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!
Ebeling Beach, Aspen Beach Provincial Park
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.
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 a late supper at our campsite, we return to the beach to watch the sunset. A few paddlers dot the lake, and the setting is serene. The girls hit the adventure playground one more time and make friends with other campers.
Morning finds us packing up all too soon (we could only get 1 night at Brewers Campground), but we will be back to explore the trails and boardwalks, and enjoy more beach time!
Aspen Beach has two campgrounds: Brewers and Lakeside. Brewers has 300 unserviced, moderately private sites in aspen forest. Lakeside has 256 open, pull-through (unserviced/power/power & water) sites suitable to large RVs. It’s a short walk from Brewers to Lakeside.
Brewers Campground Amenities: Ebeling Beach Day Use (big beach), Boat Launch, Firepits, Firewood Sold, Fish Cleaning Stations, Flush Toilets, Lifejacket Loaner Station, Pay Phone, Pier, Playground, Sewage Disposal, Showers, Water – Tap
Lakeside 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
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: Gull Lake’s newest public beach (July 2017), 6.5 acres 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 didn’t do everything! Besides 40+ fun activities, they have the largest corn maze in the world. Read our trip report here.
Bowden Sun Maze: Check out Canada’s only sunflower maze with 100,000 sunflowers, then pick your own produce at the U-pick farm.
