Fall is a perfect time to take your road trip or a day trip to East Central Alberta. Leave the city behind for a day of fall fun, exploring nature, or exploring the towns east of Edmonton and Red Deer.
Credit: Janusz Sliwinski/Flickr
Many exciting festivals are happening between now and Halloween, including harvest and pumpkin festivals, Oktoberfest events, and ways to celebrate Thanksgiving.
You may also plan an Eastern Alberta trip around the cool attractions located off the main highway: you and your family can take part in fall train rides, u-pick opportunities, and other farm fun like meeting with the animals. But, if your trip planning is a bit more last-minute or impromptu, you can easily find places for a gorgeous fall walk or bike ride, places to bring your dirt bikes, and generally just some of the best fall scenery for any outdoor activities.
Take on the Challenge of a Corn Maze
A fall afternoon spent winding your way through a challenging corn maze can be a great way to get fresh air with kids in the afternoon, as well as a creepy way to prepare for Halloween come nightfall.
- Smoky Lake‘s Corn Maze is held in line with the town’s Great White North Pumpkin Fair & Weigh-off and will be open on Halloween.
- The Vegreville Corn Maze runs in September and October with fun-themed weekends like the Scarecrow Stroll, It’s Fall Ya’ll, or Field of Screams.
- The K3 Corn Maze & Family Farm is a great family destination with a few other farm-themed games and activities for kids to enjoy.
- Wainwright/Zajic Corn Maze regularly updates the Facebook page with what to expect for each weekend’s activities and the food available.
Franchere Fall Fair
The community of Franchere is on the northwest side of Moose Lake, and have a full day of fall activities planned for its annual fair. You and your family will get to partake in games like BB Shoot, balloon darts, and the Corn Maze, and can later enjoy the Petting Zoo. All the onsite food and snacks for purchase will be fall and harvest-themed, too, with pie, corn on the cob, and more. Details
When: September 27, 2025
Where: Franchere Community Centre – AB-660, Glendon
How much: free
Fall Fest in Lloyd
Travel as far east as you can go in Alberta for your fall day trip and hit up the Lloydminster Fall Fest. The free and family-friendly event features tons of kids’ activities, fall photo ops, a barbecue, live music, a hay maze, and wagon rides. Details
When: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Where: Bud Miller All Seasons Park, Lloydminster
How much: free
Smoky Lake’s Great White North Pumpkin Fair & Weigh-off
A day at the Pumpkin Fair in Smoky Lake is one of the essential fall activities in Alberta. The day is packed full with family fun beginning with a pancake breakfast, followed by the show and shine, farmers’ market, beer gardens, corn maze, and live entertainment. You’ll also get to witness the weigh-off of Alberta’s biggest pumpkins! Details
When: October 3 to 5, 2025
Where: Pumpkin Park, Smoky Lake
How much: free
Andrew Garlic Festival
You can visit Andrew this October for a fun way to kick off your Thanksgiving long weekend. The Garlic Festival on October 8th is a day full of kids activities like pony rides and a petting zoo, as well as other things for he whole family like a farmers’ market, parade, live entertainment, and contests. You can also purchase tickets to the evening Fall Family Frolick & Dance, with a meal included. Details
When: October 11, 2025
Where: Andrew Community Centre 5401 – 51 Avenue
Paddle among the Fall Colours
You have several options when it comes to scenic places to canoe or kayak this fall in Alberta: you can go north toward more forested parks, directly east toward the Lakelands, or further south to the Red Deer River. All of these areas are gorgeous while the leaves change colours for the season!
- Elk Island National Park is bright with warm colours each fall, and Astotin Lake is open to canoers or kayakers. You can explore the many islands on the lake,
- The Lakeland Canoe Circuit in northeastern Alberta brings you across many beautiful large and small lakes while you can enjoy the colours, the waterfowl, and the wildlife on the shores.
- Paddling the Red Deer River in eastern Alberta brings you through gorgeous and sometimes surreal badlands scenery.
Bring Binoculars for Birdwatching
Fall is a special time for birdwatching in Alberta as you get the chance to see some non-permanent bird residents. During the migratory season, you can spot a wider variety of birds as some make their way south.
- Garner Lake PP is a short drive east of Edmonton and has a few trails to follow, as well as a boat launch and picnic areas.
- Long Lake PP is a bit further north but can still be made into a day trip from Edmonton.
- Miquelon Lake PP is one of the closest options for great birdwatching near Edmonton and has several trails to follow.
Antique Shopping
Discover treasures, old and new, from the various antique shops around Eastern Alberta. You will find amazing and unique décor, cool kitchen items, furniture, games, and plenty more small knickknacks.
- Lucille’s Antiques & Treasures (Vegreville) offers everything from toys and games to furniture, instruments, dishware, and several other cool trinkets. Watch their Facebook for the occasional sidewalk sale announcement.
- The Heritage Corner Shoppe (Bellis) can take an hour or two to explore with hundreds of small items and several pieces of beautiful antique furniture.
- Laurie’s Vintage Creations (Viking) is not exactly an antique shop but it is worth a visit during your trip as they stock their shelves with local Alberta-made goods.
- Relic’s Relics (Uncas) is by appointment only but makes for a short drive from Edmonton.
Take in a bit of History.
The North Saskatchewan River is historically significant to Alberta’s early development as a province, and pieces of this history line the river from east to west. Some historical sites are closed for Fall, but you can still enjoy a mix of nature and education from these locations.
- Metis Crossing has various experiences all year round.
- The Fort Heritage Precinct is open year-round.
- The St. Paul Art Walk is a free way to experience art, history, and nature all at once. The lakeside art displays which decorate Lagasse Park in town offer a look into the area’s Metis and Ukrainian history and cultures.
Kinosoo Ridge Aerial Adventure Park
Take advantage of the Kinosoo Ride Aerial Park’s final month for the season, and see the changing colours of the leaves from way up above the trees. The park features four stories for you to climb, with several small obstacles and challenges along the way to the top. Your reward? Views of Cold Lake from 60ft above ground! Details
When: open until September 20.
Where: 63231 Range Road 411, Cold Lake
Go out for a Nature Walk
Numerous trail systems runs through the Conservation and Natural areas of eastern Alberta. And in the fall, these natural areas are especially beautiful scenery for a family walk.
- The Alix Lake Nature Trail (southeast) can lead you through 6km of beautiful fall scenery.
- Strathcona Wilderness Centre and the Beaver Hills Biodiversity trail offer a beautiful fall walk with chances to spot several birds and types of wildlife.
- The Rochon Sands Loop is an easy 4km loop through the Provincial Park and campground.
Attend an Oktoberfest
Cheers to fall, and plan your weekend around Alberta Oktoberfest.
Alberta Prairie Railway Fall Excursions
Get your fall fun on the rails this year with Alberta Prairie Railway and their variety of themed train rides:
- END OF SEASON Fireworks: Experience a vibrant 5.5-hour journey to Big Valley with a beef buffet, live entertainment, historic sites exploration, potential Reynolds Raiders encounter, and a concluding drone show on September 27, 2025.
- Harvest Pumpkin Fest: Celebrate fall at the Harvest Pumpkin Fest with train time, games, pumpkin picking, and a petting zoo at Country Hideaway on October 11, 2025.
Murder on the Battle River Express
Embark on the Murder on the Battle River Express from Kelsey to Forestburg for a thrilling night of mystery, suspense, and festive fun. Enjoy interactive sleuthing, a traditional Christmas feast, and captivating entertainment as you solve a murder on board. Perfect for friends, families, or office parties—your ticket includes the round-trip train ride, meal, and an unforgettable adventure. Details
When: November 29 & 30, 2025
Where: Kelsey
How much: $150 Adults; $100 Youth
Big Alberta Daytrip
No matter which direction you go, when you travel to eastern Alberta between the north and south, you can create road trips out of the large monuments and statues hidden around the prairies.
- David Thompson Monument – Lac la Biche
- Angus Shaw – Bonnyville
- World’s Largest Perogy – Glendon
- World’s Largest Mushrooms – Vilna
- Pumpkin Park and CN Rail Museum – Smoky Lake
- UFO Landing Pad – St. Paul
- Peter Fiddler Statue – Elk Point
- World’s Largest Oil Derrick – Redwater
- World’s Largest Mallard Duck – Andrew
- World’s Largest Chuckwagon – Dewberry
- World’s Largest Ukrainian Sausage – Mundare
- World’s Largest Pysanka – Vegreville
- World’s Largest Lamp – Donalda
Stargazing
Fall is the best time for stargazing or night-sky-photography in Alberta, and can offer some spectacular scenery you won’t want to miss.
- The Beaverhills Dark Sky Preserve is best enjoyed from the picnic tables and beach of Elk Island National Park, where you can set up a fire for the evening.
- You can also enjoy the stars, moon, or aurora from Lakeland Provincial Park, another of Alberta’s Dark Sky Preserves.
Find the Warm & Cozy Cafes
Your fall adventures or day trip might come with some cooler weather; if that’s the case, you can stop by the local cafes around eastern Alberta for a warm-up drink or a full meal.
- Baba’s Bistro & Coffee House in Mundare offers yummy Ukrainian treats to pair with your coffee.
- Main Street in Camrose has several options for a tasty bite or cozy cup of coffee, including the board game café, Fox & Fable (where you can also buy books from local authors!), FIKA Coffeehouse, and Camrose Coffee.
- You can find the Cherry Lane Café a short drive south of Camrose, where you can sit down to a home-cooked meal in a pretty country setting.
Pack a Picnic of Local Goodies
You can shop the fall markets and farmers’ markets to find several picnic goodies and meals. Here are a few more suggestions!
- Before a picnic at Garner Lake, stop at Linda’s Market Gardens or the Old Fashioned Bread Bakery, both in Smoky Lake
- Before a picnic at Elk Island National Park, stop at the Country Mercantile in Uncas.
- Before a picnic anywhere north of Highway 16 you can include a stop at Stawnichy’s in Mundare for sausages to cook over your picnic fire.
Off-Highway Vehicle Riding
Looking for somewhere to bring your ATV or dirt bike before the snow comes? There are extensive trail networks east and northeast of Edmonton for ATVs, dirt bikes and quads, including IHT which can take you as far east as Cold Lake.
- Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail is beautiful this time of year, and will give you chances to see several different parts of eastern Alberta.
- Redwater Provincial Recreation Area has a 13km loop that works great for smaller vehicles like dirt bikes and quads. Hikers may be on the trail, too.
Fall Camping
Camping in Alberta’s fall weather can sometimes be more enjoyable and relaxing than camping with the summer heat. It is also a bit prettier in Alberta’s parks this time of year, with the stars out earlier, and the fall colours emerging.
- Long Lake Provincial Park is in a fairly forested area, and you can enjoy camping in these bright fall colours until October 11th.
- You can book a tent or RV spot at North Buck Lake anytime between now and October 3rd.
- The Narrows PRA will take you a little further south, and offers camping until October 10th.
Tour the Towns by Bike
I’d argue that there is no better way to tour Alberta’s smaller towns than on a bike, as long as there is no snow. If you have the vehicle space or bike rack, you can pack up your bike and pick from interesting places filled with cool art, scenic bike paths, and beautiful fall colours.
- Camrose, although not that small, can still be toured in a day on a bike thanks to its north-to-south network of paved trails.
- Smoky Lake is a scenic town in the fall, and it can get you on the Iron Horse Trail from Pumpkin Park.
- Vermillion has a few different branches of bike paths that lead to views of a wide part of Vermillion Park Lake.
Take a Winery Tour
The Barr Estate Winery is not a far drive from Edmonton and may also be accessed by Uber. And they offer tours of their beautiful estate! Call ahead and book a tour and tasting to enjoy the fresh fruit wines right on the farm. It is a beautiful time of year in Strathcona County! Details
When: Various Dates
Where: 51526 Range Rd 231, Sherwood Park
Pumpkin Picking
Spend your Thanksgiving Weekend at the Mill Tower Ranch Pumpkin Patch picking your own pumpkins for the holiday, or for Halloween fun. This is opening weekend for the ranch, and they’re excited to welcome you and your family to the ranch! So much so that if they get pumpkins before Thanksgiving, they’ll let everyone know on Facebook; they’ll also start taking early u-pick appointments if they can. Details
Where: Mill Tower Ranch, RR#1, Ponoka
Apple U-Pick
Attracted2Apples opens their apple u-pick as soon as they’re ready, which should be the first week of September. Their 800-tree orchard has over a dozen different apple varieties growing in it, giving you plenty of options for your next pie, jam, or other fall desserts. The apples are all-natural, too, meaning the farm doesn’t use pesticides, herbicides, nor chemical fertilizer. Details
When: weekends in September
Where: 54264 Range Rd 213, Fort Saskatchewan
Farmers’ Market Shopping
Experience the last of the outdoor markets this fall! There are a variety of Farmers’ Markets around Eastern Alberta where you will find fresh produce and meats, handmade crafts and decors, homemade jewelry and clothing, and many other local goodies.
- Explore farm-to-table foods through an afternoon at the Vilna Farmers’ Market (Sundays in September/October)
- The Camrose Downtown Farmers’ Market features plenty of vendors, as well as food trucks and live music (Thursdays in September).
- You have until October to shop the Andrew Farmers’ Market (Saturdays), which will be on the same time as the town’s Garlic Festival.