Where can you lounge on a sandy beach in the summer and spot the magical northern lights in the winter? Lac La Biche! This charming hamlet in Alberta is an outdoor paradise. Situated in a sprawling region dotted with countless lakes and a stone’s throw from four provincial parks, there’s no shortage of activities to keep you busy.
Wish upon a shooting star at the Dark Sky Preserve or explore a 300-year-old forest that’s home to Alberta’s only backcountry paddling circuit.
Here’s everything you can get up to in the Lac La Biche Region and why you should start planning your trip.
Things To Do
Whether you’re visiting in the warm months or peak winter season, there’s lots to do in Lac La Biche and the surrounding Alberta Parks.
Dark Sky Viewing
Not far from Lac La Biche at the Lakeland Provincial Park and Provincial Recreation Area, you’ll find a vast Dark Sky Preserve. This area is unspoiled by light pollution, which means there’s no better place to stargaze for constellations, meteor showers, and the Northern Lights on clear nights. If you happen to be visiting during the third weekend of September, you can stop by for the annual Lakeland Dark Sky Celebration hosted by Alberta Parks.
Agritourism
Sample the unique character of the Lac La Biche Region with some agritourism. Don a bee-keeping suit at Christy Creek Honey, a small family-owned apiary. You can also help pick berries at the family-run Orchard Fresh Syrups U-Pick. The berries you collect will be turned into the Orchard’s famed syrups!
Birding & Wildlife Watching
The Lac La Biche Region is home to many shorebirds and waterbirds like pelicans, herons and grebes. If you have a keen eye, you’ll also spot birds of prey like eagles, ospreys, and owls. If you venture a little further, the Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park provides a habitat for more than 200 bird species.
Hiking
From manicured walking paths to off-road trails best left to ATVs, there’s no shortage of places to explore in the Lac La Biche Region. If you’re stopping by for a casual visit, you can’t go wrong with the Lac La Biche Lakefront Walking Path. This 15 km paved path passes through picturesque residential areas and along the shore of Lac La Biche Lake. Perfect for a family stroll.
Lake Life
Of course, you can’t forget about the lake. It’s in the name, after all! This Alberta hamlet is surrounded by countless parks and lakes, one of which is Lac La Biche itself. Enjoy the family-friendly picnic area and sandy beach at McArthur Park, or venture five minutes east to Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area and enjoy more sandy shores and tranquil waters.
Winter Activities
Any Alberta town is going to have a resplendent array of winter sports to keep you busy in the long, cold months. Try your hand at ice fishing, either out in the open or in a dedicated cabin. There’s also cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and skating to enjoy. If you visit around the end of February, you’ll be in town for the annual ICE Festival of Speed. Watch racecars, snowmobiles, and other vehicles race across a frozen lake – really!
Indigenous Experiences
Immerse yourself in culture and connect with the sacredness of nature and place. Situated on 160 acres of unspoiled wilderness within the Kikino Métis Settlement, Hideaway Adventure Grounds is just 30 minutes south of Lac La Biche. Enjoy an unmatched wilderness getaway complete with private camping sites, day workshops, and an outdoor sauna.
You can also visit the Portage College Museum of Aboriginal Peoples’ Art & Artifacts. Explore the 2,000 traditional and contemporary Indigenous art pieces, including the world’s only permanent collection of works by Professional Native Indian Artists Inc.
Nearby Alberta Provincial Parks
No visit to the Lac La Biche region is complete without visiting the four provincial parks nearby.
Beaver Lake Provincial Recreation Area
You’ll want to come here in the summer for the vast sandy beach. The north shore of Beaver Lake is perfect for a day of boating, fishing, sunbathing, and swimming. Individual and group camping facilities are available for long summer nights, but make sure to book ahead. What’s even better is that this amazing Alberta park is only a five-minute drive from the hamlet of Lac La Biche.
Crow Lake Provincial Park
Crow Lake Provincial Park is relatively remote but still easily accessible from Highway 63, with basic campground. Enjoy the uncrowded lake, but please note that motorized watercraft are not permitted on account of the Crow Lake Ecological Reserve.
Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park
This has to be one of the most unique parks in Alberta, sprawling across seven islands and protecting an old-growth forest that’s been around for over 300 years. Hundreds of bird species are known to congregate among the tree tops, so bring your binoculars. The main islands are accessible by a paved causeway and feature a variety of camping options. Rent a cozy cabin or tipis, and enjoy the sandy beaches and trails that wind through this special ecosystem.
Lakeland Provincial Park and Recreation Area
In this instance, size does make a difference. This Alberta park boasts a combined 590 square kilometres of protected area covering 11 major lakes. You can get to all of them thanks to the connected portages and trails through the boreal forest. Lakeland is the home of the aforementioned Dark Sky Preserve and contains Alberta’s only backcountry paddling circuit.
Make sure to add this spot to your Alberta bucket list.
Distance from Edmonton: 212 km
Distance from Calgary: 517 km
Recent Posts:
15 things you need to do this spring if you’re new to Alberta
Wake up to panoramic mountain views at these new micro-cabins in Kananaskis
Alicia Lyons
Branded Content Writer
Alicia is a storyteller who chased the sun all the way to Calgary and decided to stay. When she’s not crafting killer content, she can be found stumbling along nature trails, curling under a fuzzy blanket with a good book, or finding any excuse to eat.
Read articles
