Lakeland Canoe Circuit Guide

The Lakeland Canoe Circuit is a collection of interconnected lakes near Lac la Biche, Alberta. There are plenty of options for how to tackle this circuit. They’re all awesome adventures whether you’re doing it by solo SUP like I did, or some other human-powered watercraft (like a canoe!). This guide is my experience with the Lakeland Canoe Circuit.

Ever since Covid, there has been a huge increase in local usage of our provincial parks in Alberta.

Although I have been a frequent recreator of the Lakeland Canoe Circuit over the past five years, I had yet to see all of it. 2021 was the year I finally traversed the whole circuit!

I needed to get in one more training session before The River Of Hope and with the weather looking favourable I headed out on the paddle circuit solo with my SUP.

This will be a detailed account of where I went, distances, times and relevant data you will want if you plan to experience this circuit.

To check out this trip on Paddling maps, go to [Lakeland Canoe Circuit on Paddling Maps]

For all the paddling gear you'll ever never for a trip like this, or any other you can dream up, then be sure to check out the selection at AQ Outdoors. And if you have any questions, their employees are paddlers too, so always feel free to reach out.

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Driving to the Lakeland Canoe Circuit

This circuit is at my backdoor, or as close as it gets. Leaving home and driving to the parking lot is just under 2 hours from Athabasca. I leave in the morning and I’m usually on the water by noon, after walking my gear to the put-in.

First Portage to the Lakeland Canoe Circuit

Distance 3KM

Walking Time 43:48 minutes

Lakeland Canoe Circuit Portage Tips

• Find a cart with good tires, pack a bike pump to blow them up
• A rounded handle, not square tubing 
• Are there attachment points on it 
• Cart storage is down the trail. If there’s no carts in the parking lot, check there
• Wear Crocs/Sandals with socks if you don’t plan to take shoes; I wore my Astral Shoes the whole time and they functioned well for both paddling and hiking
• Pack less than you need. it is a long, slow hill into the lake that wears you out
• Bring a bug net/bug spray in wet years, this first portage can be bad for mosquitoes
• Typically the 3 km walk in takes me about 43-50 minutes, depending on trail conditions
• When you get to the boardwalk out to the lake, BE VERY CAREFUL ON THE WET SECTIONS. I’ve had a couple close calls of nearly breaking legs or gouging my leg open on these docks.

Direction Of Travel On The Lakeland Canoe Circuit

As shown in this photo, I went counterclockwise through the Lakeland Canoe Circuit. From my research, this is not as common.

Everyone must paddle down the arm into the main lake, unless you wish to portage another 4 km (7 km total) to the Jackson Lake East campsite. I'd recommend against it as it’s swampy and not maintained. Unless you pack a chainsaw you won’t make it through without a lot of work.

I let the weather decide which direction I’d go. When I hit Jackson Lake there was minimal wind so I went directly across it to the West.

If you reverse this and do it clockwise instead, the advantage is that the wind typically blows in from the West, Northwest on Jackson Lake. Your paddle out would be more enjoyable without a head wind.

Jackson Lake To McGuffin Lake Portage

Distance 7.58 KM

Paddling Time 1 Hour 57 Minutes

Paddling this section quickly, I made my way into the three small swamps that connect to the portage into McGuffin. I see the trail along these lakes is named Mosquito Lake Trail and rightfully so since these are stagnant ponds with a plethora of weeds and deep mud. The perfect breeding grounds for bugs.

It was not an enticing thought to have to get off my board if I ran aground, as I wasn’t sure if I’d sink to my knees or waist in the bottom.

It was a very dry year when I went on the circuit. The water was low but this also made for drier portaging.

I had to constantly check that I was in the right place on Google Maps, as it felt like I was where I didn’t belong.

There's signage at the docks where you portage. However, be diligent again when on the dock. The duck poop and slime from the water washing up on it caused me to wipe out and fall hard. 

McGuffin Lake Portage

Distance 0.4 KM

Walking Time 13:26 Minutes

This short portage has no carts at it. I used my own cart that I pack on my SUP. It took longer to set up than to walk the portage. Still easier than offloading and retying down all my gear.

A large group ahead of me with three canoes, plenty of people and a massive amount of gear had just finished the portage. The put in at McGuffin is awful. At low water you’re stranded in leech filled mud to traverse. I picked my way easily using logs and my SUP, stepping on it like a dock. I managed to push myself out without sinking.

McGuffin Lake To Blackett Lake Portage

Distance 3.1 KM

Paddling Time 51:52 Minutes

I’ve heard rave reviews about the fishing in this lake. It’s not that travelled compared to the other ones in the circuit. Paddling my Badfisher I trolled while paddling, but didn’t catch anything. This lake had a steady cross wind forcing me to paddle on one side the whole time.

The sites on this lake looked nice and I contemplated staying here but wanted to make time with good weather.

Coming into the bottom corner of the lake I found the portage sign and hoped for a cart – Blackett Trail is technically closed. Friends who had paddled the week prior mentioned how tough the trail was. Luckily there was a cart. Not so lucky for the large group behind me.

Blackett Lake Portage

Distance 1.75 KM

Walking Time 43 Minutes

The trail isn’t pretty, even in a dry year. I can’t imagine when it’s wet. It’s unfortunate that this trail isn’t maintained by the government anymore. 

Thankfully, I had a cart to use with large wheels. It made traversing the roots and hills much easier than my small cart. 

You can see by my time that it took me the same time to go half the distance as the portage into Jackson. 

The canoeists behind me had a long slog ahead of them to go get the cart and make three trips after.

Seeing Blackett Lake was such a welcome sight! It was hot and close to 28C. The wind provided a reprieve from heat and bugs. However, it also added a bit more work to paddling.

Blackett Lake To West Island Camp 

Distance 1.83 KM

Paddling Time 27:17 Minutes

With a full day since leaving home already under my belt, I was happy to see this camp. The map below is one that has the sites not listed on the official one. There is a cabin to the West of the portage at Blackett where Conservation Officers can be found.

I have been pulled over on the lake by them and they asked for my fishing license. Although they are not out here consistently they are out here so have your documents with you at all times.

As well, there’s a few new sites that are not listed on the map. I gathered this extra data from a camp counselor who took kids out on the circuit for six years. 

West Island Camp has a steep bank to climb where I pulled in, but to the south of it there is a flatter, easier place to dock your watercraft on shore.

This site had everything you typically find at these provincial sites: a picnic table, bear locker, open air pit toilet and a fire pit. They are first come, first serve. 

Bears are around, but I’ve never had a problem with them. They will come past camp but generally have no interest in you. Remember to practice bearsmart camping by avoiding leaving food out and keeping your garbage put away. I’ve had more carnage from mice and squirrels eating or damaging food. I keep everything in my dry bags in the bear lockers to avoid the scent from attracting these rodents.

Setting up camp around 5:30 pm I enjoyed supper, fishing and settling in for the night. If you’ve watched the video then you know I ride out a huge thunderstorm in my tent. The last week of July is when I usually head out here and I have always had a massive storm come through.

Blackett Lake To Kinnard Lake

Distance 12.7 KM

Paddling Time 2 Hours 49 Minutes

Leaving in the calm after the storm I was off early with no wind for the first half hour. As I came around the southern tip of Blackett I was treated to a downwind pushing me. How glorious it was! 

I saw a cow moose out foraging in the morning, paddled past a few stunning campsites that I wish to return to, and had a great day.

As I came through the channel, which is quite long into Kinnard, I was welcomed by a strong cross wind from the Northwest. Picking the straightest line to make my way to Kinnard Island, I was paddling steadily with no breaks.

A float plane circled above and landed not far from me. He was nice enough to see if I needed a break and we chatted for a bit. He often flew into the lakes to fish. Now that’s how to fish!!

Paddling onward I saw an abundance of waterfowl and with the wind growing stronger I stopped at a camp for lunch. It was the same group I had seen in the parking lot the day prior. We shared stories and they regretted bringing so much gear. They were amazed at my board with minimal gear.

Kinnard Lake to Jackson Lake Take Out

Distance 6.5 KM

Paddling Time 1 Hour 32 Minutes

Buffered from the wind by the shoreline of Kinnard I suspected what lay ahead on Jackson Lake. 

Gale force wind! Rounding the corner to the Isthmus Bridge I could hear it before I saw it. Large whitecaps.

The water levels were so low I had to drag my board under the bridge as I steeled myself for what would be a rough crosswind paddle. It is only 1 km to get into the arm but it will take all your energy for the day to get into it safely.

Staying close to shore, as long as you are aware of the deadheads that are bobbing in the water even where it looks deep you can use the reeds as a breaker wall to paddle in slightly calmer water. You also have Jackson Lake East Camp to rest in or stay if you don’t feel comfortable in large waves. 

Once you get to the arm that heads back to the portage out of the Lakeland Paddle Circuit, the wind is calmer there and manageable.

Last Portage on the Lakeland Canoe Circuit

Distance 3.4 KM

Walking Time 46 Minutes

They always say the walk out seems further and technically, by my GPS, it was! I must have started it at the end of the boardwalk and weaved more along the trail. Although, with blowdown from the storm the night before, I did walk back and forth moving my cart over large trees that fell across the path.

After a steady initial climb you’re treated to a gentle downhill slope for much of the way out. I was craving a burger in Lac La Biche on the way home already!

Total Time and Distance for the Lakeland Canoe Circuit

27 hours

32 km Paddling

8.8 km Portaging

Final Thoughts on the Lakeland Canoe Circuit

Next time I hit up this circuit I plan to stay on Kinnard or make my way into Blackett from there. McGuffin was a wonderful lake, but unless you want more solitude I’m not sure it’s worth the extra effort to get in, especially in low water years.

I hope this gives you some insight into this hidden gem right in our own province. Find the link to the official Lakeland Provincial Park map! Or check out Paddling Maps.

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Happy paddling!

Sending You Love n SUP,

Lisa Stocking

CSEP-CPT/RYT 200

Advanced Flatwater SUP Instructor

@love_nsup

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