Page 41 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

Grande Prairie
Location: Junction of Hwy 2 and 43;
approximately 464 km (288 miles) northwest
of Edmonton, 133 km (82 miles) southeast of
Dawson Creek. Population: 68,000 serving
a market area of 250,000 people. Year round
visitor information service and northernmost
Travel Alberta VIC are located in Centre 2000,
11330 – 106th Street, Grande Prairie, Alberta
T8V 7X9; Phone: (780) 539-7688 or toll free
(866) 202-2202; Email: info@gptourism.ca;
Website: gptourism.ca.

Known as the “shopping and convention capital of
the North,” Grande Prairie is situated on Highway 43,
south of Mile “0” on the Mackenzie Highway and east
of Mile “0” on the Alaska Highway. The city is the
regional center for shopping, recreation and services
for northwest Alberta and northeast BC. Located in
the heart of the mighty Peace River country within
the County of Grande Prairie, the area boasts some of
the world’s richest farmlands, thriving towns, rushing
rivers and endless acres of vast wilderness.
As late as 200 years ago, northern Alberta was
inhabited solely by Native Americans. As fur traders
and trappers came to exploit the natural wealth of the
region, they recognized the rich agricultural potential Maligne Lake
photo by:
and soon settlers began arriving. Traveling over the Travel Alberta
treacherous Edson Trail was difficult and settlers
only came in larger numbers when the railroad from
Edmonton was completed in 1916. Grande Prairie Recreation area has downhill skiing, snowboarding activities. There are two large, modern malls and
was soon established as a thriving community with and natural luge racing and also features an amazing a host of specialty shops downtown, as well as the
a strong agricultural base, which continues to grow terrain park, new 100m halfpipe, snow tube park, newly designed farmer’s market, which provide for
and diversify. Every summer, endless fields of bright triple chair, platter and wondercarpet lifts. After the every conceivable shopping experience. Grande
yellow canola cover the countryside. The Peace snow has gone there is lift-assisted mountain biking Prairie also boasts a Class A art gallery, hosting both
region also contains the largest concentration of on the most vertical park in Alberta and camp at the local and international exhibitions, several private
domestic buffalo in Canada. year round Wilderness RV Park. galleries, three movie theatres, and two live theatres
Surrounded by lush green forests, Grande Within the city limits one finds an array of urban providing optimum entertainment.
Prairie’s economy was greatly enhanced by the forest
industry’s large sawmill and multi-million dollar pulp
mill. A $139 million OSB plant opened in late 1995.
Discovery of the Elmworth Deep Gas Basin, the
largest pool of natural gas in North America, spurred
unprecedented growth for the area.
Recreational opportunities abound in and around
Grande Prairie, including camping, fishing, hiking
and abundant bird watching opportunities. The area
is also a favorite for hunters of both big game and
waterfowl.
The Kakwa River area, located 95 miles south
of Grande Prairie in the foothills of the Rocky
Mountains, is a popular scenic get away destination.
Impressive Upper Kakwa Falls is 90 feet high.
Customized river boat tour packages and world class
fly fishing are also popular.
For the outdoor enthusiast, Muskoseepi Park has County of Grande Prairie Geographic theatre, research lab and collection areas,
25 km of paved hiking and bike trails, a stocked fish Location: 460 km (275 miles) northwest of smart technology classrooms, restaurant, gift shop
pond, swimming pool, tennis courts, mini-golf, lawn Edmonton at the southern end of the Peace and tourist services.
bowling and horse shoe pits. Located in the Park,
the Grande Prairie Museum is home to over 55,000 Country. Population: over 20,000 in three
towns, a village, five hamlets and several
artifacts illustrating the region’s natural and human JCT. HWY 40 & 43 WEST TO DAWSON
histories. The adjacent Heritage Village offers many residential communities surrounding the City of CREEK (MILE 0 ALASKA HWY)
Grande Prairie; there are an estimated 260,000
activities geared for children. residents within the area. Visitor Information:
The Grande Prairie area also has more than a dozen
golf courses to choose from. Most courses provide www.countygp.ab.ca. Wembley
full service pro shops, club rentals and sales, carts, Location: On Hwy 43, 19 km (12 miles) west
driving ranges and putting greens. Philip J. Currie Dinosaur of Grande Prairie. Population: 1500. Visitor
Bet on the horses inside the onsite casino cafe and
lounge, or watch the live horse racing in July and Museum Information: www.southpeace.org/wembley
August at Evergreen Park. Rodeos, agricultural fairs, Years in the making, the Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Wembley’s scenic attractions include Sunset Lake
Bud Country Fever, GP Stompede, a campground and Museum opened its doors in 2015 as the number one Park, which features a gazebo offering a peaceful
huge Tech Centre facility are all part of Evergreen educational tourism attraction in Northern Alberta. view perfect for bird watching. The Pipestone Golf
Park’s amenities. The 41,000 square foot facility houses a world-class Club is a favourite among the locals and Pipestone
Winter activities include snowmobiling, ice fossil museum featuring extensive exhibits and cutting Creek Park has a beautiful campsite maintained by
skating, cross-country skiing and ice fishing. Nitehawk edge interactive displays, Canada’s first National the County of Grande Prairie. The area has received
39