Tourism Spotlight
Hillside Motel Athabasca
Located just south of Downtown Athabasca, the Hillside Motel offers comfortable and affordable accommodations within walking distance of Athabasca’s favourite amenities. The motel sits on the side of a hill, snuggled into the trees and overlooks Downtown Athabasca, the Tawatinaw River valley and the Athabasca River.
Fall In Love With Fall
12 Things To Do In the Athabasca Region in September
If you’re not quite finished with Summer yet, spending some time in the Athabasca Region should be on your to-do list!
The trees are just starting to turn colour, the weather is usually warm and dry and amenities are a little less busy with kids back in school.
Just 1.5 – 2 hours away from Edmonton and 2 – 3 hours away from Fort McMurray, the Athabasca Region offers the kind of outdoor recreation, day trips and unique events that will make you “Fall” in Love with our beautiful area! (Not sorry about the pun!)
#LiveLifeOutside in the #AthabascaRegion
Tourism Spotlight
Johnny's Eatery
In Downtown Athabasca, inside a converted retail store, Johnny’s Eatery serves modern takes on classic family dining in a casual and open setting!
Johnny’s menu delights and satisfies, from burgers to short ribs to bacon and eggs! Try the amazing carrot cake for dessert.
#VisitTheAthabascaRegion
Thursday Daytrip!
Athabasca Region Itineraries: Thursday Out In Boyle
If you are looking for a fun day trip from Edmonton, Fort McMurray, Athabasca or one of the area’s Summer Villages or campgrounds, take a Thursday off, jump in the car and visit the Village of Boyle!
Boyle is 1 hour 45 minutes north of Edmonton, 2 hours 45 minutes south of Fort McMurray and 40 minutes southeast of Athabasca! The village once was the site of a large lumber mill but now serves as a hub for the local agricultural community and the Summer Villages of Mewatha Beach, Bondis, and Long Lake. It’s also an important commuter stop between Edmonton and Fort McMurray on Hwy 63!
Why visit Boyle on Thursdays? Because that’s the day of the Boyle Farmers’ Market! You Can grab a bite, take a stroll through town on the walking trail, splash at the water park, stock up on goodies at the Farmers’ Market then grab an iced coffee at the Co-op gas bar on your way back home!
#LiveLifeOutside in the #AthabascaRegion
Where will you ride?
Ride Your Horse in the Athabasca Region
If you are a horse rider and want to experience some horse culture away from home, the Athabasca Region has some great choices! From rodeo and barrel racing events to indoor riding to rugged Boreal trails, there are equestrian activities for all skills and interests. So get on your horse and explore the Athabasca Region!
The Athabasca Region’s proximity to Edmonton, Fort McMurray and surrounding rural municipalities means less time on the road and in the trailer and more time doing what you love! From Edmonton, our equestrian amenities are between 1.5 & 2.5 hours away. From Fort McMurray about 3 – 3.5 hours away.
#LiveLifeOutside in the #AthabascaRegion
Tourism Spotlight
Lakeview Cottage at North Buck Lake
If you are looking for a getaway to a beautiful lake and the boreal forest, and love the convenience and luxury of an amazing cottage, check out Lakeview Cottage at North Buck Lake!
This gorgeous house is on North Buck Lake, in Athabasca County. It’s about 2 hours 15 minutes from Edmonton and 2.5 hours from Fort McMurray. The lake is surrounded by boreal forest, with trails, campgrounds and beaches all around.
#LiveLifeOutside in the #AthabascaRegion
Which one will you visit first?
10 Unique Places, Events & Attractions in the Athabasca Region
The Athabasca Region has a lot of what you might expect… forests, lakes, trails, community events and small-town charm. We also have some unique places, activities and events you won’t find elsewhere!
From a BBQ at the Athabasca Airport to a triathlon that includes the Athabasca River, The Athabasca Region has something for an entertaining day trip, an active weekend getaway or a week of exploration. #LiveLifeOutside in the #AthabascaRegion
Tourism Spotlight
River Meadows RV Park
If you are looking for a place to camp with access to hiking, boating, canoeing, and golf and is just minutes away from the amenities of Athabasca, look no further than River Meadows RV Park. River Meadows is a family-run business that developed the site on their property because they knew it was a special place and wanted to share it with others.
Tourism Spotlight
Athabasca Region Farmers' Markets
The Athabasca Region is lucky to have 2 fantastic Farmers’ Markets during the summer and for one, the winter as well! They are the Athabasca Farmers’ Market and the Boyle Farmers’ Market. Both are essential parts of their respective communities! Providing opportunities for Athabasca Region vendors to sell to the public.
Tourism Spotlight
Rocky Lane Fairways & Recreation
Rocky Lane Fairways and Recreation is one of the Athabasca Regon’s unique tourism destinations. It’s a Par 3 golf course just south of Athabasca, about 1 and a half hours north of Edmonton. They offer a unique experience by having 4 different types of golf available, which can be played simultaneously by your group. How great is that?
How Many Species Will You See?
4 Routes for Wildlife Viewing in the Athabasca Region
The Athabasca Region is nestled in the southern part of the mixed-wood boreal forest, providing excellent habitat for birds, mammals, amphibians, insects and more! This creates great opportunities for wildlife spotting, photography and viewing. Each season there is a varied cast of characters for you to see. Spring is a great time for returning migratory birds.
The Athabasca Region has viewing platforms and other infrastructure to help make your wildlife watching easier. All of the routes have ample camping spots, so you can take your time to tour all the sites. So bring your binoculars or telephoto lens to glimpse some of the iconic species in the Athabasca Region!
Here are some routes to help you plan a wildlife-viewing adventure…
Your Next Boreal Adventure
Get Ready For Camping in the Athabasca Region
Spring is here, so it’s time to start planning your camping trips for 2024! If you’re looking to experience a Boreal getaway, take a look at the Athabasca Region!
The Athabasca Region is rich in camping opportunities for all tastes and skill sets. From fully serviced provincial campgrounds to RV parks to backcountry wilderness, you will find a special place to camp! There are more campgrounds than there are weekends in the summer!
Embrace Winter!
12 Winter Getaways In the Athabasca Region
This winter, get out of town for a day, a weekend or a week to the Athabasca Region! The air is crisp, the forest is quiet, and there is a getaway for you to discover.
Whether looking for unique thrift items, relaxing with your family around a cozy fireplace or sledding the Athabasca River at a remote cabin resort, there is a trip that fits your interests, timeline and budget.
Live Life Outside!
7 Winter Walks You Can Do In the Athabasca Region
For some, the chilly weather makes them curl up under a blanket and stay cozy until spring. If you’re the opposite, and the brisk air makes you want to get outside and move, then the Athabasca region has some great outdoor walks that can be done in the winter!
If it snows a lot, most of these walks are well-maintained sidewalks, so no trudging. On the nature trails, grab some snowshoes or cross-country skis and move across the land and snow that way!
Make It a Date Night!
Fall Events in the Athabasca Region
While the days are getting cooler and leaves have changed their colour, not everything in the Athabasca Region is getting ready to tuck in for winter! Our Fall events schedule is heating up and getting ready to rock!
Take a look at some of our feature events coming up in October and November! And be sure to check our Events Calendar to see any updates.
What will you find?
Thrift & Finds Crawl in Downtown Athabasca
If you love thrifting and finding unique gifts and homeware, yummy coffee and treats, and delicious brunches and lunches, Athabasca has an afternoon of fun for you!
Downtown Athabasca is perfectly set up for an awesome “Thrift & Finds Crawl”. If you don’t know what a “thrift crawl” is, think pub crawl but with second-hand shopping! And here in Athabasca, you can visit some unique retailers along the way, too.
Your Best Round Ever
Golf and Stay in the Athabasca Region
Are you looking to combine a getaway with a great round of golf (or two)? Look no further than the Athabasca Region!
We have some amazing choices that pair scenic and sometimes challenging courses set in the Boreal, with camping, vacation rentals or in-town accommodations. Check it out!
Photo courtesy of Athabasca Golf & Country Club
Town of Athabasca
Experience the History of the Athabasca Region
People for millennia have recognized the Athabasca Region and the Athabasca River in particular, as a unique and important place. From Indigenous Peoples using the area for settlement and trade to the prospectors seeking a route to the Klondike, there is a rich history in the Athabasca area.
Here are some opportunities to experience History in the Town of Athabasca!
Here Comes the Fun
It’s Events Season in the Athabasca Region!
Spring has sprung and folks in the Athabasca region are feeling their oats with how many events are happening! From Farmers’ Markets to jet boat rallies to music festivals, there is plenty to do in the region this June and July!
Getting Wild
Wilderness Experiences in the Athabasca Region
The Athabasca region is uniquely situated on the Alberta Boreal forest’s lower edge and bisected by the Athabasca River. There are many areas that boast untouched forests, pristine lakes, abundant wildlife and other natural features that offer travellers a taste of the Alberta wilderness.
Just an hour and a half north of Edmonton and four and a half hours from Calgary, the Athabasca region makes for an easy wilderness getaway for all skill levels. Let’s take a look at some of the possibilities…