Emerson Lakes Trail
General Information
Amenities
- 2 km of maintained hiking trails
- Parking at Emerson Lakes Campground
- Information kiosk at trailhead
- Picnic tables at the day-use area near the trailhead
Information
This trail system starts at the first kiosk in the Emerson Lakes Campground, which itself is inside the Sundance Provincial Park. Because it is within Sundance Provincial Park, the GoA is the owner of the trail system. However, West Fraser operates the campground under a Facility Operating Agreement and are responsible to some degree regarding the maintenance of the trail system around the main lake.
There are numerous hiking trails that are accessed from the Emerson Lakes Campground; however, the only trail that has been lightly maintained over the years is the two-kilometer trails that goes around the shoreline of the main Emerson Lake (where the campground is situated).
Currently, this trail is in poor condition, with some portions of the boardwalk being underwater in places. This trail is a hiking trail for people with moderate hiking ability. There is fishing for rainbow trout and brown trout in the lake.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION!
Currently (2026), much of the boardwalk around the main lake is in poor condition and/or under water. Plans are underway to replace this boardwalk, but this work is not likely to be completed until 2027 at the earliest. Please use this trail in its current condition at your own risk.
Trail maps
The Emerson Lakes Trail is not on the popular “Trailforks” app.
There is other information on the internet regarding this trail system including on the AllTrails website Emerson Lakes Double Loop
See West Fraser’s “Emerson Lakes Trail” map. Please note only the trail around the main lake has been lightly maintained.
Safety
This is a wilderness trail. Please be prepared and use the trail at your own risk. Remember- YOU are responsible for your own safety. As in all wilderness settings, bears and cougars may be encountered at any time. To reduce the chance of an animal encounter, make plenty of noise to alert animals to your presence and carry bear spray. NEVER feed or approach a bear.
How to Get Here
To get to the Emerson Lakes Campground and associated trail system, from Highway 16, turn north (right if travelling from Edmonton) onto Switzer Drive (this is the first exit into Hinton when travelling from Edmonton or the eastern most exit when travelling from Jasper). Continue down Switzer Drive until reaching a T-intersection (approximately 1.5 kilometre). Turn right. Follow this road for approximately 500 metres and take the first left (onto a large well-maintained gravel road). This road travels down and crosses the Athabasca River. Just before crossing the Athabasca River Bridge, you will be on an active logging/hauling road. After crossing the Athabasca River Bridge, you will be on the Willow Road (also called the "W" road). Follow the "W" road for approximately four kilometres (kilometre signs are posted on the side of the road), until an intersection on the right side of the road is reached at the "W9" km sign. This is the Emerson Creek Road (also known as the "A" road). Turn right here and travel for approximately 44 kilometres (to the "A" 52 km road sign) and then look for signs indicating the turnoff to Emerson Lake campground on the right. The trail starts at a trailhead kiosk in the campground.
Contact
For Information please e-mail: sharon@fcda.ca