Last updated on January 2nd, 2026 at 09:11 pm
We were lucky enough to spend an incredible two nights camping at Goldeye Lake this June. This smaller campground is a perfect spot to relax at, with a lakeside walk, fishing opportunities right from the dock in the campground and incredible pie to eat at nearby Nordegg!
We had previously camped at the larger Fish Lake campground which is a 10 minute drive from Goldeye Lake. It is also an incredible campground although considerably larger. Both are awesome options in the Nordegg area.
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Quick Facts About Goldeye Lake Campground
Number of sites: 44 (25 are reservable)
Serviced sites: No, you need to be self-sufficient, no sites offer water or power here.
Operating season: May 2nd to October 4th 2025
On site caretaker: Yes
Cell reception: Yes, I had cell reception all over Goldeye Lake campground
Cost per night: $28 per night
Where Is The Goldeye Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Goldeye Lake is located approximately 11 kilometers from Nordegg via Highway 11. If you are coming from the other direction, it is around 83 kilometers from Saskatchewan River Crossing on Highway 93 via Highway 11.
Our Experience Camping At Goldeye Lake
We camped at Goldeye Lake in mid June, the campground was mostly empty mid week, so it was an incredibly peaceful experience for us. It may be different on a sunny weekend in July or August though!
The campground is split into two sections, the upper area, on the right hand side of the entrance road, is by reservation only. Sites here can be reserved 90 days in advance on the Alberta Parks website. The sites up here are mostly larger and flatter than the lower loop, surrounded by trees, they also offer a good amount of privacy from neighbours for the most part.
The lower area, on the left hand side of the entrance road, is all first come first serve sites. This lower camping area is closer to the lake access making it very popular. We camped in this area and found a nice private site looking into the forest with distant neighbours. There are a few sites which offer lake views as well.
Regardless of which loop you stay in at Goldeye Lake campground, each campsite has a picnic bench and a firepit. The campground host, located in site 1 has wood for sale between 5 and 6pm every day. Bring cash! They were super nice when we visited and had a wheeled cart to get the wood back to our campsite. It was $10 for 12 pieces.
There are outhouses dotted around the campground which were incredibly clean for campground bathrooms, all stocked with toilet paper and sanitizer. There are also a number of garbage and recycling bins around, including one right near the lake dock for fish parts, so you don’t dump them in the lake.
Note that although there are water pumps at Goldeye Lake campground, there is no potable water, so make sure to bring your own drinking water.
Booking A Campsite At Goldeye Lake
The upper camping area which consists of 25 sites, at Goldeye Lake is fully reservable. Sites can be booked 90 days in advance on the Alberta Parks website. It is a popular spot, so if you are looking to go on a weekend or during the peak months of July and August, it is with making a reservation to guarantee your spot!
Things To Do Near Goldeye Lake
The big draw of Goldeye Lake is the lake itself, we spent a full day out on the water, paddling around, fishing and relaxing. It appears to be a very popular spot for fishing, with many people coming out just for the day and fishing on the water or straight off the dock.
For those who want to stretch their legs, we did the trail which runs around the lake. A large part of it is a new trail system set up in the area as part of the fire management which happened in the surrounding areas. It was easy, flat and well maintained for the most part.
If you enjoy wildlife watching, or specifically bird watching, we couldn’t get enough of all the birds we spotted up close on the lake. Loons and Bald Eagles were out and about as well as a number of Osprey which circled above the lake and dove for fish. An incredible up close birding experience. We also spotted a deer drinking from the lake. All in all this is a wildlife paradise.
Nearby you can check out Crescent Falls, which is a stunning large waterfall, there are new viewing platforms to give you optimal views of the falls. Checking out Abraham Lake is a spectacle in itself, this huge blue reservoir is stunning to look at, although dangerous to recreate on due to strong winds.
There are a multitude of hiking opportunities around Nordegg and Abraham Lake from Coliseum Mountain near Nordegg, to Allstones Lake and Vision Quest ridge near Abraham Lake. There is a trail for every ability in the area. We grabbed the David Thompson Highway Hikes book which is packed with so many great options.
You can also pop into Nordegg, the Miners Cafe is a popular spot for those looking for a treat, famous for their incredible pies! There is also a golf course and museums to visit in the town.
What We Packed For Our Trip
Tent – A good tent allows you to survive in all weathers and be comfortable. We love our Marmot Tungsten tent.
Camp Chair – Perfect for hanging around the fire or taking down to the lakeshore to enjoy the view.
Stand Up Paddle Board – A great way to get out on the lake, a stand up paddle board, kayak or canoe will allow you to explore away from the shore.
Bear Spray – Goldeye Lake is in bear country, always pack bear spray and know how to use it.
Campgrounds Nearby
- Fish Lake
- Crescent Falls
- Shunda Creek
- Waterfowl Lake
