Recreation in the Milk River Watershed

PLEASE NOTE: Fire bans are currently active for many areas in Southern Alberta. Please check alberta.ca/fire-bans for up-to-date information.

Enjoying the watershed responsibly

The Milk River watershed offers numerous opportunities for tourism and recreation. Hunting, hiking, canoeing, wildlife viewing, camping and other recreational activities attract numerous users to the area every year. With public use increasing, it is important to have access guidelines and conditions in place that protect agricultural operators and their livestock, that ensure the safety of recreational users, and that protect water bodies, riparian areas and other important landscape and environmental features which draw recreation users to the basin.

Know before you go!

Follow Leave No Trace Principles

7 principles designed to promote and inspire responsible outdoor recreation.

Plan Your Trip Well in Advance

Good planning helps to ensure your safety and that you’ll have a good experience.

Know Your Route and Access Points

Review maps to plan your route according to current conditions.

Know Your Limitations

Though it seems like a sleepy prairie river, the Milk has many challenging areas to be aware of. Cell service is limited, be prepared to hike out if your run into a problem.

Book Your Space

If you are planning on using any Alberta Parks services or camping, book your space ahead of time. Space is limited.

Respect Private Property

Do not trespass or litter along the river. Make sure you know how to read your map before heading out.

Upcoming Recreation Events

Check back soon for more upcoming events!

Canoeing the Milk River

Canoe Safety

The Milk River is a popular canoeing destination for many. But conditions can change rapidly and often temperatures on the river can significantly exceed recorded temperatures above the river valley. Pre-planning your trip is critical to ensure a fun and safe adventure. Times between legal and safe take out locations vary significantly.

Conditions change rapidly, check the Alberta Rivers (website or app) for the latest flow information.

Access Points

Canoe route signs were erected at common entry points along the river to help people plan their trip and to provide some interesting information about the flora and fauna that can be found in the area. Included on the signs is and idea of the distance and time needed to travel between different points.

Paddlers planning multi-day trips who wish to leave their vehicles at Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park must call 403-647-2364 ext 301 to obtain a permit and parking locations.

Additional Resources

River Conditions Update

Diversion operations and projected shutdown/return to natural flow

A quick note regarding diversion operations and the projected shutdown/return to natural flow only on the Milk River: On August 25th (Friday) the diversion will be reduced to 400cfs, by the end of the weekend we will see a significant reduction in flow nearing the Town of Milk River. As of August 23rd, Storage in…

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Alberta River Basins

Visit Alberta River Basins for simple, geography-based access to river, lake, precipitation, and snow pillow stations and their data in Alberta.

Canoeing Resources

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These canoe route signs are located at common entry points along the river to help …

Camping

Photo by Thomas Coldwell,
Outdoor Adventure and Travel Blogger

River-access Camping

CampsiteDescriptionMore Info
Poverty RockRandom camping at Poverty Rock is now be permitted. To aid in reducing capacity as per regulations, you will need to call 403-647-2364 ext 301 to make your free reservation for use of the river-access-only site.403-647-2364 ext 301
Canadian Geographic
Random CampingPermission is required from the landowner or lease holder to camp at any undesignated location along the river. Routes may change depending on current water conditions, so plan your trip accordingly. Public Lands
ihunter.com
Contact the county office for more landowner maps.

Road-access Camping

CampsiteDescriptionMore Info
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park RockThis park offers a number of campgrounds with access to group sites, trails, cabins, boating, fishing, and swimming.http://www.cypresshills.com
403-893-3833
Del Bonita CampgroundCamping is by donation. There are camp shelters and outhouse facilities on site. This campground makes for a good stopping location for a North Fork canoe trip from a local crossing or the 501 bridge West of Del Bonita. Canoes are recommended to stop above the campground as hazards are located below the bridge deck.Del Bonita County Association, Phone: (403) 758-6211
Gold Springs ParkA private campground located 10km north of the US border.http://www.goldsprings.ca
403-647-2277
Eight Flags CampgroundLocated in the town of Milk Rivermilkriver.ca/visiting 
403-647-2998
or 403-647-3639

Hiking

Popular Hiking Trails

HikeDescriptionMore Info
Matapiiksi (Hoodoo) Interpretive TrailLocated in Writing on Stone Provincial Park, this trail weaves through hoodoos and takes you past pictographs dating from the early 1900s.albertaparks.ca
Writing on Stone Provincial Park
Random HikingPermission is required from the landowner or lease holder to hike on any undesignated trail within the watershed.
Public Lands
ihunter.com
Contact the county office for more landowner maps.