Alberta Parks · Alberta
Payne Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Alberta Parks · Alberta, Canada
- Sites
- 62
- Hookups
- 62 no hookups
- Season
- Year-round
- Cost
- Unserviced $25 CAD per night
- Drinking water
- Yes
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Elevation
- 4,419 ft
- Dark sky
- Bortle class 1
- Phone
- 403-394-0150
About
Choose between mixed forest sites or scenic lake views looking towards the mountain range behind. These unserviced sites sit right on the water or just a short stroll from the lakeshore. During the fall and winter months, a section of the campground remains open offering first-come, first-served camping.
Nearby trails of varying difficulty offer great options for both hikers and mountain bikers. As you explore, keep an eye out for the woodland birds and small forest creatures that call this area home.
Reservations can be made 90 days in advance of arrival date.
Services are not available during the winter season.
Campground is not plowed in the winter and access is dependent on weather conditions
Reservations: This campground offers a mix of first-come, first-served and reservable campsites.
Firewood: Firewood is available for purchase from Alberta Parks staff during the summer. During winter months, plan to bring or buy firewood locally to burn on site.
Water: Please bring your own water. Water from the hand pump is not safe for consumption or use and should only be used to put out fires.
Weather, month by month
| Month | Typical high | Typical low | Coldest night | Hottest day | Years with a night below 32°F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31° | 21° | -30° | 40° | 11 of 11 |
| February | 27° | 13° | -24° | 44° | 11 of 11 |
| March | 40° | 24° | -13° | 54° | 11 of 11 |
| April | 44° | 28° | 0° | 65° | 11 of 11 |
| May | 54° | 37° | 21° | 77° | 7 of 11 |
| June | 64° | 44° | 36° | 85° | 0 of 11 |
| July | 76° | 53° | 43° | 88° | 0 of 11 |
| August | 76° | 53° | 42° | 92° | 0 of 11 |
| September | 65° | 47° | 31° | 79° | 1 of 11 |
| October | 48° | 36° | 16° | 69° | 6 of 10 |
| November | 38° | 28° | 2° | 58° | 10 of 10 |
| December | 31° | 19° | -13° | 46° | 10 of 10 |
Mid-month figures from 2016–2026 of daily weather at this spot (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), in °F. Typical is the median; coldest and hottest are the extremes seen.
Nearby campgrounds
- Police Outpost Provincial Park · Alberta Parks · 11 mi · 45 sites
- Townsite Campground · Parks Canada · 13 mi · 248 sites
- Waterton Reservoir Provincial Recreation Area · Alberta Parks · 16 mi · 16 sites
- Cardston Lee Creek Campground · City & Municipal Parks · 17 mi
- Woolford Provincial Park · Alberta Parks · 21 mi · 17 sites
All public campgrounds in Alberta · Every state and province · Facts read from the operator 2026-09-10. Confirm fees, rules and current status with the operator before you go.