Sylvan Lake

About Sylvan Lake

The town of Sylvan Lake sits on the southeast shore of a 15-km freshwater lake, with a beach, marina, waterfront promenade and summer crowds. It's one of central Alberta's most popular lake destinations.

A brief history

The lake has long been a summer getaway for Albertans and draws around a million visitors a year. Camp Woods on its shore hosted the 12th Canadian Scout Jamboree in 2013.

RV tips

• About 25 km west of Red Deer via Highway 11 or 11A.
• Campgrounds around the lake are busy on summer weekends. Book ahead.
• Lakeside parking downtown is tight for RVs.

Before you go: Hours, road conditions, campground availability, passes and fire bans change. Check the official source below, 511 Alberta and Alberta Fire Bans before you travel. National parks need a Parks Canada pass, and Kananaskis needs a Conservation Pass.

Campgrounds nearby

• Jarvis Bay Campground (Alberta Parks, typical about $46/night)

Costs are approximate (checked October 2026). All Alberta campgrounds →

Sources & more information

• Wikipedia: background and history