Summer is on the horizon, bringing longer days, warmer air, and the perfect excuse to swap your skis for hiking boots. If you’re craving adventure, there’s no better time to explore Canada’s untamed landscapes, starting with one of Alberta’s last great frontiers: the Mighty Peace.
If you haven’t heard of it before, that’s likely because it’s tucked away in Alberta’s rugged north. Located a five-hour drive (500 kilometres) northwest of Edmonton, the Mighty Peace region is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. Winding rivers carve through vast boreal forests, rolling hills lead to panoramic viewpoints, untouched nature is ready to explore, and adventure is always within reach.
Here are the best outdoor adventures to experience in this unique Canadian destination:
Hiking
Get acquainted with the Mighty Peace by hiking the region’s extensive network of trails. On many of these hiking trails, you’re more likely to spot wildlife than other people. The Dunvegan Overlook Trail, located near Dunvegan Provincial Park, is a family-friendly 1-4-kilometre trail that is best hiked from April to September. With an elevation of 164 metres, this moderate trail is worth the climb for the scenic views of the Peace River. Reward your efforts with ice cream at Dunvegan Market Gardens after your adventure.
Don’t let the name of Misery Mountain Trail scare you! This scenic hike offers two routes with views that are worth the elevation gain. Whether you choose the shorter 4.3-kilometre trail or the more challenging 7.7-kilometre loop, you’ll be rewarded with wildflowers, 360-degree views and wildlife sightings that make it worth the effort.
If you want someone else to plan your hike, join a guided hiking tour. New this year, Peace River Adventures will be offering guided hiking trips in addition to their guided boat tours. Owned by a local couple with a passion for the river and adventure, allow their 30 years of experience to guide you on the hike of a lifetime.
Whichever route you choose, this region is a hiker’s paradise waiting to be discovered. Join a tour or use this hiking guide to help you plan your ideal hike.
River Adventures
Flowing through the heart of the region, the mighty Peace River offers a wide variety of adventures for every type of traveller. River adventures run the gamut from serene canoe rides to exhilarating jet boat tours and everything in between.
With so many options, it can be helpful to use the Mighty Peace’s River Guide to plan your itinerary. This interactive tool showcases points of interest so you can craft a customized trip. Mighty Peace Tourism’s experienced team covered over 300 kilometres and 80 points of interest to create this guide for visitors.
If you’d rather join a tour, Peace River Adventures offer a variety of jet boat tours as well as guided paddle tours. Early risers can book a sunrise tour, while the sunset tour promises to be equally as stunning. Book a full-day tour to spend the entire day enjoying the water. They’ll even supply you with a fishing rod and bait so you can try and catch your dinner!
Accommodations vary from hotels to cabins to campgrounds. Sleep next to the river at Peace River Cabins for a waterfront experience. Wild Rose Guest House has an amazing river valley view. Campgrounds include Many Islands Recreation Area, Strong Creek Recreation Area, Cotillion Park and Historic Dunvegan Provincial Park.
Golf
Tee off amidst the impressive landscapes of this northern region, where rolling fairways meet rugged wilderness. With courses surrounded by boreal forests, river valleys and wide-open skies, forget worrying about crowds—golfing in the Mighty Peace is as much about the views and serene atmosphere as it is about the game. With ten 9-hole courses and two 18-hole courses in the region, there is an exciting variety of courses to explore.
For a course as scenic as it gets, play a round at the Hines Creek Golf & Country Club, aptly named for the creek that runs through five of its holes. This family-friendly golf course offers panoramic views and a clubhouse overlooking the ninth hole.
Surrounded by forest in the picturesque Little Smokey River valley, the 5 Star Golf Course is a relaxing and welcoming par 32, 9 hole course with a campground and clubhouse restaurant.
While most golf courses in the area offer 9-holes, more serious golfers may wish to book a tee time at Mighty Peace Golf Club and Campground. This course offers an 18-hole championship course with lush greens, various tee decks to challenge all levels of golfers and spectacular northern Alberta views.
Whether you’re a seasoned player or just looking for a more relaxing round, the region’s courses offer a blend of challenge and tranquility, making every swing unforgettable.
Dark Skies
When the sun sets over the Mighty Peace, the adventure doesn’t end—it transforms. Far from glaring city lights, this region boasts some of Alberta’s darkest skies, making it a prime spot for stargazing. Minimal light pollution and vast, expansive skies provide the perfect canvas for evenings spent staring up at the stars.
Grab a blanket and head to Figure Eight Lake for unobstructed views of the sky. This peaceful area offers a rustic campground and is the perfect place to savour a quiet evening of stargazing.
The Mighty Peace region is also one of Canada’s most spectacular spots for viewing the northern lights. While the high season for catching the magical glow of the aurora borealis is during early spring and late fall, you never know when Mother Nature will surprise you with a show. Whether you’re searching for constellations or catching a glimpse of the northern lights, evenings spent in the Mighty Peace are nothing short of magical.
Agricultural Tourism
The Mighty Peace region isn’t just a haven for outdoor adventure, it’s also a hidden gem for agricultural tourism. From sprawling family-run farms to charming farmer’s markets, this area offers a taste of Alberta’s rich farming heritage.
They’re serving up more than one type of buzz at the unique Valley Bee Café. Grab your morning coffee and learn all about nature’s pollinators by taking a peek inside a honey extraction plant.
Visit a bison farm for a round of mini golf and shop for local produce at Dunvegan Market Gardens. So much more than a market, you can also pick your own strawberries, a cherished childhood memory for little ones. Dunvegan supports other local vendors to bring visitors the finest selection of fresh foods. It’s a wholesome family-friendly outing.
For a hands-on experience, visit The Green Goddess to learn about the vast medicinal benefits of herbs and plants by attending a workshop at the studio.
Whether you’re sampling fresh honey, learning about sustainable ranching or wandering through strawberry fields, the Mighty Peace is a feast for the senses.
Unique Accommodations
Enjoy stays that bring you closer to nature when you wake up to the sound of the river at Peace River Cabins & Outdoors. Here, cozy cabins and a riverside teepee campsite put adventure at your doorstep. At this family-run business, you have river access as well as a wood fired cedar hot tub. For the ultimate adventure, take a scenic flight over the Peace River in one of their high-tech ultralight planes. To experience the water, contact Peace River Adventures for canoe and kayak rentals.
For a more luxurious stay, Wild Rose Guest House boasts all the amenities you would find in a modern hotel, but instead of high rises, you have the Peace River as your backdrop.
Escape to the remote wilderness at Sunny Valley Adventure Lodge. This charming lodge sleeps up to 15 people on three floors, making it ideal for a multigenerational family getaway. Make memories over s’mores at the large outdoor fire pits or over a game of pool in the rec room.
If you’re travelling by RV, the Rendez-Vous RV Park provides modern amenities with easy access to the region’s trails and waterways. They also offer glamping in their cute and comfortable domes and cabins.
No matter your adventure style, these unique stays let you immerse yourself in the charm and serenity of Alberta’s untamed frontier.
One-Of-A-Kind Events
The Mighty Peace comes alive in the summer with thrilling events. Experience Indigenous traditions at the Peace River Pow Wow and Woodland Cree First Nation Treaty Days, where drumming, dancing and storytelling brings history to life.
This June, watch competitors from all over the world compete in an action-packed event on the water. Feel the adrenaline surge as elite racers navigate rough waters at the 2025 UIM World Jet Boat Championships. This event features nine days of intense racing on four different rivers, spanning three communities.
Foodies and festival lovers won’t want to miss the Falher Honey Fest with its pancake breakfast and beer gardens. This three-day event is filled with family-friendly activities, including axe throwing, beach volleyball, face painting and candle making. Another family funfest to check out is Fairview’s Summer’s End Festival. It kicks off with a car show and a parade and promises to be fun for the whole family.
If you love a challenge, test your endurance at Miserable Miles, a 6.2-kilometre obstacle race that lives up to its name. Conquer the obstacle course while surrounded by the allure of the Peace River’s natural landscape.
Whether you’re seeking heart-pounding adventure or a taste of local culture, these events are the perfect way to enjoy the Mighty Peace in all its wild and welcoming glory.
The Mighty Peace Awaits
As you begin to plan your summer adventures, consider staying closer to home this year while discovering a new place by exploring Alberta’s wild side. Encompassing 20 friendly destinations, this region offers a blend of thrill and tranquility.
If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path escape packed with wild beauty and endless opportunities to explore, the Mighty Peace is calling.
This article was sponsored by Mighty Peace Tourism
Are you ready to be picky? To choose the wild, the open spaces, the fresh air that invigorates your soul? To select the adventures that fuel your spirit, the flavors that tantalize your taste buds, and the colors that ignite your imagination? Welcome to the Mighty Peace, where being picky isn’t just encouraged—it’s celebrated.
The post Alberta’s Mighty Peace Region Has the Best Summer Adventures first appeared on Explore Magazine.