The small southeastern city of Brooks in Alberta is in a unique spot. Brooks has the convenience of Highway 1 running through its centre while also being near many natural and manmade attractions.
The small city is surrounded by badlands, farmland, and river valleys to offer exceptional outdoor recreation. And along the way, you’ll also get incredible views of the varied scenery. Lake Newell is at the heart of this beautiful scenery around Brooks and only a short drive south of the city.
As one of Alberta’s largest man-made lakes, Lake Newell is a well-known boating destination in southern Alberta. But beyond the boats are many other recreational opportunities like swimming, hiking, camping, or picnicking.
The attractions in Brooks and the nearby Provincial Parks help to make the southeastern Alberta city and area a great summer destination. However, Brooks is easily a fall, winter, or spring destination, too (many nearby campgrounds are open year-round!).
Historical & Family-Friendly Attractions Around Brooks
There is a wide array of local history to explore in the Brooks region and around the rest of Newell County. In addition to the Brooks historical attractions are also some great family attractions that are perfect for a late summer or early fall vacation.
- Visit the Brooks and District Museum and/or the EID Historical Park in Scandia, to explore a variety of restored buildings which make up the open-air museums.
- Blackfoot Crossing and Historical Park is about halfway between Calgary and Brooks and offers accommodation options. The large museum has a variety of exhibits to explore and a tipi village for overnight stays.
- A visit to the Brooks Aqueduct National Historic Site offers historical education, a hiking trail, and a unique picnic setting.
- White Barn Fun Farm (July-October) and the Brooks Corn Maze (mid-August to late October) are two local outdoor attractions that help families make the most of farm life and fun!
Provincial Parks near Brooks
Each of the closest Provincial Parks to Brooks offers a great accommodation option for any type of camper. These parks include tent and RV camping, plus glamping. Each park also offers activities like hiking, swimming, boating, and birding and wildlife viewing.
- Tillebrook Provincial Park is the closest park to Brooks (7km away), with a large campground, hiking trails, and day-use picnic areas.
- Kinbrook Island Provincial Park is on the east side of Lake Newell and about 15km south of Brooks. The park offers camping and a variety of water sports. The park’s beach is open to campers and day-use visitors, and swimming is allowed on Lake Newell. The large lake is also great for paddling, power boating, or sports like windsurfing.
- Dinosaur Provincial Park is a bit further, about 50km away from Brooks, but certainly worth a visit for anyone in the area or passing through on their way to Brooks. The park has riverside camping and trails, and a great deal of geological history to explore.
The Best Hiking & Cycling Trails in Newell County
The trails within Brooks can fill an hour or two while taking you around scenic wetland areas. Trails a little way outside Brooks in Kinbrook Island Park can fill half a day with wildlife and nature photography, offer over 10km of trail, and provide many chances for birding.
- Right in Brooks is a 2.5km trail that loops around Stafford Lake, where you can explore by foot or bike, with a leashed pup, on a jog, or with a camera. This lake is popular with birds. There is also a shorter trail to the south, which extends around one side of Meadow Lake (beside the museum).
- Between the campground trails and the Marsh Trail within Kinbrook Island Provincial Park are close to 10km of hiking trails. The main Marsh Trail is a 6.2km loop which can be started from the trailhead parking lot and park entrance or the H, I, and G campgrounds.
Local Dining in Brooks
Whether you’re after fresh foods and produce to cook takeout, or a place to dine in, Brooks has something for every experience and then some!
- The local Farmers’ Market is open every Thursday from May to early October and selected Saturdays and gets visitors a huge variety of local vendors all in one spot. Beyond producers, the market also showcases local art, music, and gifts from other creators.
- Grab the local, homestyle cooking of PD’s Eats, Canadian Pizza Unlimited, or Home Time Bar-B-Que and Bakery
- North Star Pho, Kim’s Cambodian Restaurant, and Sierra Madre offer a variety of locally-made international cuisine in Brooks.
- Grab snacks, breakfast treats, or coffee drinks and tea in Brooks from The Steaming Cup, Boba Buzz, Sips Drive Thru Coffee Bar, or the Seasons Café & Eatery in the Heritage Inn.
Where to Stay in Brooks
The three Provincial Parks within an hour’s drive of Brooks all offer tent and RV camping. Plus, Dinosaur Provincial Park offers glamping options. There are many more great places to stay near and in Brooks, from rentals to private campgrounds, or an array of motels/hotels.
- The Emerson Bridge Park & Campground (May-September) is north of Brooks and on the forested banks of the Red Deer River. Year-round camping is offered south of Brooks at the Scandia Campground. Also south of Brooks is the Rolling Hills Reservoir Campground with a small boating lake and marina.