Edmonton 
Alberta’s north contains unrivalled natural beauty, giving you many reasons to make a summer trip here. But, with all that is happening this summer within the towns in northern Alberta, you have a whole other list of reasons to visit.
Credit: Wild Blue Yonder Grande Cache Rafting
You can travel northeast or northwest to find outdoor events happening all summer thanks to these northern Alberta towns. These range from outdoor markets, to live theatre, live music, sporting events, and cultural celebrations. Plan a weekend with the rest of your summer days around any number of these festivals, or simply hit the road and guide yourself on a tour of these must-visit northern Alberta communities.
Grande Cache
You can escape to the Rockies this year and avoid some of the crowds, costs, and noise of the National Parks: head to Grande Cache, north of Jasper, where backcountry camping in Alberta is at its finest. The area is popular for camping, fishing, whitewater rafting, and equestrian riding, but it also gets a lot of attention come summer with the annual Canadian Death Race.
- Hike/walk around the Sulphur Gates PRA for incredible views of rivers, cliffs, mountain peaks, and forests.
- Raft on Class II/III on Sulphur or Muskeg River.
- Stay in Grande Cache around the August long weekend for the annual Canadian Death Race: marathon competitors compete in an intense race through the rugged Grande Cache and Greenview terrain.
Cold Lake
There are several ways to plan a trip to Cold Lake this summer: a day trip to the beach (if you live close enough); camping trips; cottage getaways; fishing trips; or plan a trip around their upcoming festivals. If you can’t make the events, you’ll find a ton of summer recreation to choose from, with Kinosoo Beach at the centre of it all.
- Cold Lake hosts its annual Aqua Days during the August (Heritage Day) long weekend, a celebration on and off the water, with all events at Kinosoo Beach.
- Visit a little later in the summer to attend Extreme Mudfest, a four-day festival of all kinds of mud racing!
- Escape the business that can be Lakeshore Drive in Cold Lake, and enjoy a quieter beach experience at the Provincial Park
- Explore the different museums around Cold Lake, like the Heritage, Indigenous, and Air Force Museums.
Slave Lake
The town of Slave Lake is located right on the water and beach off Highway 2. This makes Slave Lake an obvious day trip choice for anyone in central north Alberta, but so too does the beauty of the beach itself. Slave Lake’s main beach is an expanse of soft, white sand, surrounded by clear, deep waters and the start of the dense Boreal Forest. There are a ton of options for outdoor enthusiasts around Lesser Slave Lake and the town of Slave Lake.
- Plan a beach picnic at Devonshire or Marten River, or blow up the inflatables and laze around the shallow water all day
- Visit the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation for an amazing day of bird watching.
- Summers in Slave Lake kick off with the annual Riverboat Daze and a full carnival, plus additional activities around Main Street.
St. Paul
St. Paul is in the heart of Lakeland County and north of the North Saskatchewan River Valley. The surrounding lake areas draw in swimmers, fishers, campers, hunters, and ATVers, but at the heart of town is St. Paul’s biggest attraction: a large concrete UFO Landing Pad. The landing pad is an ode to the community’s welcoming spirit and is a great place to start your trip, as it is also the Visitor’s Centre.
- Dining along Main Street offers everything from gourmet to casual.
- A trip to Lagasse Park can mean time at the space-themed splash park, a lakeside art walk, or a picnic on the grass
- Find their outdoor market all summer on Wednesdays and Fridays
- Hit up Rodeo Week, which begins late August and includes five days of family fun, rodeo events, live music, and a huge variety of good food.
Lac La Biche
You can turn Lac La Biche and the surrounding areas into your outdoor oasis any time of year with summer and winter recreation all around you. In the summer, you’ll probably want to hit the beaches first, but the region and town also have local attractions, parks, trails, and history to make time for. The town is situated amongst the lakes which gives Lakeland County its name, so watersports could also be top of mind for a trip here.
- Conquer the Lakeland Canoe Circuit, a series of interconnected lakes which can give you days’ worth of paddling and camping.
- Get beach ready with Lac La Biche Summer Days on August Long Weekend, which kicks off with a parade, and which concludes with a large fireworks display on
- Plan a picnic at Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park; they offer weekend family activities at the Park until Labour Day weekend.
- Tour the town museums and historical parks
Whitecourt
You have several reasons to make a summer trip out of Whitecourt. But more specifically, this central northern Alberta town is a great family destination. The natural areas around Whitecourt are just right for little ones who want to start hiking, especially if you’re after waterfall views. Families can stay at nearby campgrounds, hotels or motels in town, and can try to make it to the free Family Fun Day.
- Go tubing in McLeod River or slide down Rotary Park river slides.
- Couple an outing for drinks with a show and shine! Wednesday nights in Whitecourt are for Coffee & Cars.
- Walk around or picnic at Hard Luck Canyon Falls, a short drive south of Whitecourt. The trail is short and simple for young kids, with a beautiful reward.
Peace River
There is no doubt that the town of Peace River is a naturally beautiful place, with the Mighty Peace cutting through town and the valley’s lush green hills. From this, the town offers beautiful hikes and trails along the river’s side, several beautiful campsites to choose from,
- Attend the August Long Weekend Family Fun Days.
- Watch the thrills of the Peace River Gold Cup Jet Boat Race.
- Head to 100th Ave and 100th Street for a huge chunk of Peace River’s local dining scene; enjoy the patio of Board n’ Barrel, or the authentic East Coast vibe brought to you by Dutch Wharf Fish n’ Chips
- Take a self-guided art walk: Peace River is known for its 12ft. Davis Statue, but since 2016, the town has worked to showcase local artists by beautifying its infrastructure, adding more sculptures and murals each year
Manning
The small and scenic riverside town of Manning is a short drive south of the Notikewin River’s confluence with the Mighty Peace. The summer fun is ramping up here soon with their 70th annual Rodeo at the end of July. But visit Manning anytime for a quiet escape, historical touring, and river adventures.
- Drive out to Notikewin Provincial Park where you can canoe and fish on the river, camp, hike or bike. Watch for wildlife and birds too!
- Check out the Annual Manning Rodeo, hosted by the Battle River Ag Society
- Discover the rich history of Alberta’s north with two different museums now open for summer.
Fairview
The small town of Fairview is nestled behind the north banks of the Peace River. The surrounding area has many protected Provincial areas, too, such as Peace River Wildland, Dunvegan West Wildland, Sand Lake Natural Area, Stoney Lake PRA, and Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park. These all offer different types of recreation, but in the town of Fairview you’ll find a lot of bustle over the summer.
- Explore the Fairview Fine Arts Centre, home to artisans from the Peace Region, browse the gallery and gift shop, and leave with handmade local creations shaped by community skill and imagination.
- Step back into Fairview’s pioneer past at the Fairview Pioneer Museum, a nine-acre village-style site near Cummings Lake Recreation Area. Wander through a restored schoolhouse, home, cabin, and historic commercial buildings that bring early community life into view.
- Cummings Lake Trail invites a quiet escape, where paved and gravel paths wind through wetlands, lake views, and natural scenery. With direct access from the recreation area, hikers can explore an all-season trail network stretching 11 km, connecting peaceful nature with the town and golf course.
- Drive south of Fairview to visit Dunvegan Historical Park; the Park is only open in summer!
- Enjoy the annual Summer’s End Festival.
Barrhead
Barrhead is surrounded by interesting natural attractions: the Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland, Thunder Lake Provincial Park and the Athabasca River. In town are a few unique local dining opportunities, and the scenic Paddle River Golf Course on the edge of town and the river. You can tour the entire town on foot, too, and enjoy a 10.5km walk along the Blue Heron Trail which loops all of Barrhead.
- Ride the Klondyke Ferry across the Athabasca River.
- Celebrate summer in Barrhead with their annual August Rodeo and Blue Heron Fair.
- Try a local drink at the W5 Distillery.
- Fill up on local dining along 50th Avenue: choose from Barrhead Bakery, Leals & Teals, or Pizza O’More.
