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Advisories

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Backcountry camping

A rustic campground is located at the east end of Fortress Lake. The campsite has a pit toilet and bear cache for storing food. Visitors may camp during the winter season but be prepared for winter conditions.

Cabins and huts

At the Chisel Creek end of Fortress Lake there is the Fortress Lake Lodge. They are available during the summer months starting June 1 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.

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Campfires

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

Pit or flush toilets

This park only has pit toilets, no flush toilets.

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Hiking

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.

From Sunwapta in Jasper National Park, a 22 kilometer trail leads to Fortress Lake in Hamber Park. This trail crosses both the Athabasca and Chaba Rivers though no bridges are provided. Fording the Athabasca River is not recommended.

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.

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). Fortress Lake is open for ice fishing in the winter season, but is a long way in to travel to fish. Anyone fishing or angling in British Columbia must have an appropriate licence.

Pets on leash

Pets and 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.

Climbing

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

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.