Grande Alberta North West

Edson and Hinton Areas
Whitecourt, Woodlands County and Fox Creek Area
On the Yellowhead Highway midway between Edmonton and Jasper National Park, Edson (www.townofedson.ca 780-723-4918)
sits on the edge of foothills in the McLeod River Valley. Within the town of 8,400 people, an extensive gravel trail system winds
through creek valleys and parks, with a growing section being paved for walkers, cyclists and in line skaters.
Located at the junction of the Athabasca and McLeod Rivers, Whitecourt (www.whitecourt.ca 800-313-7383) is a burgeoning
community of 10,000 residents. More than 30 km of paved pathways and gravel trails meander through town, many of them
maintained year round. They range from hilltop rambles to valley bottom walks where many types of birds can be seen and heard, and
link green spaces such as the Centennial Park and Rotary Park, which features a fishing pond, river slides, splash park, playground and
picnic areas.
Athabasca R
ive
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McLeod River
43
Riverboat
Park
Carson Pegasus Provincial Park
Northwest of Whitecourt, Fox Creek (www.foxcreek.ca 780-622-3896) is a town of 2,300 in a boreal forest wilderness setting
noted for its hunting and lake fishing. Within town, the 8 km Don Nicholson Walking Trail is a scenic stroll following Fox Creek
between the RV campground and the Tourist Information Centre. Just north of Fox Creek, popular Iosegun Lake features sport fishing,
a beach, a short hiking trail along the lake’s edge and a longer route to Inlet Creek. The lake also has a staging area providing access
to snowmobile trails outside Iosegun Lake Provincial Recreation Area.
Little
McLeod
Lake
The Northland Sno Goers Snowmobile Club grooms some 100 km of trails in the area and operates a clubhouse and five warm up
shelters. Fox Creek is also the westernmost point on the Golden Triangle route, connecting it with Whitecourt and Swan Hills.
Hand Boat
Launch
Whitecourt
River Slides
Rotary Park
Pond &
Pavillion
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16
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Pra
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20
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Eas
With a population of 10,000 people, Hinton (www.hinton.ca 877-446-8666) is the Gateway to the Rockies, with a multitude of
trails within and just outside its boundaries. In town, more than 20 km of walking and cycling trails lead through lush forests, past
creeks and lakes and to viewpoints of mountains. The 3 km Beaver Boardwalk (www.beaverboardwalk.ca), the longest of its
kind in Canada, meanders through beaver habitat and offers great bird and wildlife watching.
ve
Ri
12
Swa
o
11
nR
iver
32
Tamarack Loop
Meekwap
Lake
Beaver Creek
r
A variety of park trails are situated on the east side of Highway 40. From the Gregg Lake Campground, visitors can hike or bike the
4 km Gregg Lake loop through rolling mixed forest or take the 3.5 km Kettle loop and walk on a glacial esker and view a kettle
lake. On the nearby Beaver Ranch Trail (1.5 km loop), they can discover a historic beaver ranching site and hike along
Graveyard Lake to a viewpoint overlooking a wetland. The 2.5 km Friendly Vistas Trail (wheelchair accessible) follows the
shores of Jarvis Lake.
er
Cr
ee
k
Centennial
Park
Marigold Loop
Mons
Lake
8
Twenty four kilometres north of Hinton, the Spruce Management Trails feature 18 km of looped cross country ski trails on a
height of land overlooking two valleys. The ski trails are maintained by Friends of Camp 29, named in honour of an old logging
camp that operated here. In summer, the trails are used by hikers and mountain bikers.
Outle
Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail
Hard Luck Canyon
k
Iosegun
Lake
22
21
d Loop
vysoun
eg
Ios
ve
Ri
r
Golden Triangle
Carson-Pegasus
Provincial Park
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23
22
21
Sak
le
wat
Manweiler Trail
ama
947
g
Trian
25
26
7
Baseline
Lake
I.R. 232
iver
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Carson
Trail
Ea
gle
Carson Lake Trail
one
27
Sim
1
Golden Triangle
Two Creeks
I.R. 134A
Rupert’s Crossing Trail
For more information or for copies of the map, please contact
Alberta TrailNet at 877-987-2457 or through
www.albertatrailnet.com
Photo Credits:
Bill Corbett
Barbara Prescott
Travel Alberta
Little
McLeod
McLeod Lake
Lake
en
Gold
tte
R
iver
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32
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Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation
Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development
Alberta TrailNet Society
Alberta Off-Highway Vehicle Association (AOHVA)
Alberta Snowmobile Association
Gratitude is expressed to all local clubs, groups, organizations,
individuals and municipalities for their review, comments,
assistance with data and updates in developing this map.
Smoke Lake
Provincial Recreation Area
Smoke Lake
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an
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ea
West H
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The Alberta Trail Mapping Partnership is made possible
through the combined efforts of and funding from the following
organizations, under the auspices of the Alberta Recreation
Corridor and Trails Designation Program:
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Eagle Run Tr
Fox Creek
23
Carson-Pegasus Lakeside Walkway
Golden Trian
op
Lo
Raspberry
Lake
24
64
Iosegun Lake
Provincial Recreation
Area
un
eg
Ios
Pines
Provincial
Recreation
Area
Hornbeck Ski Trails
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Freeman River
t Cree
Forest Intrepretive Centre
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43
Put In
Eighteen kilometres northeast of Hinton, Canyon Creek Trail is a lovely family walk. The 3 km loop crosses the canyon on two
footbridges and offers mountain views, wildlife watching and picnic sites. A short side trail leads to the Athabasca River.
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6050000
ve
6040000
av
Ri
ntr
6030000
d
Freeman
Lake
Swartz
Lake
Golden Triangle
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ou
Marigold
Lake
Be
eo
Rive
6020000
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man
ckc
61
Trail
Carson
6010000
M
Free
Ba
6060000
Pick up
William A. Switzer Provincial Park (www.tpr.alberta.ca/parks/switzer/index.asp) is set in rolling foothills 25 km northwest of
Hinton. A park highlight is the Athabasca Lookout Nordic Centre, one of the finest cross country ski facilities in Alberta, with
35 km of hilly, forested trails and including a biathlon range, warm up shelters and a natural luge track. In summer, these trails are
used for biking and hiking.
3
McLeod
Lake
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The 15 hectare Hinton Bike Park (the largest in Canada; http://sites.google.com/site/hintonbikepark/) provides a link to multiple
bike trails, each with a technical rating. Hinton is also the starting point for the annual MS Mountain Bike Tour, a highly successful two
day fundraising cycle event. Just northwest of town, the 12 km multi use network of Athabasca Ranch Trails provide scenic views
of the Athabasca River and open onto grassy meadows.
Wild Sculpture Trail
Twenty kilometres southwest of Whitecourt, hiking and walking trails offer breathtaking views of the unique sandstone walls of Hard
Luck Canyon 25 . A viewing bridge straddles the falls, which typically run in the spring. Visitors can follow a series of stairs and paths
to the canyon floor to access Hard Luck Creek. The Whitecourt Sandhills Public Land Use Zone, southeast of Whitecourt,
provides access for non-motorized activities such as hiking, cross country skiing and horseback riding.
To Athabasca
River Access
Athabasca River
Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park is a popular trout fishing spot that also protects mixed wood forests, bogs, marshes and lake
shorelines. Marking the transition between foothills and boreal forest, these diverse landscapes are home to a variety of mammals and
birds, including four species of woodpeckers. The 5.2 km Backcountry Trail loop follows the McLeod Lake shoreline before
traversing through aspen and spruce woodlands, while the 1.7 km Lakeshore Trail traces the shoreline from a boat launch
below a campground.
Thirteen kilometres north of Whitecourt along Highway 32, the Eric S. Huestis Demonstration Forest 7 provides information on
a sustainable forest for wildlife habitat, recreation and resource development. The facility includes a self-guided driving tour, an
interpretive hiking trail and an arboretum.
Whitecourt
Sundance Provincial Park, 60 km northwest of Edson on partially gravel and sometimes rough roads, is one of the most scenic
areas in the lower foothills, preserving a diverse landscape of old growth spruce and fir forests, spectacular sandstone cliffs, steep
glacial carved valleys and wetlands. The Sundance Hoodoos, among the most unique sandstone sculptures in Alberta, can be
viewed by hiking the 8 km (one way) Wild Sculpture Trail, which winds through a forested valley and past unusual plant
communities and three lakes. The park also contains Emerson Lakes, a chain of five beautiful, clear lakes. Some 7 km of hiking
trails circle three of the lakes and offer a number of scenic viewpoints. Visitors can look for such wildlife species as moose, deer, elk,
bear and cougar. Sundance also features equestrian trails and off highway vehicle access along two designated corridors.
Emerson Lakes
The Whitecourt Forest Interpretive Centre 8 was created to show the history and importance of the logging industry to development of
Whitecourt and the surrounding area. The Forest Interpretive Centre is also a year round information centre.
Whitecourt bills itself the Snowmobile Capital of Alberta. In Woodlands County (www.woodlands.ab.ca 888-870-6315), 14 km
northwest of Whitecourt, the Eagle River Snowmobile Area features 465 km of maintained trails, a staging/warm up area and a
connection with the Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail and the 350 km Golden Triangle (www.thegoldentriangle.ca), which links
Whitecourt, Swan Hills and Fox Creek. A separate, 110 km trail follows the McLeod River west and then swings south to the Silver
Summit Ski Hill and, beyond, to near Edson. From January to March, the Whitecourt Trailblazers (http://whitecourttrailblazers.ca) offer
newcomers and visitors Sunday rides with club members and on the February Family Day weekend host the Whitecourt Trailblazers
Poker Rally.
Farther north of town, the Silver Summit Ski Hill (www.skisilversummit.ca) can also be reached via the Silver Summit Trail, a
50 km Sno Seekers Snowmobile Club route from the Little Sundance Creek staging area, 20 km west of Edson. A shorter version of
this snowmobile trail can be accessed from the Grande Prairie Trail, a route that starts from a staging area 13 km north of town.
From Silver Summit, a 110 km snowmobile trail heads northeast to Whitecourt.
Carson-Pegasus Provincial Park
6070000
Fifteen kilometres northwest of Edson, the Hornbeck Trails are a 37 km system of routes for hikers, cyclists and equestrians in a
setting of mixed wood forests interspersed with muskeg. The area is rich in forest birds such as owls and woodpeckers, and lucky trail
users might spy wolves, moose, elk or lynx. In winter, the Muskeg Flyers Nordic Ski Club maintains 30 km of groomed, signed cross
country ski trails here, in loops ranging from 1 to 15 km, along with a staging area and warm up hut. The club hosts a popular loppet
each winter.
During the summer Whitecourt hosts national and international jet boat races on the Athabasca River. The McLeod River has put in and
take out access points for river users who enjoy a slow tube ride down the river.
Anyone making use of this document is advised that the
Government of Alberta and Alberta TrailNet disclaim liability
for any claims, actions, demands or suits which may arise by
reason of any person relying on the information contained in
this document, and more particularly, without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, the government and TrailNet
disclaim liability for the appropriateness or accuracy of the
within guidelines, details or specifications for any project.
Tr
a
Eagle River
Snowmobile
Staging Area
Windfall
Manweiler
Trail
Carson-Pegasus Walking Trail
60
Athabasca
Lookout
Athabasca River
Whitecourt
Sum
mit
Little Smoky River
25
Trail
Goodwin Lake
Lookout
Goodwin
Lake
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Goodwin Lake T
Horne
Groat Creek Lake
Canon Lookout
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Groat Creek Trail
Goat Creek
Snowmobile
Staging Area
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ree
Sandhills
Public Land
Use Zone
Whitecourt Mountain
Natural Area
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5980000
26
Muskeg River
Legend - West Half
il
Tra
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Little
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Smo
Sum
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Berland River
40
Forest Interpretive Centre and Heritage Park
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Little Sundance Creek
Provincial Recreation Area
13 Sundance
Provincial
748
Park
748
Peers
Rosevear
Yates
Hornbeck Trails
Fort Assiniboine Museum
ek
Mackay
21. St. Albert Botanic Park
Annabel
Lake
Hornbeck
Bickerdike
Octopus
Lake
47
Carrot Creek
Leaman
Nojack
Edson
1
53
Sang
Lake
Ansell
McLeod River
Pepper
Lake
Athabasca Ranch
Public Land Use Zone
24. Westlock Pioneer Museum
Thompson
Lake
Old Entrance
27. World’s Largest Wagon Wheel and Pick Axe
28. World’s Tallest Working Weather Vane
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0
5
10
20
30
40
1:300,000
330000
Tertiary roads
Boat launch
Rail
Campground
Water
Canoeing
Urban
Cross country skiing
Indian reserve
Cycling
Metis settlement
Day use area
Natural area
Equestrian
Forest recreation area
Farmers market
Provincial recreation area
Group campground
National park
Hiking
Provincial park
Historic site
Wildland park
Hospital
Wilderness park
Information centre
Public land use zone
Motorcycle
Green area
Museum
Municipal park
Picnic shelter
Ecological reserve
River tubing
Watchable Wildlife sites
Shelter
Special interest site
Snowmobile
Trans Canada Trail
Staging area
Trans-Canadian Snowmobile Trail
Viewpoint
Trails
Designated winter use
Edson Towns with trails
Off highway vehicle
recreation activity area
Non-motorized recreation
activity area
All trail distances are one way unless otherwise indicated.
12
40
29. Whiteridge MX Park
260000
1
orn
Bigh
Trail
26. Woodland County Hard Luck Canyon
Backcountry camping
Historic Trail Route
Hinton
25. Whitecourt Riverboat Park
Secondary (paved & gravel roads)
Non-motorized
Pedley Reservoir
23. Tipple Park Museum and Information Centre
All terrain vehicle
Mixed use (motorized
& non-motorized)
52
Pedley
Athabasca
Lookout
Nordic Centre
22. St. Albert Heritage Sites
16
Millers
Lake
Nojack Provincial
Recreation Area
Primary highways
5920000
Jarvis
Lake
20. Profiles Public Art Gallery
Canyon Creek
Trail
Galloway
10
16
reek
Cache
Lake
Blue
Lake
19. Onoway Museum
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Pinedale
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Jarvis C
16. Mission Hill
18. Musée Morinville Museum
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Lobstick River
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Medicine Lodge
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Marlboro
15. Mayerthorpe Fallen Four Memorial Park
Hornbeck Creek
Provincial Recreation Area
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Little Sundance Creek
Snowmobiling Forest
Recreation Area
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Cree
14. Lac St. Anne Historical Society Pioneer Museum
Sucker
Lake
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Obed
Obed
Lake
Gregg
Lake
17. Musée Héritage Museum
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5930000
Obed Lake Provincial Park
William A. Switzer
Provincial Park
Wildhay River
Group Day Use Area
13. Hoodoos via the Wild Sculpture Trail
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Wolf Creek
Yates Natural
Area
Su
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Wildhay Rive
12. Hinton Museum of Culture & Heritage
Ca
Niton Junction
40
11. George Pegg Botanic Garden
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Clark
Lake
Willmore
Wilderness
Area
10. Galloway Museum
5960000
McLeod Valley
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Athabasca River
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E.S. Huestis Demonstration Forest
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9.
Dunn
Lake
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55
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“Geophysical centre of Alberta”
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Gamma
Lake
Beta
Lake
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Sunset
Lake
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Sundance
Lake
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Canadian Tractor Museum
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Sundance
Provincial
Park
Emerson Creek
Day Use Area
751
Bear Lake
Edson River
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Barrhead Centennial Museum
Shiningbank
Lake
Pioneer
Little
Sundance
Lake
tu
4.
Emerson
Lakes
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Athabasca “Old Brick School”
River
Hattonford
Sc
3.
Wildhay Glacial
Cascades Natural Area
Emerson Lakes
Campground
ild
Athabasca Muskeg Creek Trails
Paddle
Haddock
W
2.
Highway
56
Pinto Creek
Alberta Forest Service Museum
Kathleen
Lake
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Pinto Creek Canyon
Natural Area
:
1.
647
Shining Bank
ee
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Big Berland
Provincial Recreation
Area
Special Interest Sites
Silver
Summit
Wildhay River
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Pin
Mahaska
5970000
iver
57
5940000
Muskeg River
Joachim
Lakes
340000
350000
360000
370000
380000
390000
400000
410000
420000
430000
440000
450000
460000
Kilometres
1:300,000
© 2012 Government of Alberta
Base Data Provided by the Spatial Data Warehouse Ltd.
5910000
Pierre Grey’s Lakes
Provincial Park
Printed September 2012
Printed in Canada
Pin
Donald
Lake
59Whitecourt
43
McLeod River
8
ail
Muskeg River
In plain language, this document provides you with a variety of
recreation facility locations and activities. None of the maps
are intended for navigational purposes. The trail locations
come from various sources and do not represent Government
of Alberta or Alberta TrailNet standards.
5990000
Simonette River
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Eagle Trai
6000000
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La ars
ke on
Tr
ail
il
Sides
Lake
James Clark
Andy Hayward
Project Partners
Town of Athabasca
Woodlands County
The Crown provides this information without warranty or representation as to any
matter including but not limited to whether the data/information is correct, accurate or
free from error, defect, danger, or hazard and whether it is otherwise useful or suitable
for any use the user may make of it.
Know Before You Go
There is limited maintenance on many trails. To maximize
enjoyment of these trails, gather additional details about the
trails, current conditions, local sites of interest, area services
and access points from nearby communities and recreation
associations (see website information in the text that
accompanies this map). Further visitor information can be
obtained from:
Travel Alberta: 1-800-ALBERTA www.travelalberta.com
Grande Alberta Economic Region (GAER):
www.grandealberta.com
Alberta Parks: www.albertaparks.ca
Environment and Sustainable Resource Development:
www.srd.alberta.ca
Alberta Parks Campground Reservations: online
www.Reserve.AlbertaParks.ca or toll-free 877-537-2757
Woodlands County: www.woodlands.ab.ca 888-870-6315
Refer to other websites and visitor information
phone numbers within the text.
This map includes designated, managed trails; many can be
used year round. Trail quality and difficulty of use can vary
considerably, with surface materials ranging from pavement
and groomed snow to dirt and corduroy. Some trails are signed
and regularly maintained; others are not. Even maintained trails
can be challenging when wet or covered in fresh snowfall.
Similarly, major access roads range from paved highways to
good gravel to poorer gravel roads, which may not be regularly
maintained.
Temperatures can range from winter lows of -40 Celsius to
summer highs in the upper 30s. Precipitation and harsh
conditions can occur at any time. Bugs can be bothersome,
especially in wet and shaded areas in late spring and summer.
You may encounter wildlife, including grizzly, black bears and
large ungulates. Fall hunting is permitted in many areas; be
aware, and dress and behave appropriately.
Trails may be remote from services or help. Carry sufficient food,
water, clothing, first aid and emergency/survival supplies, repair
gear, navigation equipment and a mobile phone.
Note: mobile phones may not have reception in all areas.