Slave Lake Region: Summer Adventures & Festivals For a Weekend Getaway

It is no surprise that the second largest lake in Alberta offers a huge variety of family-friendly fun.

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Credit: Alberta Parks

Plan a getaway to the town of Slave Lake or Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park and choose from different types of outdoor recreation at the lake, hiking, festivals, and all the delicious dining around town.

Contents:

  • Summer Recreation
  • Food & Dining
  • Vacation Ideas
  • Festivals

1. Summer Recreation in Slave Lake

Swimming

 

The Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park takes up a large area along the northeast shores with its Marten River and Devonshire Day Use Areas open to swimmers. The large lake may be chillier earlier in the summer, but that may not matter on a hot enough day! There is ample space around the area where you can set up for the day with blankets, picnics, and umbrellas.

Where: Marten River Day Use & Devonshire Beach Day Use, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park

ATVing

The forests around Lesser Slave Lake offer expansive trails for any ATVer with the Grizzly Ridge area being a popular spot. Grizzly Ridge stretches south from Slave Lake to the edge of the Grizzly Ridge Wildland Provincial Park. There are more though, suitable for quads, motorbikes, and more.

Details

Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation

Lesser Slave Lake is in the southern portion of Canada’s Boreal Forest- an area home to hundreds of species of birds. When you visit, you and your family can learn all about them or sign up for more hands-on workshops, bird banding tours at Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory, or events.

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Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory

Details

When: year-round, fall migration tours July mid to end of September; Tours last about an hour.

Where: Follow Highway AB-88 to Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park

How much: free

Fishing

Lesser Slave Lake is famous for its fishing, and of course, its size allows for powerboaters to head out to the more remote areas and find the best spots. Fishers can patiently wait for walleye, northern pike, yellow perch, whitefish, goldeneye, and more.

To angle from more remote shores, fishers can head to the Wildland Provincial Park on the north shores. Details

Hiking

Lily Lake: a 5.3km out-and back trail which leads to a serene little lake, over creeks, and through wetlands.

Trans Canada Trail: there is a 28km portion of the cross-country network which follows Lesser Slave River Lake’s North Shore. You can begin in the town of Slave Lake, or further east as the trail also follows the Lesser Slave River.

North shore loops: you can decide how long you want your hike to be as these trails connect to others and create a series of small loops. You can cover over 3km in this area.

Paddle Around – Canoeing, Kayaking, or SUPing

The hand launch at Lesser Slave Lake’s Marten River Campground is a perfect scenic place to begin your paddle on either canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. You can tour the shores, watch for birds and larger wildlife, and go for a swim if it is warm enough outside. Details

Where: Marten River Campground

Powerboating & Water Sports

Lesser Slave Lake or Chain Lakes Provincial Recreation Area are both perfect for an afternoon of boating and exploring the lake or thrilling water sports. The expansive waters can be used for tubing, water skiing, or jet skiing. At Lesser Slave Lake PP there is only a hand launch, so you’ll need to go to the municipal boat launch on the Lesser Slave River.

2. Food & Dining to Try in Slave Lake

Farmers’ Markets

 

Get to some truly local shopping this summer in Slave Lake with the area farmers’ markets. You can pick up fresh produce for your camping trip, and meat to grill at the beach.

Slave Lake’s Best Ice Cream & Sweets

Satisfy your sweet tooth during your visit to Slave Lake with a visit to these local shops. Alimo’s Pizzeria is a popular spot for ice cream on hot summer days, and Fix Coffee Bar has a large array of fresh-baked sweets for starting your morning off right.

Slave Lake’s Best Patios

Grab a drink or a share a meal on these Slave Lake patios this summer. Stop by Dog Island for a home-brewed beer, Mr. Mike’s for a family dinner on the patio, or TA’s Asian Grill and sit around the fires in the evening.

 

3. Vacation Ideas in Slave Lake

Book a Cabin Stay

Get your fill of lake life living with a weekend away at a Slave Lake cabin. There are a few to choose from around the east side of Slave Lake, with a range of amenities and onsite activities to enhance your stay.

How much: $90-$200 per night

RV or Tent Camping

Make the weekend getaway a bit more rustic this summer with an RV or tent camping trip to Lesser Slave Lake.

The Marten River Campground and Chain Lakes have both tent sites without power and RV sites with power hookups. You can also partake in backcountry camping on the north side of Lesser Slave Lake at the Wildland Provincial Park.

How much: $28-$39 per night

Golf Stay and Play Package

Gilwood Golf is a beautiful lakeside course with all the amenities you’ll need for a weekend golf getaway. You’ll have access to a campground, restaurant, pro shop, and showers for campers. They also host special events like Ladies’ Night, Senior Nights, and tournaments. Details

When: spring and summer

Where: Gilwood Golf Club – HWY 88 Connector, Slave Lake

How much: $20 per night (no services)

 

4. Festivals & Events Around Slave Lake

Spruce Point Park Rodeo

 

This event is part of the Wildrose Rodeo Circuit which tours Alberta all summer. The Spruce Point Park portion of the rodeo events are in Kinuso, a short drive west of the town of Slave Lake. There will be events for all ages including the rodeo events, a family dance, live music, and fireworks. Details

When: July 2-3, 2022

Where: Spruce Point Park Campground Range Road 104, Kinuso

How much: $5-$15

Riverboat Daze

You can now purchase a ride all day pass for Slave Lake’s return of Riverboat Daze. The Carnival will be on for four days, and you can expect thrill rides, kiddie rides, carnival games, and plenty of carnival foods. Details

When: July 7-10

Where: Lot 15 Block A Plan 0840112, Slave Lake

How much: $38.05 (includes ride-all-day-pass)

 

Inter.Sect Art & Music Festival

The Inter.Sect festival is a three-day celebration of Canadian art and music in High Prairie. The artists range from EDM, hip-hop, to down-tempo genres. The festival hosts two stages, regular camping, and quiet camping areas for families. Details

When: August 11-14, 2022

Where: High Prairie

How much: $43.75 – $162.00

 

 

Slave Lake Motocross Grand Opening Weekend

Experience a thrilling weekend of riding or spectating with the Motocross track’s grand opening party. The three-day camp out includes plenty of track testing, as long as you purchase a day pass/membership, a Saturday barbecue, and some stylish swag now available for preorder. Details

When: July 22-24

Where: Slave Lake Motocross Association track

How much: camping is free, purchase day pass or membership to ride for the weekend

 

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