Wow! Five Stars on this destination! Medicine Lake has become one of our favorite destinations close to Calgary. Only 2.5hrs from Calgary on Hwy 22 which is nicknamed the Cowboy trail. this road traveles from far north in Alberta to the south Eastern tip of the province. bordering with British Columbia.
There are other ways to go like Hwy 2 to the Sylvan lake turn off and then head west to Rocky Mt. House, but the Cowboy trail offers a laid back scenic route in which to travel to your major way-point Rocky Mt House.
Rocky Mt. House is a very nice and historic town nestled in the foot hills of the Rocky Mountains. The town has many amenities including a Canadian Tire store and a big rig friendly municipal dumping station. Free fresh potable water is available at the dumping station, but there is an $8.00 charge if you need to dump. Rocky Mt. House is a jump off point for camping in the David Thompson region, and areas to the north further up the cowboy trail.
From Rocky Mt house. Medicine lake is a further 50km up Hwy 22 North, with a sign on the left turning you onto a 13km gravel service road. The gravel is not too bad, and appears to be serviced routinely. Gravel can be brutal to drive on but if you go the distance you wont be disappointed.
Medicine Lake only accepts reservations, though they will not turn away first comers, but you may not get a lake front site. Reservations can be made on the Reserve Alberta parks site. https://reserve.albertaparks.ca Medicine lake has three loops with lake front sites in all loops. If you are lucky the lake fronts are by far an exceptional experience and are often graced with spectacular prairie sunsets. The camp sites are generous with good cover for great privacy. Amenities are rustic, and there is no water or dump stations to be had. there is a boat launch and beach and outdoor cook house. Fish Cleaning stations dot the campground as fishing is abundant with Trout, though you will need a provincial fishing license to try your luck.
This particular site in B loop is our favorite and provides exceptional lakefront views, a private beach, and more than enough room to park the RV, dolly and toad. B16 is the lucky number.
Views from the lake front campsites are enough to quell your soul and allow for a hazy lazy day in a lounger watching Nature TV. the area is graced with Eagles and loons, and of course ducks. At night the loons serenade the lake with their eerie trance like melodies.
Incredible prairie sunsets over the lake are yours to enjoy here, and they certainly will mesmerize and make your heart swell with wonderment.
The afterglow of the sunset lasts for at least an hour before it gets totally dark
Finally the Moon appears over our campsite and offers a perfect night light in which to enjoy the serenity of the lake.
Listen to the loons of Medicine Lake
Over all a trip to Medicine lake is like life on a beach! Certainly if you get the right site you can have your own beach, and you too can have your own Medicine Lake glamping experience.
Annie, our miniature American Eskimo wanted to say that he dog approves medicine lake.
Happy Trails
The Glampurs
Nuts & Bolts:
Medicine lake is a beautiful campground with a total of 45 sites. The campground is big rig friendly on some sites but I would say that rigs should stay around the 38'ft mark, maybe 40'ft. Bus style RV's appeared to stay in an overflow area at the front of the campground. Most of the sites are levelish except for the sites around the lake, they can tend to be uneven. There are 12 sites located on the lake. There are no hookups but generators are allowed. Hours of operation are 7am to 10pm. The Campground roads are fairly good with not bad turn radius. The worst is on the B loop near the lake, it is tight for rigs over 38ft. Cell service is not good, 1 bar at best, though a cell booster will bring in three bars. There is no Water or dump services anywhere at the campsite or in the area. the closest water and dump is in Rocky Mt. House 50km away. site fees will cost your $32.00/night and firewood can be purchased for a fee. Reservations can be made here at Alberta Parks.
