Eagle Lake, on the prairie 45 minutes east of Calgary is way harder to find and access than to paddle around. Opportunities to launch are severly curtailed, and the only good spot is occupied by a caravan park. In true caravanners' nature, this means that a kayaker wishing to launch is expected to pay $7 per boat. Fortunately there is a second access point, but directions on the web are garbled. It took us a long time and a lot of dirt road driving to find the launch spot. Take highway 817, then township road 232 east. The (gravel) road north to the lake is range road 245, but there is no sign to this effect. There is a tall, brown metal farm building close to this corner. If you can see Namaka Lake on the right then you have gone too far. The launch point is a few km up the road, where the road becomes a grass track, and finally ends. It doesn't look like a great put-in spot, and the mud really stinks, but it is possible to make it out without getting wet/mucky if you udge a little.
Is it worth the hassle? Well, the ice thaws here when the mountains are still mantled with snow. Apart from the odd moron on a wet bike, you'll have the place to yourself, and this is a very popular spot for migrating birds. We saw birds here that we've not spotted elsewhere, and there is something satisfying about watching rain sweep in across the prairie, and hearing it pelt the rushes, as you watch the wildlife from your boat.
Eagle Lake, on the prairie 45 minutes east of Calgary is way harder to find and access than to paddle around. Opportunities to launch are severly curtailed, and the only good spot is occupied by a caravan park. In true caravanners' nature, this means that a kayaker wishing to launch is expected to pay $7 per boat. Fortunately there is a second access point, but directions on the web are garbled. It took us a long time and a lot of dirt road driving to find the launch spot. Take highway 817, then township road 232 east. The (gravel) road north to the lake is range road 245, but there is no sign to this effect. There is a tall, brown metal farm building close to this corner. If you can see Namaka Lake on the right then you have gone too far. The launch point is a few km up the road, where the road becomes a grass track, and finally ends. It doesn't look like a great put-in spot, and the mud really stinks, but it is possible to make it out without getting wet/mucky if you udge a little.
Is it worth the hassle? Well, the ice thaws here when the mountains are still mantled with snow. Apart from the odd moron on a wet bike, you'll have the place to yourself, and this is a very popular spot for migrating birds. We saw birds here that we've not spotted elsewhere, and there is something satisfying about watching rain sweep in across the prairie, and hearing it pelt the rushes, as you watch the wildlife from your boat. 
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