Central Alberta 
Credit: Iron Horse Trail
Discover some of Alberta’s hidden gems along the province’s longest trail network: The Iron Horse Trail!
The historic trail allows ATV, horseback, and hiking, and the trails wind from East to West, and North to South through Alberta’s plains, forests, prairies, and grasslands. The Iron Horse Trail branches off in three different directions and is divided into three main areas. All three of the branches, Southwest, Southeast, and Northeast, converge at Abilene Junction or “Mile Zero.”
The Southwest Branch begins on the trail’s west end at Waskatenau and heads east with the following towns/staging areas along the way: Warspite, Smoky Lake, Bellis, and Ashmont.
The Southeast Branch begins at Heinsberg on the trail’s south end and goes north with the following towns/staging areas along the way: St. Paul, Elk Point, Lindbergh, and Middle Creek.
The Northeast Branch begins at Cold Lake and heads south towards the Town of Bonnyville, Glendon, and Abilene Junction.
The trail is a favourite for those with motorized toys, those who love camping, and those who enjoy equestrian rides however, the trail is open to hikers year-round.
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Between the outdoor recreation and all the Alberta towns and villages to visit, there are tons of activities and fun for the entire family which you can find hidden along this former rail system.
If you are not a fan of hiking or quadding the 300 km-long, multi-use recreational trail, plan a trip to nearby villages and towns and explore attractions near the trail. Here are 25 things to do along the trail.
Credit: Iron Horse Trail
More about the trail if you want to plan multi-day hiking or ATV trip this summer.
Southwest Branch
Victoria Settlement
Take a scenic drive through the Victoria Trail that leads you to the Victoria Settlement Provincial Historic Site (10 km south of Smoky Lake on secondary highway #855, and 6 km east on the historic Victoria Trail) situated on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River to hear the story of a once-bustling community, along the Victoria Trail.
This historical site mandates itself on displaying three main parts of Alberta’s history: missionary, the fur trade, and settlement. Through Victoria Settlement, you can catch a glimpse of not only cultural history, but also ecological, architectural, and archaeological.
Smoky Lake Pumpkins and CN Rail Museum
This stop along the IHT is a large staging area but is also home to Smoky Lake’s ode to its pumpkin industry, and their ode to their CN rail history. The Smoky Lake Pumpkins are a famous roadside attraction and are great for family photos, and the CN Rail Museum beside them can take you back and teach you about the IHT’s original uses.
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Sweets in Smoky Lake
It isn’t hard to satisfy a sweet tooth in Smoky Lake: there’s the Old Fashioned Bread Bakery where you can get Ukrainian inspired, fresh baked goods every morning; the Tipsy Cow for lunch and dessert; Linda’s Market Gardens and Serben Farms for handmade ice cream; or shakes from Betsy’s Burger Shack.
Farm Fresh Shopping
Farm-to-table food can’t be beaten. While you’re near Smoky Lake, you can stock up on these goods from a few different places: Serben Farms for fresh meats, preserves, and more; Linda’s Market Gardens for flowers, fruits and vegetables, preserves, and more; or the Smoky Lake Farmers’ Market.
Bellis Heritage Corner Shoppe
Are you an antique hunter? Or just an incessant window shopper? Either way, the Bellis Heritage Corner Shoppe is your one-stop-shop for antiques, used housewares, furniture, and so much more. There is so much to browse in this adorable shop, so allow yourself some time to shop!
Metis Crossing Cultural Centre
Credit: Paddle into the past experience/Metis Crossing
South of Smoky Lake is a culturally and historically prominent area that was home fur trades, indigenous settlements, rail travel, wagon travel, and more. The Metis Crossing Interpretive Centre is a celebration of the Metis history of the region and offers some immersive experiences as well as overnight camping.
Historic Vilna and the Giant Mushrooms
The small village of Vilna is worth a stop for the historic and preserved buildings along the main street, as well as their oversized fungus! In Vilna’s Mushroom Park you’ll find the overwhelmingly large mushroom statues that are tall enough to provide shelter for a group of people from the rain. Why mushrooms? The Vilna Mushroom is very often hunted in the region as it’s a popular part of many Ukrainian dishes.
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Garner Lake Provincial Park
After Vilna, you can divert north to rest your head at a campsite at Garner Lake Provincial Park. Or, come for the day and enjoy the beach. Garner Lake is open for day use and camping, and hosts a whole array of outdoor recreation all year round. Head to Garner Lake on your snowmobiles for ice fishing and cross-country skiing, or in the summer for some swimming and fishing.
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Southeast Branch
St. Paul’s UFO Landing Pad
The town of St. Paul is home to one of the IHT’s largest staging areas which offers showers, washrooms, RV/tent campsites, equestrian pitching poles, and a playground. The campground is on the east end of town, and a quick walk away you can find their famous UFO Landing Pad. This large concrete sculpture is a sight to see in person and is also home to St. Paul’s Visitor Information Centre.
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Lagasse Park in St. Paul
No matter the season, Lagasse Park offers a beautiful place within St. Paul to walk, picnic, or take in a sunset over Upper Therrien Lake. The park is decorated with numerous large sculptures as well and can serve as an afternoon Art Walk.
Kehiwin Provincial Recreation Area
Just after St. Paul and just north of the trail is the Kehiwin PRA where you can enjoy a secluded weekend away from the city. The area offers camping, epic fishing, and canoeing/kayaking.
Mural Park in Elk Point
This town park is decorated and encircled with several murals which depict Elk Point’s history and culture. It is a perfect picnic site.
Pete Fiddler
He’s hard to miss! This enormous statue stands at the north entrance to town and is surrounded by green space and picnic benches. There are plenty of cool vantage points for epic photos!
Credit: Fort George and Buckingham House
Fort George and Buckingham House
The Provincial Historic Site can teach you and your family all about the super-important industry of the fur trade in Alberta over 200 years ago. Here, you can partake in interactive exhibits, and guided tours, and check out some travelling exhibits.
Whitney Lakes Provincial Park
This provincial park consists of 4 lakes in total and 3 front-country campgrounds. In addition to beaches, camping and fishing, you can also get in plenty of hiking and canoeing around these gorgeous lakes.
Credit: Alberta Parks
Guided Fishing in the North Saskatchewan (near Heinsberg)
Craving a little adventure off the IHT? The North Saskatchewan River Guide can take you for some thrills on the river through fishing tours. Book an hourly- or entire-day trip.
Northeast Branch
Trail Rides
If you aren’t fortunate enough to be able to go on your own equestrian adventures, then leave it to someone else! Both Cowboy Town (near Ardmore) and Equitrim (near Bonnyville) offer wagon/sleigh rides as well as trail rides. They’ll take you out on the IHT as it was originally travelled and guide you through beautiful rural Alberta scenery.
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Bonnyville’s Angus Shaw & The Museum
The large wooden carving of Alberta’s first European settler, Angus Shaw, sits at the entrance to Bonnyville & District Museum. Shaw stands at a daunting 7m tall and is a reminder to his contribution to the area’s fur trade.
Bonnyville Museum
Bonneyville’s Art and Cafes
Many local cafes in Bonnyville work to support the town’s local artists. As you venture out for baked goods, tea, or coffee, take a gander at some local masterpieces, many of which are for sale. The Sugar Belle Café & Antiques and the Beantrees Café in Bonnyville both offer these experiences.
Bonnyville’s Farmers’ Markets
To see the best of what local shopping in Bonnyville can offer, you can take a stroll through their year-round Farmers’ Markets on Tuesday in the Beaver River Fish and Game Building (4402-54 Avenue) and Saturday at the Bonnyville and District Centennial Centre (4313-50 Avenue).
U-Pick!
Check out these scenic u-pick areas for fresh fruits and vegetables in Lakeland: Lynn Rob Strawberries and Market Garden (Strawberries, Saskatoons, Honeyberries (Haskap), garden vegetables, baking and canned fruits and vegetables); Rocky Meadows Country Get-Away (Saskatoons, pies and preserves); H’Evans Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries, Haskap and Saskatoons); or, Dirt Road Gardens (Asparagus in early spring. Strawberries from mid-June to end of July).
Moose Lake Provincial Park
Just before Bonnyville, the IHT takes you through Moose Lake Provincial Park. This massive lake offers plenty for outdoor recreation including camping (with power sites and unserviced sites), swimming, fishing, hiking, power boating, water sports, and canoeing/kayaking.
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Visit Glendon and the Giant Perogy
After the Pumpkins and the Mushrooms, you may think there couldn’t be any larger roadside attractions on the IHT. BUT, in the village of Glendon, there is a statue of ‘The World’s Largest Perogy,’ with fork and all.
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Visit the Ghost Town of Fort Kent
Fort Kent gets the name of ghost town in two ways: there are a few buildings from days of old which remain, and there is a famous ghost story attached to the town. For more mature IHT visitors, you can read more about the ghostly tales of Fort Kent, but if travelling with kids, you can stick to the historical angle for your visit!
Cross the IHT on the Beaver River Trestle
This piece of engineering stands as a beautiful reminder of the past uses of the Iron Horse Trail. As you cross the Beaver River, look down, way down below, and imagine riding an Iron Horse at full speed across.
Cold Lake
Plan a day or two in the city of Cold Lake. There is plenty to see and do including Cold Lake Provincial Park, hiking along Millenium Trail leading from the Cold Lake Marina to CFB Cold Lake, Cold Lake Museums, Cold Lake Air Force Museum, ziplining at the beach and more!
By: Bernadette Gallagher
Typo:
“The Southwest Branch begins on the trail’s west end at Wasketnau and …”
Should read “Waskatenau”
Fourth travel article viewed today – fourth error found. See earlier comments. Ho Humm….