Must-have Experiences
Stand in the centre of the province
Marked by experienced surveyor Roy Chimiuk , the geographical centre of Alberta is found in the Swan Hills area . Hike a cleared , five-kilometre path through a rugged boreal forest , where you ’ ll encounter a stone cairn with a grizzly cub atop it . townofswanhills . com
Fish in the wild
Hike to the Marten Mountain viewpoint , and then descend the 2.8 km trail until you reach the beautiful and scenic Lily Lake . This backcountry spot is stocked with eastern brook trout . 279 km north of Edmonton on Hwy 2 .
PHOTOGRAPH : COURTESY AARON CIUFFO AVAILABLE AT FLICKR . COM / PHOTOS / TXOOF / 8512812515 UNDER A CREATIVE COMMONS ATTRIBUTION 2.0
Have a dino-mite outing
The Philip J . Currie Dinosaur Museum houses recent discoveries of dinosaur skeletons and prehistoric fossils . Walk around the landscaped grounds and admire the outdoor fossils , watch the paleontologists work in the lab , hear about the latest fossil finds or invite your kids to enjoy the dinosaur-themed playground . dinomuseum . ca
Surf the sand
Sandboard down golden slopes in the “ Sahara ” of Alberta at the Athabasca Dunes Ecological Reserve ! You can practice your winter boarding tricks on the wind-swept sands at the largest active sand field in Alberta , or explore the area on foot and hike through the shifting sands like Lawrence of Arabia . North of Fort McMurray . Open year-round . albertaparks . ca / athabasca-dunes
Admire nature ’ s lightshow
The north is the perfect venue to watch stunning displays of the aurora borealis . On any clear night , you can view vibrant clouds of lights at one of the most affordable — and breathtaking — attractions in Alberta . If you want a special viewing , try the Alta-Can Aurora Tours in Fort McMurray — a three-night viewing tour that offers the perfect opportunity to see nature ’ s magic at work . altacan . ab . ca
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