M.D. of Peace No. 135

Christ Church Mission was established in 1886, when Reverend John Gough Brick, an Anglican minister moved from Dunvegan to Shaftesbury Settlement. This mission was also known as the Shaftesbury Mission or simply the ‘English Mission’. It was slow to develop due to lack of manpower and funds. The Reverend Brick found that he could not establish both a working farm as well as preach and teach, and so it was some time before the Mission comprised of more than just the minister’s house. The building of Christ Church took place between 1898 and 1901, and was constructed largely of material salvaged from St. Saviours, the Anglican Mission at Dunvegan (Today’s site of ‘The Maples’ picnic area) 

In 1897, Mr. David Curry arrived from St. Peter’s Mission at Lesser Slave Lake to take over as schoolteacher of Christ Church Mission, Shaftesbury Settlement. By 1907, Miss Lillian Millen, School Mistress and Matron, and Miss E.M. Hall, Assistant Matron were residing with Reverend Robert Holmes and his family at the Shaftesbury Mission. The complex consisted of the church, student residence, school, and barns.  

Eventually the importance of Christ Church diminished as the village of Peace River Crossing continued to grow. Declining enrolment at the Shaftesbury school forced its closure in August 1914. The First Nations children were transferred to other boarding schools in the Diocese, in particular St. Peter’s Mission at Lesser Slave Lake. 

This site is found along Shaftsbury Trail near the Town of Peace River. 

Looking for an excellent spot to explore the Peace River Valley? 

Visit Elk Island camping area, this site is along side the Peace River downstream from Historic Dunvegan and upstream from the Shaftsbury Ferry. Twelve campsites with fire pits are ready for campers to settle in and relax or get active!  Canoe, kayak, fish, hike or relax around a crackling campfire! Lots of space and a playground are available for kids to enjoy.  Watch for abundant wildlife in this area! 

Located approximately 6.5km west and 24km south of the Hamlet of Brownvale. 

For information call  (780) 338-3845 

Paddling furiously along the Peace River to beat freeze up, Alexander Mackenzie and his crew must have been very glad to reach the area where Fort Fork was to be built and where they were able to find shelter from the coming winter weather.  Soon after his arrival Mackenzie observed “the river stopped” indicating freeze up had arrived!  Mackenzie, a Scottish born explorer and fur trader was to spend the winter of 1792 – 93 at Fort Fork before continuing on his famed journey to the Pacific Ocean.  Fort Fork was named for its close proximity to the convergence of the Smoky and Peace Rivers.  The fort provided shelter for Mackenzie and several years later the explorer – geographer David Thompson.  The fort was also the main North West Company post in the Peace Country until 1806 when its operations were moved to Fort Dunvegan.  Stones from an original chimney in the fort have been preserved and fashioned into a fireplace for the public to view at the Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre.   

Mackenzie Cairn, a National Historic site since 1929, was built to commemorate Fort Fork and marks the spot where visitors can look across the river to the approximate area of Fort Fork which has long since been erased by the ravages of time and river erosion.  Mackenzie Cairn is found a short distance from the Town of Peace River, along the Shaftsbury Trail.  

Experience the day to day life of a Peace Country pioneer at the Lac Cardinal Pioneer Village Museum.  Stroll through this depiction of a typical 1920s to 1940s pioneer village and experience what life would have been like for these hardy pioneers.  Immerse yourself in history as you tour four fully furnished houses, a school, a blacksmith shop and a general store!  You can practically smell the bread baking in the bakery!  The village also includes a fire hall, municipal office, carpenter shop, church, barn and library! 

Pioneer Day celebrations are held annually on the second Saturday of August. This is a great way to enjoy the museum!  Start your day with a pancake breakfast and then actually see the saw mill, threshing machine and blacksmith in operation!  Witness butter being churned the old- fashioned way and then take a horse and wagon ride!  Enjoy a lunch of beef on a bun and pie while listening to the musical entertainment on offer. 

Directions – from Grimshaw – next to Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park, access from either Highway 2 or Secondary Highway 685. 

Open May long weekend to September long weekend. 

Hours of operation – Open Thursday to Monday (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday) 11am – 5pm. 

Admission by donation. 

Contact – 780-332-2030 

Looking for the perfect getaway?

This cozy four bedroom home away from home offers solitude in a country setting. Discover meandering nature trails, an abundance of bird watching and a visit to the log cabin in the woods. This home will surely make you want to spend all your time outdoors breathing in the fresh air and taking time to relax.

Mighty Peace Golf Club gives the golfer a feeling that is not found anywhere else in the country.

Mighty Peace Golf Club is a golf facility that lies between Grimshaw and Peace River in North West Alberta. Our 18-hole championship golf course features all the hallmarks of Northern Alberta golf, including lush fairways, undulating greens, various tee decks that will challenge novice to expert golfers alike and spectacular views.

The club gives our clientele a unique feeling that is hard to find anywhere else as we continually strive to exceed their expectations.  To compliment our golf club we have a practice facility located near the clubhouse and a campground with water and power hook up.

 You will not be disappointed when you check out our fully stocked Pro Shop and our restaurant to appease anyone’s appetite. Our Professional Team at Mighty Peace Golf Club is committed to the success of your event.  From the planning, implementation and final wrap-up, we are here to serve you.

 We will customize a package that best suits your specific needs whether it is a large charity event or a group of 12 on a golf getaway. We will work hard to ensure your complete satisfaction.  Many corporations, associations and private groups choose us each year and return to The Mighty Peace Golf Club again and again!

Come escape from the demands of the real world and experience the Mighty Peace Golf Club Campground. At our campground you’ll find unique and private campsites, all of which are heavily treed providing a level of privacy. The campground is a great place to camp with your tribe with large camping spaces all equipped with fire pits, picnic tables and a communal gazebo. The campground is a hop, skip and jump away from the Mighty Peace Golf Club. This is a 18-hole championship golf course featuring all the hallmarks of Northern Alberta golf, including lush fairways, undulating greens, various tee decks that will challenge novice to expert golfers alike and spectacular views. Not to mention there is a fabulous clubhouse restaurant if you want to take the day off from cooking.

Have you ever experienced Alberta’s dark sky or the Northern lights?

The Mighty Peace Golf Club Campground is a great location for the opportunity to experience Alberta’s dark sky and possibly the Northern Lights if you are lucky. There is no artificial light around to obscure your extra

Rates:

Daily – with service – – – – – – – – – $30.00

Daily – with no service – – – – – – $20.00

Weekly – with service – – – – – – – $150.00

Weekly – with no service – – – – $100.00

Monthly – with service – – – – – – $450.00

Monthly – with no service – – – – $300.00

Seasonal with golf for 2 Adults – – – – – $2,950.00

Seasonal with golf for 2 Seniors – – – – $2,700.00

Located on the Shaftesbury Trail near Peace River, Alberta, Peace River Cabins and Outdoors is dedicated to helping others experience the natural wonders of the mighty and majestic Peace River.

We would like to invite you to join our family for a truly unique vacation experience at the Peace Valley Guest Ranch, nestled amidst the rolling hills of the breath taking Peace River valley. We would like to share with you our working cattle ranch, where you can experience the natural splendor of the Mighty Peace River as you follow its winding path through acres of gentle slopes. We offer plenty of rest and relaxation to soothe your mind, body and soul and will endeavor to keep our groups small to allow more personal service.Your adventure begins as you travel down the winding road into the valley below where our ranch is located. Once you reach the ranch you will be shown to your own cozy cabin (bedding and towels provided) and treated to fresh cinnamon buns while you enjoy the sounds of the songbirds, rustling of the leaves in the trees, and watch the river flow.  No television blaring, no telephone ringing, just the sounds of nature. After coffee and snacks, climb aboard our jet boat for a pleasure cruise up the Mighty Peace River, following the path once taken by the famed explorer Sir Alexander Mackenzie.

GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE!
Call for details: 780-332-7444
Or Email Us: pvguestranch@yahoo.com

Enjoy a delicious T-bone steak supper with all the trimmings in our dining room in the main cabin, a cabin that was built in 1919 by one of the Peace Country’s own original homesteaders. Then saddle up for a trail ride and experience the magnificence of the Peace River Valley while astride a gentle, well broke horse. As dusk settles in the valley you will return to hot bisquits and cocoa around the campfire while enjoying a Peace Country sunset. No need for an alarm clock, awake to the sounds of the birds in the trees and the soft nicker of the horses nearby. After a hearty breakfast of pancakes and sausages, join us for a leisurely morning trail ride. At 11:00 am it is time to bid you farewell as you begin your return trip out of our beautiful valley.

All you need to bring is some warm comfortable clothing, running shoes or riding boots for the trailride (no hiking boots please), your camera, and a flashlight. If you play, we encourage you to bring along your musical instrument. We look forward to meeting you and will do our very best to ensure that your stay with us is an enjoyable and memorable holiday.

Smith Mills Trail 

Officially opened March 11, 2017. The East End Staging Area is located to the north of Grimshaw and the West End Staging Area is located to the north of Hines Creek.  Runs 60 kilometers from north of Figure Eight Lake to just east of Stony Lake.  This trail includes a loop near the west end of the trail that has a magnificent view of the area.

Smith Mills Trail Map

Cadotte River

As one of the original 3 trails identified by the Club and approved in principle in December of 2009 along with the Leddy Lake and Wesley Creek trails, further work has been delayed during the development of the Club’s other trails.  This proposed trail would be an extension to the Wesley Creek Trail and will potentially run north along the power line which is adjacent to the DMI east haul road.  Work could proceed once the Hines Creek Trail is complete if a Trail Sponsor to lead the project is identified.

Additional Trail Plans:

Lake views can be enjoyed by all visitors to this campground tucked into the tree line along the shore of Lac Cardinal. Water enthusiasts can enjoy swimming, windsurfing, paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking. Boaters can use the boat launch to gain access to the lake, so water skiing, tubing and sailing are fun options!

Visitors can play some beach volleyball, horseshoes or just relax on the beach. Over 140 species of birds and other wildlife have been spotted here so keep your eyes open while hiking and mountain biking on the shore line and forest trails! After a day of enjoying all these activities, kick back and relax in one of 56 camp sites available. 42 of these sites offer power and all offer fire pits and picnic tables. To make your stay more convenient potable water, washrooms and a dump station are available on site.

Don’t forget! There’s no better way to enjoy a sparkling winter day than snowshoeing or cross country skiing the 4.5km of ungroomed trails in the park!

This park has a very convenient location only 5 km north west of Grimshaw on Township Road 834/833A. The Lac Cardinal Rodeo Grounds and Pioneer Village Museum are adjacent to the park and within walking distance.

Contact 780-624-6487

Enjoy the beauty of the Peace River and it’s valley by taking the short drive down the Shaftesbury Trail!

Running along side the Mighty Peace River for approximately 26km, the Shaftesbury Trail is one of the most scenic and interesting drives in the Peace region.  Originally used by First Nations and Metis fur traders it is the location of several important historic sites.  Start your tour on this paved and well maintained roadway either from Grimshaw going south on Highway 2, then taking secondary Highway 684 down into the valley or from Peace River, turn onto Highway 684, which can be accessed on the west side of the Peace River bridge.  A relaxing and interesting adventure awaits! Along the way visit Fort Fork, MacKenzie Cairn as well as St. Augustine’s Mission.  Stop for a picnic at Strong Creek Park and enjoy the stunning scenery and abundant wildlife!  Continue on and visit the market gardens to see what’s in season!  End your Shaftsbury Trail adventure with a ride on the Shaftesbury Ferry, the view of the river and surrounding hills is spectacular! 

Getting There

From Grimshaw: go south on Highway 2, then take secondary Highway 684 down into the valley. From Peace River: turn onto Highway 684, which can be accessed on the west side of the Peace River bridge.

Mackenzie Cairn

It was 1793 when Sir Alexander Mackenzie, famed North American explorer, overwintered at Fort Fork before starting his transcontinental journey to the Pacific. The Mackenzie Cairn, built in 1929, honours both the Fort Fork trading post and the place where Mackenzie’s important journey began. This National Historic Site also provides a wonderful view of the Peace River, and an information kiosk offers detailed maps, drawings of the fort and early photos. Historic tours are available during the summer months.

St. Augustine Mission Church

About 13 km southwest of the Town of Peace River, the St. Augustine Mission Church sits in a tranquil space in the valley. A Provincial Historic Site, St. Augustine Mission Church is the remains of the St. Augustine Mission, established in 1888. Tours of the church and grounds are available in the summer.

Bridgeview Gardens

U-Pick berries and other vegetables. Call them at 780-624-1335.

Fort McLeod

A historical site on the banks of the Peace River. Learn more about fur trade history with new interpretive signs, or visit the Peace River Museum, Archives and Mackenzie Centre for a more in-depth history.

Strong Creek Park

Free camping, kitchen shelter, water, fishing, hiking trails and playground, including a backstop and field for baseball/softball.

Brick’s Hill

When driving from Hwy 2 near Grimshaw, take Brick’s Hill to take in the beauty of the valley floor. Named after original families owning river lots in the area, Brick’s Hill boasts an abundant landscape of agriculture and gardens. The hills are layered with history and evidence of the Cree and Beaver First Nations.

Shaftesbury Ferry

A unique experience awaits at the Shaftesbury Ferry! 

This is one of only 6 ferries operated by Alberta Transportation in the entire province!  The ferry is part of highway 740 and crosses the mighty Peace River linking the Shaftesbury Trail with the Tangent Park area.  The length of the crossing is 325 metres and takes about 5 minutes. Enjoy spectacular river valley scenery during the crossing and keep your eyes open for the abundant wildlife that frequent this area.   This experience is available May through the end of October, 7am to 11pm daily.  The ferry is free of charge and can accommodate everything from foot traffic to large RV’s and motorcycles.  Visit 511 Alberta for the most recent information about ferry operations. 

Tangent Park

Tangent Park campground is located on the east bank of the river, just a ferry ride across from the Shaftesbury Trail. It offers full service sites, showers, group camping and horseback riding/hiking trails.