9 Best Small Towns in Alberta for a Weekend Retreat
Alberta is home to some amazing national parks such as Banff and Jasper. With stunning mountains and bold blue, green lakes, it's no wonder these parks are some of the province's most visited places. Beyond the national parks, Alberta is home to some remarkable small towns. In Sundre, you can enjoy a pioneer village. Canmore is right next door to Banff, without the same crowds, making it a great town to enjoy the Rockies. The towns in Alberta vary in landscape from having magnificent mountain scenery to being next door to the prairies and flowing bodies of water. The serene natural landscapes make the province's small towns a great destination for a weekend retreat. Here we explore the 9 best towns to visit in Alberta for the weekend.
Sundre
Sundre is the perfect weekend getaway for a combination of outdoor recreation and small-town charm. There is plenty to do from camping and hiking to golfing. A perfect spot to do some hiking or biking is the Snake Hill Recreation Area. The trails are quiet surrounded by aspens and pine groves. On a nice sunny afternoon, a popular spot to golf is the Sundre Golf Club. Once you are done exploring the outdoors, check out Sundre's local history and culture at one of the town's museums or galleries. The Sundre and District Pioneer Village Museum is ideal for seeing historic buildings. The Bergen Rocks International Sculpture Park and Symposium is another impressive attraction. The Sculpture Park features a dozen stone and marble sculptures from artists around the world.
Canmore
Canmore is the neighboring town to the famous Banff National Park. This makes Canmore the perfect place to spend a weekend if you want to explore the Rockies. Right in town, take in views of the Three Sisters Mountain range. The mountains that make up the range are called Faith, Hope, and Charity. The Three Sisters Mountain is one of the most iconic sites in Canmore. Experienced rock climbers and mountain hikers can scramble to the top of the mountains for amazing views of the surrounding area. Another iconic place in Canmore is the Canmore Railway Bridge. The Canmore Engine Bridge crosses the Bow River and is part of the Bow River Loop Trail, a popular pedestrian and cyclist path. The Bow River is also a great place to spot local wildlife. Another spot to enjoy a walk is the Policeman's Creek Boardwalk. This trail is accessible from downtown and is perfect for spending a quiet afternoon in nature. After a day of enjoying scenic mountain views, enjoy a stroll through town and grab dinner at a local restaurant.
Rocky Mountain House
Rocky Mountain House is a great place to enjoy a weekend of mountain views and local history and culture. The town is west of Red Deer and is a popular place to stop for people heading to the Rockies. The downtown Mainstreet is full of cute shops, restaurants, and galleries. A great museum to check out is The Rocky Museum which explains the town's pioneer history. Art on The Range is a great gallery to explore featuring paintings and sculptures. Outside the downtown, The Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site is a popular spot to visit. It has exhibits, four forts, archaeological remains, and Metis demonstrations. Here you can learn about how the fur trade shaped Canadian history. For some outdoor adventures check out Jackfish Lake Provincial Recreation Area and Crimson Lake Provincial Park. In the winter months, Crimson Lake Provincial Park is perfect for enjoying cross-country skiing trails, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and even winter camping.
Peace River
Peace River is a town offering a different scenery than the mountains. This is a great small town to experience the stunning landscapes of Alberta's prairies. Just an hour north of the Grand Prairies, this town is an excellent option for an outdoor adventure of jet boating, camping, hiking, or biking. While the town doesn't have mountains like the Rockies, it is home to Misery Mountain. This mountain is more like a big hill and while the name sounds anything but pleasant, the mountain offers great views of Peace River. There is a trail that you can hike or bike that goes to the top of the hill. While near Peace River, you should also explore the river itself. Paddling is a popular activity on the river and for good reason. A kayaking or canoeing trip on the river will make for a relaxing afternoon. For a unique photo-opt head to Riverfront Park and see the monument dedicated to Henry Fuller Davis.
Elk Point
East of Edmonton, along with rolling lake lands, and the North Saskatchewan River, Elk Point makes for a great weekend getaway. Experience the local culture with a walk through Mural Park. The murals are large and cover 100ft. side-by-side. Each one tells a different story from the town's history and culture. Next, enjoy the North Saskatchewan River’s banks with a walk on the iconic Iron Horse Trail. Elk Point is also near Whitney Lakes Provincial Park, a great place to enjoy a hike or bike ride. History lovers might want to take a little trip to Frog Lake National Historic Site while visiting Elk Point, which is a 30-minute drive from Elk Point and recounts the devastating story of the Frog Lake Massacre.
Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek is commonly known as the Jewel of The Rockies. The Town sits between the foothills and the mountains, offering a variety of beautiful landscapes, from mountains to rolling hills and expanses of open prairies. The town is just 30 minutes from Waterton Lakes National Park and the park is an outdoor adventure haven. In Waterton, you can enjoy lots of hiking. Some popular hikes include the hike to Bertha Lake and Bertha Falls and the hike to Crypt Lake. Back in Pincher Creek, you can combine the best of both outdoor adventure and history by exploring the town's Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village. The village is along tree-shaded Pincher Creek and offers a look into the town's pioneering past. Heritage Acres Farm Museum is another attraction to learn more about the past. The museum features antique farm equipment, machinery, and buildings.
Cardston
Cardston is a southern Alberta town, near the United States border and Waterton Lakes National Park. Enjoy historic landmarks, mountain views, outdoor adventure and quaint local dining on your weekend in Cardston. Travel back in time at the Card Pioneer Home to 1887 when the Card family was first founded in Cardston. Next, see the Courthouse Museum to get a true sense of the town's history. If you are visiting Cardston in the summer, check out the local market. Held on summer weekends, the market has local vendors from around the town. For some night entertainment, visit the Carriage House Theater and see a live performance. Finish off your day by watching the sunset over he mountains.
Grande Cache
You will find the town of Grande Cache in the northern Rockies. This is the town to experience the wildness of the Canadian Rockies. The town has a long history in the area and was really formed by the Hudson’s Bay Company fur trader who cached a lot of fur in the area. There are lots of opportunities for hiking and outdoor exploration in Grande Cache. A great place to do some hiking is the Sulfur Gates Provincial Recreation Area. Here you can hike and enjoy magnificent views of the Smoky River and the Sulphur River. If you are looking for an adventure go down to one of the rivers and try Whitewater Rafting. Some hikes with great views of waterfalls include the Eaton Falls Hike and the Muskeg Falls Hike. After experiencing lots of beautiful scenery and outdoor adventure, you might want some time for introspection. A great place to do this is by visiting Grand Cache Labyrinth Park. Labyrinth walking is an ancient practice of meditation and prayer. Surrounded by the beautiful Rockies, there is no better place to quiet your mind.
Nordegg
Lastly, Nordegg is a great hamlet to spend a weekend in Alberta. The area is part of the Rockies but is less traveled than places such as Banff or Jasper. This region of the Rockies is popular for stunning waterfall hikes. A great one is Nordegg is Whitegoat Falls. This waterfall is a punchbowl style and you can stand and swim under it. A great place to have a picnic lunch in Nordegg is at Shunda Lake, officially known as Fish Lake. Set up at a picnic table and enjoy lakeside views. Afterward, splash around in a watercraft for an outdoor adventure. The most popular lake to visit in Nordegg is Abraham Lake, also known as 'Bubble Lake' in the winter. There is a lake trail that goes around the lake where you can enjoy stunning views.
Plan Your Next Weekend Getaway to Alberta
Overall, Alberta's small towns are some of the best places to enjoy a weekend retreat. In Pincher Creek, you can enjoy amazing waterfall views and explore a pioneer village. In Peace River, you can go for a canoe ride on the river. In Nordegg you can experience the Rockies and hike in tranquil wilderness. Whether you need a romantic getaway, a fun weekend with friends or some time away from the office, these Alberta towns have you covered. So pack your bags and start planning your weekend getaway. The serene scenery alone will be worth the trip.
