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When we consider top beach destinations in Alberta, we don’t always consider going north. North-central Alberta is one of the province’s premier beach destinations with a Provincial Park and an adjacent town, which makes for a fun visit and vacation any time of year.
The town of Slave Lake sits on the far eastern shore of the expansive Lesser Slave Lake, the second largest in Alberta. During the fall season, the boreal forest shorelines create beautiful scenery, and both spring and fall visits make for the best birding in Alberta. During the winters, the town is busy with festive celebrations, while winter recreation takes over Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.
A summer getaway to Slave Lake, however, offers a unique Alberta experience. The Slave Lake Region, as well as the Provincial Park, provide several options for staying overnight to make time for festivals, local dining and shopping, time at the beach, on the lake, or on the trails.
A Day at Devonshire Beach
There are seven day-use areas at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park that provide waterfront picnic opportunities. The only ones with a swimming area, however, are the Devonshire North and South day use areas, and the Marten River day use area. The Devonshire areas are also the two closest to the town of Slave Lake. The waters are usually quite cool, but the swimming area extends quite a way into shallow waters that offer a refreshing place for a dip on a hot day.
- During the evenings, the beach is a perfect place for catching a summer sunset, and clear nights will offer incredible stargazing opportunities over the water.
- Each of the park’s day use areas, including the beach, have picnic sites, outhouses, and parking.
More Adventures at Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park
The gorgeous areas which Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park protects include a wide array of scenery to enjoy on a day or overnight trip. This includes Alberta’s easternmost foothill, Marten Mountain, natural sand beaches and small dunes, a large wetlands complex, boreal forest, and the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory.
- Lesser Slave Lake is an Alberta birding hot spot with the expansive shorelines and northern boreal forests surrounding the lake and town. The Provincial Park is also home to the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation, open to the public for education, birding, and the gift shop, all summer.
- Self-guided birding can take place on one of the park’s many beautiful forested or shoreline trails.
- This park is home to over 30km of hiking and cycling trails! This includes shoreline trails, a trail up Marten Mountain for great lake views, or meandering trails through the wetlands and forests.
- Motorized boating is permitted on Lesser Slave Lake with the launch within the town of Slave Lake, rather than the Provincial Park. Use the Park’s hand launch for canoes or kayaks, including the SUPs or kayaks available for rent. Get the rentals from the Marten River day use area.
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Arts, Culture, & History in Slave Lake
The festivals and local Slave Lake events mentioned above are a great source for learning about town arts, history and culture! Plus, there are some additional places to check out in the region that offer more for info, entertainment, and fun.
- Find the Kinosayo Museum on Lesser Slave Lake’s south shores about halfway between Driftpile and Slave Lake. The site includes indoor and outdoor exhibits.
- Stage North is the local performing arts and theatre group who have shows out of Slave Lake’s Legacy Centre. There are no live shows scheduled for the coming summer months, but these performances are excellent to keep in mind for a fall or winter trip!
- Get more out of the local arts scene with a trip to the Slave Lake Farmers’ Market, where several local artists set up vendor stalls, or with a visit to the Visitor Centre, where more local art is on display/for sale. The arts and culture of the Slave Lake Region doesn’t end there, either, with the Lesser Slave Lake Regional Arts Council consistently adding events to their Facebook calendar.
- Discover more local culture with a walk around the shops of Slave Lake’s Main Street West: there are places for toys and games, boutique clothing stores, or bath and beauty products. Be sure to also keep your eyes open for the Regional Arts Council’s latest additions to the townscape: two new murals by Alberta artists Ashley Rosenow and Kristin Thackeray.
The Best Trails around Town
The trails of Lesser Slave Lake PP (many of which are open to hikers and cyclists), are an excellent choice for short walks and longer hikes, with a great variety of scenery to offer as well. Plus, the park trails are home to a huge array of birds to listen to and watch, as well as other wildlife. For summer 2025, there are a handful of Provincial Park trails closed to the public due to wildfire safety concerns.
- The park’s lakeshore trails are also part of the much, much longer Trans Canada Trail which cuts through the Provincial Park for about 24km. Within the park, this section is also known as the Freighter Lakeshore Trail.
- Follow the community trail straight through town and alongside the pretty and peaceful Sawridge Creek. The trail loops around Slave Lake for just under 14km.
Slave Lake’s Summer Events
There will be something exciting happening around Slave Lake almost every weekend this summer. Between the many Farmers’ Market dates, annual festivals, and new events, there is something for all types of interests and a wide range of ages.
- Summers in Slave Lake kick off with the annual Riverboat Daze and a full carnival, plus more activities around Main Street in town.
- The summer fun continues with one of the town’s newest events, the Crash for Cash Demolition Derby. The weekend festival features camping opportunities, live entertainment, a beer gardens, and the demolition entertainment.
- As a top Alberta beach destination, Slave Lake is ready to celebrate summers at Devonshire with Beach Fest. The two-day event will feature a “Pirates of Devonshire” theme with activities and festivities taking place around Slave Lake and Devonshire Beach in the Provincial Park.
- The weekend of August 15th is busy in the Slave Lake region with the annual Driftpile Cree Nation Powwow, and the Slave Lake Airport Fly In Air Fair.
- The Summer Slave Lake Farmers’ Market Series pops up on Main Street this summer (July 5 and 26, August 9 and 23, and September 6) with a huge array of local goods to browse from fresh produce and farm products, to baked goods and sweets, or handmade and artisanal goods.
- Keep the Driftpile North Country Fair in mind for future visits to the Slave Lake Region; there is no fair for 2025, but this exciting weekend of music and camping is back in 2026.
Slave Lake’s Summer Dining
Get a great taste of the local foods and farm goods around Slave Lake with the Summer Farmers’ Market Series, as well as the many local eateries around Main Street and other areas. Plus, most of those larger hotel chains each have a restaurant or pub within their lobbies.
- Sip and savour the local drinks this summer in Slave Lake with local cafes like FIX Coffee & Bakery or Bestea Bubble Tea and Snack Shop, Slave Lake’s Dog Island Brewing, or pubs like Doms Alehouse.
- Many of those locations listed above also have delicious food menus for takeout and dine-in; get more takeaway options for lakeside picnics and outdoor dining with Donair on Main, The Landing at the Slave Lake Inn, Momma B’s Second Helping, Susans Kitchen, or Burgers Plus.
- Enjoy a sit down or family style meal with local restaurants like the Slave Lake Grill, Carlos Pizza & Steak House, TA’s Asian Grill & Steakhouse, Delhi to Lahore, Alimo’s Pizzeria, Ken’s Stir Fry, or Toniroz Grill & Restaurant.
Where to Stay around Slave Lake
Take your pick amongst numerous ways to stay in the Slave Lake Region including camping or glamping, cabins, hotels, motels, and inns.
- In addition to its beautiful beach and swimming areas, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park is also home to two scenic campground with some sites overlooking the lake. The park has a ton of amenities, too, like showers and washrooms, water taps, a laundromat, firewood, and sites with electric hookup. Plus, the park operates a beautiful and large 10-person cabin dubbed The Nest for rent with water, electricity, two full bathrooms, a private deck, and wheelchair accessibility.
- There are more great camping options around town and right in town, including the Big Fish Bay RV Resort, Canyon Creek Campground and Harbour, Lakeview Campground & Marina, or Spruce Point Park. The Old Town Cabins are also in the heart of town and near the beach with full washrooms and kitchens.
- The majority of Slave Lake’s larger hotels are around Highway AB-2 and Main Street to provide numerous comfortable room options for a summer stay.
