Hanmore Lake

In late September, we visited Hanmore Lake, about 30 minute north of the town of Smokey Lake. It was a bit of an overcast day so the photos look a bit dreary. Best access is north on Highway 855, then west on Township Road 612, then north on Range Road 174. You can also come in from the north on a  gravel road by the Island Lake turn off.

We accessed the lake on the SE corner from the Hanmore Lake Campground (run by the county) day-use area. Beach, change rooms, dock and boat launch, marked swimming area and dive platform, pit toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits. There is also a small store (?) here that advertised paddle board and kayak rentals (but it was closed). Overall, a surprisingly nice little park.

There was no one on the lake the day we were there, although there were some cabin owners getting their places ready for winter.

The lake is maybe 4km long and 1km wide (at its widest point). We paddled the north shore to the west end and then came back. There was a fair bit of waterfowl. We also heard a moose calling and then, later, a different moose calling back. 

The shore is basically sandy or rocky (towards the west) with reeds giving way to an aspen forest.

It was dead calm the day we were there so the reflections were pretty, if muted.

We eventually got some sun at the end and had a nice lunch on the picnic tables.

If we'd had more time, I would have also liked to have visited Island Lake on the other side of Highway 855. It looks like you can drive in to a parking lot but then have a five to 10 minute walk to the lake. Next time!