All M.D. of Peace in Northern Lights No. 22

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) 11:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Admission by donation.

Contact – 780-332-2030

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.

This guest house provides luxurious accommodations on the banks of the Mighty Peace River. A stunning view of the Peace River, hills and valley, will captivate you as you relax on the deck or in the hot tub. Rentals of rooms only, or the whole house! Perfect for small meetings, vacationers, private parties and small weddings.

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) 10:30am – 4:30pm.

Admission by donation. 

Contact – 780-332-2030 

24 km south of Peace River on highway 740 (Shaftesbury Trail), then a free ferry ride across the Peace River. Full hook ups, kitchen shelter, group picnic area, group camping area, tenting area, horse watering stations, concession, showers, hiking trails, horseshoes, playground, fishing.

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.  

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 

This playground has a beautiful setting beside Figure 8 Lake, near the sandy beach and campground. Great selection of play equipment and amenities of the campground available. Located at Figure Eight Lake Provincial Recreation Area, 25 km west of Peace River off Highway 35. For information call 780-624-6486.

Lots of great play equipment in this playground that is conveniently found near rodeo grounds, Lac Cardinal Pioneer Museum and of course Lac Cardinal Lake.  

Located adjacent to the Queen Elizabeth Provincial Park on the eastern shore of Lac cardinal, approximately 8 km northwest of the Town of Grimshaw on Township Road 833A off Highway 35. 

For information call – 780-338-3845 

Bring a picnic and enjoy a day of activity on the play equipment as well as the beautiful views of the Peace River Valley. Camp shelters, water and outhouses are available. To find Strong Creek Park, enjoy a short 8km drive from Peace River, along the scenic Shaftsbury Trail in the MD Peace. For information call -780-338-3845

The Shaftesbury boat launch is located at the Shaftesbury ferry crossing approximately 29km southwest of the town of Peace River. Boaters can access the beautiful Peace River at this location on the well -maintained gravel launch. The Strong Creek Park boat launch and the Town of Peace River can be found down stream from this location. Head up the river and you will find the Peace Valley Guest Ranch and Peace River Cabins and Outdoors who welcome guests to stay at their riverside resorts. Explore a bit further up the river and you will see the Elk Island camping area, continue on to experience the awe-inspiring sight of the Dunvegan Bridge. Camping is available in the Shaftsbury area just across the river at Tangent Park.

For information call –780-338-3845.

A short 8km drive from Peace River, along the scenic Shaftsbury Trail will bring you to Strong Creek Park boat launch area. Start your river adventure here or come ashore and take a break -camping spots are free. There are outhouses, water and a sheltered kitchen to make your stop comfortable. The Town of Peace River is down stream from this launch and the Shaftesbury ferry launch site is up stream. The launch is a well-maintained gravel area perfect for launching river boats as well as canoes, kayaks and rafts. Opportunities are endless for adventure on the mighty Peace River.

For information call –780-338-3845.

The Lac Cardinal boat launch gives water lovers access to this calm and inviting northern lake.The launch is a well-maintained paved launch. The lake offers endless hours of activity –paddle boarding, canoeing and kayaking to name a few. Tubing, water skiing and wake boarding area is a great way to spend a sunny Peace Country day at this lake. Stay awhile at the camping area and check out the Lac Cardinal Pioneer Village Museum and the North Peace Rodeo grounds which are a short walk away. Located 8km northwest of the Town of Grimshaw on Township Road 833A off Highway 35.

For information contact -780-338-3845.