Barrier Lake Hiking Guide (via Prairie View Trail)
Barrier Lake is one of the most stunning lakes in Alberta. There are many trails surrounding Barrier Lake that will lead you to one of many beautiful viewpoints. I’ve had experience hiking the Prairie View Trail – also called the Prairie View Lookout, Barrier Fire Lookout trail and Yates Mountain.
I’ve hiked this trail twice in one summer, so it’s truly one of my favourite hikes in the Kananaskis area of Alberta. In this blog, I’m sharing where you can find the prettiest viewpoints depending on your time and how you want to spend your day.
Distance: 12 km round trip
Duration: 3-4 hours
Elevation: 509 metres
Difficulty: moderate
Barrier Lake Hiking Guide
- Getting to Barrier Lake
- How to get a pass to visit Kananaskis area
- Best time to hike Barrier Lake
- What to pack on your day hike
- How to hike the Prairie View Trail
- Must know before you go
Getting to Barrier Lake
The drive from Calgary to the Barrier Lake Parking Lot is about a 1 hour drive.
How to get a pass to visit Kananaskis area
Since Barrier Lake is in the Kananaskis region of Alberta, you will need the Kananaskis Conservation Pass to park in this area. The funds help support the Alberta Parks in the region to help maintain the area for future generations.
If you are planning just a day trip to Kananaskis, you can purchase the pass online for $15.75. If you plan on visiting Kananaskis Country & The Bow Valley Corridor more than once during your summer, consider getting the annual pass which is $94.50. There is also an option of purchasing a multi-day pass if you intend on staying overnight to do some camping.
I would suggest you purchasing your pass online when you have cell service, as the reception is limited once you are in the Kananaskis Day Parking Lot. If you did forget to purchase you pass, stop by the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre on your way in to get wifi there or purchase one at their reception desk.
Best time to hike Barrier Lake
This trail is only an hour from the city, so whether you choose to do it during the day or if you’re feeling adventurous, a sunset hike is so worth it during those long bright summer days of July and August.
The best times to visit this trail are between May to October. Hiking season generally starts in May, however, as the snow is just melting (there may still be snow up there in April and May), be prepared for wet and muddy conditions during this time. Bear activity is also more frequent during May, so be sure to be prepared and check the latest updates from Parks Alberta.
This is a trail that is open all year around, but If you plan on going on a winter hike, plan to bring micro-spikes, layers and poles. The mountains get snow earlier compared to the city, so be prepared for snow, ice and rapidly changing conditions in the winter months.
Other hikes to do in Kananaskis
What to pack on your day hike
- hiking shoes
- hiking backpack
- water, snacks and lunch
- sunscreen + mosquito repellant
- bear spray
- comfortable clothing/layers/rain jacket (weather may change quickly)
- head light (for sunrise or sunset hikes)
Love this post?
How to hike Prairie View Trail
Starting the hike
This hike starts at the Barrier Lake parking lot. You take the gravel road that hugs the Barrier dam towards the woods.
Once you enter the tree lines, you’ll be walking through several switchbacks with minimal views. It makes for a great shaded trail for those hot summer days.
False Lookout
And then suddenly, out of no where, as you continue through the forest, an opening up to a false lookout point emerges. During my sunset hike, I caught the last bit of daylight just in time to see the cotton candy skies painted against Barrier Lake and Mount Baldy.
I chose to stop here during my sunset hike, as we were chasing the sunlight and didn’t want to go further as it would be getting dark soon. It was a nice stop to take in the sunset and the cool summer evening.
Barrier Lake Lookout
On another bright day, I did make it all the way to the Barrier Lake lookout. There is a large rock edge where you can appreciate Barrier Lake and Mount Baldy from a higher elevation. You can choose to stop here or continue on to Yates Mountain.
Yates Mountain
From the Barrier View point, you can choose between 1) hiking further to the Yates Mountain summit 2) descend back to the parking lot via Jewell Pass 3) go back the same way you came via Prairie View Trail.
I have hiked option 1, which was reaching the Yates Mountain Summit. It’s only another 20 minutes and I would highly recommend this! Here is where you will also find the Fire Lookout, with a picnic table where you can stop for lunch. The trail here does get a lot steeper, but it is still fairly manageable for a beginner hiker like me!
optional trails
From the Fire Lookout, head back down to the Barrier Lake Lookout. Here is where you can choose to 2) descend via the Jewell Pass to get back to the parking lot or 3) just go back the way you came. I haven’t yet taken Jewel pass, but it’s on my list to do next time, as the views are said to be much better than Prairie View Trail. Jewell pass will add an extra 4 km to your hike (about another 1.5 hours).
