All Mighty Peace Essentials in Dixonville

Horse Trekking Adventures is the premier guided horse riding company in the Mighty Peace. They offer many different types of horseback adventures in the Mighty Peace area, all of which are completely customizable to give you the exact experience you are looking for. Guest can enjoy hourly horseback trips, full and half-day rides or multi-day trips into the wilderness areas of the Mighty Peace. They offer a range of horseback tours from beginners and families to experienced cowboys and cowgirls. They have rustic cabins available for “Cowboy & Cowgirl Camping”. 

Are you a Northern Lights Seeker? 

Horse Trekking Adventures offers epic Northern Lights adventures. Your best shot to see the aurora borealis is September through mid May in the Mighty Peace. Experience the Northern Lights firsthand on horseback with knowledgable guides. Horse Trekking Adventures offers a truly unique and unforgettable experience. It’s all about you and the horses! Book your adventure today. 

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.

Misery Mountain Ski Area is located in Peace River, Alberta. A short 486 km north-west of Edmonton and 195 km north-east of Grande Prairie. Visitors flock here to enjoy the best downhill sports and to experience one of Alberta’s sunniest regions. Misery Mountain Ski Area offers the most vertical descent in northern Alberta. With two t-bars, quad chairlift, 26 runs, snowshoe trails, a terrain park and the Mighty Peace’s most extensive snowmaking system. Misery Mountain Ski Area is the Mighty Peace’s playground, right here in your backyard. 

Misery Mountain Ski Area offers a picturesque view of the Peace River Valley. They offer a family friendly atmosphere with a cozy chalet with a concession. Make sure you try their iconic poutine, because it doesn’t get more Canadian than that! Located right in the town of Peace River – making it easy to enjoy the other amenities that Peace River has to offer when you are done riding for the day. Lessons are available along with full rental gear and snowshoe rentals. Keep an eye on their social media channels for upcoming events throughout the year. 

Hours of Operation: 

• Saturdays: 10am -4pm (half day rates start at 1pm)
• Sundays: 12pm -4pm (half day rates all day)

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:

Hunting is an age old tradition dating back to the beginning of time. The need to survive was not taught, it was learned. The landscape of hunting has evolved to mean more than survival today. The modern hunter is not fighting for survival from natures beasts and starvation, but rather fighting for the right to continue to take part in something that burns within them. We fight for the privilege to be able to conserve the land and animals that define what nature is all about. The lessons and values learned through this process make us better and heals us from the inside as we leave the world behind and enter into a wild and untamed place. We are drawn, even called to the outdoors by pure instinct.

Pure Instinct Outdoors is a group of passionate hunters from the Mighty Peace who capture their hunting adventures. Showing their ups and downs in every season. They are currently the top rated weekend show on Wild TV. Many of their episodes feature the Mighty Peace. The cast also hunts all over North America from grizzly bear Alaska to alligators in Louisiana.

Your Hosts

If you would like to sponsor Pure Instinct Outdoors contact Scott Banack at s.banack@pureinstinctoutdoors.com or 780-625-7215.

Explore the history of Indigenous people, the fur trade and missionaries in the Peace Region by touring Historic Dunvegan!  This National Historic Site of Canada is located alongside the Peace River with a breathtaking view of Dunvegan Bridge.  This bridge is Alberta’s longest vehicle suspension bridge. There is a visitors’ centre located near the entrance which offers information as well as guided tours of the historic buildings. Guided tours are available from mid May until Labor Day.  Four original authentically restored and furnished buildings are located in the same places they were over a century ago.   There are wide variety of cultural and nature-based activities available.

Day use camp areas with fire pits and horseshoe pitches are available to visitors.  A playground and extensive hiking/biking trails will entertain visitors of all ages.  Canada Day celebrations are held here annually as well as a fresh air market, children’s programs and amphitheatre presentations. Stroll down to the near by market gardens for ice cream, shopping and mini golf!  Dunvegan Provincial Park is located adjacent to this historic site for visitors wishing to stay overnight or longer.

Historic Dunvegan is open mid May through to the beginning of September, 10am – 5pm Monday through Sunday.  It  is located 26km south of Fairview on highway #2.

For information call – 780-835-7150