Central Alberta Information

Central Alberta, also known as Alberta’s Heartland, is an area with bountiful rural heritage, wide prairie and mountains to the west. Long before this middle section of the province became an agricultural centre, it had a long-standing history of First Nations people.  Explorers and trading companies came to trade or to forge transportation corridors on untamed waterways that flow from the Rocky Mountains into prairie. Today, it’s a great place for a rustic road trip punctuated by diverse cultural and agriculturally-themed highlights, not to mention a wonderful place to experience nature and wildlife in mountain scenery that has changed little since the days of the explorers.

Getting There/Getting Around

Many of the towns, farming communities and remote mountain areas that make up this region are separated by at least an hour’s highway driving so are best explored by car or motorhome. Remember, this is Big Sky Country! Check distances on the Distance Calculator before departing.

Explore the Region

Drive the David Thompson Explorer’s Trail (Highway 11) – Take a scenic road trip that will take you from the heart of farming and ranching country through the foothills and into the Rocky Mountains on a picturesque and less travelled route than the highway taken by most visitors on their way to Banff or Jasper.

Start in Red Deer, a fast-growing city with abundant amenities and beautiful parks, trails and river valley, easily accessible from either Edmonton or Calgary. From here, you may choose to get into the pioneer spirit with an afternoon ride on one the Alberta Prairie Railway Excursion’s steam trains, which are based in an hour’s drive away in Stettler. Take the time either before or on the way back to stroll downtown Red Deer. Take in a bit of the town’s history through its bronze sculpture collection then sit in a café to get the vibe of this booming small city.  If you have time, relive a historic rebellion at Fort Normandeau or get outside to Waskasoo Park and the Discovery Canyon play area where canoe rentals are available in summer. Bird watchers will find feathered friends at Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. If you’re here in summer, stop for a dip in nearby Sylvan Lake which has sandy beaches and recreational facilities.  

Another area rich in agriculture and history is the Innisfail region, between Red Deer and Calgary. The hamlets and towns around Innisfail make for a great family day trip. Stop in at one of the market farms to pick strawberries, or explore one of the small museums that explore the Icelandic and Danish heritage of the region. For a little more excitement, visit the unique Discovery Wildlife Park, where you'll get up close to bears and big cats in a safe, educational environment. Stop for ice cream and pie at a quaint country store and continue on, or stay over in a lakeside campground or guest ranch.

Next, drive into the foothills to Rocky Mountain House, the gateway to the mountains. This town, situated on the North Saskatchewan River, was once the site of rival trading posts as well as the base for explorer David Thompson, who discovered a navigable route through the Rockies. Today there are ruins where the forts used to be but Parks Canada has an excellent family-focused interpretive centre where you can learn about First Nations culture, fur trading and the life of David Thompson. Hire a local outfitter to take you on a canoe or raft trip to experience the area the way the explorers did.

Nordegg, a former mining town, is the last tiny hamlet between "Rocky" and Banff National Park. Take a break here before moving further into the wilderness towards Banff, where you’ll pass numerous opportunities for hiking around or viewing lakes and falls such as Siffleur Falls and Ram River Falls, as well Abraham Lake, Alberta’s largest man-made reservoir. Once you reach the junction of Highway 93, the Icefields Parkway (the Columbia Icefields are origins of the Saskatchewan River) you can either head north to Jasper and eventually Edmonton or South via to Lake Louise, and Banff and on to Calgary.

Things to Do

Get Outdoors – From organized whitewater rafting or kayaking on the Red Deer River to driving a "quad" or ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) along wilderness trails, there’s plenty of room to get adventurous in Central Alberta. Take your choice of hiking and mountain biking or golf in summer, or snowmobiling and cross-country skiing in the winter. Other outdoor pursuits include camping, either in the backcountry or next to lakes near Central Alberta communities. And if you enjoy seeing the outdoors from the comfort of your RV, you’ll find many amenities.

Horseback Riding and Ranch Stays – Horseback riding in Central Alberta provides the opportunity to visit beautiful rolling foothills or the more rugged backcountry. Take a day-ride near Red Deer or hire an outfitter and head to the eastern boundaries of Banff National Park. Alternatively, you can experience farm life and western hospitality on a working ranch.

Fishing – Sports enthusiasts will be thrilled with the fishing in Central Alberta. Whether fly-fishing in a choice of 13-14 rivers or angling in a Central Alberta lake, you’ll find trophy size trout as well as other native species. Hire an experienced fishing guide or just try your luck along the way. The season runs from May 1 to the end of September.

Cultural Heritage and Festivals

Dotted throughout the towns of Central Alberta are reminders of the cultural and historic roots of the region. Take in one of Canada's largest professional rodeos (in Ponoka), music festivals, native culture at the Metis Crossing or the historic Markerville Creamery, with its butter-making demonstrations and authentic Icelandic coffees shop. For something more modern, the RCMP police dog training centre in Innisfail is popular and the Reynolds Alberta Museum in with its collection of vehicles from aircraft to industrial machinery will please the mechanically inclined. Central Alberta has many wonderful farmer’s markets where you can pick up local produce ranging from home-made Saskatoon pie to Bison jerky. Wherever you are in this expansive region there is likely to be a small museum or cultural attraction that provides an insight and often some home-style cooking too.

Restaurants

The region's only city, Red Deer, has a reasonable variety of restaurant choices. In any of the smaller towns in Central Alberta you can usually find homey fare that'll stick to your ribs such as Alberta beef burgers and Foothills Ice Cream, schnitzel and local potatoes followed by pie and coffee. Farmer’s Markets are always a good bet.

Accommodations

Ample RV sites, chain hotels and cozy Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs) are all options, along with guest ranches. Check out the accommodations in Central Alberta here.

Return to the Alberta Regional Overview page.