Description

Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park is located 11km from the community of Lac La Biche. The park is comprised of all the islands of Lac La Biche Lake, with two main islands (Long Island and Big Island) accessible by vehicle via the causeway bridge. Big Island features most of the recreational activities, along with trails through the Old Growth Forest, where there hasn’t been a forest fire for over 300 years. This area is popular for birding as there is habitat for songbirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and raptors.

For more information, visit Park Webpage.

Geography:

Latitude: 54.83681° N, Longitude: -111.97357° W

Recreation:

With several day-use areas available for picnicking and gaining access to the lake, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park is the perfect retreat for day-users as well as those looking for activities during their time camping. There is a paved trail that connects Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park to the community of Lac La Biche, perfect for walking or biking. Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park offers a special habitat with it’s Old Growth Forest and unique island ecosystem. Over 220 bird species have been identified at this park, and it was officially recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) in 2000.

Long Island hosts the Boat Launch with a large parking lot for trucks and trailers, the Community Facility that can be rented for private functions, comfort camping area with a registration booth, and a hand-launch area with a picnic spot.

Big Island hosts the group campsite, individual campsites, Campground Store, a large day use area, and other day use parking lots for trailheads and beach areas. There are 3 large beaches located on Big Island: Day Use Beach, Boardwalk Beach, and Camper’s Beach. Day Use Beach and Camper’s Beach both have swimming areas and Life Jacket Loaner Stations. The Campground Store offers various grocery and camping supplies, along with hard-scoop ice cream and non-motorized boat (canoe, kayak, paddleboard) rentals for all your adventure needs. There is approximately 15km along the exterior and interior of the island for hiking and biking. In the winter, the loop road provides 6km of groomed cross-country skiing trails and a cleared walkway for hiking.

Interpretive Programming is available in the park May – September, offering opportunities for visitors to learn and connect with nature during family programs and interpretive hikes. Special events and interpretive programs are posted in the park as well as online. Most events and programs are free to participate in.

Facilities:

Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park’s Long Island has 10 year-round comfort cabins, 5 seasonal comfort cabins, and two seasonal comfort camping tipi sites. At the cabins, and additional camping unit (trailer) can be set-up, for an additional fee. The Community Facility is a rentable space that is ideal for family reunions, weddings, or staff functions. This island also has a small registration building for comfort camping visitors to check-in at, along with limited grocery and camping supplies. The boat launch for the park is located on this island as well.

Across the bridge, Big Island has 72 individual campsites (with 15/30 amp power) and 1 group site (with 15/30 amp power). All sites have picnic tables and firepits, and there is access to drinking water taps throughout the campsite and at the group use site. At Camper’s Beach, between loop A & B of the campground, there is a playground.

There are several day-use areas that offer parking to gain access to trailheads, beaches, or picnic sites throughout the island. The three beaches of the park are: Day Use Beach, Boardwalk Beach, and Camper’s Beach. Day Use Beach and Camper’s Beach both have swimming areas and Life Jacket Loaner Stations. The Day Use Area has a large picnic shelter and a smaller shaded shelter near the playground. There is approximately 15km along the exterior and interior of the island for hiking and biking. In the winter, the loop road provides 6km of groomed cross-country skiing trails and a cleared walkway for hiking.

The Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park Campground Store (on Big Island) offers grocery and camping supplies, along with non-motorized watercraft rentals, and firewood sales. This facility also has the shower house and laundromat service area. This is also the location where visitors need to check-in at for camping at individual sites and for group camping.

At the entrance of Big Island there is a Dump Station with Potable Water available.

Nearby Attractions:

Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park Campground Store offering grocery and camping supplies, along with hard-scoop ice cream, non-motorized boat (canoe, kayak, paddleboard) rentals, and firewood sales. Nearby community (11km) of Lac La Biche offers variety of stores and recreational amenities. The Lac La Biche Golf Club is 1km from the park entrance with 18-holes, driving range, and a restaurant.