Names after the Kakwa River, the Kakwa Recreation Area was established in 1987, containing about 128,000 hectares. In 1999 the area was extended and status changed to a provincial park, to be known as Kakwa Park, now containing almost 171,000 hectares.

Kakwa Provincial Park showcases ice-clad mountains, extensive alpine meadows and a section of the Continental Divide. Main physical features include Mount Sir Alexander (3270 m), Mount Ida (3189 m), and Kakwa Lake.