Local Bonnyville Attractions, Events & Things To Do

Sitting on the edge of Jessie Lake is the town of Bonnyville. This active and vibrant community of almost 7,000 people is a hidden gem in the Province of Alberta.  Local natural resources of agriculture, oil and gas have had a major economic impact on the town. They are supported by construction, transportation, tourism, and a strong service and retail sector. Bonnyville is also a major center for government offices, and a service center for the agriculture and petroleum industry. Because of its convenient location amidst clear lakes, sandy beaches, and forests abound with wildlife, Bonnyville is also a host to unique attractions and events that everybody should experience.    

 

Golfing

With three 18-hole golf courses within a half an hour of each other the Cold Lake/Bonnyville region is a golfer's paradise. You can do your practice rounds at the nine-hole Ardmore Club. The Bonnyville Golf and Country Club, Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club (located on 4 Wing) and the Grand Centre Golf and Country Club offer three unique golf experiences that provide entertainment and challenges for golfers of all ages and skill levels. Bonnyville ranks as one of the top courses in northeastern Alberta for playing and value. Cold Lake Golf & Winter Club offers full service facilities. Grand Centre offers outstanding bent-grass greens, numerous bunkers, small lakes and wildlife. Ardmore Golf and Country Club has two synthetic grass greens and seven sand greens along with a licensed club house and a driving range.

 

The Bonnyville Golf & Country Club hosts a scenic 18-hole golf course nestled between Moose Lake and the town of Bonnyville. The golf course is fully serviced with a pro shop, cart and club rentals, a practice green and a driving range. Guests can enjoy meals in the fully licensed lounge. Golfing fees are moderately priced at $40 - $45 for 18 holes and $25 - $32 for 9 holes. The beautiful scenery of this course is something that every golfer should experience for themselves. The Bonnyville Golf & Country Club can be contacted at 780-826-4886 for reservations.

Hiking/Biking

Walk or ride along the 10 km Wetlands Trail around Jessie Lake, which borders the Town of Bonnyville. Muriel Lake M.D. Park's trail system provides a challenge to the seasoned hiker, biker or cross country skier. Nature lovers always enjoy Cold Lake Provincial Park 's excellent trail system. The 12 km paved Millennium Trail takes you through Cold Lake and onto 4 Wing, the trail also connects to the Heritage Trail along the lakeshore. African Lake Trail in Cold Lake is a 6.4 km nature trail ideal for hiking and mountain biking.

Horseback Trail Rides

North Country Trails offers trail rides through the forest and meadows surrounding Cold Lake . Book your rides, lessons, summer camps or parties at 780-639-2234.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ATV Riding/Motocross

The 300 km multi-use Iron Horse Trail connects many of the area's natural gems and tourist attractions. Riders use the Iron Horse Trail to access countless kilometers of backcountry trails and cutlines that weave through the region's more rugged terrain. Riders looking to explore the entire Cold Lake/Bonnyville area can hook up with the Iron Horse Trail at a variety of entry points. The Iron Horse Trail branches in three directions from mile zero at Abilene Junction. To the northeast is Bonnyville and Cold Lake, to the west is Smoky Lake and Waskatenau, and to the southeast lies St. Paul, Elk Point and Heinsburg.

There are designated ATV trails at Muriel Lake 's Spring Beach Campground and Shelter Bay Resort on Marie Lake. Well-used trails are also located north of Crane Lake and Cold Lake . The Cold Lake Motocross Association (coldlakemotocross.com) recently constructed a state-of-the-art raceway. Yearly and daily memberships are available.

Hunting

The lush boreal forest and abundance of water bodies provide the perfect breeding ground for a wide variety of game. Whitetail and mule deer, moose, bear and a host of game birds, make every hunting excursion an adventure.

 

Ice Fishing

Stake out a spot on any of the local lakes, to reel in a monster Lake Trout or the "northern lobster," Burbot, Walleye, Yellow Perch and Lake Whitefish.

 

 

 

 

Snowmobiling

The Trans Canada Snowmobile Trail links up with the Iron Horse Trail on the east side of Cold Lake. Riders can use the 300 km Iron Horse Trail as a jumping off point to access the countless kilometers of backcountry trails and cutlines that weave through the region's more rugged terrain. The biggest highlight of touring in our region is that you can experience virtually every type of riding. The area offers a diverse mixture of open areas; lakes, hills, valleys, ravines, creek beds, rivers, treed and sheltered trails.

Around Bonnyville riders can take advantage of the dedicated work of the Bonnyville Snowdusters Snowmobile Club. The club has developed extensive trails around Moose Lake and along the Beaver and Sand Rivers.

Cross Country Skiing

Muriel Lake M.D. Park, just outside of Bonnyville, has 10 km of groomed trails in a boreal forest setting. Cold Lake Provincial Park has 13.5 km of intermittently groomed trails and Moose Lake Provincial Park has 6 km of intermittently groomed trails. The Cold Lake Golf and Winter Club on 4 Wing Cold Lake provides kilometres of groomed cross country ski trails on the golf course.

 

Bird Watching

Birdwatchers will find rare, unique species of birds to observe in the Bonnyville area. As Bonnyville is on the migratory path of many of the 320 bird species found in Alberta, 75% of them can be observed in this one area alone. Many rare birds such as whooping cranes, ospreys, bald eagles, golden eagles and yellow rails can be found in these natural settings. Between Jessie Lake, Moose Lake, Cold Lake, and Wolf Lake, birds such as pelicans, eagles, owls, herons, western grebes, thrushes and warblers can be regularly observed. Since these lakes are in such close proximity to each other, bird watchers literally find themselves surrounded in a bird watching paradise.

 

 

 

Visit Moose Lake

For those that love to completely immerse themselves in nature. Moose Lake is only a few minutes away. This National Park is home to a variety of natural outdoor activities. Families can enjoy camping, the sandy beach, swimming, boating, fishing and hiking. It is a full serviced park with fish cleaning stations, picnic areas, power hookups and many other facilities.

 

 

 

Centennial Centre

For indoor fun, the Bonnyville and District Centennial Center is a one stop shop for a large variety of entertainment. This large complex features a climbing wall, indoor playground, indoor track, indoor sports field, skating arena and movie theater. It has a variety of food and beverage options and meeting facilities making this the perfect place to hold functions. The state of the art gymnasium is a local favorite for those that want to maintain their workout regiment while travelling. The wide range of activities in this center makes it a wonderful place to visit as there is guaranteed to be something of interest for everybody involved. Be sure to check the schedule for this facility as it is full of activities to keep you busy all day long. The Centennial Center can be contacted at 780-812-3400 or toll free at 877-812-2740 for further information or facility booking.

 

Bonnyville is a jewel in Alberta. Its small community atmosphere combined with its many lakes creates an area that is completely unique. Whether you are looking for natural adventures or indoor fun, Bonnyville has something to offer. Next time you are looking for a place to visit that isn't far away, drive the Buffalo Trail. Its beautiful scenery will leave you breathless all the way to the beautiful town of Bonnyville, Alberta.