Where do you go when you want to experience quiet magnificence in Alberta? I am sure you will get a variety of answers depending on who you ask. Only a handful of places can genuinely fit the bill. If you are a nature enthusiast like I am, you revel in the subtle brilliance of serene environments. A quiet weekend away is easier said than done especially when you live right smack in the middle of the hustle and bustle of modern life. Your search ends here, I’ve done the research for you. Let me introduce you to David Thompson Country located in West Central Alberta.

The name might ring a bell if you have ever taken the unforgettable drive along Highway 11 otherwise known as David Thompson Highway, a doorway to the Canadian Rockies to the west of Rocky Mountain House. My exploits took me to places I knew I had to share with everyone. As they say, sharing is caring! Here are 3 hidden gems I came across in David Thompson Country:

1. Crimson Lake

Located in Crimson Provincial Park, Crimson Lake is particularly wonderful at sunset. The majesty of its waters when the sun is bidding us farewell is an experience that you have to experience first hand. Just to spice it up, this very majesty is where the lake attributes its namesake. Crimson Lake received its name from the striking colours of the setting sun reflecting on the surface of its waters seen by a trapper many years ago. Feast on the image below.

2. Equestrian Trails

Trail riding makes me feel at home and it truly takes me away from everything like nothing else can. The trails in David Thompson Country are untapped in their potential, yet for those who have had the opportunity to hike or ride these trails, you are met with truly dramatic landscapes. As if the rarely travelled trails were not a catch by themselves, you are met with canyons, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes that are home to flora and fauna you rarely find elsewhere. This is a must do activity in this area.

3. Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site

Rarely would I ever add a historic site as a ‘hidden gem’ but Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site represents a period that shaped Alberta and Canada at large. It is a wonderful example of the fur trade through exhibits, Indigenous trapper’s tents and tipis among a wide array of things to do and see. Open seasonally from May to September, this is the place to learn about heritage while getting a great photo opportunity. Pay them a visit and learn about a Canada you never knew or top up your existing fur trade knowledge. Just in case you were wondering, admission is free in 2017 (Other fees still apply).

All in all, I am glad I gave David Thompson Country the time of day. You should too! Marvellous things await on the other side.