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These days, there aren’t many places where you can still find the kind of gravel roads just meant for an afternoon drive-one where the tree branches reach out into the lane and there’s barely enough room for two vehicles to pass. But just east of Lac La Biche there’s a road just like that. It takes you into Lakeland Provincial Park and Provincial Recreation Area, in the heart of Alberta’s lake country. At one point, you crest one bluff to find a ripple of forested hills stretching out before you. Lakeland is almost 600 square kilometres (230 sq. mi.) of rugged back country, the third largest provincial park in Alberta and the first major park located in the boreal forest.

The park’s inner lakes - Kinnaird, Jackson, Dabbs and Blackett-provide back-country canoe circuit opportunities. Visitors can enjoy several days of travel in peaceful solitude, taking in the scenery and watchable wildlife. Several islands along the route have informal back-country campsites, complete with secluded sand beaches.

For those who prefer dry land, Lakeland’s extensive system of trails offers year-round recreation opportunities-from hiking and mountain biking in summer, to cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling in winter. The historic Mosquito Lake Trail shows up on maps dating back over one hundred years. Many visitors enjoy identifying the variety of plant species along the way, as Lakeland boasts over 14 different types of orchids, including two classified as rare in Alberta.
The provincial recreation area has four campgrounds, ranging from rustic to basic. These are located at Touchwood, Ironwood, Pinehurst and Siebert Lakes. Four-wheel drive is the recommended method of access into Siebert Lake. Visitors to Touchwood often spot hundreds of loons rafting on the lake in late summer.

Whether you’re coming for the back roads, back country, or just to get back to basics, Lakeland is nothing less than paradise.

Open year round. Park staff available evenings and weekends during the summer. Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:15-4:30 at the Provincial Building in Lac La Biche. Lakeland Provincial Park and Recreation Area is located 73 km (45 mi.) N of Lac La Biche off Highway 36; 303 km (188 mi.) NE of Edmonton.