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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.

For this order of stops, you could park at the Riverfront, but there are other parking options where you could start your crawl. There’s parking on 51st Street and you could loop around from there.

Wear walking shoes, this crawl is about 3 km long. The Town of Athabasca is built on the Athabasca River Valley, so there are some hills. There are a lot of places for refreshments along the way if you need a break.

If you are looking for more thrift & finds opportunities, there are a few to drive to. You’ll never know what you’ll find, so it’s worth it.

Ready, Set, Crawl…

1. Paddymelon Gifts, Espresso & Eatery – 4911-49st

Starting from the Athabasca Riverfront Park, walk south (away from the river) on 49th Street. About halfway up the block, you’ll come to the first stop.

Paddymelon Gifts, Espresso & Eatery is a great place to start your crawl. Fuel up on one of their espresso drinks and an in-house baked treat, or a breakfast wrap! They have a daily lunch special and other delicious meal items.

Paddymelon isn’t just on the list as a fuel stop, but as a place to find unique home decor, candles, scarves, Canadian-made jewelry, baby gifts, books, and more!

www.facebook.com/PaddymelonGifts

2. Athabasca Video – 4913 49 St

Once you leave Paddymelon, backtrack a few steps to  Athabasca Video.

They don’t just sell DVDs, but actually specialize in signed sports & movie memorabilia and comic books. They also carry an eclectic selection of toys, games and musical instruments. Always great service!

www.facebook.com/athavideo

3. Ella & Birch Collective – 4916 A 50 St

4. Bubel’s  – 4922 50 St

After leaving Ella & Birch, continue down the block (north) about 3 buildings down. There you will find Bubel’s department store.

Bubel’s is a family-owned and operated department store that harkens to the past. It carries clothing and footwear for the whole family! They also carry a unique selection of swimwear, toys, games, models, movies, CDs and vinyl records.

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5. Glas Floral Studio – 5003 50 Ave

From Bubel’s, continue walking towards the river. When you get to the corner you’ll see a newer building kitty corner. That’s where you’ll find Glas Floral Studio.

“Glas offers unique home decor curated from designers throughout Canada and the United States. Our preference lies with local, woman-owned companies and items with a story, quality of material and eco-friendly practices.”

Glas always has interesting and inspiring finds of all kinds. Their flower art is one of a kind, too.

www.glasfloral.com

6. A Little Bit of Everything – 5003 50 Ave,  #101

A Little Bit of Everything is in the same building as Glas, just a couple of doors to the west.

A Little Bit of Everything is exactly that: some used, some new, some food, some clothing, some arts & crafts! They are a local favourite, always bringing in new and exciting items and crafts.

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7. Rhi-Defined New & Used –  5506 50 Ave

From a Little Bit of Everything, you could walk to the Train Station. On the west side of the station is a walkway that leads to the Rotary Trail which follows the river. Walk west (away from downtown) on the Rotary Trail until it swings up and meets the highway again. Cross the highway there and you’ll see Rhi-Defined New & Used.

Rhi-Defined is a classic thrift store with a mix of furniture, household goods and clothing. They also have new jewelry, collectables and more.

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8. Riddle & Gift Shop at Athabasca Native Friendship Centre – 4919 53 St

From Rhi-Defined, walk along the highway back towards Downtown until you get to 53 ST. Turn right and the second building up is the ANFC.

At the Athabasca Native Friendship Centre, you can get 2 shopping experiences in one! Upstairs is their Gift Shop which has a beautiful selection of Indigenous-made gifts, jewellery and arts. Downstairs you’ll find Riddle, their second-hand store. Tons of clothing, household goods and more are available.

If you do the crawl on a Friday, they will sometimes be serving delicious homemade soup and bannock. Also a local favourite!

Riddle Facebook
ANFC Facebook

9. Lolly Pop Thrift Shop

When you exit the Friendship Centre, head back down to the highway. Continue east (towards downtown) until 51st ST. Turn right and go up the block about 5 buildings. You’ll find Lolly Pop Thrift Shop there.

Lolly Pop Thrift Shop has a great selection of used housewares, clothing and more. They pride themselves on having a neat and tidy space for you to do your best thrifting! Another family-owned business that delivers great service.

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10. Flowers by Christina

And finally, to your last stop, Flowers by Christina. Head back down to the highway from Lolly Pop and walk back to the main street (50th ST). Turn right and head to halfway up the block to find Flowers by Christina.

Flowers by Christina has a beautiful assortment of gifts and flowers for any budget. Home decor, food items and more, plus their gorgeous flowers.

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Take A Break

If you’re getting tired from carrying your haul, no worries, there are plenty of places for snacks, drinks and meals along your route. From convenience stores, fast food, food trucks, Chinese food, family dining and pubs, Downtown Athabasca has it!

Get something to go and enjoy it at the Riverfront Park. There are picnic tables and seating with river views for your convenience.

Take a look at our website listings for more info on where to eat/drink: www.visitathabasca.ca

Other Thrift & Finds in the Region

Country Bliss Treasures & Gifts – 5114  3 St, Boyle

“Welcome to Country Bliss! We are very excited to share some wonderful decor! Whether you’re searching for a piece of character to fill that special area of your home or need a heartwarming gift for your loved ones…..we have it!!”

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Second Time Round & More – 5800 Elm Dr, Boyle

Second Time Round has an amazing selection of thrift items, from clothing, household goods, furniture and more.

Remember, small towns have some of the best thrift items around!

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What will you find?

If you are looking for a day trip out of the city, or want to spend some time before an event in Athabasca, be sure to take on the Downtown Thrift & Finds Crawl. You’ll be sure to find some items that won’t be found anywhere else!

For more information about retail stores in  the Athabasca Region, check out our website: www.visitathabasca.ca/things-to-do/shopping/stores-boutiques

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!

The Athabasca Regional Archives

The Athabasca Regional Archives is located adjacent to the Old Brick School in the south part of Downtown Athabasca. It shares a space with the Regional Library and is the main repository of historical information in Athabasca.

At the Archives you can:

• Examine Athabasca newspapers since 1908 on microfilm
• Access the area’s homestead records on microfilm
• Look through the photo collection
• Look through the newspaper clipping file
• Reminisce with Edwin Parr yearbooks
• Browse through the collection of reference books and books by local authors
• See Athabasca’s first printing press
• View a large display of Athabasca Clay Products ceramics and other artifacts
• View paintings by local artists
• Explore an index of births and marriages from early newspapers
• Research the obituaries, and
• Ask any question you have about the people, places and times of the area.

If you are an art fan, several pieces of local art are also on display.

The Archives are open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 to 5:30 pm or by appointment: 780 675 2811.

Visit their website:  www.athabascaarchives.ca

The Athabasca History Walk

The best way to get into the history of the Town of Athabasca and the region is to take the Historical Walking tour. The Heritage Society in partnership with the Archives publishes a guide booklet with detailed descriptions of the landmarks and buildings.

There are many stops on the walk, 29 in total. At some places along the way, there will be signs that give you a brief history and context.

The walk starts at the Athabasca Train Station, moves through Downtown and up to the Archives and Old Brick School, then you head back down to the Riverfront.

Take a look at some of the sites you’ll visit: Athabasca Historical Walking Tour Gallery

So, put on some comfortable shoes, fill up your water bottle and enjoy this self-guided tour of Athabasca History.

Athabasca Historical Walking Tour Guide Book

Athabasca Landing Trail

The route from Edmonton up to Athabasca Landing remains today as a walking trail, part of the Trans Canada trail.

“The Athabasca Landing Trail was built in 1876 by the Hudson’s Bay Company to improve transportation between Edmonton and northern communities. The trail was 100 miles in distance and linked the North Saskatchewan River with the Mackenzie River system, giving it the nickname “The 100 Mile Portage.”

In the late 1800s, the trail was Canada’s busiest northern route and played an important role in the development of northern Alberta, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Fur traders, gold rush miners and settlers all followed the trail north, and stopping houses sprang up to accommodate their need for overnight accommodation, meals and stabling of animals.

With the development of railways and roads in this region, the trail became less used. Parts of the trail are still used as roads or recreational trails; others are overgrown or on private land.” – www.athabascalandingtrail.com

At the trailhead in Athabasca, there is a large parking lot, with public washrooms across the highway by the splash park.

As you walk along the trail that used to be the rail line, watch for signs of the trail’s past use… abandoned bridge foundations, machinery and tools. For the most part, it follows alongside the Tawatinaw River, providing great wildlife and nature viewing.

The trail is not continuous, as the old rail line now passes over private property and some bridge crossings are under repair. There are some really great sections that are still walkable: At Colinton going north, outside Rochester to the north, with great wildlife watching on the Tawatinaw River. The map at the Athabasca trailhead shows some of the other sections in the area that are walkable. Some sections are in heavily forested areas, so be wildlife smart.

Celebrate the Athabasca!

Coming up on July 13, 2023, is the “Celebrate the Athabasca!” event that will be welcoming a voyageur canoe brigade that is travelling the Athabasca River from Whitecourt to Fort Assiniboine to Athabasca to celebrate Fort Assiniboine’s 200th birthday!

“The main impetus for this Brigade is to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of Fort Assiniboine by the Hudson Bay Company under the direction of George Simpson the governor of the Hudson Bay Company as a major stopover in the historic Columbia Express connecting eastern Canada to the Oregon territory as part of the company’s continental fur trade. Since Canoe Brigades were the main way of linking all the various fur trading posts on the route it is only appropriate that we have a Modern Day Voyageur Canoe Brigade arrive at the present-day community of Fort Assiniboine on July 8th to help commemorate their Bicentennial celebrations. It should be noted that Fort Assiniboine held exceptional celebrations at the end of the 2017 Athabasca Brigade as part of Canada’s 150th to honour the paddlers who participated in that particular Brigade. Due to the success of that Brigade, besides the communities listed above, Woodlands County, Barrhead County, the Municipal District of Lesser Slave River and Athabasca County have all enthusiastically endorsed our Brigade and are planning celebrations recognizing our upcoming Brigade. Showcasing the recreational opportunities on this section of the Athabasca River is an integral part of our mandate in 2023.”

The Canadian Voyageur Brigade Society celebrates the history of Canadian rivers that were used as transportation routes during colonial exploration and the fur trade. They travel in traditional-style “big” canoes and wear period costumes. They promote learning about canoe travel and safety.

The Brigade will finish their journey in Athabasca, at the Riverfront Park. There will be dignitaries welcoming them ashore and entertainment.

Come out and experience a taste of the history of the Athabasca River by welcoming the Voyageurs!

Find out more about the Brigade here.

This is just a sample of the historical experiences in the Athabasca region. Watch for part 2 of this blog, where we will take a look at historical areas in the County and region such as Amber Valley, the Peace River Trail and a new museum in Calling Lake.

Photo: Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures

Getting Wild

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…

Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures

One of the premiere wilderness experiences in the Athabasca region is heading down the Athabasca River by jet boat to the Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures lodge. Your hosts, Darcy and Shirley Zelman will show you the rarely visited natural and historic sites on this stretch of the Athabasca River.

You’ll meet up in the town of Athabasca and travel for approximately 5 hours downriver, stopping to check out multiple sites. The first stop is an area with real old-growth forests where some of the trees are hundreds of years old and so big you can’t wrap your arms around them.

Next, you’ll stop to check out an abandoned Hudson’s Bay trading post. There are a lot of relics left behind displaying the history of the Athabasca River being an important transportation route in early Canada.

Don’t be surprised if there are stops to view the Boreal species that inhabit the area like wolves, bears, moose, deer and raptors to name a few, as the river valley has abundant and varied wildlife.

Your hosts will set you up in a cozy cabin and provide delicious meals to keep you energized for your adventure. You’ll be kept busy with opportunities to fish on the river or paddle around in a canoe.

One of the best features of this trip is the Grand Rapids themselves. A unique geological occurrence created these rapids:

The rapids are a result of river erosion of the 110-million-year-old sandstone of the Grand Rapids Formation. This formation, which forms the large, nearly vertical outcrop on the east side of the valley, is divided into three major sandstone layers. The lowermost level creates the rapids because it is filled with large, two-to-three-metre wide concretions that often contain pieces of petrified logs. These concretions were formed in a similar fashion to those at Red Rock Coulee. As the river erodes away the sand matrix, these huge concretions come loose and dam the river bed. – A Traveller’s Guide to Geological Wonders in Alberta by Ron Mussieux and Marilyn Nelson

GRWA offers a variety of packages. Be sure to book early, as this exclusive adventure fills up quickly.

Check out the videos produced by “Let’s Go Outdoors” on their experience with Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures:

Episode 1: https://youtu.be/eSDvmqSC2go
Episode 2: https://youtu.be/K491X3ih0lo
Episode 3: https://youtu.be/KnT5X1DdZaI

Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures Online:

www.athabasca-river.com
www.facebook.com/Athabasca.River

The La Biche River Wildland

Just to the northeast of the town of Athabasca lies the La Biche River Wildland. This pristine natural area is only accessible through Poachers Landing.

There are over 17,000 hectares of undisturbed Boreal forest:

La Biche River Wildland Park protects an undisturbed native boreal forest landscape that consists of wetlands and dense forests of poplar, aspen, spruce, birch and fir. The area provides habitat for black bears, lynxes, wolverines, woodland caribou, moose and beaver. – Alberta Parks

There are no formal campgrounds here, other than at Poachers Landing, but backcountry camping is allowed all year long. Other activities include OHV use (please stay on trails to protect this sensitive area), horseback riding, hiking, boating, snowshoeing and more. Special permits are required for fishing, hunting, guiding and other activities.

The Poacher’s Landing campground has 6 unserviced sites and is a first come, first served campsite. There is a boat launch into the Athabasca River, a cookhouse and restrooms. It opens on May 20 and closes on September 20.

https://albertaparks.ca/parks/north/la-biche-river-wpp/information-facilities/

The Peace River Wilderness Trail

Part of the Trans Canada Trail includes the Peace River Wilderness trail that runs from just north of Athabasca to northeast of Smith, AB. This route was first used by the Indigenous peoples of the area. With the advance of colonial traders, settlers and the gold rush, Euro-Canadian explorers used this trail as a route north.

Spectacular wilderness area with interesting native flora and fauna and views of the Athabasca River. Moose, elk, deer, wolves, black bears and most boreal mammals are abundant. Bald eagles and other raptors make their permanent home in this area. The trail itself was part of one of the principal routes attempted by gold seekers headed to the Klondike in 1898-99 and was a primary settlement path followed by pioneering farming families to the Peace River country until approximately 1920 when it was superseded by the railway. Remnant historical sites located along the trail include gravesites and the Tomato Creek stopping house (developed by the Goodwins in 1910), portrayed in the movie, “Silence of the North.” – http://www.albertatrailnet.com/

The trail follows the Athabasca River through some old-growth Boreal forest. Expect wildlife like bears, wolves, moose, deer, and other Boreal species. It is approximately 60 km from trailhead to trailhead. Permitted uses include hiking, cross-country skiing, bicycles, horses, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles.

The southern trailhead is approximately 30 km north of the Town of Athabasca. There is some parking at each trailhead, and there are three unserviced campsites along the route. Please pack out all garbage and stay on the marked trail. Be bear smart when storing food.

http://www.albertatrailnet.com/for-trail-users/trans-canada-trail/fact-sheets/peace-river-wilderness-trail/ 

White Earth Valley Natural Area

If back-country camping isn’t your speed, the White Earth Natural Area provides a Boreal wilderness experience with the comfort of a campground nearby in Long Lake Provincial Park. It is located about 110 km north of Edmonton on Highway 831, which is accessible from Highway 63 North. It’s about 20 km south of the village of Boyle, where you can stock up on supplies.

The White Earth Trail is 17 km long.  The path winds through a wide variety of rich habitats, where an abundance of diverse plants and wildlife thrive.  It’s accessible from adjacent Long Lake Provincial Park during operating season (May to October), with parking at the trailhead.  The trail can also be accessed year-round from Township Road 621 at the southern end of the Natural Area. – Alberta Parks

The White Earth Valley NA is adjacent to thousands of hectares of undisturbed Boreal forest which promotes great habitat for many Boreal species, including bears and wolves. Use caution around wildlife and be bear-smart with food storage.

https://www.albertaparks.ca/parks/north/white-earth-valley-na/

If you have questions about wilderness experiences in the Athabasca region or anything else Athabasca Region Tourism related, please contact us.

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