Alberta boating, marine
Canada travel, tourism guide

Boating in Alberta, Canada

Alberta, Canada water sports includes activities like power boating, water skiing, jet boating, tubing and wakeboarding. There are many natural lakes, man made reservoirs and primary rivers in Alberta popular for such boating activities.

Alberta boating, sailing, Canada Lakes and rivers vary in services and in ease of access. Some lakes and rivers may include amenities like a marina, docks, swimming beach, power, gas, moorage, restaurants, washrooms, showers, boat houses, rentals and paved boat launches.

The more remote lakes and rivers, the ones located at the end of a gravel road deep in the backcountry, may include only a roof top boat launch, a picnic table and some pit toilets.

The system of lakes and rivers in Alberta are separated into various river basin waterways. The major waterways are the Milk River, Hay, Beaver, Peace River/Slave Lake, Athabasca and the North and South Saskatchewan river basins.

All in all, there are about 600 or so lakes in Alberta, Canada. Each lake has restrictions to the type of water craft usage permitted on the lake. There are lakes which permit all types of boats and then there are lakes which permit only electric motor boats and row boats.

All water sport activity requires the operator and passengers on a boat to be wearing PFDs (Personal Floatation Devices). In Alberta it is against boating regulations to drink and drive while on the water.

Boating is popular where ever there is a lake or man made reservoir in Alberta. In the north of Alberta the Lesser Slave Lake and the Lac La Biche regions are boating destinations in the summer months.

There are popular boating destinations throughout Central Alberta too. Boating enthusiasts may want to make plans to visit Pigeon Lake Provincial Park near Edmonton; Gleniffer Lake near Innisfail; William A. Switzer Park near Hinton; Sylvan Lake Provincial Park near Red Deer or the Crimson Lake Provincial Park near Rocky Mountain House.