William Watson Campground
Division No. 15 · AB
Source: OpenStreetMap — Canadian campsites · imported Aug 18, 2026
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Fire conditions
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The essentials
Key campground facts
Identity-level facts as published by the source record. Fields no source publishes are left out rather than shown as Unknown.
Price
CA$30/night
Type
Campground
Camping status
Official campsite
Facility phone
403-591-7227
Know before you go
No conditions or restrictions are recorded for this location yet. Check the managing agency before you go.
Can you camp here?
Camping legality
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Getting there
Access and vehicle suitability
No source publishes road or vehicle information for this location. Road conditions and clearance are never estimated — contact the managing agency before towing or driving in.
Where it is
Location
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Province / territory
AB
County
Division No. 15
Elevation
5,581 ft
Coordinates
50.66582, -115.12804
Straight from the source
Published record details
Statements the source record publishes, shown as published. Anything it does not publish is left out rather than shown as Unknown.
Sites with electric hookups
11 sites
Sites with water hookups
11 sites
Sites with sewer hookups
11 sites
Full hookup sites
11 sites
Published site types
Power/Water/Sewer
Official park name
Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
Open season as published
May 15 - Oct 13
Park phone
403-591-7227
Current notices from the source
Closure — Snowshoe Trails between Chester and Sawmill Day Use — Effective: September 1, 2026 - Until Further Notice — The snowshoe trails between Chester Lake Day Use Area and Sawmill Day Use Area are closed due to flood damage from the June rain event. Map of Affected Area
Wildlife Closure — Woolley Trail — Effective: August 21, 2026 - Until Further Notice — Wildlife feeding on a dead moose in the area. Woolley Trail is closed from the junction of Wheeler/Meadow Trails to Amos Trail. If you come across wildlife, remember to: Give them plenty of space – at least 30 metres/100 feet (3 bus lengths). Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your pet on a leash. Do not feed wildlife. Learn more about Wildlife Safety Report sightings and incidents to 310-LAND (5263).
Construction Closure — Pocaterra Cirque and Ridge — Effective: July 6, 2026 - Until Further Notice
Trail Warning — Black Prince Cirque Interpretive Trail — Effective: July 27, 2026 - Until Further Notice — The bridge just beyond the parking lot that provides access to this trail has been washed out.
Bear Closure — Elpoca Day Use Area and Valleyview Road — Effective: May 31, 2020 - Until Further Notice — Frequent bear activity has been noted along Valleyview Road from Elpoca Day Use Area to HWY 40 (South) near Little Highwood Day Use Area, including Valleyview Day Use Areas. Although an advisory is in place for this area, bears can be encountered at any time. To avoid a surprise encounter with a bear: Make plenty of noise and travel in groups. Be aware of your surroundings. Look and listen for bears and their signs. Keep your pet on a leash. Carry bear spray. Make sure it’s easily accessible and know how to use it . Secure attractants like food, garbage, pet food and any scented items in hard sided vehicles or bear proof lockers. Learn more about bear safety. Report sightings and incid
Partial Closure — Three Isle Trail Reroute and Backcountry Campgrounds Opening — Effective: July 31, 2026 - Until Further Notice — Forks Backcountry Campground, Three Isle Lake Backcountry Campground, and Turbine Canyon Backcountry Campground are OPEN. All three campgrounds are accessible using a temporary detour route that begins at the bridge over the Kananaskis River, approximately 500 metres west of Point Backcountry Campground. What Campers Need to Know Three Isle Trail is closed from the junction with Upper Lake Trail to the Upper Kananaskis River due to a washed-out bridge. Obey all closure signs and follow all posted signage and stay on the designated temporary detour. Wildlife is commonly present along the temporary detour route. Hikers should stay alert, make noise, travel in gro
Partial Closure — High Rockies Trail — Effective: July 3, 2026 - Until Further Notice — The following sections of the High Rockies Trail are closed: From Driftwood Day Use Area to Sparrowhawk Day Use Area (at the Junction of High Rockies Trail and Sparrowhawk Connector) From Chester Lake Trailhead (at the junction of Burstall Pass connector and High Rockies Trail) to Sawmill Day Use Area. Widespread damage from recent significant precipitation and high stream flows. Crews are working to assess and repair the damage. Map of Affected Area
This campground as published
Where: Frost Heave Snowshoe Trail , Graupel Snowshoe Trail , High Rockies Trail , Peter Lougheed Provincial Park , Sawmill Loop Snowshoe Trail , Snowdrift Snowshoe Trail , Mount Murray Viewpoint, Sinter Trail, White Out Trail, Wind Chill Trail, High Rockies Trail (partial) Where: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park , Woolley Trail , Sparrow's Egg Lake Where: Peter Lougheed Provincial Park , Pocaterra Cirque, Pocaterra Ridge & Surrounding area Follow the direction of all signage and personnel in the area and stay out of active construction zones.
Trails as published
- 1982 Canadian Mount Everest Expedition Interpretive Aug 18th : Cleared of downed trees. — 2.1 km — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- Bill Benson Aug 18th : Blown clean of needles and debris. — 0.7 km one-way — Summer Only — Wheelchair Accessible, Hiking — status Open
- Black Prince Cirque Interpretive Warning: Bridge washed out Note: The Blackshale Creek Suspension Bridge is NOT accessed from this trail. — 4.2 km — Summer Only — Hiking — status Warning
- Boulton Creek Aug 27 : Cleared of downed trees. — 2.2 km one-way — Winter Only — Hiking, Cross Country Skiing — status Open
- Braille — 2.2 km — Winter Only — Cross Country Skiing — status Open
- Burstall Pass Note: Bikes permitted on first 3.5 km of trail ONLY. Aug 25th : Downed trees removed. — 7.4 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Open
- Burstall Pass (Backcountry) — km — Winter Only — Cross Country Skiing — status Open
- Chester Lake Sep 3rd: The split log bridge on the trail around lake has been replaced. — 4.6 km one-way — Summer Only — Fat Biking, Hiking, Biking — status Open
- Elbow Lake Aug 24th : Cleared of downed trees. Creek is still flowing onto trail. — 1.4 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking, Horseback Riding - Equestrian, Biking — status Open
- Elk Pass Sep 8th: Expect the trail to be wet. There is a 30m section of water flowing down the trail, between the North Hydroline Trail junction and the Patterson Trail junction. — 5.6 km — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Open
- Highwood Meadows — 0.6 km one-way — Summer Only — Wheelchair Accessible, Hiking — status Open
- Kananaskis Canyon Interpretive Closed: Stream crossings washed away by penstock/dam construction. Trail is impassable and is closed indefinitely. — 0.8 km — Summer Only — Hiking — status Closed
- Lookout — 1.7 km — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Open
- Lower Lake Interpretive Aug 18th: Blown clean of needles and debris. Downed trees removed. — 0.5 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- Maude-Lawson Turbine Canyon Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - Jun 24. Sep 4th : Cleared of downed trees. — 7.5 km — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- Meadow — 4.0 km — Winter Only — Cross Country Skiing — status Open
- Peter Lougheed Paved Sept 3rd : Mowed and swept free of needles and debris. — 12.1 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Open
- Pocaterra Sept 3rd: Trail swept and cleared of downed trees. Note: This is not the undesignated Pocaterra Ridge or Cirque route. — 9.9 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Open
- Ptarmigan Cirque Interpretive — 4.5 km — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- Rawson Lake Sep 8th: Cleared of downed trees. — 3.9 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- Rock Glacier Interpretive Aug 24th: Trail is in good condition. — 0.15 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- Rockwall Interpretive Aug 13th: Downed trees and debris including needles removed. — 0.5 km — Summer Only — Wheelchair Accessible, Hiking — status Open
- Rolly Road Training Grid — km — Winter Only — Cross Country Skiing — status Open
- Spruce Road — 0.8 km — Year-Round — Wheelchair Accessible, Hiking, Cross Country Skiing — status Open
- Three Isle Lake Three Isle Trail closed from the junction with Upper Lake Trail north of Point Backcountry Campground as the bridge is washed out on Upper Kananaskis River. Sep 4th: There is a reroute to access Forks Backcountry Campground, Three Isle Backcountry Campground, and Turbine Backcountry Campground. Note: Bikes only permitted to Invincible Creek, 3.8 km from trailhead Three Isle Lake Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - July 1. — 10.2 km — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Partially Closed
- Upper Lake Aug 20th: Downed trees removed. Aster Lake Backcountry Campground: Closed Dec 1 - Jul 9. — 15.7 km — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Open
- Whiskey Jack — 3.9 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Open
- William Watson Lodge Access — 0.6 km one-way — Year-Round — Wheelchair Accessible, Hiking, Biking, Cross Country Skiing — status Open
- Peninsula — 0.4 km — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- Tailwater Snowshoe — 1.9 km — Winter Only — Fat Biking, Biking, Snowshoeing — status Open
- Frozen Toad Loop Snowshoe — 8.1 km — Winter Only — Fat Biking, Biking, Snowshoeing — status Open
- Torpor Loop — 6.1 km — Winter Only — Winter Hiking, Fat Biking, Hiking, Biking, Snowshoeing — status Open
- South Sawmill Loop — 2.8 km — Winter Only — Winter Hiking, Fat Biking, Hiking, Biking, Snowshoeing — status Open
- William Watson Lodge Connector — 0.7 km — Winter Only — Winter Hiking, Fat Biking, Hiking, Biking, Snowshoeing — status Open
- Boulton Creek Interpretive Aug 17th : Cleared of downed trees. — 4.9 km — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- Marl Lake Interpretive Aug 24th: Downed trees removed. Blown free of needles in late August. — 1.5 km for loop — Summer Only — Wheelchair Accessible, Hiking — status Open
- Lower Lake Aug 7th: Downed trees removed. — 3.5 km one-way — Summer Only — Hiking — status Open
- High Rockies (Winter) Note : Between Nov. 1 and May 1 the trail is closed through the Buller Slide Path due to Highway Avalanche Control. — 63.0 km Goat Creek to Peninsula Day Use — Winter Only — Winter Hiking, Fat Biking, Hiking, Biking, Snowshoeing — status Open
- High Rockies (Summer) Aug 20th: Closed from Driftwood Day Use Area to Sparrowhawk Day Use Area (at the junction of High Rockies Trail and Sparrowhawk connector), and from Chester Lake Trailhead (at the junction of Burstall Pass connector and High Rockies Trail) to Sawmill Day Use Area due to significant precipitation and high stream flows. Note: Hiker-cyclist camping allowed at select day use areas only from Jun 1 - Sep 20. See details. — 63.0 km Goat Creek to Peninsula Day Use; 80.0 km Goat Creek to Elk Pass — Summer Only — Hiking, Biking — status Partially Closed
Camping information as published
- Water: Water services are available seasonally from late May to early September; weather dependent. Campers are expected to bring their own water during the shoulder seasons.
- Accessible Comfort Camping Cabin: Includes water services, (w/hot water tank), furnace and fridge Capacity 4 person Unit does not have a washroom facility, but is located adjacent to the campground comfort station
- RV Campsites: Accessible full service RV camping spots
- Cabins: Fully Accessible cabins Cabins have 1 -3 bedrooms and accessible washrooms Learn about Accessible Camping in Alberta Parks
Official maps
Amenities
Only amenities the source actually states are listed. Unknown is never shown as No.
Camping
Only camping types present in the source record.
Setting & surroundings
What's around this campsite
Official park information
Published by the land manager as being at or associated with this place. These are stated facts, not measured distances.
Land & terrain
Verified nearby features
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Activities
Sourced only — activities are never inferred.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Weather
Forecast for the William Watson Campground coordinates. Values ECCC does not publish stay blank rather than being estimated.
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Staying reachable
Connectivity
Carrier coverage comes from official FCC filings for this coordinate; Starlink information comes from Starlink's own pages. Nothing here is estimated from terrain, land ownership or nearby towns.
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Agency fire orders
Fire conditions
Published fire restriction orders from the managing agency, matched to these exact coordinates. Fire permission is never inferred from land ownership, campground type or weather.
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Nearby services
Fuel, water, dump, supplies and more
Straight-line distance from the campground coordinates. Mapped places only — never inferred.
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Solar
Off-grid power
Will you make enough power to stay comfortably off-grid here? Modelled from published solar climatology for these exact coordinates, credited in the details.
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Is this place right for you?
Experience & practicality
Two transparent read-time scores. Unknown facts never count for or against a place, and a score is never used as filter evidence.
Experience
Published recreation and setting.
3.8/ 10
Documented depth: 6 of 16 evidence weight, from 3 published facts. A low number means little is published, not that the place is poor.
Why
- Hiking
- Mountain biking
- Skiing
Practicality
Published logistics: access, cost, facilities.
7.8/ 10
93% of the 9 published facts are positive, scaled by how much is documented (84% of the 16-weight target). Partial data coverage · 18 still unpublished. A thin record reads low because little is published, not because the place is poor.
Why
- Camping is published as allowed
- Restroom
- Drinking water
- Cost is published
- Electric hookup
- Fire ring
- Shower
- Laundry
Published as not available
- $25 or less per night
Fully supported: both dimensions earned a score from 12 published facts.
Methodology nmr-score-3.0.0. Park-level activities feed Experience only; campsite facts feed Practicality only. Experience measures how much recreation and setting evidence is published; Practicality is the published positive share scaled by how much of the logistics catalogue has been documented, so a handful of positives can no longer read 10/10. Unknown is never treated as a no. Neither dimension is used to filter search results, and “Best” ordering ranks fully supported records above partially supported ones.
Overview
Why this place?
- Campground.
- Camping status: Official campsite.
- Located in Division No. 15, AB at 5,581 ft.
- Source lists 3 recreation activities here.
- Nightly price: CA$30.
Photos
What it looks like
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Traveler photos
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Community · time-sensitive
Community reports
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Data & trust
Source confidence
Low
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Source
OpenStreetMap — Canadian campsites
Last source update
Aug 18, 2026
Source record
#way/301744346
Community · traveler experience
Traveler reviews
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Nearby and related camping
- Elkwood CampgroundDivision No. 15 · AB · 1 mi away
- Canyon CampgroundDivision No. 15 · AB · 2 mi away
- Lower Lake CampgroundDivision No. 15 · AB · 2 mi away
- Boulton Creek CampgroundDivision No. 15 · AB · 3 mi away
- Kananaskis Interlakes CampgroundDivision No. 15 · AB · 3 mi away
- Mount Sarrail CampgroundDivision No. 15 · AB · 3 mi away