Little Beaver Lake

Paddling and the shoreline

Paddling is the signature activity, and the lake suits it well because everything you need is on the water. The Ferintosh Campground on the east shore has a central boat launch for canoes and larger boats, and there is a second public access—a day-use area with a dock—near the village pump house on the same side. Because the put-in and take-out are so close together, you can paddle without the shuttle-and-drive complications that make longer river trips tricky, which is why local guides single out Little Beaver Lake for paddlers who do not want to travel far.↗↗↗

A paddle right around the lake is only about 9 km and takes roughly two and a half hours, skirting bands of bullrushes and exposed bank that give way to willow, dogwood, wild rose and a deciduous fringe. The south end is the more open stretch, while the north end turns swampy and shallow—so keep a motorized vessel toward the deeper water near the treatment plant on the south side. Anglers mostly come for northern pike, and a variety of smaller fish and minnows live in the shallows.↗↗

On foot, an informal, generally ungroomed hiking trail lines the lake and offers close looks at the shoreline creatures—beaver and muskrat among them. In spring the banks light up with wild roses in bloom, and in summer the wooded edges become a find for anyone who enjoys spotting mushrooms. Expect uneven ground and overgrown vegetation at peak summer, fitting for a lake where nature, not manicure, sets the scene.↗

Ferintosh Campground and visiting

The most convenient base is the Ferintosh Campground on the east shore, run by Camrose County. It offers 18 sites with power and water hookups, plus a camp kitchen, washrooms, a playground and trails that loop around the lake. The campground sits within a short walk of the hamlet's amenities, including the rustic Ferintosh Hotel and its pub patio. Sites are first-come, first-served with no reservations, the season generally runs from May through September, and a serviced site is around $35 a night; the picnic shelter can be booked for the day for a small fee.↗↗

A day visitor can simply drive down to the launch, drop in and park near the main picnic area. The concrete ramp gets you on the water quickly, and washrooms, picnic tables and the playground make it an easy family outing—though both the county's own guidance and paddlers describe the lake as great for paddling rather than for swimming.↗↗

Good to know before you go

This is a productive, shallow prairie lake, and that shapes what to expect on a summer visit. Its warm, nutrient-rich water is prone to cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms in mid-to-late summer, which can turn the water a murky green and occasionally raise toxin levels above Alberta's recreational guidelines. Paddling over the surface is fine, but avoid swimming or wading when a bloom is visible, keep dogs out of the water, rinse off if you do get soaked, and check Alberta Health Services advisories before you plan on any direct contact with the water.↗↗↗

Plan around the season and the simple on-site arrangements: the campground is open roughly May to September and sites cannot be reserved, so arriving early in the day is wise in peak summer. The lake is private-property bordered in places, so stick to public access and the established launch and day-use points, and be aware that motorboaters should watch the shallow, swampy north end. Camrose County tourism can confirm current facilities and conditions ahead of your trip.↗↗↗