Elizabeth Lake Bird Sanctuary | Cranbrook, British Columbia

Best Times of the Day for Viewing

All times

Driving Directions

Located on the west side of Cranbrook on Highway #3.

Overview of this Wildlife Watching Landscape

This park is a wonderful place for bird watching or enjoying a walk in the evening around the mulch trails. Listen to the songs of the many native songbirds or watch from one of the bird watching blinds around the lake. The area is home to hundreds of species of birds and a very enthusiastic group of birders.

A bird checklist and circle birding tour guide brochure is available and can be picked up at the Cranbrook Visitor Centre. The circle tour begins at Elizabeth Lake, continues to Kimberley's Nature Park and Wasa Lake.

Places and Pointers for Viewing

Walking trails around the 250 acre park lead to bird-watching blinds around the lake.

Type of Wildlife Often Seen

Elizabeth Lake is an important nesting and staging area for several waterfowl species including Canada geese and teal, ringneck, scaup, redhead, bufflehead, goldeneye and ruddy ducks. You can also see coots, grebes, black terns and songbirds. Mammals present include muskrats, whitetail deer, elk and moose. Elizabeth Lake also holds a large population of Western Painted Turtles, BC's only indigenous turtle species. Watch for rare bird species such as the Northern Hawk Owl, Northern Oriole and Nashville Warbler.

Best Seasons and Months for Viewing

Spring, Summer, Fall