Tag: Northern Lights Winter in Northern Lights No. 22

Figure Eight Lake Provincial Recreation Area is located 40 kilometers northwest of Peace River on Highway 737 in the County of Northern Lights. Figure Eight Lake takes its name from the shape it had before 1970 when the water level was low, in these earlier days the lake had two basins and resembled a figure eight.

The area offers a beautiful, rustic, family friendly, lakeshore campground which has many activities to offer. During your stay you can fish, boat, wind surf, canoe or just enjoy the beautiful lake view! Visitors can also enjoy a hike on forested hiking trails around the lake and you may see one of the multitude of birds and other wildlife that inhabit this area! An easy-access hand launch allows you to get your electric-powered boat on the water to find the best fishing spots, or you can fish from the seawall. Visitors may access the lakeshore by a handy paved foot path. OHV trails can be accessed nearby for hours of family fun! After a day of making memories, get ready to relax and enjoy your evening at one of 27 beautifully forested campsites which can accommodate RVs or tents.

Winter activities can be enjoyed here as well with 5kms of ungroomed cross country ski trails and ice fishing available.

GPS Lat/Long:

56.3007800, -117.909248

Seasonal Open Dates:

5/12/2018|10/13/2018* * Dates subject to change. Please call to confirm.

This cozy, private, 49 site camp ground in the Twin Lakes Provincial Park is located 65 km north of Manning. Twin Lakes Provincial Park is named for the two lakes neighboring one another within the park.  A smaller lake where the camp ground is located and a larger one accessible to visitors on foot.    Campers arriving at the park will see a modern playground located in the central part of the park as well as the self registration area and washrooms nearby.  After settling into a private well treed site, fishing enthusiasts can launch an electric motor boat on to the lake or cast their line from the dock and enjoy fishing for trout!  A modern fish cleaning station makes it easy to prep the day’s catch!  Canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding as well as swimming will provide hours of enjoyment for campers of all ages!  A small sandy beach on the lake shore offers even more fun!  After a day of exciting activities, absorb the serenity of this beautiful area and the abundant wildlife that make their home here while hiking the walking trail around the first lake to the second lake.  This scenic trail was constructed by a Junior Forest Ranger Crew in 1997 and is approximately 3km in length.  Enjoy all the seasons in this area and experience a beautiful northern winter day in the park while ice fishing! 

Telephone:  780-274-0345  or  780-624-6486 

A magical gem of Boreal forest with easy access awaits you only 600 metres off of Highway 35. From highway 35, turn west onto highway 689 into the hamlet of Dixonville. Dixonville is approximately 57km northwest of the Town of Peace River. Once in Dixonville, watch carefully for 1st St. West and turn South on it.  You will then come to a large truck parking lot on your right hand side.  You have now arrived at your enchanted destination.

The entry to the forest trail is marked by a large sign with flags and is adjacent to a foot bridge. Cross over the bridge (beware of the old troll that may still be lurking) and you are onto the trail. The majority of the trail is a gravel surface and while not suited for a wheelchair, it is mostly flat and level. The trail is approximately 1.5km’s and offers a great way to stretch your legs while taking in the sights, sounds and smells of a typical boreal forest.

Along the trail you will find informative signs highlighting various aspects of the flora and fauna. A variety of bird houses and even bat houses have been installed throughout the forest to encourage nesting. For the young or very young at heart, look for a tiny enchanted forest but be very quiet as you never know what or who you may see in there.  A side trail will have you bounding on soft moss and encompassed by some large White Spruce trees.

In the wintertime, the trails are still very much so accessible. The main portion of the trail is packed and groomed for easier walking or cross country skiing. The side loop is intentionally not groomed as it lends itself well to snowshoeing and off trail exploration.

A 50 metre section of the trail lovingly referred to as “Chickadee Alley”, features several large bird feeders complete with bins of seeds. Feel free to fill the feeders while you watch and listen.  It is not unusual to feed over 600 pounds of seeds here each winter not to mention suet and other treats!  These feeders are primarily stocked in winter months only. From spring months until late fall months our small forest critters are able to forage just fine within the vast hearty taiga.

Toilet facilities are not provided and campfires are only permitted in the Shady Lane campground located south of the Community Forest.

No OHVs permitted

If you’re looking for affordable winter fun that the whole family can enjoy, then you MUST experience what the Manning Ski Hill has to offer!

The Manning and District Ski Club has been in operation since 1972 as a non-profit organization in the Notikewan River Valley, just east of the town of Manning. With some of the best scenery around, this hill is a favourite to many locals and out of town visitors. The hill itself has four main runs with a t-bar lift, making it easy to use for all ages. Whether you’re just started out on the slopes or are an experienced skier or snowboarder, this hill has something for everyone to enjoy.

Relying solely on volunteers to maintain weekend operating hours, the Manning Ski Club is open throughout the winter months on Saturdays and Sundays from 11am until 4pm. Plus, with the recent installation of lights, they are now open late on Wednesdays from 6:30pm to 9:30pm for exhilarating night skiing and boarding.

Staying active during the winter season is important and the Manning Ski Club is committed to helping users do just that. Although they don’t offer lessons at this time, they do have a chalet with pre-packaged snacks to help visitors refuel after a long day hitting the slopes.

Be sure to check out their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram, as well as their website, for up-to-date information and their schedule of operations. They look forward to seeing you out this winter!