7 Of The Quietest Alberta Towns

From the Rocky Mountains to the rolling hills of the prairies, Alberta is a place full of natural beauty. Some of the most popular destinations in Alberta include big cities near the Rockies, such as Edmonton and Calgary. Banff is another popular tourist destination in Alberta. The iconic town attracts thousands of tourists every year. While these are all amazing places to visit in the province, they are usually quite busy. Those who crave quiet on their vacation or are looking for a peaceful place to rest will want to visit Alberta's quieter towns. Towns such as Wainwright offer community comforts while giving people space from the hustle and bustle of city life. Here, we explore eight of Alberta's quietest towns.

Pincher Creek

Pincher Creek is a quiet town in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. One of the most unique stops in Pincher Creek is the Burmis tree. The tree is a symbol of endurance for people in the region. While the tree actually died in 1970, it was such a symbol for the community that people rallied together and stabilized the tree. Another spot with historical significance in Pincher Creek is Crowsnest Pass. This is the spot where the deadliest rockslide in North American history took place in 1903. To learn about this visitors can check out the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre.

To enjoy a peaceful spot near a waterfall, check out Lundbreck Falls. The falls are near Pincher Creek, down the road from Crowsnest Pass. This area is also historically significant as many dinosaur and prehistoric bones have been found here.

Wainwright

Originally called Denwood, Wainwright is a town full of history and natural beauty. The historic downtown has beautiful buildings that tell the town's history. Some must-see stops include the train station, post office, and Wainwright Hotel. An iconic historical place to see in Wainwright is the Battle River Trestle Bridge. The bridge offers stunning views, overlooking the beautiful Battle River Valley. Its claim to fame is as Canada's second-long train trestle.

One of Wainwright's most unique attractions is Bud Cotton Bison Paddock. The Paddock is home to 20 bison, which can sometimes be seen from the parking lot. There is also a walking trail alongside the Paddock where visitors can spot buffalo. To enjoy more natural scenery in Wainwright, head to Bevan’s Park and Nature Area. The park has walking trails and a playground, offering a space for visitors to enjoy the peace of the forest.

Bon Accord

Bon Accord is a small town close to many major cities in Alberta, such as Edmonton, St. Albert, and Fort Saskatchewan. Despite the town's proximity to the city, Bon Accord remains a respite and a quiet place. A unique feature of the town is that it earned the designation of an International Dark Sky Community in 2015 because of the town's initiatives to preserve and enhance the town's dark night skies. This was a remarkable accomplishment, and Bon Accord was Canada's first community to earn this designation. To this day, Bon Accord is one of the best star-gazing spots. The town even has a Dark Sky Walking Trail.

In the summertime, Bon Accord is a great spot for Agritourism. In the heart of rural Alberta, Bon Accord has several farms and orchards nearby. Prairie Gardens and Adventure Farm warmly welcome guests to experience farm life. Minutes away from the town, Jurassic Forest is another unique attraction. The park is a great spot for a family fun afternoon. There are mini-golf, realistic dinosaur statues and exhibits offering the opportunity to learn about these prehistoric creatures.

Smoky Lake

Smoky Lake is a small community with a lot of opportunities for outdoor recreation in any season. Camping, hiking, golf, and sledding are all popular activities in the area. Visitors can stay outdoors at the Smoky Lake RV Park, spending a quiet night overlooking the ravine. The Smoky Lake Museum is near the RV Park and showcases the history of the area through artifacts and photographs. Some unique artifacts include a large antique machinery collection. For the long weekend in August, the town becomes busier for the Smoky Lake Stampede. Anyone looking to visit the town for its normally quiet atmosphere should look to visit at another time. During the stampede, the town comes alive with a parade, pancake breakfasts, kids’ activities, dance, and fireworks. Enjoy more of Smoky Lake's serene atmosphere at Hanmore Lake. In the summer, this is a great spot to relax on a beach or enjoy a quiet night of camping.

St. Paul

Just two hours northeast of Edmonton is the quiet community St Paul. The town is unique because of its first UFO landing pad. Near the pad is a visitor information center to find out more about what is going on in the town. The town's museum, Musée St. Paul, shows the interesting history of St Paul's origins. Originally, St Paul was a Métis colony. The museum has exhibits showing this part of the town's past. To learn more about history in the area, travel west to Saddle Lake. Check out the Cree Indian metal sculpture and the Saddle Lake Museum. A stretch of the magnificent Iron Horse Trail also runs through St Paul. This is the trail that is part of the Canadian National Railway line. This section of the trail is the longest continuous stretch in the province.

Legal

Legal is a small town with a rich history, and the community is dedicated to keeping its history and heritage alive. The area has a rich French culture that dates back to 1894. See the town's history through the murals around town. On almost every corner, there is a mural depicting the history, events, and challenges faced by the francophone families in the area. Legal is the francophone mural capital of Canada, and for good reason. The town has the highest concentration of murals per capita in the world. Experience the town's French culture at Fête au Village. Throughout town, there are parks and beautiful places to stroll. Citadel Park is an indoor and outdoor recreation area that has an arena, curling complex, ball diamonds, and barrier-free walking trails. Overall, this quiet town combines French culture, art, and natural beauty uniquely.

Devon

Devon is a charming Alberta town just southwest of Edmonton. The town is well known for being less than ten minutes away from the University's Botanical Garden. The gardens offer a moment of peaceful reflection amongst a magical butterfly sanctuary and beautiful waterfalls. Devon also has the stunning Voyageur Park, a great place for outdoor adventure seekers. The park offers opportunities for biking, hiking, swimming, fishing, or boating. The bike park is often described as "the region’s most technical Bike Skill Park." Many unique parks are near Devon, including Elk Island National Park. The natural oasis is perfect for outdoor adventure lovers. There is the opportunity for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing. Be on the lookout for wood bison or lynx, which sometimes show up in the area.

Embracing The Quiet

Overall, these eight towns are some of the quietest towns in all of Alberta. While they are quiet, this does not equal boring. There is still plenty to do in all of these towns, making them interesting vacation destinations. Legal offers a unique French-Canadian cultural experience. At the same time, Devon is home to a challenging technical biking trail. Visiting a quiet town gives an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life in the city and at work. Next time you are considering a vacation, check out one of these quiet towns. Their peaceful ambiance will make for a relaxing getaway.