Leader staff

Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park has “potential for immediate expansion” of campgrounds, says a March 30, 2023 Alberta government news release.

Currently, it has Marten River Campground and some RV spots at Devonshire Beach parking lot.

However, the news release does not include funding announcements toward this expansion or any timeline on what this could look like.

It does however include funds toward improvements elsewhere in the M.D. of Lesser Slave River.

Cross Lake Provincial Park east of Flatbush will receive some ‘sanitary station and wastewater system’ upgrades this year, says the news release.

Presumably this means upgrades to the flush toilets, showers, and possibly water pump.

This is part of $6.2 million divided by campgrounds in seven provincial parks.

Cross Lake Campground is open from May 18 to September 5.

Alberta Parks’ website says, “Cross Lake Campground is located in Cross Lake Provincial Park, 16 km south of Athabasca on Hwy. 2, 34 km west on Hwy. 663, and six km north on access road. With plenty of forest trails for hiking and mountain biking, families enjoy their time exploring the boreal forest around Cross Lake.”

The announcement was part of a commitment of $211.3 million toward provincial park and Crown land trails and campground improvements by the government of Alberta.

The news release says, “Millions of people visit Alberta every year to explore our provincial parks, catch a glimpse of our wildlife, take in the views and engage in countless recreation opportunities. In 2022 alone, more than 10 million people visited Alberta’s provincial parks.”

It adds, “All development in provincial parks and on Crown land is subject to strict environmental and cultural reviews. This environmentally responsible framework resets a vision for Alberta Parks – keeping parks for people, sustaining the environment and supporting tourism and recreation outcomes.”