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Returning to Jewel Bay on the northwest shore of Barrier Lake in Kananaskis County won’t impress you like almost any other Backpacking Trips You Can Take in K-Country. But when you have two young granddaughters (ages 4 and 5) and you haven’t booked a campsite in the most scenic spot… Point Camp Ground At Upper Kananaskis Lake, any backcountry camping reservation you can get can be a win.
Our plan was to go out for one night with one simple goal – to have fun. We didn’t care how long the hike back to Jewell Bay Backcountry Campground took. The mission was not all about tears and happy kids, with the ultimate hope of sparking a lifelong love of camping and the outdoors
Last year we did the easy thing Backpacking trip to Elbow Lake – Ideal for first-time backpackers, with or without children. It started well but ended badly with projectile vomiting in the tent in the middle of the night. I was prepared last summer, and fortunately things went well. Our trip to Jewel Bay was a huge success – especially with no bugs or rain in early July.
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Find the trail head
From the Trans-Canada Highway, simply drive south on Highway 40 for 12.2 km and turn right at the Prairie View Trail parking area at the eastern end of Barrier Lake. In the summer, parking can be a hassle with cars spilling onto Interstate 40, though I’m not sure if that’s allowed.
From the intersection of Interstate 40 and Interstate 742, just drive north on Interstate 40 for 39.6 km. Turn left to reach the parking lot.
Backpack to Jewel Bay Camp Details
distance: 7.8 km return distance from Barrier Dam plus additional space to the parking lot
to rise: 250 m or 820 feet
Time needed: As a one-way trip, this can be done in less than an hour. It took us about two hours, so we could stop looking at anything that caught the kid’s attention along the way.
Side trip: Take a hike from Stoney Trail that includes… Prairie View Observatory and Jewel Pass.
maps: I use Organic maps As an offline hiking app. And I still carry a paper map – just in case Gem Trek Canmore and Kananaskis Village.
Permits: You need to Kananaskis Conservation Trail. They can be purchased online or en route to the trailhead at the Kananaskis Visitor Information Center on Highway 40.
Backcountry camping permits: Reserve campsites 90 days in advance of your arrival date Shop in Alberta Gardens. Jewell Bay is located in the Bow Valley Wildland permit area. There are 12 sites, and the cost is $12 per person per night plus reservation fee.
Dogs: Allowed on leash.
Wildlife: You’re in grizzly bear country as you backpack into Jewel Bay. Pack easy-access bear spray and use bear-resistant food storage lockers at camp.
Don’t forget: Includes 10 Hiking basics In your backpack and please practice the seven Leave no trace principles. It is especially important that you bag out all of your trash.
Trip to Jewel Bay Backcountry Camp (with kids)
From the car park, follow the road to the barrier dam. Continue on a gravel road that runs parallel to the shore of Lake Barrier for a short distance. At the top of the hill, you will pass a bench where you can catch your breath. In a short time, you can reach the junction with the Stoney Trail – 1.1 km from the dam.
Turn left onto Stoney Trail and follow it for 1.7 miles to the turnoff for Jewell Pass Trail. From here it is only a few hundred yards to Jewell Lake Backcountry Campground. It’s on your left, and well located. Note that you pass a water source just before you arrive at camp if you need to refill your water bottles.
It’s a straightforward ride with some ups and downs. The only word of caution is to watch out for mountain bikers. Some of them move very quickly, with one almost running over my eldest granddaughter on a steep hill. (He was very apologetic!)
Jewel Bay Backcountry Campground
Jewel Bay Backcountry Campground is popular with families and bikers, and also sees a few visitors arriving by boat. While we were there, two men paddled from the Barrier Lake boat access ramp with a load of gear and water, while the women in their group strolled along lugging suitcases packed to the brim.
At the camp you will find two cooking and group gathering areas – each with the same facilities. I liked the upper area better – it is accessed by a steep flight of stairs from the lower campsite, although we camped at the lower campsite.
You’ll find tent pads, bike racks, picnic tables, firewood and fire pits, pit/vault toilets, and bear-proof safes. There’s also an equestrian campsite at Jewell Bay Campground – where you’ll find tie bars and a horse feed store.
Backpacking to Jewel Lake Campground
The kids were eager to finish our second annual backpacking trip to Jewell Lake, so they hiked well on the way out. They knew that a trip to get ice cream cones was in the not too distant future. I don’t think it took us more than 90 minutes to get out.
Tips for success
Let the kids help you pack. Include their own water bottle, some snacks, and one of their stuffed toys Child sized backpack. Don’t overload the pack or you will have tired and grumpy kids.
Children perform better when they walk on a full stomach. Stop eating snacks at regular intervals. Helps keep morale high. I eat a variety of snacks with different textures – some sweet, some salty.
Backpacking 3.9 km from Jewell Lake was about the right distance. Every year we will try to increase the distance, but you don’t want them to complain or suffer.
Stop for insects, sticks, throw stones into the water, or rest in the shade. Regular breaks for unstructured play ensure a positive experience.
Focus on fun, not distance. He plays I’m a spy-Look for animal tracks, or different colored flowers.
Bring a small game or two to enjoy in the tent. I love Solite – Provides great lighting, packs flat, weighs almost nothing, and hangs easily from inside the tent.
Don’t forget the comfort items. We always pack their blankets.
More Kananaskis Backpacking Trips You’ll Love
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