Police Outpost Provincial Park is a great multi-day base for birders, anglers and paddlers exploring southwestern Alberta. The adjacent Outpost Wetland Natural Area is a haven for birds and other wetland creatures. The Nature Conservancy of Canada and the Government of Alberta cooperatively provided funding to purchase this special area. The people and the Government of Alberta gratefully acknowledge donations from Kettenbach Farms Ltd. and Arthur and Violet Scott who helped make protection of this Natural Area possible.

In the autumn, especially, with a stunning view of golden aspens in the foreground, this park provides an excellent vantage point to appreciate the many moods of Chief Mountain, just across the border in Montana.

The Outpost Wetland is characterized by a unique groundwater hydrology that fosters high biological diversity and provide year-round habitat for many species, especially birds. The wetland has developed along the banks of Boundary Creek, which flows through a wide glacial melt water channel with a high water table. As a result, this extensive wetland is now a diverse complex of willow thickets, sedge meadows and emergent vegetation that provides important habitat for many wildlife species and makes up one of the most productive bird habitats in this region. Species such as the black tern, sandhill crane, American bittern, common snipe and the marsh wren depend exclusively on habitat like the Outpost Wetlands for survival.

The park includes several trails, including a 7km self-guided interpretive trail that provides an excellent overview of the fescue grassland and aspen parkland habitat.

Anglers please note: Police Lake has a trout limit one over 50 cm Open April 1 – October 31 – Bait Ban Closed November 1 – March 31 Consult current Alberta Guide to Sport Fishing Regulations for other regulations that apply.

Archeologists have documents fairly extensive use of lake by First Nations people. As well, being close to the international border, this was a favored route for whiskey runners in the late 1800s. The Park is named for the outpost that was established by the Northwest Mounted Police in the late 1800’s to help bring law and order to the west.

From the campground, Range Road 270 north provides a direct connection to Alberta Highway 5 and Waterton Lakes National Park.

Police Lake is stocked with rainbow trout, for catching and cooking over the campfire. A boat launch is provided for paddle boats, float tubes, and low-power motor boats.

46

Semi-Developed

21.3 meters

Sanitation dump, pit toilets, fire pits, firewood sales

Group camping by reservation.

14 days

Just north of the border, west of Alberta Highway 2, at the site of an early Northwest Mounted Police post established to protect natives from exploitation by liquor traders.

From Montana, drive 16 km north on Alberta Highway 2 to junction with Outpost Lake Access Road. Continue on access road 23 km southwest to provincial park.

From Alberta, start 10 km south of Cardston on Alberta Highway 2 at junction with Outpost Lake Access Road. Continue on access road 23 km southwest to provincial park.