque belongs to Wiliam Eric Hopkins, co-founder of the Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. It was a dream of Eric and his wife, Doris to make sure that these lands would be protected. In fact, the land that is now the Coyote Lake Nature...
This plaque belongs to Wiliam Eric Hopkins, co-founder of the Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. It was a dream of Eric and his wife, Doris to make sure that these lands would be protected. In fact, the land that is now the Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary used to belong to Doris and Eric. They donated 130 Hectares (320 acres) to Nature Conservancy Canada (NCC) on the condition that the NCC purchase two quarter-sections of land across the lake as well. In 1999, Daryl and Kathy Howery donated land to the nature sanctuary bringing the total protected area to 470 Hectares (1,200 acres) around the lake.
The trail system at Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary in Leduc County, Alberta, Canada are well marked and easy to follow. This makes it easy for visitors to select the trail that is both of interest and the desired length.
We really had no idea what to expect of the trail at Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. Since most of the photos that we found online were of the lake and the meadow we thought the trails would be flat and mostly through grasslands, boy, were we...
We really had no idea what to expect of the trail at Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. Since most of the photos that we found online were of the lake and the meadow we thought the trails would be flat and mostly through grasslands, boy, were we wrong. We were pleasantly surprised by the rolling and sometimes punchy hills as the trail lead us through a dry mixed wood boreal forest, meadows, wetlands and of course along the Coyote Lake shoreline. It made for an interesting hike, in fact I would say that Coyote Lake is one of the more interesting hikes that we have been on in the area.
The dogs love it when we bring them on our hiking adventures, especially when it finally starts to snow. With an oddly warm November and December, I got a little soft and forgot how to dress for the weather. I may have over dressed a touch for...
The dogs love it when we bring them on our hiking adventures, especially when it finally starts to snow. With an oddly warm November and December, I got a little soft and forgot how to dress for the weather. I may have over dressed a touch for our first hike during a snowfall of the season. At least I wasn't cold.
After our 45-minute drive to reach Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary I was happy to discover that there was an outhouse on site. Not only that, but this particular outhouse was sponsored by Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), a popular outdoor adventure...
After our 45-minute drive to reach Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary I was happy to discover that there was an outhouse on site. Not only that, but this particular outhouse was sponsored by Mountain Equipment Company (MEC), a popular outdoor adventure store. Thank you MEC, I appreciate your support and that you are looking out for hikers’ 'needs'.
There is a memorial windsock at Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. It was placed in memory of Jeremy Campbell, Eric, and Doris' grandson. Jeremy would often fly his helicopter to Coyote Lake to visit his grandparents. Unfortunately, he was killed at...
There is a memorial windsock at Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. It was placed in memory of Jeremy Campbell, Eric, and Doris' grandson. Jeremy would often fly his helicopter to Coyote Lake to visit his grandparents. Unfortunately, he was killed at in a car accident when he was only twenty-one. His grandparents place the windsock here to keep his memory and love of flying alive.
This is the Hopkins house, where Eric and Doris lived for thirty years. The house is in the meadows overlooking Coyote Lake. It looks like it would have been a cute home in its prime. Unfortunately, it is all boarded up as it is no longer safe to...
This is the Hopkins house, where Eric and Doris lived for thirty years. The house is in the meadows overlooking Coyote Lake. It looks like it would have been a cute home in its prime. Unfortunately, it is all boarded up as it is no longer safe to go inside.
I love this little gazebo overlooking Coyote Lake. It looks like the perfect place for a picnic. The park is about 66km from the Town of Devon and other than the access road, the roads are paved the entire way here. So, I am thinking that this...
I love this little gazebo overlooking Coyote Lake. It looks like the perfect place for a picnic. The park is about 66km from the Town of Devon and other than the access road, the roads are paved the entire way here. So, I am thinking that this would be a great bike ride destination. Cyclists could pack a picnic lunch to enjoy by the lake before heading back, making for an enjoyable day on the bike.
This is our Strava map of our hike at Coyote Lake. We hiked the Memorial Grove, East and West Boundary Trails, the Old Swamp and Lakeview Trails. This totaled about 6.5km and took us about 40 minutes.
We discovered another new place on our way to exploring Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. Just up the road from the nature sanctuary is Coyote Lake Lodge, Wellness and Nature Centre. Another place I had never heard of, so I did a quick search to find...
We discovered another new place on our way to exploring Coyote Lake Nature Sanctuary. Just up the road from the nature sanctuary is Coyote Lake Lodge, Wellness and Nature Centre. Another place I had never heard of, so I did a quick search to find out more. Coyote Lake Lodge's retreat is surrounded by 194 Hectares (480 Acres) of aspen parkland. The lodge and its grounds are specially designed to enable people living with disabilities, limited mobility, and seniors to enjoy the outdoors, to get away and relax and to improve their health. Coyote Lake Lodge sounds like a fantastic retreat.