Aspen Beach Provincial Park is located 2 hours north of Calgary on the shores of beautiful Gull Lake. Enjoy sandy beaches, warm water, and boating!
Our Experience
The sun is blazing, but we’re chilling at beautiful Ebeling Beach. After wading out to the buoys, where the water is knee-high, we lie back on our floaties and relax… until the next water fight breaks out! We stay in the lake for a good hour before retreating to the warm sand. And so our afternoon goes: wade, sunbathe, splash around, warm up again.
Although it’s a busy weekend, the beach doesn’t feel crowded. Friends and families are spread out across the long beach. Children’s laughter carries from the adventure playground, while boats ply the waters of Gull Lake. The swimming area’s waters are calm despite the boat traffic because the boats are far from shore.
After ice cream and a late supper, we return to the beach to watch the sunset. A few paddlers dot the lake, and the setting is serene. Early morning and evening are the best times of day to paddle when it isn’t windy. The girls hit the adventure playground one more time while we wade in the shallows.
Morning finds us packing up too soon (we could only get one night at short notice at this popular campground), but we will be back to explore the trails and boardwalks, and enjoy more beach time!
Partnership Disclosure: As an Alberta Parks Ambassador, I received free camping, but all words and opinions are my own.
Aspen Beach Provincial Park Campgrounds
Aspen Beach has two campgrounds within walking distance of each other:
- Brewers Campground has 118 unserviced sites and 183 power sites. Moderately private sites in aspen forest are best suited for tents, camper vans, and small trailers.
- Brewers Campground Amenities: Ebeling Beach Day Use (big beach), Boat Launch, Concession, Firepits, Firewood Sold, Fish Cleaning Stations, Flush Toilets, Grocery Store, Lifejacket Loaner Station, Pay Phone, Pier, Playground, Sewage Disposal, Showers, Water – Tap
- Lakeview Campground has 151 power sites, 77 power/water/sewer sites, and 27 unserviced sites suitable to large RVs (most sites are in the open with minimal shade).
- Lakeview Campground Amenities: Small beach and picnic area, Boat Launch, Firepits, Firewood Sold, Fish Cleaning Stations, Flush Toilets, Pay Phone, Pier, Playground, Power, Sewage Disposal, Showers, Water – Hookup, Water – Tap
Reserve your site on Alberta Parks.
You can rent kayaks at stand-up paddleboards from Aspen Beach Provincial Park’s Kayakomat self-serve station. For more information, read our story Unlocking Adventure with Kayakomat.
Know Before You Go
- There is no lifeguard on duty. Keep children within arm’s reach!
- Morning and evening are the best times to paddle (when there isn’t as much boat traffic).
- Only one camping accommodation unit (tent, tent trailer, trailer, 5th wheel, motor home) is permitted on a campsite.
Getting There
Aspen Beach Provincial Park is located two hours north of Calgary, near Lacombe. Take Highway 2 north; go west on Highway 12; and follow the signs to Aspen Beach Provincial Park.
Fun Fact
Did you know Aspen Beach is Alberta’s first provincial park?
Fun Things to Do in the Area
Sandy Point, a 6.5 acre beach on the west side of Gull Lake, has change rooms, picnic tables, and a play area.
Kraay Family Farm & Lacombe Corn Maze: We spent an entire day here and had so much fun! Besides 40+ awesome activities, they have one of the largest corn mazes in Canada. Read our trip report here.
Shop and dine in Bentley! The Drop has great coffee; Merry’s Mercantile has beautiful décor, clothing, and gifts; and The Kite Guys is Canada’s largest kite store.
On the way back to Calgary… Check out Bowden Sun Maze, Canada’s only sunflower maze, with 100,000 sunflowers, then pick your own produce at the U-pick farm.
For more ideas, see our story Summer Fun at Gull Lake, or visit Lacombe Regional Tourism.
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