Interlakes Campground

This is a fairly large (~48 sites) campground laid out alongside the Lower Lake shoreline. It is one of two First Come, First Served campgrounds in the Peter Lougheed Provincial Park complex, the other being the Canyon Campground. This PLPP complex in turn is part of the somewhat newly designated Kananaskis Country recreational area. The entire K Country area mandates a a $15/day access fee per vehicle, so our actual total site fee sums up to $45 Canadian.

When entering PLPP from Hwy 40, first stop at the Discovery Center (RV + regular vehicle parking provided) to buy your pass and receive orientation info. (They do sell bear spray as well, which is somewhat difficult to come by in the towns). Of the four campgrounds we visited, we thought the two FCFS campgrounds (Interlakes and Canyon) were the nicest and in late August there were spaces available at both campgrounds daily. Interlakes is somewhat primitive camping in that there are vault toilets and bear-proof trash containers but no (working) water spigots. The individual gravel sites are generously sized, most are level, all are surround by heavy forest growth, and the campground host has abundant firewood supplies. At least one other campground offers power at the sites, but we saw no signs prohibiting generator use at Interlakes.

Interlakes is adjacent to the Upper Lake dam and its hydro power station, which feeds the park. Easy kayak, canoe launching can be done there or by following one of the short paths from the Interlakes campground sites to the Lower Lake edge. The whole Interlakes setting is surrounded by massive granite sentinels, hidden from view by the forest but on grand display from the lake side. There are a wide range of hiking and mountain biking trails throughout the PLPP.

The Bouton Creek Trading Post, located about halfway from the Discovery Center to the last campground (Interlakes), offers deli food and a small camp store. Just past the Trading Post access road is signage to indicate the adjacent dump along with potable water (both free), which is nicely done.

We used Verizon's Travel Plan for data and phone access while in Canada. Any/every device that is pinged by a cell tower incurs a $5/day charge so most folks leave all their phones and tablets on Airplane Mode unless one is needed. Wifi access - e.g. at any of the Tim Horton fast food locations - can therefore be used without a cell tower ping. We had no connectivity while at PLPP altho' the Discovery Center did have wifi access and a comfortable lounge (fantastic views!) where visitors can use it.