Lois Hole Provincial Park – East Corner

Back to North West Quadrant – YEG-Ville.

Lois Hole Provincial Park is a bit of a Frankenstein Monster. Looking at the following graphic, there are five distinct parts to it. Hopefully, these isolated blocks will be filled eventually through additional land purchases and amalgamation.

On the right-hand side of the following map, the sections adjacent to St. Albert I am calling the East Corner. It is off of Ray Gibbons Drive and across from the Enjoy Center. There are two non-contiguous bits in this area. The piece in between is owned by the City of St. Albert and is effectively part of the part of the two sections of the park.

The Fast Facts

  • EASY-PEASY
  • Worth visiting particularly for beginners or those who want to practice in trails.
  • Washroom.
  • Board walk and the Enjoy Center make this kid friendly.
  • Low Beginner.
Overview of Lois Hole Provincial Park.
Lois Hole Overview. Adapted from the Government of Alberta (thanks to Mapbox and OpenstreetMap)

Area Details

The East Corner section of the park abuts St. Albert. This section contains a parking lot off Ray Gibbons drive (across from the Enjoy Center).

  • Name/Owner:: Lois Hole Provincial Park / Provincial Park
  • Map Reference, Location and Wayne Gretzky Units:
    • Central Alberta Backroads Map Book, p. Edmonton (45), Cell D4.
    • 53′ 37″ -113′ 39″. Take the Ray Gibbons Exit from the Anthony Henday ring road.
    • Wayne Gretzky Driving Time & Distance: 23 Min(s) & 15 Kilometres
  • Rating and Description: Difficulty Level & Safety: Low Beginner, an urban park with lots of people around. No safety considerations if you stay off Big Lake.
  • The East corner of Big Lake is an excellent place to take beginners or to test equipment. Looking at the lake from the parking lot, you are facing North.
  • If you go right (East) you can follow the trails to the soccer fields in St. Albert or walk along the boardwalk over the John E. Poole Wetlands.
  • Going left (West) will take you towards the communities of Starling. There are numerous well trodden trails. There are trails both on the fields and through the forested areas. Watch out for bikes and the occasional stream. Use your micro-spikes if the snow is no longer fresh.
  • Links:
  • The Other Shoe: Excellent Fat biking in the winter. Avoid the area in the spring or after rain fall as the ground can become saturated and damaged easily. You can ride along St. Albert’s trail system and enter from the trails. Unmaintained trails will take you into the Starling community in which a loop is possible back to the St. Albert trails.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes: Done too many times to count.

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