Are you itching to hit the open road this summer?
Alberta winters are challenging enough without the restrictions resulting from the recent pandemic!
Thankfully, as the weather warms up and Albertans start to come out of hibernation, there are many fun summer activities to be enjoyed all over the province.
So grab your map, tune up the car and pack the little ones into the backseat! Here are 3 new summer activities you have to try in Alberta:
1. Go Fishing at Maligne Lake in Jasper
Whether you are a pro angler or a beginner, one amazing summer activity you should try in Alberta is fishing at Maligne Lake in Jasper.
This beautiful area is located within the Jasper National Park and features brook trout (a.k.a. speckled trout or “brookies”) as well as rainbow trout. While brookies have predictable habits and are easier to catch for those just starting out or want to fish leisurely, the fighting spirit of the rainbow trout makes them a good challenge for anglers.
Before you head out to Maligne Lake to go fishing, be sure that you have a national park fishing license. A day pass will run you around $10 but a yearly pass is only $35.
If Jasper Lake National Park is further than you are looking to travel this summer, here are some other great fishing locations around Alberta:
- Calling Lake – Athabasca
- Kananaskis Lakes – Peter Lougheed Provincial Park
- Lake Minnewanka – Banff
- Pigeon Lake – Red Deer/Edmonton
- Lake Newell – Brooks
2. Have a Picnic at Sundance Canyon in Banff
If you’re looking for a hike-in picnic location for your summer Alberta adventure, check out the trails at Sundance Canyon in Banff. The trailhead passes through the Cave and Basin National Historic Site where you can view the source of the Banff Hot Springs.
From there you can continue on the Sundance Trail to the picnic site at the entrance of the canyon – where you’ll also find picnic tables and washrooms.
The paved Sundance Trail is almost 4 kilometers to the picnic area, so you may want to pack light by keeping your food for the picnic simple and easy to carry.
However, since the trail is paved, you can easily push a stroller or pull a wagon up to the picnic area, making this a perfect place to bring the whole family!
If Banff is too far off your beaten trail, here are some other amazing picnic areas around the province:
- Wedge Pond – Kananaskis
- Ghost Lake Reservoir – Cochrane
- Quarry Lake – Canmore
- Edworthy Park – Calgary
- Forget Me Not Pond – Bragg Creek
3. Go Camping at Rainbow Valley Campground
Located within the city limits of Edmonton, Rainbow Valley Campground offers easy access to the city’s amenities, such as the West Edmonton mall, while still providing the quiet and cozy feel of the wilderness.
This campground is nuzzled into the well-treed White Mud Creek Ravine and provides onsite features that are fun for the whole family, including a huge aerial park obstacle course with over 100 games on the structure.
Rainbow Valley Campground also offers 29 natural sites, 39 power sites, clean washrooms, showers and laundry facilities.
If you’re not looking to travel to Edmonton, here are some honorable mentions for the best campsites in Alberta:
- Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park – Lac La Biche
- Burbank Campground – Red Deer
- Dinosaur Provincial Park – Brooks
- Icefield Tent Campground – Jasper National Park
- Pine Lake Campground – Wood Buffalo National Park
Staying Safe While Travelling
With the recent COVID-19 pandemic, certain measures and protocols have been put into place regarding travel, both provincially and federally.
Before you plan an exciting summer activity in Alberta, check with current Public Health regulations to ensure the area you plan on traveling to is accepting visitors from around the province.
Also, check in with the locations you plan to visit as well. Campgrounds, for instance, have to follow strict measures set out by Public Health. Calling ahead will ensure that you are properly prepared and can enjoy your adventure!
When it comes to taking a road trip around the province this summer, keep in mind that you may be making a few bathroom, snack and/or gas stops along the way. Always pack clean masks and hand sanitizer to keep you and your family healthy and safe.
Important Note: If you plan to travel into Alberta from another Canadian province, or another country, it’s imperative that you check with local protocols regarding testing and isolation rules.
Ready for An Adventure?
Whether you are traveling two hours or twenty minutes, there is so much to see and do in Alberta this summer!
What do you plan on doing this summer in Alberta? Have you already checked out one of our suggestions? Let us know in the comments!
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