How to fit 7 people in a canoe - Backcountry Adventures in Kananaskis

Last weekend we headed out on our annual family backpacking trip and this time we decided to shake things up a bit.  Rather than bringing Chariots to help ferry gear (and kids) we decided to bring canoes. 

We had two canoes to be exact.  Along with 7 adults, 1 teenager, 3 preschoolers, 1 toddler, a dog, and a backcountry cat. 

A classic Canadian moment, our family paddling on Upper Kananaskis Lake

The dads canoed in with the gear while moms and kids all hiked the 3.5 km to the Point Backcountry Campground on Upper Kananaskis Lake. The hike didn't take more than a couple hours and we stopped a couple times for snacks and water play beside the lake. 

It was a crazy hot weekend in the high 20s the whole time (that's hot for Kananaskis) so we cheated a bit on the way out - allowing all of the kids a ride back.  We were fortunate to have a motor on one of the boats and this made it easy to make multiple trips back and forth across the lake.

Canoeing in across Upper Kananaskis Lake

Rest break on the hike in

We made a few jokes about the motorized canoe at the beginning of the weekend but once we realized we could ferry 7 people plus a dog to a private island to go swimming, the idea grew quickly on us.  It was further appreciated when we didn't have to hike out on Monday. 

Packing gear, four people, and a dog into the motorized canoe for one of the trips out

7 people and a dog in a canoe (it's too bad you can't see the third child but she's in there)

The Point Backcountry Campground is located on scenic Upper Kananaskis Lake. It's accessed via an easy and relatively flat 3.5 km hike from the North Interlakes Day use area.  Alternatively you can use a canoe or motor boat to reach the campground - and then you can bring lawn chairs, a cooler of beer, a hammock - and whatever luxury items you might want.

Next time I'm bringing more wine and real food!  Oatmeal and dehydrated food is fine when you are on a serious backpacking adventure but a trip to the Point calls for pancakes, s'mores and hot dogs.

North Interlakes Day Use Area

Upper Kananaskis Lake

The campground has 20 sites, two giant bins of firewood, private tables and fire pits at each site, food lockers and two outhouse bathrooms. 

It's rather unique for a backcountry campground in that each site is very private.  In a typical campground, the tent sites would all be together in one section of the campground. Meanwhile picnic tables, lockers or bear hangers, outhouses, and maybe a fire pit would all be clustered in another section.  I have to admit that I feel safer knowing that eating and sleeping quarters are separated (bears and all) but it was nice to have your own picnic table per site.  I've camped in places where there's only 3 tables to share amongst 8 sites.  Not so fun.

Site #20 looking over the lake

I found this campground less than ideal for a group such as ours because of the campsite privacy. 
I was hoping we could all eat, play, and hang out together but this was kind of hard since our four sites were widely spaced apart from each other.  I believe some of the sites were closer together but they were already claimed when we arrived.  Because of this, we spent a LOT of time with our friends on the beach below site #20 - hands down the most beautiful site in the campground.

We had a lot of fun on the beach throwing rocks in the water, swimming (note to self - bring bathing suit next time), and just hanging out. 

Playing with the kids in the lake

Evenings on the beach

We also spent hours taking turns in the canoes paddling/riding around the lake.  As mentioned above, we fit 7 people plus a dog in the motorized canoe to go over to a private little island that had a good swimming beach.  The beach at the Point is very rocky and not as great for small kids.  While paddling on the lake we saw bald eagles, heard the call of loons, and discovered neat little places such as the small island near the Hidden Lake outlet that had a spring bubbling up into double waterfalls flowing in opposite directions.

Morning paddling to the little island at the Hidden Lake Outlet

The lake was like glass Sunday morning (note that it isn't always that calm and it can be quite windy)

Afternoon paddling

Twilight paddling

A final paddle on Monday morning

The island we went to for swimming

We also took a short hike from the Point to a lovely set of waterfalls located about 20 minutes further along the Upper Kananaskis Lake Circuit Trail.  The kids thought they were pretty and we even found a friendly marmot.

Having a snack at the waterfalls

My favourite wild Canadian animal - The Marmot

It was an awesome weekend with perfect weather, great friends, and memories built that we will treasure for years to come.

Our Junior Camper on his first Canoe Trip