Camping in Grande Cache
Grande Cache Municipal Campground
This is the only fully serviced campground in Grande Cache. They have 77 sites (56 full service, 21 partial services), plus an open tenting area. Campground is within walking distance of town attractions.
Hotels in Grande Cache
Grande Cache Inn & Suites
All rooms are smoke-free and have a refrigerator and microwave. Enjoy beautiful wilderness landscapes right from you room. Enjoy the fitness center, and nearby hiking & biking trails, kayaking, and rafting.
Grande Mountain Lodge
This lodge is only 0.9 km from Willmore Wilderness Park. Amenities include WiFi, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a mini-kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave and tea and coffee making equipment.
Things to do in Grande Cache, AB
The Grande Cache Tourism and Interpretive Centre
The Centre houses exhibits that trace the history and culture of the region from its early indigenous inhabitants, through European exploration and settlement, to the contemporary period. This includes exhibits on the region’s ecology, the fur trade, and the more modern coal mining industry. The Centre also organizes walking tours of the nearby Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park, where visitors can learn about indigenous uses of local plants and wildlife.
Visiting the Grande Cache Tourism and Interpretive Centre is a sure way to gain an appreciation for the natural and cultural history of this part of Alberta.
Willmore Wilderness Park
This pristine wilderness area covers approximately 4600 square kilometers and is located north of Jasper National Park. It was named after Norman Willmore, the Minister of Lands and Mines from 1934 to 1943.
The park is renowned for its impressive landscape that includes high alpine ridges, lush, green valleys, and clear, rushing rivers. It is home to various species of wildlife like grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, caribou, wolves, and numerous bird species.
Unlike many provincial parks, there are no permanent structures to accommodate visitors in Willmore Wilderness Park. There are no maintained trails or campsites, but the park does have backcountry camping areas.
Activities in this park typically include horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and hiking, all of which offer an incredible opportunity for experiencing the wilderness. In the colder months, visitors may find opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. It’s a great place for individuals who seek to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the Canadian wilderness.
The Sulphur Gates
The Sulphur Gates are one of the spectacular natural landmarks located in Willmore Wilderness Park. This area is where the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers meet. What makes Sulphur Gates exceptionally significant is the geological formation resulting from erosion. There, you’ll witness deep, powerful rivers compactly bookended by steep cliffs of multi-coloured rocks. The rivers have over time chiseled their way through the rocks, creating deep crevasses and unique shapes. At the confluence of these rivers, the rushing waters have carved an impressive canyon that reminds visitors of nature’s raw power and beauty.
There is an easily accessible platform that gives visitors a breathtaking aerial view of the converging rivers. There are also numerous easy to moderately difficult hiking trails around the area. Sulphur Gates is one of the most popular starting points for multi-day hikes into the Willmore Wilderness Park.
