If you're the type who prefers a horse to a highway, a well-worn hiking boot to a beach sandal, or the call of an eagle to the buzz of a crowd, Willmore Wilderness Park is your kind of place. Located in west-central Alberta, just south of the town of Grande Cache, this hidden gem offers the kind of raw, backcountry adventure you won’t find in more popular parks. It’s vast, rugged, and almost completely untouched, a place where you can breathe in the alpine air and feel like you've stepped into another time.
Willmore Wilderness Park spans over 4,600 square kilometres, and not a single public road runs through it. There are no buildings, no motorized vehicles, and no cell service: just you, the mountains, and a whole lot of wild.
Named after Norman Willmore, Alberta’s Minister of Lands and Forests in the 1960s, the park was officially designated in 1959 to preserve the area's natural ecosystems and cultural heritage. Long before it was a protected wilderness, Indigenous peoples and early fur traders travelled through this region. Today, Willmore still honours that legacy by remaining a true wilderness sanctuary, keeping modern intrusions at bay and allowing nature to take the entire spotlight.
Getting There: Access Points Into the Backcountry
While it might be off the grid, getting to Willmore Wilderness Park isn’t impossible; you just have to know where to start. There are three main access points:
Rock Lake Provincial Park is one of the most popular entry spots, especially for those travelling with horses or planning longer treks.
Sulphur Gates Provincial Recreation Area, located just outside Grande Cache, is another well-used trailhead that offers jaw-dropping views where the Smoky and Sulphur rivers meet.
Big Berland Provincial Recreation Area is more remote but offers direct access to lesser-travelled trails and routes deeper into the park.
From each of these locations, you can choose your adventure. Whether it's a multi-day hike into alpine valleys, a horseback pack trip into the high country, or casting your line into a quiet, glacier-fed stream, the possibilities are endless, and the solitude is unmatched.
Willmore is a true playground for backcountry lovers. Hiking trails vary from challenging ascents to gentle meanders along valley floors. Horseback riders will find hundreds of kilometres of historic pack trails, some tracing ancient Indigenous routes and fur trade paths. Anglers can try their luck in remote mountain streams, and paddlers can explore parts of the Sulphur or Smoky Rivers.
Essential Tips for a Safe and Enjoyable Trip
Heading into Willmore means leaving conveniences behind, and that’s part of the magic. But it also means you need to be experienced and prepared:
Bring bear spray and know how to use it. This is serious grizzly country. Dress in layers and prepare for mountain weather, which can change quickly. Plan your route ahead of time, carry a physical map, and let someone know your destination. Pack it in, pack it out; there are no garbage bins in the wilderness. Respect the land and leave no trace, so this wild beauty remains just as untouched for future explorers.
What sets Willmore Wilderness Park apart is its authenticity. There’s nothing curated or commercialized about this place. It’s just nature, pure, wild, and utterly humbling. While Banff and Jasper are incredible, they can be crowded, especially during peak season. Willmore offers something different: the chance to reconnect with the land in a raw and personal way.
It’s not the easiest place to visit, and that’s exactly why it’s so special. If you’ve ever dreamed of a place where you can hike for days without seeing another soul, camp under a sky full of stars, or ride horseback across vast alpine meadows, this is it. If you’re looking to escape the ordinary and experience the untouched, unfiltered, and unbelievably beautiful backcountry, Willmore is waiting.
Just don’t forget the bear spray.
Britanny Burr is a freelance writer and a contributor to Great West Media. This story was written for Great West Media's Hot Summer Guide advertising feature. The Hot Summer Guide is a special feature about summer activities, bucket list adventures, staycation options, road trips, attractions, events, and road trip-worthy food & beverage destinations across Alberta. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of the editorial staff.
