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Photos courtesy Alberta Culture
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Photos courtesy Alberta Culture
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Photos courtesy Alberta Culture
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Photos courtesy Alberta Culture
By Stephanie McLachlan - Photos Courtesy of Alberta Culture
There’s a lot of driving to be done in Northern Alberta, but there’s also a lot to see – if you know where to look. After traveling about 90 kilometers north of Grande Prairie through relatively flat farmland you might wonder at the highway sign advising careful driving through the upcoming Peace River valley. As you drive on, seemingly out of nowhere, the land will open up into a breathtaking valley carved into the earth by the mighty Peace River and the several surrounding creeks that empty into it. On the south side of valley you’ll wind through land abundant with brilliant green trees. In contrast, you will notice the north side of the valley exhibiting characteristics of the desert (including small cacti!), brought about by its position in the sun. Nestled down in this remarkable valley you will find even more to see and do.
When you cross the Dunvegan Bridge know that you’re traveling over a piece of Alberta engineering history. Officially opened in 1960, it is the longest vehicle suspension bridge in Alberta and the fourth longest in Canada. Just off the north end of the bridge you’ll find the entrance to Historic Dunvegan Provincial Park, a historic site and campground jointly operated by Alberta Culture and Alberta Parks. The history you’ll discover here dates back over 200 years and includes the stories of Aboriginal peoples, fur traders and missionaries.
Ample parking is available, including a graveled lot where several RVs of any size can park and comfortably turn around. Get oriented to the site by stopping first at the Visitor Center, open daily, 10am-5pm from May 15 until Labour Day. Tourist information, a gift shop, snacks and washrooms are all available inside. Tours of three (soon to be four) fully restored historic buildings can be arranged here. For about the same price as a large coffee and donut from Tim Hortons, you can enjoy about an hour of exploration guided by trained historic interpreters who are ready to show you the history of the area and answer any of your questions. Included in the admission fee is access to a gallery and video presentation.
The Dunvegan area has been a gathering place for thousands of years. Long before the first European explorers arrived, First Nations groups, most notably the Dunne-za people, called the Peace River valley their home. As explorers and traders such as Alexander Mackenzie, David Thompson and Simon Fraser began moving through the area, they recorded rave reviews of the scenery and natural beauty of the area. Mackenzie wrote, “This magnificent theatre of nature has all the decorations which the trees and the animals of the country can afford it,” as he passed by in 1793. In 1805, Fort Dunvegan, a North West Company Fort was established. After rival companies merged in 1821, Fort Dunvegan became a Hudson’s Bay Company fort and remained in operation until 1918. With a fur trade fort in operation, the opportunities the area offered did not go unnoticed by Catholic and Anglican organizations. Mission sites were set up around Fort Dunvegan in an effort to bring Christianity to the local population.
After the tour, you can enjoy a picnic among century old Manitoba Maples, or cook a meal over one of the fire pits available in the day use area. If you’d like to stay awhile, pull into the quiet, well-treed campground. Sites vary in size to accommodate RVs from twenty to over sixty feet in length and each has electrical hookups. A dump station is also available onsite. A short walk east of the campground you can find Dunvegan Gardens, a privately owned market garden that has a large gift shop, greenhouses, ice cream and mini golf.
If you’re traveling with young children, let them loose on the playground located in the day use area or rent an outdoor game like bocce ball or horseshoes from the Visitor Centre. In July and August, day camps are offered most Wednesdays and bannock bakes are held most Saturdays. Long weekends usually include amphitheatre entertainment and family oriented activities. Yearly special events at Historic Dunvegan include Canada Day celebrations on July 1st and a Fresh Air Market on the Sunday of the August long weekend (August 3, 2013).
Explore the history of a fur trade fort that’s 100 years older than the province of Alberta. Enjoy amazing scenery and recharge your batteries before moving on to find other hidden gems in northern Alberta. For more information on Historic Dunvegan visit www.historicdunvegan.org or call 780-835-7150.