The Chester Lake Hike in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park pleasantly surprised me when I hiked it in July 2023! Rated as moderate on AllTrails, this is the perfect day hike if you’re looking for a less trafficked hike that has some elevation gain and a nice lake to relax at and enjoy.
Kananaskis Country is a group of Alberta Provincial Parks close to Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies of Alberta.
In this article, you’ll find out everything you need to know about the Chester Lake Hike, including the best time of year to hike, about the trail itself, and a little bit of information on the surrounding area of Kananaskis as well.
It is important to know that Kananaskis is wild! You are responsible for your own safety, bear sightings occur often in this area of the Canadian Rockies and it is important that you carry bear spray and are aware of animal safety/how to respect wildlife. Please remember to Leave No Trace while visiting the Canadian Rockies!
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Chester Lake Hike At A Glance
- Hike location: Just off the Smith Dorrien Trail (Highway 742) in Kananaskis, Alberta
- Elevation gain: ~449m
- Distance: ~9.3km
- Type of hike: Out and Back
- Difficulty level: Moderate on AllTrails
- Time it typically takes: 3.25 hours
- Time it took me: 3.25 hours
- Permits required? No (but see below about the Kananaskis Conservation Pass)
- Accessible by public transportation? No
Although permits are not required for this hike, a Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required to park in the area. There is limited cell service/data in Kananaskis, so be sure to buy your pass online and register your license plate before arriving in Kananaskis, or stop at a Kananaskis Visitor Center to buy.
If you’re coming from Canmore, you can buy your pass in person at the Canmore Nordic Center. If you’re travelling first on Highway 40 and then turning onto Highway 742, you can get your Pass in person at the Kananaskis Visitor Information Center or the Peter Lougheed Parks Discovery Center. Or, buy online so you don’t have to stop!
Preparing to Hike Chester Lake
It’s important to prepare for a hike in the Canadian Rockies, especially if you haven’t done one before. Make sure to check the weather forecast, but also be prepared for the weather to change in an instant! It can be unpredictable in the mountains so having at least a packable jacket is always a good idea. Make sure you have your gear ready and let someone know about your hike and when you’re planning to be back.
Best Time to Hike
The best time to hike the Chester Lake Trail is during the summer months, when the weather is warm, the trail is dry, and the wildflowers are out! On a really hot day you can even cool off in Chester Lake!
During the fall you have a chance to see some golden larches making this a great fall hike as well.
In the winter, Chester Lake Trail becomes a snowshoe route/cross country ski trail. Sometimes the trail becomes compacted, and typically spikes are recommended for steeper sections!
Chester Lake Trail is closed each year from May 1 – June 29 for wildlife conservation. Hiking during this time is not possible!
Essential Day-Hiking Gear
It’s important to be prepared when hiking, especially in the Canadian Rockies as the weather and conditions can change pretty unexpectedly! There is also very limited cellphone reception and data in Kananaskis as well.
The essentials I always pack with me while day hiking include:
- Bandaids/mini first aid kit
- Water
- Snacks
- Lunch if I’m hiking mid-day
- Small garbage bag to pack out garbage
- Small packable jacket
- Camera and cellphone
- Whistle
- Bear Spray
- Appropriate clothes and shoes
- Toilet paper
Of course there is a lot more you could carry on you while hiking, but that is up to personal preference!
I don’t carry sunscreen or bug spray on shorter hikes because I apply those before heading out on the trail so I don’t need to carry them. If you’re prone to burning or bugs, carrying those items might be beneficial for you. For this hike I didn’t feel hiking poles were necessary, but some people never hike without them. Tailor your day hiking bag to your needs for the most enjoyable experience!
Chester Lake Trail
The Chester Lake Trail starts at a large parking lot just off the Smith Dorrien Trail (Highway 742) in Kananaskis, Alberta. It’s just under a 1.25 hour drive from Canmore and just over a 1.5 hour drive from Banff. At the trailhead there are pit toilets and bear proof garbage bins.
The first part of the hike starts with a steady elevation gain through forested area and trees on a well beaten, wide, fire road. There are a few forks on the trail that branch off into different hiking routes, but these are well marked and point which way to go for which trail you’re hiking (obviously follow the route that says Chester Lake).
A while up (around 2.6km) you’ll come to a small meadow and you’ll start to notice the elevation gain stop. Continue on through the small meadow and enter another small forested part, until coming to a larger meadow with stunning, amazing views! This meadow was my favourite part of the hike.
When I was hiking Chester Lake Trail in July 2023, a couple had told us they spotted a grizzly in this meadow, and a moose further down. Keep an eye out for animals while you’re hiking through and don’t forget to stop for amazing pictures as well!
As you continue through the meadow, you’ll be given amazing views of Mount Chester and other surrounding mountains. You’ll also see a sign signalling an outhouse to the left. If you have to use the washroom this is your best bet. If not, continue down the main trail until you reach amazing Chester Lake!
Once at Chester Lake, you can decide to explore further by continuing left, or take the small path to the right, cross Chester Creek, and find a spot on the lakefront. Just remember to try to stay on the small path, as we want to follow Leave No Trace Principles and not damage any fragile alpine plants.
Enjoy your time at the lake, look for the fish swimming in the crystal clear alpine water, and even dip in for a swim yourself if you’re feeling brave (it’s cold!). Once you’re ready to head back to Chester Lake parking lot, set off the same way you came and you’ll be back to your car in no time.
Continuing to Hike Further Past Chester Lake
If you keep left at Chester Lake, you can continue down the Three Lakes Valley Trail to the elephant rocks – huge rocks that are super fun to climb! There is also another lake you can hike to down this trail, but we decided to turn back and not continue!
Leave No Trace Principles
It’s so important to Leave No Trace while hiking in the Canadian Rockies (or hiking anywhere for that matter!). Leave No Trace Principles are guidelines to remember while out in nature, in order to maintain and preserve it into the future.
With the emergence of social media, some places are being discovered and explored to a larger extent than they once were, which is great that more people are getting out and enjoying nature! But, some places don’t have the infrastructure to handle this influx of people. Or, when people don’t follow Leave No Trace Principles, they can do a lot of damage to these fragile places.
There are 7 Leave No Trace Principles to keep in mind while out in nature, and I’ve summarized a few key points for each Principle. Not all are applicable to hiking, but I wanted to include them just in case you’re doing more than hiking while in Kananaskis:
- Plan ahead and prepare: Be prepared for changing weather, make sure your skill level matches the trip you’re planning, and check for any closures.
- Travel (and camp) on durable surfaces: For hiking, stay on the designated trail. If you wander off trail, you risk stepping on fragile alpine plants, destroying wildflowers, or disrupting a once untouched environment.
- Dispose of waste properly: There are no trash cans on the Chester Lake trail. Make sure to bring a way to dispose of any garbage you may create, so that you can throw it out after your hike and not leave it on the trail!
- Leave what you find: You may come across pretty wildflowers on the Chester Lake trail. Please leave them where they are and don’t rip them out of the ground just to get a closer look.
- Minimize campfire impacts: I don’t see anyone having a campfire while hiking this trail, but wanted to mention it in case you’re camping somewhere in the area!
- Respect wildlife: This is a big one when hiking in Kananaskis. If you come across an animal during your time here, make sure to give the animal more than enough space. They are wild, and you don’t have a reason to be approaching them. A negative interaction with an animal will put both you and the animal in harm’s way. Give it space, and back away or cut your hike short if the animal seems in distress or it’s a dangerous situation.
One other thing to mention, if you come across an animal while driving, you are not supposed to stop your car. Slow down and put your hazard lights on, but keep driving.
- Be considerate of others: Other people are out on the trail to enjoy nature too! Be kind, and if you really want to listen to music, try wearing headphones. Most people head out on a hike to escape constant noise stimulation.
Nearby Chester Lake Trailhead
If you’re in the area to hike Chester Lake, you may be looking for other hikes to do in the area or wondering where to stay nearby.
Chester Lake Camping
There are quite a few campgrounds in the Kananaskis area that can be booked through Alberta Parks Campground Reservation System. In the summertime, camping does book-up so plan in advance if possible, or watch for last minute cancellations.
The two closest campgrounds to Chester Lake trailhead in Kananaskis are:
- Elkwood Campground: Located in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park on Kananaskis Lakes Trail, Elkwood Campground is around a 37 minute drive to the trailhead. This is the closest campground to the trailhead, making it a great home base to explore the surrounding area.
- Spray Lakes West Campground: This campground is located in Spray Lakes Provincial Park on the beautiful Spray Lakes Reservoir. It’s a pretty campground to stay at and is the second closest one to the trailhead; around a 53 minute drive. A drive through Kananaskis country though is stunning, so you won’t be bored on your drive to the trailhead!
Before booking, make sure to do your own research and comparisons on google maps. Although Elkwood Campground is closer to the Chester Lake trailhead, it is about a 1 hour drive from the nearest town (Canmore), and 1.5 hours from Calgary. Spray Lakes West Campground is around 39 minutes to get to from Canmore, and 1 hour 45 minutes from Calgary. Choose whatever is best for you!
Accommodations Nearby
If you’re not interested in camping, Kananaskis is home to a ton of amazing hotels as well. A few to check out are:
- Mount Engadine Lodge: Only 12 minutes from the trailhead, but a more expensive option.
- Crosswaters Resort: 59 minutes from the trailhead for a medium budget.
- HI Kananaskis Wilderness Hostel: 55 minute drive from the trailhead for a lower budget.
Or, stay at the one of many amazing hotels in Canmore!
Other Kananaskis Hikes
Kananaskis Country is home to so many amazing hikes. If you’re interested in more hikes
- Burstall Pass: This trailhead starts in basically the same area as the Chester Lake hike! It is rated hard, with a 675m elevation gain and length of 16.3km.
- Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge: An easy hike to do and one that would pair nicely on the same day you hike Chester Lake. If you park on the road (you’ll most likely see other cars, but this is technically not allowed) this is a short, 1 km hike with 54m of elevation gain.
- Rummel Lake Hike: A moderate hike with 428 m of elevation gain over 11.1km, check out another alpine lake on this well maintained trail nearby!
- Tent Ridge: This one is a harder hike nearby; hike 10.1 km and 830m of elevation gain to gain amazing views of the ridge and the Spray Lakes Reservoir below.
FAQ About Hiking Chester Lake
Chester Lake takes most people an average of 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the hike. Personally, it took me 3 hours and 15 minutes to complete the hike, including time spent eating lunch at the lake and stopping to take photos.
The Chester Lake hike is a moderate hiking route, with 449 m of elevation gain over 9.3 km (out and back). The beginning of the hike is where most of the elevation gain is. Once you get past that, you’ll be hiking through a flat meadow the rest of the way to the lake.
Yes! Because Chester Lake trail is located in Kananaskis, you are required to purchase a Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park at the trailhead. Make sure to buy this in advance at one of the Kananaskis Visitor Centers, or online before losing cell service/access to data.
You can swim in Chester Lake, although the water is really cold so be prepared!
Chester Lake Hike Conclusion
Hiking Chester Lake is an amazing option if you’re looking for a moderate day-hike in Kananaskis Country. I loved hiking this trail in July 2023 and love hiking in the Kananaskis area every summer!
As you prepare to hike, make sure you’re equipped with appropriate gear, respect the wildlife, and Leave No Trace so we can continue hiking in this beautiful area. Whether you choose to hike during the beautiful summer months, hunt for larches in the fall, or snowshoe in the winter, Chester Lake Trail will not disappoint.
Hopefully this Guide to Chester Lake helped you plan your hike!
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Hey! I’m Kat. Based in Alberta, Canada I love to travel to the Rockies and explore new places around the world. Follow along on my adventures and find inspiration and tips for your own travels.
