Explore the wilderness and town of Athabasca this summer and choose between various activities for you and your family.
You can take part in a lot of fun outdoor recreation without even leaving town, too, with the River Front Park at the end of Highway 2, and Muskeg Creek in southwest Athabasca. While you’re in town, explore the historic buildings, the local dining and drinks, and several ways to shop.
But beyond town and throughout Athabasca County is Alberta wilderness, and all the wonderful things you can do in it during late summer or early fall: hiking, boating, fishing, or paddling are all possible via Poacher’s Landing or the La Biche River Wildland. If you need a little help exploring the wilderness, there are guided tours available too!
Outdoor Activities
1. Beaches & Swimming
You have many beautiful options for a swim this August in Athabasca County, including five-day use areas with $5 or $10 parking fees: Baptiste Lake, Hope Lake, Jackfish Lake, Forfar Recreation Park, and the Shoreline Camping & Fishing Resort, all offer sandy beaches for a day at the lake.
Along with swimming and floating, you can take advantage of other activities and kids can make use of the playgrounds. North Buck Lake Provincial Day Use area is free to use, and offers other activities like bird watching, lazy floating, boating, and picnicking.
When: Summer
Where: Baptisite Lake, Hope Lake, Jackfish Lake, Forfar Recreation Park, Shoreline Camping & Fishing Resort, North Buck Lake
How much: $5-$10
2. Fishing on the Athabasca River
The mighty Athabasca River provides some of the world’s best fishing! In addition to a wide variety of fish to catch, there is also a large abundance of them like Goldeye, Rocky Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Walleye, Grayline, Burbot, and more. Poacher’s Landing is the easiest area to access, whether you are fishing from the shores or on a boat. For more remote fishing, the La Biche Wildland can be accessed via Poacher’s Landing with ATVs/OHVs, horses, or boats. Details
When: Summer
Where: Poacher’s Landing PRA
3. Power Boating on the Athabasca
The mighty water of the larger Athabasca River makes for a fun day with your motor or jet boat, with the river winding through much of the county, until it flows north towards Fort McMurray. Along with a thrilling ride in a remote area, faster boats can help you find excellent fishing.
When: best from Spring-Fall
Where: town of Athabasca, Poacher’s Landing, Richmond Park
4. Kayaking & Canoeing
There are 11 lakes in the county with boat launches, including Jack Fish Lake, North Buck Lake, Hope Lake, Chump Lake, and more. All of them make for a beautiful canoe or kayak trip, and can be enjoyed this way even if you don’t own a boat. You can rent canoes, kayaks, and SUPs in town from Paddle Ur Way Rentals, and take off on the waters. Details
When: spring-fall
How much: $20-$250
5. Hike the Athabasca Landing Trail
Make your hike along the historic Athabasca Landing Trail as long as you’d like: the trail goes up to Fort Saskatchewan, so hike as far as you’d like to hike back to your car. It is common for people to leave Athabasca and hike for about 4.5km, to an eroded bridge, and hike back. The ALT originally served as a busy fur trade route and is now maintained as part of the Trans Canada Trail. You can go by bike, horseback, or on foot. Details
When: year-round
Where: begin at 50th Avenue in Athabasca
How much: free
6. Day Hike & Picnic in the Spruce Island Natural Area
Explore the forests and meadows around the Spruce Island Natural Area, and enjoy the sounds of wildlife, the birds in the ponds, and the final views of the Spruce Island Lake. This is a rich boreal forest ecosystem, and the wooded areas can get dark quickly, so it is best to start this hike early to mid-morning. You’ll arrive at Spruce Island Lake just in time for a picnic lunch. Details
When: year-round
Where: east side of Secondary Highway AB-801 via Township Rd. 633A
How much: free
7. Wildlife Viewing, Birding, & Photography
Areas like the La Biche River Wildland, Baptiste Lake, Cross Lake Provincial Park, Island Lake, and the River, all help to make Athabasca County rich in wildlife, and abundant in a variety of habitats. Some birds you may spot/hear on the waters include warblers, bald eagles, herons, osprey, or grouse. Watch out for larger mammals like deer, moose, elk, or black bears.
8. Trail Rides at Leaning Tree
Embark on an hour-long adventure through Athabasca’s pine forests with Learning Tree Trail Rides, and all of their friendly horses. These scenic and quiet rides allow you to see places many others aren’t able to while your guides can help teach you more about equestrian riding, the farm, and the nature around it. Details
When: spring-fall
Where: By appointment only
How much: $75
9. Hiking & Biking in the Muskeg Creek
There are a few different loops and distances which you can explore within Muskeg Creek, a large ravine next to the town. You can make a day of your hike or bike ride on the 8km loop, with conveniences along the way like washrooms and shelters. You may also encounter wildlife like beavers (see Beaver Pond!), geese, ducks, or maybe even a moose. There are shorter loops great for small kids, too, at 1.2-2.5km. Details
When: open year round (cross-country skiing in winter)
Where: parking at Athabasca University
How much: free
Food & Cultural Attractions
1. Saskatoon-picking
You can find Bonnie’s Berry Patch U-pick on the northern end of Athabasca County, where the Saskatoon Berries are ready for picking! Bonnie’s Saskatoons grew in like crazy this year, so the farm is open all day for you to enjoy the sun, the berries, and a walk around the countryside. Details
When: while berry quantities last, now open for Saskatoon berries
Where: 692033 Highway 813, Athabasca
How much: available on arrival
2. Athabasca Farmers’ Market
The Athabasca Farmers’ Market is open year-round, and for summer, you can shop the outdoor market at its scenic riverside location. You can pick up groceries for a camping trip, stop by for a hot snack, or shop several creators and their artisan products: anything from bath and body products to home décor, clothes, and accessories. Details
When: Saturdays year-round
Where: The Riverfront until September
How much: free
3. Dig in at the Local Food Trucks
You can find three local roaming eateries in Athabasca, perfect for a day of exploring the town. Try the Vietnamese/Chinese fusion at Mingho’s Way, the homecooked meals at The Keep Kafe, or the Canadian classics from Christopher’s Concession.
4. Historical Self-Guided Tour of Town
Athabasca’s historical buildings, which still remain, date back over 100 years, and create a unique way to explore the town! Take a self-guided walking tour of some of Athabasca’s oldest buildings this summer, and find several scenic and photogenic areas, along with interpretive signs along the way to help you feel like it is 1922. Highlights include the train station, the public school, and restored churches. Details
5. Take a Break at a Local Café
You have a choice between a few different local cafes, some with gifts and other treats for sale too. Paddymelon Gifts, Expresso & Eatery is where you can find a huge selection of shopping along with your coffee, while Ken’s News and Confectionary offers a variety of gifts, ice cream, and soft serve. Stop by VanHout Bakery for fresh pastries, or Mr V’s Field and Forest for some flower shopping in the country with your drink or snack.
Mr V’s Field and Forest: 645078 Range Rd 203, Boyle
Ken’s News and Confectionary: 4912 51 St, Athabasca
VanHout Bakery: 4908 51 St, Athabasca
Paddymelon Gifts, Expresso & Eatery: 4911 49 St, Athabasca
Plan a Variety of Athabasca Getaways
1. Tent & RV Camping
The wild areas of Athabasca County contain several campgrounds with a variety of ways to camp: riverside, lakeside, or resort camping. You can choose between Provincial sites like Poacher’s Landing or North Buck Lake, and a wide variety of smaller private campgrounds. Many of these areas, like Baptiste Lake, Jackfish Lake, Long Lake, or Ghost Lake, offer beaches and lake swimming, boating, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Details
When: year-round opportunities
How much: $15-$39 per night
2. A Quiet Cottage Vacation
The Lakeview Cottage at North Buck Lake will make you feel like you’re in a totally remote paradise, but with several amenities and dining services just 20-minutes away! The cottage is across the water from the North Buck Lake PRA with all the comforts of home, as well as a lakeside patio area and firepit. Consider the four-bedroom setup for your next family or group vacation! Details
When: Year-round
Where: exact location provided upon booking
How much: $647 per night
3. Backcountry Camping Adventures
The La Biche River Wildland takes up a large portion of northern Athabasca County and offers you a chance to take full advantage of the beautiful wilderness. These camping areas may have firepits established by previous campers but will not have washrooms or any services. Backcountry camping in this area is great for equestrian riders, OHV owners, or boaters, who may have the best access to remote areas. Details
When: Best in summer and fall
Where: La Biche River Wildland
How much: Free
4. Reel Angling Adventures
Professional Fishing Guides at Reel Angling Adventures can help guide you along the Athabasca River with their jet boat tours or can take you to Athabasca County’s best fishing lakes. Along your tours, the guides will also help you spot wildlife on the shores, the numerous species of birds flying around, and the best places for photos- in addition to the best places for fish! Details
To make your weekend away all about fishing, Reel Angling also offer packages with hotel stays in Athabasca.
When: year-round (ice fishing tours, too!)
Where: exact locations provided upon booking
How much: $540-$1600
5. Book a Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventure
The amazing and exciting Grand Rapids Wildnerness Adventures get you exploring by air, by boat on the Athabasca, or on foot through guided hikes. The company has several adventures you can pick from, with lodging and meals included in most: they offer heli-hiking, paddling trips, fishing trips, and several ways to enhance your trip. Details
When: late July to mid-September
How much: $900-$2700