Summer and swimming go together like peas and carrots, milk and cereal, meat and potatoes. You know summer has arrived when you can forget about dipping just your toe in the water and throw your whole body into a refreshing lake or river.
Lucky for us Canadians we have an abundance of fresh water sources; from rivers to lakes the options are endless and right in our backyard too.
Last weekend I, aided by a pretty slick wetsuit, managed an open water swim at Hubbles Lake near Edmonton. Without the wet suit the water was chilly but with the rising mercury we will see water temps become bathing suit bearable in no time.
Closer to Drayton Valley we have several summer swim spots that we can add to the bucket list.
Brazeau Dam day use area
The Brazeau Dam is mountain fed from the Brazeau and Nordegg Rivers and so it stays cooler a little longer into the summer season but, as a clean fresh water destination it is a great place to go on a hot day for a hop in, hop out option. It is deep and does tend to abruptly drop off to be aware if you happen to be at the Brazeau Dam with your littles.
Boat launch at Willey West Campground
The boat launch at Willey West Campground borders the North Saskatchewan River. There is a gravel bar beach, and the water levels in midsummer are perfect for wading. Staying close to the beach is a safe bet as the current is no slouch and the farther out you go the stronger the current. Undertows are also out in deeper waters and have resulted in drownings. So be cautious.
But, if you are looking to sit in a lawn chair, and wade in the shallows this is a really great spot close to Drayton Valley.
Pembina River at Pembina River Provincial Park
The Pembina River midsummer is a low and slow river. The river depth makes for warmer temperatures early in the season by August this lazy river has some very shallow spots and is warm for even the young swimmers.
At the Pembina River Provincial Park in Entwistle there is a day use area where beaches mix from sand to gravel and with the shallow waters this is a great place for a family day.
Twin Lakes, Winfield
Twin Lakes is a hidden gem just 5km east of Winfield. It is a small deep lake surrounded by trees. There isn’t much of a beach but with no motorized boats this is a place to paddle board, float, open water swim. It has one dock and a day use area good for picnics.
Farther afield Crimson Lake, Rocky Mountain House
Crimson Lake is about an hour from Drayton Valley but still a great day option for the family. This lake does get busy on a summer day but it has a nice sand beach area and with a shallow entry it is a great place for younger children.
There is a large amount of day use parking and a sizeable playground. Crimson Lake is a shallower lake and so water temps get bathing suit acceptable earlier in the season.
Notable Mentions:
Medicine Lake, Alder Flats: no beach but clean and non-motorized boats.
Louie Lakes RV Resort, Lodgepole: This is a sizeable dugout at a private RV resort good for fishing and swimming.
Make this summer the best ever with many lakeside adventures.
The joys of winter camping
Last winter some gals and I embarked on a trial cross country skiing/winter camping adventure on the Pembina River. The experience was amazing and left me wishing that winter was not coming to such an abrupt end.
The back 40
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Ten winter experiences close to home
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Spaaah Experience
This prompted me to wonder what other hidden gems we had in Drayton Valley that could be used to make an at home spa day.
Rural Watering Hole Tour
Before there were clubs, and ultra lounges there was the rural bar. The rural bar was a place people would go to have a drink, eat some food, get a bit of news and maybe even get a haircut. The rural bar was usually built alongside or attached to the lone hotel in the community.
Rural rodeos you don’t want to miss
Rodeos have been a big part of the Brazeau and Beyond region since the Buck Lake Stampede first ran in 1929. The rural rodeo experience is not the circus you see in the larger locales. You’re closer to the action and it’s much more intimate.
