Exploring Emerson Lakes and the Hoodoos of the North in undance Provincial Park Alberta Canada

Camping at Emerson Lakes in Sundance Provincial Park Alberta was a perfect spot to take our dogs camping for the first time. The small campground is off the beaten the path. It is about 70km northwest of the Town of Edson. We spent the weekend...
Camping at Emerson Lakes in Sundance Provincial Park Alberta was a perfect spot to take our dogs camping for the first time. The small campground is off the beaten the path. It is about 70km northwest of the Town of Edson. We spent the weekend exploring this lesser-known Alberta Provincial Park hiking and searching for the 'Hoodoos of the North'

Having lived in Alberta all my life, I had never heard of 'The Hoodoos of the North'. For the most part when people think about Hoodoos in Alberta, they think Drumheller the Badlands. When I first heard about the hoodoos and Sundance Provincial Park near Edson, I knew that it was something that I needed to see for myself.
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16 September 2023 at   Sundance Provincial Park, Yellowhead County, AB T0E, Canada
Emerson Lakes has a nice, yet basic front country campground and day use area. There are picnic tables, vault toilets and free firewood. Bringing your own water is reccomended. Emerson Lake has a dock and a small boat launch. It is a popular area...
Emerson Lakes has a nice, yet basic front country campground and day use area. There are picnic tables, vault toilets and free firewood. Bringing your own water is reccomended. Emerson Lake has a dock and a small boat launch. It is a popular area for fishing, paddling and standup paddle boarding. Small electric boats are permitted.
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16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lake Campground, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
Emerson Lakes is a chain of five beautiful little lakes that are connected by a 7km trail network. We hiked a little under 4km of the trail system. This photo looks back across the first lake towards the campground and day use area. We headed out...
Emerson Lakes is a chain of five beautiful little lakes that are connected by a 7km trail network. We hiked a little under 4km of the trail system. This photo looks back across the first lake towards the campground and day use area. We headed out counterclockwise around the lake. It was about 800m to reach the far side of the lake.
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16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lakes, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
The second Emerson Lake that we encountered was so serene. The hiking trail around the lakes isn't well used or maintained. It was quite overgrown with some deadfalll and disrepair making it difficult to find the trail this late in the season. As...
The second Emerson Lake that we encountered was so serene. The hiking trail around the lakes isn't well used or maintained. It was quite overgrown with some deadfalll and disrepair making it difficult to find the trail this late in the season. As we were focusing on the trail for the most part the views of the lakes would surprise us along the way. Just as this beautiful lake did.
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16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lakes, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
Emerson Lakes were formed when giant blocks of ice broke off the glaciers as they receded. As these chunks melted, they deposited sediment around the ice raising ground level around them forming what are known as eskers. Some of the eskers, like...
Emerson Lakes were formed when giant blocks of ice broke off the glaciers as they receded. As these chunks melted, they deposited sediment around the ice raising ground level around them forming what are known as eskers. Some of the eskers, like this one are quite high and can be fairly steep giving this trail a moderate difficulty rating.
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16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lakes, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
Here is another glimpse of one of the smaller Emerson Lakes that we saw during our Emerson Lakes Hike in Sundance Provincial Park. This little peak at the lake was the best view of it that we encountered.
16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lakes, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
Adventure puppy wants to remind us of all that this adventure is actually all about him. Naturally, he needed his own selfie. Afterall, it is hi longest car ride and his first-time camping in a tent. He loves hiking and going on adventures with...
Adventure puppy wants to remind us of all that this adventure is actually all about him. Naturally, he needed his own selfie. Afterall, it is hi longest car ride and his first-time camping in a tent. He loves hiking and going on adventures with his family. And feels, that adventure seekers should always bring their dogs with them.
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16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lake Campground, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
The dogs and I enjoyed a little post-hike relaxation at our campsite. The pups believe in the play hard, rest hard philosophy to adventure seeking. We got them nice long leads so that they could wander around the campsite, instead they chose to...
The dogs and I enjoyed a little post-hike relaxation at our campsite. The pups believe in the play hard, rest hard philosophy to adventure seeking. We got them nice long leads so that they could wander around the campsite, instead they chose to rest in or near the tent.
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16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lake Campground, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
This adventure pup really likes the tent. Although we brought dog sleeping pads and blankets, he preferred using the human side of the tent. Fortunately for my he makes a great pillow.
16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lake Campground, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
With the hazy day, glass-like waters and reflection twilight at Emerson Lakes Campground and Day Use Area in Sundance Provincial Park, Alberta has a mystical feel to it.
16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lake Campground, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
It was so peaceful watching the mist on Emerson Lake in the morning. The world was still pretty quiet, and all was calm. Perfect for enjoying a cup of coffee by the water's edge.
16 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Emerson Lake Campground, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
At first, we thought this bridge was a day use area in Sundance Provincial Park. It turns out that it was the next bridge a little bit further down the road. The hazy morning created interesting lighting causing the sun to shimmer on the waters....
At first, we thought this bridge was a day use area in Sundance Provincial Park. It turns out that it was the next bridge a little bit further down the road. The hazy morning created interesting lighting causing the sun to shimmer on the waters. Taking a moment to sit by the rive and enjoy the view was irresistible.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Sundance Provincial Park, Yellowhead County, AB T0E, Canada
This is the actual bridge day use area in Sundance Provincial Park. The road is rough getting into it so we were thankful to have been driving a 4x4. Despite the rough road, the day use area is quite pretty. Situated next to the Athabasca River,...
This is the actual bridge day use area in Sundance Provincial Park. The road is rough getting into it so we were thankful to have been driving a 4x4. Despite the rough road, the day use area is quite pretty. Situated next to the Athabasca River, there is only a picnic table and a boat launch but that's all that is needed. It's a nice spot to walk along the river, throw some rocks and to fish. If you look carefully at the picture, you will see the star of this trip photo bombing the tranquil scene. After all, these are the amazing stories of adventure pup, right?
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Sundance Provincial Park, Yellowhead County, AB T0E, Canada
We ran into a couple of people that we met at the Emerson Lakes Campground yesterday. They were on a fishing trip and had come up empty the day before. Here they were getting ready to try their hand at Fly Fishing on the Athabasca River in...
We ran into a couple of people that we met at the Emerson Lakes Campground yesterday. They were on a fishing trip and had come up empty the day before. Here they were getting ready to try their hand at Fly Fishing on the Athabasca River in Sundance Provincial Park Alberta Canada.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Sundance Provincial Park, Yellowhead County, AB T0E, Canada
Somebody likes being the hero of the Amazing Stories of Adventure Pup! Although, he actually is. This was his personal best, long distance drive. Part of the reason we chose Sundance Provincial Park is because this furry adventure lover doesn't...
Somebody likes being the hero of the Amazing Stories of Adventure Pup! Although, he actually is. This was his personal best, long distance drive. Part of the reason we chose Sundance Provincial Park is because this furry adventure lover doesn't do so well in cars. Since he made it, he would like to let everyone know that Sundance Provincial Park near Edson Alberta Canada is THE place to take your adventure seeking canine family members on a camping and dog walking/hiking trip.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Sundance Provincial Park, Yellowhead County, AB T0E, Canada
Our friend that we made at Emerson Lakes Campground offered to take a picture for us to commemorate our first camping trip with the dogs. Also, the white adventure pup was really brave today. He really, really hates water. Today he got his toes...
Our friend that we made at Emerson Lakes Campground offered to take a picture for us to commemorate our first camping trip with the dogs. Also, the white adventure pup was really brave today. He really, really hates water. Today he got his toes wet wandering alongside the river and even drank from the wild waters! So brave.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Sundance Provincial Park, Yellowhead County, AB T0E, Canada
Our next adventure was to seek the our the 'Hoodoos of the North'. Sundance Provincial Park is in two pieces. One section of the park is the Emerson Lakes Area. The second and unconnected part is the Sundance Creek Valley. This is where the...
Our next adventure was to seek the our the 'Hoodoos of the North'. Sundance Provincial Park is in two pieces. One section of the park is the Emerson Lakes Area. The second and unconnected part is the Sundance Creek Valley. This is where the moderately challenging Lake and Hoodoo Trails are.
We started out on the Lake Trail which leads to Sundance Lake and planned to return on the Hoodoo Trail making a nice loop. Like Emerson Lakes, the trails in this part of the park were overgrown and had some deadfall. At one point along the Lake Trail, the pathway had slumped. As a result, we needed to find an alternate route around this part of the trail.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Wild Sculpture Trail, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
Sundance Provincial Park was established in 1999. Altogether it is 3,712 hectares (9,172 acres) which include the Sundance Creek Valley and Emerson Lakes area. From the Wild Sculpture Trail System there are sweeping views of the valley and its...
Sundance Provincial Park was established in 1999. Altogether it is 3,712 hectares (9,172 acres) which include the Sundance Creek Valley and Emerson Lakes area. From the Wild Sculpture Trail System there are sweeping views of the valley and its old growth spruce and fir forests.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Wild Sculpture Trail, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
The Sundance hoodoos near Edson Alberta are striking sandstone formations formed by erosion from wind, rain and frost. Hiking through the forested Lake Trail, the hoodoos seem to suddenly appear from nowhere. The erosion makes from some very...
The Sundance hoodoos near Edson Alberta are striking sandstone formations formed by erosion from wind, rain and frost. Hiking through the forested Lake Trail, the hoodoos seem to suddenly appear from nowhere. The erosion makes from some very interesting shapes, hence the name, Wild Sculpture Trail.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Wild Sculpture Trail, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
The Sundance hoodoos are reached within 1km from the day use parking area if you take the Hoodoo Trail instead of the Lake Trail. Combine the two trails like we did create a 2.9km loop. Another option is to add on the Skyline Trail which has nice...
The Sundance hoodoos are reached within 1km from the day use parking area if you take the Hoodoo Trail instead of the Lake Trail. Combine the two trails like we did create a 2.9km loop. Another option is to add on the Skyline Trail which has nice views of the hoodoos and Sundance Valley below. This will bring the hike up towards 8km.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Wild Sculpture Trail, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
The funny thing is our other adventure pup was trying to get in on the selfie action too, but he wouldn't sit sill long enough to get one that worked. However, we did manage to pull off getting a non-photo bombed shot of ourselves enjoying the...
The funny thing is our other adventure pup was trying to get in on the selfie action too, but he wouldn't sit sill long enough to get one that worked. However, we did manage to pull off getting a non-photo bombed shot of ourselves enjoying the Sundance Hoodoos near Edson Alberta Canada.
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17 September 2023 ·   7 months ago taken in   Wild Sculpture Trail, Yellowhead County, AB T0E 1X0, Canada
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