Hamber Provincial Park

About This Park

Hamber Park is a remote wilderness area with few facilities. Over the past few years, BC Parks has been rehabilitating impacts of the past use at Fortress Lake. There is now a rustic campground and toilet at the east end of the lake and an air-accessed commercial fishing camp on Chisel Creek Fan (midway down the lake's south shore). There are no other developed facilities, but several traditional campsites are identifiable along the north shore. An old trail to access these sites is in the process of being re-opened from the east end. At present, the easiest access to lake shore features is by renting a boat from the fishing camp. No other trails exist, but midway along the north shore Washout Creek provides a steep, rugged, but relatively open access to scenic alpine tarns.
Hamber Provincial Park comprises a portion of one of the world's largest blocks of protected areas. The park was designated as part of the Canadian Rocky Mountains World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Park Size: 24,000 hectares

Special Notes:

If you visit Hamber, we request you conduct yourself in a manner that is compatible with a wilderness park.
Weather in Hamber varies depending on the season. Almost half of the days during the summer have rain and wind, so hikers should come prepared for these conditions.
Campfires are permitted in the park but lightweight stoves are recommended for cooking.
Vehicles may be left in the Sunwapta Falls parking lot in Jasper National Park but require registration with Parks Canada. In the winter season, you can ski or snowshoe 22 flat kilometres into Fortress Lake to ice fish (no snowmobiling or ATVs allowed).

Stay Safe:

Bring your own drinking water or be prepared to boil or filter water, as potable water is not available in the park.
Windfalls are common and blow-down of large trees is a significant hazard during high winds.
Hikers must still cross the Chaba River. Although fairly murky, the crossing (marked by log cairns) is normally shallow and has a sandy bottom. Please use caution - all stream fording can be treacherous at times depending on seasonal daily run-off fluctuations.
Bear Country precautions are essential with respect to travel, camping and storage – grizzly and black bear habitats area extensive throughout the park. Bear poles are available at the campsites.

Location and Maps

Location Map

The park is located 24 km from the trail head parking lot at Sunwapta Falls (Jasper National Park) to the campground at the east of Fortress Lake. The closest communities, towns and cities are Valemount and Jasper, Alberta.

Maps and Brochures

Any maps listed are for information only - they may not represent legal boundaries and should not be used for navigation.

Park Brochure and Map (pdf)

Nature and Culture

History - Hamber Provincial Park was named to honour the late Eric W. Hamber, the distinguished lieutenant-governor of B.C. from 1936-1941. With improved access in recent years, the park now sees 400-500 visitors annually.
Conservation - Vegetation around the lake is thick with spruce and balsam with a very heavy understory of false azalea and rhododendron.

Management Planning

Management Planning Information

The approved Master Plan is now available in pdf format.

Activities Available at this Park

Climbing

Visitors are in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Climbers should check with Parks Canada and Mount Robson Provincial Park for information on climbing in the area.

Fishing

Fortress Lake, home to brook trout, offers excellent angling opportunities. There is an air-accessed commercial fishing camp on Chisel Creek Fan (midway down the lake's south shore). Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information. Fortress Lake is open for ice fishing in the winter season but a long way in to travel to fish.
Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Hiking

The Athabasca River is bridged and a new trail has been built to Fortress Lake, one must still ford the Chaba River. The distance is 22 kilometres.

An old trail accessing the campsites on the north shore of the lake is open for hikers' use. No other trails exist, but midway along the north shore of Fortress Lake Washout Creek provides steep, rugged, but relatively open access to scenic alpine areas.

For your own safety and the preservation of the park, obey posted signs and keep to designated trails. Shortcutting trails destroys plant life and soil structure.

Pets on Leash

Pets/domestic animals must be on a leash at all times and are not allowed in beach areas or park buildings. You are responsible for their behaviour and must dispose of their excrement. Backcountry areas are not suitable for dogs or other pets due to wildlife issues and the potential for problems with bears.

Winter Recreation

There are backcountry skiing and snowshoeing opportunities in the park. There are no defined trails and is remote winter travel. There is track-setting Jasper National Park and Valemount nearby.

Facilities Available at this Park

Cabins / Huts / Yurts

At the Chisel Creek end of Fortress Lake there is the Fortress Lake Lodge. They are available during the summer months starting June 1st and can hold 12 people at a time. There is a fee for using the lodge and you can reserve by contacting the Fortress Lake Lodge. Click here to view a non-government web link, for additional information.

Campfires

Campfires area permitted in the park, but lightweight stoves are recommended for cooking. Please be extremely careful with fires and only use down and dead wood.

Firewood is no longer provided as part of the park camping fee. Firewood can be purchased from the Park Facility Operator in some parks or you can bring your own wood. Fees for firewood are set locally and may vary. To preserve vegetation and ground cover, please don't gather firewood from the area around your campsite or elsewhere in the park. Dead wood is an important habitat element for many plants and animals and it adds organic matter to the soil. You can conserve firewood and air quality by keeping your campfire small. Limited burning hours or campfire bans may be implemented and some parks may use communal fire rings. Be prepared to bring a portable stove for cooking.

Pit or Flush Toilets

This park only has pit toilets - no flush toilets.

Walk-In/Wilderness Camping

A rustic campground is located at the east end of Fortress Lake and several traditional campsites are identifiable along the north shore of the lake. Each campsite has a pit toilet and bear pole for storing food. Visitors may camp during the winter season but be prepared for conditions.