Photos courtesy of Lakeview Cottage at North Buck Lake
If you are looking for a getaway to a beautiful lake and the boreal forest, and love the convenience and luxury of an amazing cottage, check out Lakeview Cottage at North Buck Lake!
This gorgeous house is on North Buck Lake, in Athabasca County. It’s about 2 hours 15 minutes from Edmonton and 2.5 hours from Fort McMurray. The lake is surrounded by boreal forest, with trails, campgrounds and beaches all around.
It’s also 15 minutes to Boyle, where you can stock up on groceries, fuel and pizza! If you visit Boyle on Thursdays from 3 – 6 pm, you can check out the Boyle Farmers’ Market for goodies and artisan crafts! Fridays during the summer, the local Co-op hosts fundraiser BBQs during the lunch hour. You can grab a burger to support a community cause and stock up on groceries too!
“At Lakeview Cottage you’ll be greeted by calming views of the water & six comfortable bedrooms for a good night’s sleep.
The wraparound deck & backyard firepit are perfect settings for your morning coffee or evenings spent roasting marshmallows. The game room has a pool table and shuffleboard for game nights.
Enjoy our kayaks, paddle boards, peddle boat, and ice fishing shack when available. Our side of the lake is calm, while the larger side has sandy beaches to explore & create memories.”
Enjoy all-season access to the lake and activities! North Buck Lake is ideal for watersports and fishing in the summer, and in the winter, ice fishing and snowmobiling. There is a golf course at nearby Skeleton Lake and paintball is about 15 minutes away!
If the weather isn’t great the cabin has wi-fi, games and an entertainment centre. You can get cozy in front of the wood-burning fireplace and watch a movie or read a book.
This winter, get out of town for a day, a weekend or a week to the Athabasca Region! The air is crisp, the forest is quiet, and there is a getaway for you to discover.
Whether looking for unique thrift items, relaxing with your family around a cozy fireplace or sledding the Athabasca River at a remote cabin resort, there is a trip that fits your interests, timeline and budget.
Be sure to visit our Events calendar to see what is happening in the Region during your stay!
Winter activities are dependent on weather and snow conditions. If you need information about local conditions email: ted@athabascacounty.com or contact your host.
Winter 2024 dates for the Athabasca Farmers’ Market are: Feb 17, Mar 2, 16 & 30
Saturday Day Trips
1. Boyle History Walk, Lunch & Downtown!
When: Any Saturday!
For a Saturday day trip, visit the Village of Boyle! About 1 hour 45 minutes from Edmonton and 2.5 hours from Fort McMurray, Boyle makes a great day trip to get out of the city. It offers small-town charm, a walking trail and access to cottage country and wilderness in Athabasca County East.
When you arrive, do the Boyle Historical Walking Trails through town
Stroll through Downtown and check out the unique shops and small-town charm
Be home for the hockey game!
2. Athabasca Farmers’ Market & Muskeg Creek Hike/Snowshoe/Ski
When: Saturdays in February and March
An active day trip that gives you a chance to stock up on some of the great artisan goodies and crafts at the Farmers’ Market, then experience the Muskeg Creek trail system!
Downtown Athabasca hosts an eclectic selection of second-hand and thrift shops, fashionable boutiques and unique finds! We have planned out a route for you right here: Athabasca Thrift and Finds Crawl
Start with your Paddymelon coffee and follow the route
Finish off with lunch at one of Athabasca’s delicious food stops: Family DiningFast Food
4. Athabasca History Walk
When: Any Saturday!
If you love history and walking, you’ll love the Athabasca Historical Walking Tour. It winds its way through Downtown Athabasca, with interpretive signage telling the story of the settlement of Athabasca through its historical buildings.
If you’re looking for something closer to nature, the west Athabasca County Lake Country has a few lakeside cabins to rent. Relax with family or friends in scenic Boreal lake settings.
Contact your host for their recommendations on winter recreational activities
8. Lake Getaway – East
When: Anytime, based on availability.
The East side of Athabasca County has a few cabins to rent, too. Surround yourself with a picturesque Boreal setting.
Arrive Saturday, stop in Boyle to stock up on the way through town
Check into your cabin rental
Take advantage of the Chump Lake trails for snowshoeing and snowmobiling
Contact your host for their recommendations for winter recreational activities
Wilderness Experiences
9. River Runners Snowmobile Trails
When: Anytime, based on snow conditions!
If you love sledding, the Athabasca region has some great trails, especially routed for snowmobilers. Take a look at their maps and info here. Call ahead to check conditions and pay your trail fee.
Grand Rapids Wilderness Adventures hosts weekend expeditions at their remote cabin resort located on the banks of the Athabasca River. They provide cozy cabins, meals and more.
Let an experienced local guide show you the best spots to ice fish! Ice fishing packages for the day, weekend or week are available. Take a look at their website for more info or contact them at:
Showers and flush toilets will most likely be closed
Animal-proof food storage is essential
Make sure someone knows your location and timeline
Follow Athabasca Region Tourism on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to post pics of your winter adventures. Tag us at @visitathabasca #VisitTheAthabascaRegion #LiveLifeOutside
For some, the chilly weather makes them curl up under a blanket and stay cozy until spring. If you’re the opposite, and the brisk air makes you want to get outside and move, then the Athabasca region has some great outdoor walks that can be done in the winter!
If it snows a lot, most of these walks are well-maintained sidewalks, so no trudging. On the nature trails, grab some snowshoes or cross-country skis and move across the land and snow that way.
If you use AllTrails, check out the Athabasca region maps and contribute your own walk/run/ski to add to the route listings. We have added some AllTrail links to the article.
Whatever walk you choose (or walks, because how can you choose just one?), you’ll see how easy it is to enjoy the outdoors and experience an active getaway for the day, weekend or week in the Athabasca Region! #LiveLifeOutside
1. Boyle Historical Walk
On the outskirts of the Village of Boyle, you’ll find the Boyle Historical Walking Trails. The trail system was established by the Boyle Community Betterment Committee to commemorate the centennial of the village.
Starting at the Boyle Campground, follow the trail to the west. You can then turn south and then back down to town.
Boyle is 3 hours from Fort McMurray and 1 hour 40 minutes from Edmonton. If you want to stay overnight, check out the accommodations: Airbnb, and Boyle Hotels.
2. Athabasca Rotary Trail
The Athabasca Rotary Trail is a paved walking trail that takes you from one end of Athabasca right to the Muskeg Creek Trail system. If you started on the east end of Athabasca, you could follow the trail down the hill, under the HWY 55 bridge, west along the riverfront until you get to Hwy 55 again. You could continue to the west and meet up with the Muskeg Trail System.
There are informational signs, telling the story of the Athabasca River and Athabasca Landing. There is a great view of the Old Bridge in the distance.
The Riverfront walk is about 2.5 km long, relatively flat and fully paved. The Riverfront Park has firepits to warm up with, with firewood for sale at the Husky Market across the highway.
The Rotary trail is cleared by the Town after a snowfall.
The Town of Athabasca played an important role in the history of Northern Alberta. Athabasca Landing was a transportation hub connecting Edmonton and northern settlements. The river was the highway the town the gathering area.
Many of the historical buildings and sites remain in the town and the Athabasca Historical Society created a historical walk to tell their stories.
The walk wanders through Downtown Athabasca, down to the Riverfront and back. End your walk with a visit to the extensive collection at the Athabasca Archives.
The sidewalks on this walk are generally cleared after a snowfall.
4. Athabasca Thrift & Finds Crawl
Love thrifting, unique finds and a good walk? Then the Athabasca Thrift and Finds crawl is for you!
This walk visits the excellent thrift stores Athabasca hosts, with high quality and unique second-hand finds. You’ll also visit some unique boutiques that curate eclectic and thoughtful collections.
There are plenty of stops for snacks, meals or coffee, so take your time and refresh yourself during your exciting haul!!!
The sidewalks on this walk are generally cleared after a snowfall.
5. Muskeg Creek Trails
One of the best attractions in the Town of Athabasca is the Muskeg Creek Park trail system! The park is located on the west side of Athabasca, adjacent to the University of Athabasca campus. It is a beautiful slice of the Boreal Forest, within the Town of Athabasca.
There are multiple loops of varying distances and elevations.
“The Muskeg Creek Valley is a steep-sided, heavily wooded ravine located west of the downtown area and adjacent to Athabasca University. Covering an area of 17.5 square kilometres with an elevation change of 50 meters, it is easy to get away from the sights and sounds of the nearby urban area.”
In the winter, the trail system is groomed for in-line and skate cross-country skiing. You can rent snowshoes from the Athabasca Regional Multiplex, as well.
The Athabasca Landing/Trans Canada Trail is a historical travel route that followed the Tawatinaw River Valley from Edmonton in the 1800’s.
The trailhead is situated right in the Town of Athabasca, with easy access from Hwy 55 and plenty of parking. This is an in & out trail that can be followed all the way to the Village of Colinton. You can also park at the trailhead in Colinton. The point-to-point distance is approx 13 km.
This trail is not groomed in the winter. Some sections may become packed, but snowshoes or skis are recommended. Bridge repair is ongoing and may be unpassable.
7. Centennial Park – North Shore of Athabasca River
When you look across the Athabasca River from Riverfront Park, you will see a big welcome sign on the north shore. The sign, and an amazing view of the Town of Athabasca, can be found at Athabasca Centennial Park. The also serves as a starting point for a walk along the river and into the forest.
Walk west of the park along the River Ave trail. You can turn and walk north for about another 1 km. The total distance is about 3 km.
This is an in-and-out trail that is not groomed in the winter.
Bonus Walk!
Would you like to experience the terrain that the triathletes participating in the Kapâwinihk Wilderness Triathlon run/walk? It’s a winding trail through gorgeous Boreal forest that has some great views of the Athabasca River. The trail system is part of the River Meadows RV Park but is open to the public. The owners ask that you call or text 780-689-1565 to let them know you are on the property.
Before you enter the RV park, you will see a parking area across from a construction site. The entrance to the trails is just down from there. If you plan on hiking the whole loop, please be aware that two sections cross water, so use caution.
Food and Accommodations in Athabasca
Athabasca has some fantastic restaurants that will serve up a delicious meal to fuel up your walk or warm you up when you are done. If you want to spend a weekend or more, you could choose from chain hotels, Mom & Pop motels and short-term rentals.
