The Best Autism Retreat - Ultimate Guide to William Watson Lodge, Kananaskis
- This is an updated article including the new main lodge -
Deep in the Kananaskis wilderness in the Rocky Mountains of Alberta there’s a beautiful retreat for those with disabilities. William Watson Lodge is located along Lower Kananaskis Lake in Peter Laugheed Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada, and is specially designed for those with various disabilities.
Alberta Parks website says “William Watson Lodge provides year-round, barrier-free, wilderness lodging and seasonal camping for persons with disabilities, Alberta seniors and their families…The goal of this facility is to connect people of all abilities, all ages and all cultures to recreational opportunities in nature through providing needs-based accommodation and inspiring more accessible experiences.”
As a family we’ve visited several times and have enjoyed our peaceful vacations.
William Watson Lodge (WWL)
Main lodge (check in, administration, activities & events, etc)
22 accessible cabin units (9 cabins)
11 accessible RV (full-service) campsites
1 comfort parks trailer
1 accessible comfort camping hut
Coin operated washer & dryer - loonies
Accessible picnic sites
More than 20 kms of accessible trails
Fire Circle
Playground
DON’T MISS THIS!
1. A Kananaskis Conservation Pass is required for all vehicles parking at William Watson Lodge. Passes are available for purchase online www.alberta.ca/yourpass or at the main lodge.
2. You need “verification of eligibility” to stay at WWL. So bring your proof when you check in. The list of example documents is below in the section about making a reservation.
3. There’s NO cell service or Wi-Fi at William Watson Lodge and the surrounding area. Which means theres ZERO INTERNET access.
4. The eligable person needs to be there when checking in
5. Check in is 3:30 to 9:00 p.m.
6. Check out before 11:00 a.m and you need to clean the cabin before departure.
Making Reservations
Reservations must be made in advance and in one of these ways
The booking website (easiest way to book a unit)
Calling the Alberta Parks Contact Centre at 1-877-537-2757.
In person (dependant on staff availability)
Reservations are NOT accepted by fax or e-mail. (as far as I know)
Book reservations under the eligible guest’s name (the disabled or eldery person).
The eligible guest may bring additional family, friends, and caregivers up to the maximum cabin unit capacity.
Minimum of a 2 night reservation. Maximum of a 7 night reservation.
Summer Season (June 1 - September 30) guests may have 1 reservation for a maximum of 7 nights stay.
Winter Season (October 1 - May 31) guests may have 2 reservations for a combined 7 nights stay.
A non-refundable $12.00 reservation fee will be applied to all reservations. The fee is consistent with reservations across the Alberta Parks system.
Reservation Priorities
For persons with permanent disabilities residing in the province of Alberta - Reservations may be made up to 4 months (120 days) in advance for severely disabled Albertans (nonambulatory, legally blind, profoundly deaf, dependently cognitively disabled). For example, to book for the month of July, call on the first working day in April.
For Alberta seniors (65 years and older) or out-of-province persons with permanent disabilities - Reservations may be made up to 2 months (60 days) in advance, space permitting.
All guests who make a booking at William Watson Lodge must provide verification of eligibility in person at check-in.
Failure to provide documentation will result in loss of stay without a refund.
William Watson Lodge defines a disability as:
chronic
a developmental, physical, sensory, mental, or neurological condition or impairment
a condition that impacts daily living activities such as eating, grooming, walking, interacting with others, playing and problem solving
Verification of Eligibility from a medical professional or association. Examples of documentation include but are not limited to:
Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped
Alberta Aids to Daily Living
Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD paperwork or contracts)
Persons with Developmental Disabilities
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
CPP Disability Benefit
Disability Tax Credit
Child Disability Benefit
Veterans Disability Pension Program
Canadian National Institute for the Blind
Access2 cards by Easter Seals Canada
5 year or 10 year parking placard
Other documentation of disability from a medical professional
Alberta seniors need to show photo identification that verifies they are a resident aged 65 years or older.
Questions about documentation not on the list, please call 1-403-591-7227.
To ask about day lodge group bookings or advanced cabin group bookings for organizations who serve Albertans with disabilities, call the main lodge at 1-403-591-7227 or email wwlinfo@gov.ab.ca.
Cancellations
The eligible guest must be present upon check in and check out - if the eligible guest is not present, the reservation will be cancelled without refund.
To receive a full refund of your cabin fees and reservable nights, cancellations must be made more than 72 hours before 3:30 p.m. of the originally scheduled arrival date.
1 night penalty if notice is less than 72 hours but more than 48 hours before 3:30 p.m. of the originally-scheduled arrival date.
2 nights penalty if notice is less than 48 hours but more than 24 hours before 3:30 p.m. of the originally-scheduled arrival date.
3 nights penalty if notice is less than 24 hours before 3:30 p.m. of the originally-scheduled arrival date.
Now all that serious stuff is out of the way now its time to actually start the vacation. Yay!
Getting There
Driving from Calgary you’ll need to drive west on the Trans Canada (#1 highway). Take the exit at Stoney Nakota Resort and Casino and head south on highway 40.
As far as I know there aren’t shuttles or transit going to WWL unless you’re with a tour group, so driving is a must. The Lodge is accessible from highway 40 and is about 1.5 hours from Calgary
William Watson Lodge is located on the bottom left side of this map. Click to view the whole map.
Checking In
Check-in is super easy. Pull up to the main lodge and go in the front door. Turn left and the desk will be on the left. They will get payment info from you (if you haven’t paid online), check your disability documentation, give you a key to your cabin and answer any and all question you may have. Check-in is open until 9pm. If you’re going to be arriving later just give them a call. We did this during our last vacation and it worked well. The front desk told us our cabin number and left our cabin unlocked. At 10pm, when we finally arrived, we quietly unloaded and settled in for the night. In the morning we went to the front desk and fully checked in.
The Cabins
8 cabins with multiple units in each. 22 units total. All units have been rebuilt in the last few years.
1-3 bedroom units
$30 per night for 1-2 bedroom cabins
$40 per night for 3 bedroom cabins
2 units per cabin and most have a connecting door that can be opened to join the two units dining areas. My family stayed in one unit and my sisters family stayed in the other unit. We opened up the big double doors so we could all be together. (we both have autistic children)
Large entry way with coat hooks and shoe racks
2 twin beds in each bedroom – thick foam waterproof mattresses. Track lift on the ceiling above beds.
All cabins include one hospital bed - remote available at the front desk
Bedside tables, reading lights, bedside plug ins, dresser, coat hooks and mirror in each room.
Couch and comfy chairs
Bathroom with wheelchair accessible shower (they provide toilet paper) - our 3 bedroom unit had 2 fully equipped bathrooms
Large main space it gas fireplace and seating
Electric reclining chair
The 2 and 3 bedroom cabins include one double pull-out couch in the main room
Fully stocked kitchen with dishes, cups, cutlery, cooking tools and utensils, pots, pans, dish soap and dish cloths
Fridge & freezer, sink, oven, stove, microwave, toaster, kettle and coffee maker
The 3 bedroom cabins include a dishwasher and detergent
Low counters, sink and cupboards (wheelchair accessible)
Cleaning tools (broom, mop, sprays rags, etc)
Dining table with chairs and or benches
Outdoor gated patio with table and chairs
BBQ on the patio
Many units are animal friendly. Last I heard some units do not allow animals, even service dogs as they have special permission from the government to accommodate for medically compromised individuals. If this isn’t the case anymore please let me know in the comments and I’ll update the info. Thanks!
What to Bring
Bedding & pillows – Bring bedding for each person, seriously, don’t forget this. Personally, my family enjoys bringing sleeping bags, a blanket and a pillow each. This is especially helpful to my autistic kids because wherever we travel they have a designated sleeping bag/bedding they’re comfortable with. So if we’re staying with family, tent camping or even in a hotel, their bedding stays the same. Other options are bringing twin fitted sheets for each bed plus blankets and a pillow.
Towels – shower and hand towels. Some dish cloths are provided.
Hand soap for bathroom & kitchen
All toiletries - no bathroom stuff besides toilet paper is provided
Food - Bring all the food, spices, oils, drinks etc. you’ll need since access to grocery stores and restaurants is limited.
Entertainment - This is a full wilderness experience for those with disabilities. The cabins don’t have TVs or other electronics (but there are normal plug ins to charge your devices). There also isn’t cell reception in the area. No sending emails, making phone calls, checking the weather, texting pictures or watching Netflix. ZERO CELL RECEPTION! So prepare appropriately. Check out my article on activities and all the fun things to do at William Watson Lodge.
Medical Equipment - Lift sling and any other medical equipment you require
Flashlight
Extension cord - for plugging in vehicles during winter
The new cabins are absolutely gorgeous. We recently spent 6 days in a 3 bedroom cabin and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful new addition to WWL. This is cabin B4. Not all new cabins are pet friendly, even service dogs aren’t allowed in several cabins. B3 & B4 are pet friendly units.
The Campground
13 campsites with designated picnic tables and fire pits
One comfort cabin thats similar to a tent but permanent
Campsites are for campers and RVs. They are NOT for tenting.
Campsites are paved and surrounded by trees
Communal showers and toilets
The Main Lodge
The main lodge has been recently updated over the last couple years. I guess updated isnt the right word since they basically buldozed it and built a whole new one. The new one is gorgeous and provides better accessibility to those in wheelchairs. Heres a picture of the old building compared to the new one. Its definitely a glow up!
Chairs and tables in the main hall for activities, socializing and eating
Cozy chairs and fireplace
Library with books, games, and puzzles to borrow during your stay
Shuffleboard and piano
Info boards with local activities, maps and the weather. They update the weather report daily.
Large outdoor deck with views of Lower Kananaskis Lake and the Rocky Mountains
Kitchen and barbeque for eligible day lodge group bookings (at least 50% of the group must be Albertans with disabilities and/or Albertan seniors)
Self-serve coffee and tea available by donation
Accessible washrooms with adult change tables
Laundry facilities (please bring laundry soap and loonies)
Firewood available for purchase
Medical lifts, commodes, shower chairs and wheelchairs available on a first-come, first-served basis. Limited supply available
Winter sports equipment to borrow during your stay
Checkin Out
Checking out is a little more involved than at a hotel but less than camping. Check out is by 11am and they are really strict with that rule. You are in charge of general cleaning and a cleaning person comes in and does the deeper cleaning after. Make sure to leave time to pack up & clean.
Seriously, packing 6 peoples junk and getting everything back in the van can be a major pain in the butt! We’ve left the day before, later in the evening, so we didn’t need to rush the next morning.
After you’re completely finished packing and cleaning go to the main lodge and let them know you’re ready to go. The employee will come check your cabin and take your key.
* This photo was us packing up in the older cabins, which no longer exist. The cabins don’t look like this anymore but our huge amount of stuff looks about the same.*
'Some of our stuff. Like 1/3 of it or something.
William Watson Lodge Articles
Autism Travel Rating 9/10
Physical Accessibility – Excellent accessibility. All cabins and paths are wheelchair friendly. The only hiccup is with no wifi some trackers (for those who elope) may not work. We didn’t have Leo’s Angel Sense tracker when we went but I’ll update this when we go again.
Sensory - Very quiet camp site with limited guests (often elderly), we were here for Canada day and there weren’t any fireworks or parties (fireworks aren’t allowed in provincial parks). Cabins are simple and free of clutter that can cause overstimulation
Entertainment – Gorgeous scenery, lots of trails and access to other hiking options, calm lake with few visitors. The lack of TV or Wifi was a little challenging. It’s no problem when the weather is nice but you’re not guaranteed nice weather in the Alberta Rockies. Make sure to bring entertainment. The lack of wifi may be a dealbreaker to some people.
Location - Beautiful location and scenic drive . About 1.5 hour drive from Calgary.
More info
Peter Laugheed Provincial Park Discovery & Info Center
Have you visited William Watson Lodge or a similar special needs resort? What were your experiences?
Hello!
I’m Kate and I’m a mom of four. Since 2010 we’ve had one baby born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate and three children diagnosed with autism. Parenting certainly hasn’t been what I was expecting - it’s been harder (like A LOT harder) and much more wonderful. My world has expanded and knowledge deepened as I’ve spent the last decade raising these four special kids. Supporting other moms of autistic and cleft children is my passion. Here you’ll find information, strategies and first hand experiences to help you navigate these special challenges on-the-go and in your own home.
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This amazing getaway in the Canadian Rockies provides a fully accessible retreat for those with special needs. Our family of 6 (3 with autism) love spending time on the paved trails, playground, the lake shore and in the fully stocked cabins. Alberta is truly stunning and should be enjoyed by all.