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

Recreation in the Milk River Watershed
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!
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
- paddlealberta.org
- outandacross.com/milk-river-canoe-trip-alberta/
- albertaparks.ca/writing-on-stone
- hikebiketravel.com
River Conditions Update
Diversion Start Date
Releases from Lake Sherburne and diversions to the St. Mary Canal are expected to start for the year on March 25, 2024. As in the past, St. Mary Canal diversions will start near 100 cfs and ramp up as ice is cleared from infrastructure. It was noted at the February 15th International Joint Commission –…

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 …
River-access Camping
Campsite | Description | More Info |
Poverty Rock | Random 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 Camping | Permission 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
Campsite | Description | More Info |
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park Rock | This 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 Campground | Camping 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 Park | A private campground located 10km north of the US border. | http://www.goldsprings.ca 403-647-2277 |
Eight Flags Campground | Located in the town of Milk River | milkriver.ca/visiting 403-647-2998 or 403-647-3639 |
Popular Hiking Trails
Hike | Description | More Info |
Matapiiksi (Hoodoo) Interpretive Trail | Located 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 Hiking | Permission 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. |