Central Alberta 
Looking for a bit of escape this weekend?
From briding to comfort camping under the stars, here are seven trip ideas in Alberta for April 22-24th, 2022.
Romance in Canmore
It isn’t hard to find a bit of romance in Alberta’s Rockies. And it seems like Canmore was built for all you’d want to involve in a romantic weekend away: natural scenery, flowers in bloom, small, decorated streets to walk and shop, all make this town a wonderful escape. For those in Calgary, it is also a really close way to escape!
You can choose between a huge variety of hotels and lodges in Canmore, but if romance is your aim, we recommend the Georgetown Inn. It is a smaller and older hotel with elegance, charm, and romantically set rooms. For a more modern romantic experience, the Malcom Hotel in Canmore also offers a couples’ paradise being on a creek and having hot tubs facing awesome views.
Looking for something to do while you’re in Canmore? Many of the city’s paved trails connect to more remote trails perfect for a bike or hike.
The Enchanted River Cottage
You are in luck if you’re looking to explore Drumheller this weekend. The Enchanted River Cottage has space available, and this is an accommodation option you won’t be able to pass up. The cottage provides all the comforts of home, including Wi-Fi, and is large enough for groups of up to eight people. The most impressive feature is in the main bathroom: you’ll have a private soaker tub with full views of the badlands.
Enchanted River Cottage/Booking.com
Drumheller’s biggest attractions, like the big dinosaur and the hoodoos, are only a short drive away. For some free fun, you can walk the shores of the nearby Red Deer River.
Birding in Grande Prairie
The City of Grande Prairie, and its wetlands, are an important stop for many birds in their migratory journey. In order to celebrate this, educate the community, and make a little fun out of it, the city has organized a birding scavenger hunt! Grande Prairie’s Ultimate Goose Chase runs for the remainder of April and is accompanied by an app which helps to identify the birds on your hunt/chase around Muskoseepi Park. The Goose Chase has a few prizes involved, too!
There are many family-friendly hotels within walking distance of Muskoseepi Park and along highway AB-40. If you’re looking for a more outdoor adventure for the weekend, there are a few campsites open for April.
Beauvais Lake Provincial Park
This southwestern provincial park lies at the dividing line between the Rockies and the foothills. Given its location, the weather could be a bit warmer here for a late April camping trip. The Park’s year-round walk-in tenting sites are a short 3km walk from the main campground, but are far enough away to give you the sense of being in a far, remote area. Beauvais Lake’s second year-round campground is a little more connected with a few power sites from which to choose.
There is much to see and do in this area, also known as the ‘Crown of the Continent’ due to its rich habitats and landscapes. This makes the Park excellent for wildlife viewing, especially in spring. But with that, keep in mind that you will be among large, dangerous wildlife and to be ‘bear aware’ (secure food and garbage, be noisy on remote hikes, plan You may want to centre your trip around waterfall hikes and viewings, as there are several in the area.
Comfort Camping under the Stars
There are now a few options for comfort camping within Cypress Hills Provincial Park. The PP offers year-round cabins in a few different size options which can sleep from three to eight people. It is a great way to camp and minimizes how much you have to pack for the weekend. But one of the most special parts about camping in this area in spring is the starry skies.
Cypress Hills is one of Alberta’s Dark Sky Preserves, meaning no light pollution will obstruct your views. And seeing as these comfort cabins have adjacent fire pits, it will be easy to step outside your cabin, light a fire, and sit back to relax under the clear skies (if weather permits, of course!). There is a meteor shower (Lyrids) predicted for this weekend, so you might catch a few shooting stars!
Lakeside Cabins at Sylvan
You can choose from several ways to stay beachside at Sylvan Lake this weekend. While it obviously isn’t warm enough for swimming at the beach, we may get lucky enough with weather this weekend for enjoying a book or a glass of wine next to the water. If you need accommodation for a larger group or family, this lovely beachfront cabin has room for 10+ people this coming weekend. Looking for a couples’ getaway at the lake? This cozier cottage is perfect for two.
If you are in Sylvan on Friday, April 22, you can bring your whole family to their Earth Day Celebrations at Centennial Park. Just be sure to bring your own container so you can walk away with your own potted plant. The organizers provide everything else! Sylvan Lake is also a town built for cyclists, so bring your bikes if you can! The lake itself is home to Jarvis Bay Provincial Park on its north shores where you’ll find more remote trails.
GONE FISH INN at Alberta Beach
You’ll have your option of a few different cabins at Gone Fish Inn this weekend, all three of which include lakefront views of Lac Saint Anne. The resort area includes a private beach, Lakeshore Park, a Welcome Centre, and an Amenities Centre. While you’re here, you can enjoy some early season fishing, or cozy fires at your cabin.
The cabins include several comforts like comfy beds, full kitchens, smart TVs in some cases (no Wi-Fi or cable), and private bathrooms. A drive to Alberta Beach only takes an hour or two for those in Edmonton, the Capital Region, or other northern Alberta towns.
