Highway #35
Your journey on northern Alberta’s Mackenzie Highway begins at “Mile Zero” in Grimshaw where you head north on Highway #35 passing through the remarkable Peace River Country, rich in its Aboriginal and Pioneer history. Revisit the era of fur-trading and the discovery of western and northern Canada. Communities to stop at along this stretch of the route are Grimshaw, Manning, and High Level. From High Level, there is also an opportunity for a side trip to the communities of La Crete and to Alberta’s oldest community, Fort Vermilion.
Mackenzie Hwy Park & Arboretum
Grimshaw hosts the Mackenzie Highway “Mile Zero” marker, a photo opportunity to mark the start of your journey on this historic highway, anarboretum that features trees of the boreal forest, Visitor Information Centre and just to the north, Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park at Lac Cardinal features a Pioneer Village and Museum as well as the North Peace Stampede ( see event calendar for details). The Museum hosts Pioneer Days in mid August, with demonstrations of a shingle mill, threshing and butter making.
The County of Northern Lights is home to a mix of hamlets, campgrounds, fishing lakes, streams and rivers. Visitors are most welcome to participate in the annual Birding Tour, Battle River Rodeo, Annual Long Supper, Agricultural Tour ( see event calendar) in addition to experiencing the “World’s Smallest Mall“, which is located just blocks from Shady Lane Campground. Secluded, quiet and pristine wilderness camping awaits at Notikewan Provincial Park, and excellent fishing and boating at Sulfer Lake. Twin Lakes Provincial Recreation Area is home to a lovely campground and quiet lakes, calming walking trail and is a favorite swimming lake, with cool clean waters and picnic area.
- offers two historic stops, the Old Hospital Gallery and , and the Battle River Museum, which features an albino Moose and two headed calf in its two story museum as well as large collection of antique farming equipment. History comes alive each August for Pioneer Days with thrashing demonstrations and antique tractor display.
- , the most northern County in Alberta, covers 12% of Alberta’s land mass and borders the Northwest Territories. This County is home to lush, dense boreal forests, quiet lakes and campgrounds, and the hamlets of
- and
- . Fort Vermilion history dates back to 1788, making it the oldest community in Alberta and is rich in Aboriginal and Fur Trade history. The Lean-to Museum and Archives will treat visitors to a facinating lesson on how Alberta began and its borders were defined. La Crete is home to a large Mennonite population, with strong agricultural roots and the beautiful Mennonite Heritage Village. Not to be missed and a must see and do for any one traveling in northern Alberta is the Tompkins Landing Ferry, located just south of La Crete. A excellent side trip can be had by turning off the Mackenzie Highway and taking Highway 697 to the ferry, which glides across the river, transporting several vehicles at once at no charge. The
- is located on the east banks of the river at the ferry crossing. The route continues on through La Crete, into Fort Vermilion and connects back to the Mackenzie Highway at High Level.
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