Page 44 - Vacation Country Travel Guide

years later moved 5 miles upstream from the original
location. There are over 25 historical sites and
buildings to view in Fort Vermilion, including the
St. Luke’s Anglican Church Cemetery dating back to
1877, the Old Bay House which is restored to 1910
era and open as an Airbnb, and St Louis Catholic
church (1906). The Fort Vermilion Heritage Centre
(located in the Community and Cultural Complex
just off Hwy 88 at Tardiff Avenue and 50th Street)
not only preserves and portrays the history of the area
(including displays on Indigenous nations, agriculture,
fur trade and numerous others. tours available) - but
also creates a new historically focused mini-golf and
escape house experience every summer!
In town, Heritage Bi-Centennial Park has a day
use area with shelters, boat launch and fishing access.
The Community Cultural Complex offers Kayaks for
rental as well as providing free baseball, volleyball,
and splash park options. Camping is available with
10 sites at Fort Vermilion Provincial Recreation Area
located 6 miles west on Hwy 88. Locals frequent
buttertown beach and look forward to annual events
The Peace River Valley Near the like Canada Day celebrations (July 1) River Daze
Halfway River (end of July) and the AG Fair (early August). Wadlin
Lake Provincial Park is home to an endangered
white pelican colony, located 16 miles southeast of
town with 55 sites, boat launch, fishing, swimming
and hiking, and at Machesis Lake Forest Provincial
Recreation Area, 18 miles east on Hwy 58 and south
10 miles, with 20 sites and boat launch. Many rivers
and streams in the area are well known for great
fishing, particularly walleye, pike and grayling.
Vast wetlands provide habitat for large numbers of
native and migratory birds. Salt flats, sand dunes and
boreal forest comprise intricate ecosystems, while
the impressive Vermilion Rapids and Chutes are the
only spots along the 700- mile length of the Peace that
interrupt navigation.
La Crete
Location: Hwy 697 off Hwy 35; 34 miles
southwest of High Level; approximately 480
miles north of Edmonton. Population: 3376.
Visitor Information: La Crete Chamber of
Commerce, 10406-100 Street, PO Box 1088,
La Crete, Alberta T0H 2H0; Phone: (780) 928-
2278; Email: admin@lacretechamber.com;
Website: www.lacretechamber.com.
Zama City
Location: Approximately 51 miles north of
High Level on Hwy 35, then 38 miles west on
high-grade gravel road, in Mackenzie County.
Population: 172 full time residents with a
shadow population of 4000 industry workers
in winter months. Visitor Information: www.
zamacity.ca

MACKENZIE HWY 35 NORTH TO
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Indian Cabins
Location: Hwy 35, between High Level,
Alberta and Hay River, Northwest Territories.
An exceptional Indian burial site is located
near the Hay River in this area, consisting of an
aboriginal cemetery with covered spirit houses and
a traditional tree grave. The tree grave is dated to
about 80 years ago and is that of an infant who was
buried in a hollowed out log, which was then nailed
closed and hung between tree branches. The site can
be easily found about 200 yards north of the café in
Indian cabins.
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