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Backpacking to Jewell Bay on the northwest shore of Barrier Lake in Kananaskis Country will not wow you like almost any of the other backpacking trips you can do in K-Country. But when you have two young granddaughters (ages 4 and 5) and you didn’t score a camping reservation at the more scenic Point Campground on Upper Kananaskis Lake, you take any backcountry camping reservation you can get as a win.
Our plan was to head out for one night with one simple goal – to have fun. We didn’t care how long it took to backpack to the Jewell Bay Backcountry Campground. The mission was no tears and happy kids, with the ultimate hope of sparking a lifelong love of camping and the outdoors
Last year we did the easy backpacking trip to Elbow Lake – ideal for first time backpackers, with or without kids. It started well but ended badly with projectile vomiting in the tent in the middle of the night. I was prepared this past summer, and fortunately all went well. Our backpacking trip to Jewell Bay was a great success – especially with no bugs or rain in early July.
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No complaints backpacking to Jewell Bay – even on the stepper sections
Finding the trailhead
From the Trans-Canada Highway simply drive south on Highway 40 for 12.2 km and turn right into the Prairie View Trail parking area at the eastern end of Barrier Lake. In summer, parking can be nuts with cars spilling over onto Highway 40, though I’m not sure if that’s allowed.
From the intersection of Highway 40 and Highway 742, simply drive north on Highway 40 for 39.6 km. Turn left to reach the parking lot.
Location map
Backpacking to Jewell Bay Campground details
Distance: 7.8 km return from Barrier Dam plus extra to the parking lot
Elevation: 250 m or 820 feet
Time needed: As a one-way hike, it could be done in as little as an hour. We took us closer to two hours, so we could stop at look at anything that got the kid’s attention along the way.
Side trip: Do a loop hike from Stoney Trail that includes the Prairie View Lookout and Jewell Pass.
Maps: I use Organic Maps as an offline hiking app. I still carry a paper map – in this case Gem Trek Canmore and Kananaskis Village.
Permits: You need a Kananaskis Conservation Pass. It can be purchased online or on route to the trailhead at the Kananaskis Visitor Information Centre on Highway 40.
Backcountry camping permits: Book campsites 90 days in advance of your arrival date on Shop Alberta Parks. Jewell Bay is in the Bow Valley Wildland permit area. There are 12 sites, and the cost is $12 per person per night in addition to a reservation fee.
Dogs: Permitted on leash.
Wildlife: You’re in grizzly bear country while backpacking to Jewell Bay. Pack easy to access bear spray and use the bear proof food storage lockers in the campground.
Don’t forget: Include the 10 hiking essentials in your backpack and please practice the Seven Leave No Trace principles. It’s especially important to pack out all your garbage.
Starting off on our second annual backpacking trip with our granddaughters – this time to Jewell Bay Campground
The hike to Jewell Bay Backcountry Campground (with kids)
From the parking lot head follow the road that leads to the Barrier Dam. Continue on a gravel road that parallels the shoreline of Barrier Lake for a short distance. At the top of a hill you’ll pass a bench where you can catch your breath. In short order, arrive at the intersection with Stoney Trail – 1.1 km from the dam.
Turn left onto Stoney Trail and follow it for 2.8 km to reach the turnoff to Jewell Pass Trail. From here it’s only a couple of hundred metres to reach the Jewell Lake Backcountry Campground. It’s on your left, and well-signed. Note that you pass a water source just before your arrival in the campground should you need to refill water bottles.
It’s a straightforward hike with some ups and downs. The only word of caution is to keep an eye out for mountain bikers. Some move very fast – with one almost steamrolling my oldest granddaughter on a steep hill. (He was very apologetic!)
All smiles at the start of our backpacking trip to the Jewell Bay Campground on Barrier Lake 
Taking our time on steep terrain 
The hydro poles detract from the beauty of our backpacking trip to Jewell Bay 
Mount Baldy across from Barrier Lake I believe 
It would be a pretty backdrop backpacking to Jewell Bay without the hydro poles 
We still have 2.7 km to go 
We’re not on a rigid schedule so the kids can stop and climb rocks along the hike 
The Jewell Lake Campground is at the bend in Barrier Lake on the right-hand side
The Jewell Bay Backcountry Campground
Popular with families and bikepackers, the Jewell Bay backcountry campground also sees a few visitors arrive by boat. When we were there, a couple of guys had paddled over from the Barrier Lake boat access ramp with a load of gear and water, while the women in their group hiked in pulling rolling suitcases packed to the brim.
At the campground you’ll find two group cooking and gathering areas – both with the same facilities. I liked the upper area better – accessed by a steep set of stairs from the lower campground, though we camped in the lower campground.
You’ll find tent pads, bike racks, picnic tables, firewood and fire pits, pit/vault toilets, and secure bear-proof lockers. There is an equestrian campground at the Jewell Bay Campground too – where you’ll find hitching rails and horse feed storage.
The Jewell Bay Backcountry campground is popular with the bikepacking crowd 
This was the setup for a couple of bikepackers we met 
The kids are excited to finish backpacking to the Jewell Bay backcountry campsite 
View from our campsite of Jewell Bay on Barrier Lake 
Freedom! 
Our youngest granddaughter loves exploring the campground 
The view from Jewell Bay backcountry campground 
The upper campground at Jewell Bay has some nice views
Backpacking out for the Jewell Lake campground
The kids were keen to finish our second annual backpacking trip to Jewell Lake, so they hiked at a good clip on the way out. They knew 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.
Our backpacking trip to Jewell Bay is almost over 
Everyone is still smiling and backpacking at a solid pace from the Jewell Bay Campsite 
I sense by the look on their faces they just want to be finished 
Beautiful wildflowers seen at the end of our backpacking trip to the Jewell Bay Campground
Tips for success
Let the kids help with the packing. Include their own water bottle, some snacks, and one of their stuffed toys in a kid-sized backpack. Don’t overload the pack or you’ll have tired, grouchy kids.
Kids do best when hiking on a full stomach. Stop for snack breaks at regular intervals. It helps keep morale up. I take a variety of snacks with different textures – some sweet, some salty.
Backpacking 3.9 km to Jewell Lake was about the right distance. Every year we’ll try to increase the distance, but you don’t want them complaining or suffering.
Stop for bugs, sticks, throwing rocks in water, or a rest in the shade. Regular breaks for unstructured play ensure a positive experience.
Focus on fun and not distance. Play I Spy, look for animal tracks, or different coloured flowers.
Bring along a game or a couple of small books to enjoy in the tent. I love the Solight – it provides great lighting, packs flat, weighs almost nothing, and can be easily hung from the tent’s interior.
Don’t forget comfort items. We always pack their blankets.
After dinner rock throwing is a hit
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