winter operating hours: Countygp.ab.ca/pipestonewww.

In the summer, the long sunny days provide plenty of time to explore all there is to offer. With rivers for canoeing and jetboating, lakes for kayaking and kite surfing, and creeks for fishing and soaking up your surroundings, there’s no shortage of water activities. If the water isn’t for you, the landscapes also offer perfect areas and trails for geocaching, hiking, cycling, and ATV riding. Golf courses are aplenty to practice your swing and campgrounds are readily available to curl up at the end of the day.

Even with shorter days, there’s plenty to do in winter. The crisp air is balanced with the sunshine, with chinook winds coming down from the Rockies to warm you as you explore in the snow. The lakes are ready for you to try your hand at ice fishing, cozying showcase local talents along with wonderful amenities.

up with the calm stillness. Break out the snowmobile, snowshoes, and cross-country skis to take in a whole new sensory experience on the trails and in the parks. If you’re more into downhill skiing, our County neighbours the ski hills Spring Lake (to the west) and NItehawk (to the south), accommodating both skiers and snowboarders with varying runs for all ski levels.

Enjoy the hospitality of our communities, with restaurants, hotels, motels, and coffee shops to take care of and make you feel at home. Many of the communities in the County of Grande Prairie are active farming communities with even more active AG societies, working hard to make residents and visitors feel welcome. From farmers’ markets to festivals and rodeos, these cultural events

Located 15 km west of Beaverlodge along Highway 43, Hythe offers a glimpse into local history through its restored buildings. But don’t let its quaint appearance fool you. Racing enthusiasts can be found at the Hythe Motor Speedway in the summer months enjoying the action of the 3/8-mile oval paved racetrack. Find the schedule and more information at hythespeedway. com. Other amenities in the hamlet include the Hythe Municipal Campground, Hythe Memorial Arena, and the Hythe Curling Club. Don’t miss the Hythe Agricultural Society’s old-fashioned down-home fair, held annually on the third Sunday in August.

The Hamlet of La Glace is three km north of Sexsmith and 30 km west on Highway 59. Visit La Glace Heritage Park for its beautiful brickpathed gardens, as well as the historical Cairn in memory of respected Indigenous leader Charles La Glace and other pioneers. The nearby La Glace Lake Park provides the perfect year-round site to explore; fitting the name La Glace (ice), some of the best times to explore are in the winter, with cross-country ski trails, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling available.

15 km west of La Glace, find amongst this hamlet the restored Melsness Mercantile, a provincial historic site in Valhalla Centre. Originally a general store and post office, residents began in 1994 to restore it as a local landmark. The restored building is now home to a locally owned coffee shop, offering scrumptious homemade food and works sold by local makers. The Valhalla Park picnic area preserves and protects plants indigenous to the region, and three-foot, hand-carved wooden trolls greet visitors in tribute to the area’s Scandinavian heritage.

20 km east of the Highway 43 interchange and north on Township Road 724, this park was once part of a prehistoric river delta. Surrounded by large fields of barley, canola, wheat and oats, Kleskun Hill is part of a provincial natural area which protects some of the last remaining native grasslands in the Grande Prairie region. Here, cacti grow in desert-like conditions and there are more than 160 flowering plants. The remains of prehistoric lakes and seas are visible in the exposed hills, with soils containing fossils from the marine sea and dinosaur eras. Kleskun Hill is a must-visit spot, with walking trails, nine un-serviced camping sites, and preserved buildings such as a barn, church, East Kleskun School, and an Indigenous burial ground.

With a community of over 2600 people, Beaverlodge has experienced growth over the past decade. The agricultural, forestry, and oil and gas sectors have all contributed to the town’s prosperity. With a full complement of doctors, two dentists, an optometrist, a hospital and pharmacies as well as other health and wellness practitioners, Beaverlodge is considered the service and medical hub for the West County. Recreationally, the town boasts an indoor pool and fitness center, ice arena, curling rink, agricultural barns, tennis courts, ball diamonds, a bike park, several playgrounds, and a wonderful scenic campground.

a Recreational Centre, complete with a main pool, leisure pool, lazy river and a whirlpool. It also has a fully equipped gym and walking track. Make sure to check out the monthly pool and fitness class schedule located on our website! The town manages and operates the Pioneer Campground, featuring the original Lower Beaverlodge School, one of the first schools of the area. The building was restored excellent stop on the “best” route to Alaska, but it can also be your home away from home while you visit our surrounding cultural attractions. In order to fully immerse yourself in our rich history come and stay at one of our premium sites! Online booking is offered for your convenience. We have a total of 36 sites (10 that offer full service and power hook-ups, 9 sites with 30 amp power, 10 sites with 15 amp power) and an additional 7 sites reserved for tenting. It also features a washroom and shower facility located in a beautiful log camp shelter which also boasts a picnic area. A sanitary dumping station is located in the northeast corner of the campground. Free Wi-Fi is also offered throughout. The Pioneer

Campground opens midMay after the risk of freezing passes, and closes for the season mid-October (weather pending).

While staying in our campground, come and visit our Beaverlodge Cultural Centre which features local artists on a rotating basis. It also doubles as our Tourist Information Centre. While there, sit down in their Tea Room, have lunch and enjoy the beauty of the stained glass wall. Opposite the building, visitors can view the magnificent roadside attraction: “Justin Beaver”, The World’s Largest Beaver. The sculpture stands 17 feet tall by 28 feet long and weighs 3000 pounds.

Just west of

Beaverlodge is the South Peace Centennial Museum. Drop by and check out the largest – and only working – steam powered farm equipment museum in Alberta, which is a must see! Plan your trip around “Pioneer Days” which falls on the third Sunday in July. This special event is the only weekend where the equipment comes alive to demonstrate the days of old, along with an antique car and truck show.

To the east of Beaverlodge is Saskatoon Island Provincial Park. While boasting amazing views, accessible by their many walking trails, it’s home to a variety of plants and animals. It’s also a wildlife refuge for Trumpeter Swans! The Park is also home to a variety of forest, grassland and lakeside birds. It is a popular place for bird watching.

• AAFC Beaverlodge Research

Farm Tours by appointment only

• Beaverlodge Cultural Centre

• Beaverlodge Farmers’ Market

• Broken Tine Orchard & Winery

Wine tours available

• Justin Beaver, The World’s Largest Beaver

• Euphemia McNaught Homestead

Don’t forget to visit our local farmers market for fresh produce, and a unique shopping experience. In the core of our downtown area, we have a variety of eating establishments and general stores that will suit any need. Anything from snacks, to extension cords, to trailer accessories, we’ve got you covered.

• Pioneer Campground

• Red Willow Falls

• Riverbend Golf & Country Club

• Saskatoon Island Provincial Park

• South Peace Centennial Farmers’ Market

• South Peace Centennial Museum

In 1915, the old Bezanson town site had twenty buildings, including a hall, general store, hotel, and bakery. Enormous efforts continue to maintain the heritage and revitalize the unique treasures of this community.

The Old Bezanson town site has had many improvements made over the last few years. Arborists have cleaned the deadfall and others are working to reclaim the area with more defined campsites, ball diamond, walking trails, a playground, and historic building markers. A full booklet has also been published that focuses on the diverse plant life of the old Bezanson town site that features native flowers, shrubs, and trees that have not been identified anywhere else in the Peace area.

The Glen Leslie Church was designated a Provincial Historic resource in 2011. It is currently one of the only pre-1920’s structures left in the area. In 2016, the Glen Leslie Church Preservation Group was presented with the Heritage Conservation Award in recognition of the restoration project. The heritage value of the building lies in its architectural significance as a rare example of a log church with exposed exterior walls. The Church and surrounding grounds make a spectacular backdrop for photos and special events of all factions can also be easily facilitated at the site.

It will be worth your while to stop and smell the roses and aromas of these long-standing attractions. Bring your appetite and be ready to experience the unique creations that only Lefty’s Café can offer. Lefty’s is familyoriented with a relaxed country atmosphere and prides itself on providing hearty, delicious homemade food from local ingredients. The convenient location and friendly staff make this a natural gathering spot for families and friends to chat, dine, and experience rural Alberta’s charm.

Fenton Greenhouses is a family owned business that has been operating for over 25 years. They provide beautiful annuals, vegetables, flower pots, and also offer custom creations. Book a group tour to see their exquisite displays. They are open from mid-April to the end of June.

Bezanson offers a General Store that has been serving the local gas, lotto, liquor and grocery needs since the 1950’s.

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you will not be disappointed. Take a hike through the picturesque Kleskun Hill Park or the Simonette River Provincial Recreation Area, which offers campsites with amazing scenery, day use areas, and very easy access to a large, sandy beach – perfect for swimming. Bezanson is located only minutes from the Smoky River and they host the annual Bezanson Bog Cross Country Running Race on the third weekend in September for those of you that want to test your athletic endurance. There is also an outdoor ice rink to enjoy during the winter months.