Sometimes you see a spot on the map and just know, you have to go. Beaver Mines Lake campground was one of those spots for me. I’d only heard good things about this place and I knew I had to get out there and see what all the excitement was about. Well, I wasn’t disappointed! I snagged a last minute lakeside spot in mid May, perfect for wildlife watching and relaxing by the firepit.
I can’t speak to what Beaver Mines Lake campground is like in the height of summer, but it is a popular spot and I can imagine it getting very busy. However when we visited on a Wednesday in Mid May, when the temperatures were a little chillier, the campground was maybe 20 percent occupied. Peaceful is the one word I’d use to sum it up to be honest. Surrounded by bird noises and watching muskrats swim around the lake below our site was a truly magical experience.
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Where Is Beaver Mines Lake Campground
The Beaver Mines Lake campground is located in the Castle Provincial Park, we came from Pincher Creek via Highway 507 and 774. It’s around a 40 kilometer drive from Pincher Creek and is clearly signposted the whole way. Note, the last stretch to the campground is a gravel road but appeared to be well maintained and wasn’t an issue in a regular car.
Everything You Need To Know About The Beaver Mines Lake Campground
Sites: 76 unserviced sites
Cost: $28 per night
Opening Dates: May 16th to September 28th
Cell reception: No, at least I didn’t have any for our entire time at Beaver Mines Lake campground.
The Beaver Mines Lake campground is made up of four loops, A to D, each offering something different. The A loop offers forested sites with more mountain views, the B loop is a small loop close to the day use and boat launch area. We camped in the C loop, where a lot of the sites have a view of the lake, or like our site, 52, was right on the lake. The D loop is a little higher up and the sites have good privacy up here with some lake and mountain views. This is also where the comfort camping units are located.
Each individual site at the Beaver Mines Lake Campground has a picnic bench and fire pit. There is no wood for sale here, so you’ll need to bring your own. There are plenty of outhouses located around the campground and day use area, although these weren’t the best smelling ones I’ve ever used, even in the early season when the campground was quiet!
We also made sure to take our own potable water, although there are water pumps around the campground, these have a warning that the water shouldn’t be used for anything from cooking, to dishes and brushing your teeth, so plan ahead and bring plenty of potable water with you.
Our site in the C loop was large and we had lots of space to spread out, the views of the lake were gorgeous and the firepit ideally located to watch the lake while staying warm! It was flat and easy to find a spot to put our tent. Most of the sites seemed to be a good size and suitable for a range of tents of smaller RVs. Some of the corners around the loops are a little tight but nothing unmanageable for medium sized trailers and smaller.
We had a really peaceful time staying at Beaver Mines Lake campground in Mid May, most of the campground was unoccupied, making it a great time to visit if you like a quiet camping experience. During the summer months this lakeside campground gets booked up and much busier.
Comfort Camping At Beaver Mines Lake
If you want to experience Beaver Mines Lake but don’t have anything to stay in, never fear, there are five comfort camping cabins at the campground. These are all located in the D loop and have a queen bed, as well as a set of single bunk beds in them. These are still rustic cabins with no running water but a wood burning stove for heat.
To stay in one of these cabins, you’ll still need to bring your own bedding, pots and pans, firewood and any other essentials. The booking window for comfort camping is 180 days in advance, so these can be booked much further in advance that a regular campsite and it costs $100 per night to stay in one of these cabins.
How To Book A Spot At Beaver Mines Lake Campground
All the campsites at Beaver Mines Lake Campground are reservable. You’ll need to book a spot before arriving at the campground as there is no cell reception in the area.
Campsites at Beaver Mines Lake campground can be booked via the Alberta Parks website and they can be booked 90 days in advance on a rolling basis.
A night at Beaver Mines Lake Campground costs $28 per night, plus a $12 reservation fee.
What To Do At And Around Beaver Mines Lake Campground
We only stayed one night at Beaver Mines Lake campground, but there is plenty to do in the area. If you are in to hiking, there is a designated interpretive trail which runs around the top of the campground, suitable for beginners or those looking for a peaceful evening stroll. We considered the hike up to Table Mountain, a day hike which stats right from the Beaver Mines Lake campground, this is more of a full day hike which involves a fair amount of elevation gain but offers beautiful views over Beaver Mine Lake.
A big reason many people visit Beaver Mines Lake campground is for the lake, we saw many people out fishing. It would also be a great spot for canoeing, kayaking and paddle boarding for those who enjoy it. When we visited in mid May, the water wasn’t overly warm but potentially in summer it might be warm enough to swim in.
Wildlife watching is another popular activity at Beaver Mines Lake campground, we saw so many different birds as well as a muskrat swimming in the lake. There were also signs that a beaver had been busy down near the lake shore. I’d definitely recommend bringing a pair of binoculars if you decide to camp here.
What We Packed For Our Trip
Tent – We love tent camping and went with a larger tent for car camping so we had more space, this is especially useful if the weather is bad.
Camp Chairs – Nothing beats a comfortable seat after a hard day of adventuring, perfect to have around the firepit at the end of a day when it gets cooler.
Stove – A two burner stove has been a game changer for us, allowing us to cook great meals while out camping.
Bear Spray – We always pack bear spray and Beaver Mines Lake campground is in bear country, pack it and know how to use it.
Other Campgrounds Nearby
- Chinook Lake
- Waterton Townsite
- Castle Falls
