There’s lots to do here! What are you looking for? Adventure? Relaxation? History? Arts and Culture?
We have it all in Alberta’s Ten Tourism Development Zones.
Whether you are a visitor or a resident, when you come to visit Nature’s Getaway we encourage you to also stop by our neighbours. Why not take the roads less traveled and wander your way here. Take the time to enjoy your journey and try something new along the way.
If you’re heading out of Calgary to come and see us, take a little dip in your trip and head southwest to Bragg Creek’s Bakery & Café in Bragg Creek just 40 minutes outside of Calgary on highway 8. It’s a lovely drive through beautiful country side on winding roads ending in the quaint hamlet of Bragg Creek where you must stop for a coffee and pastry in the cutest bakery ever! And make sure to stock up for the road trip ahead. Trust me, there is no better road trip snacks then this!
Rustle up an adventure on horseback and ride the old Cowboy Trail.
From Calgary you can drive along the Foothills on the Cowboy Trail, some 700km north on highway 22. Along this historical route you can take in a pow-wow, a rodeo or get on the back of a horse and ride the trails through our rugged mountains. Imagine our ancestors coming across the prairies and seeing the Rockies for the first time. Ride back into history on the back of a horse as you experience our pristine wilderness as a cowboy.
Bring your lunch to the Pioneer Village at the Sundre Museum where you can stroll back in time. Soak up the beauty of our gardens, investigate the historical houses, check out the farm machinery and sit on a wagon. And to learn more about Albertan history, come to the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site. Fur traders, cowboys, and the Hudson’s Bay Co. traders and mapmakers. There’s so much to see and do, the kids will love it here! Bring your cowboy hat. It’s time to saddle up!
Raise a glass. Did you know that travelalberta.com has a page on craft breweries and distilleries?
Why not plan to stop by for a different kind of culinary adventure and taste a new brew? Famous for is barley, wheat and water, Alberta has more then 170 places you can visit. Try a trip to Blindman Brewing in Red Deer, Snake Lake Taproom at Sylvan Lake (they have live music) or Belly Hop Brewing north of Red Deer. There’s tons of taprooms all over Alberta.
If you’re driving down to Nordegg from Edmonton go down highway 2 and then head west on 53 and swing by the Hawk Tail Brewery in Rimbey for scrumptious food and lovely ales. Such a great place! Such good food! Don’t forget about Sunday brunch. And if you’d like to try something totally different on highway 22 south of Draton Valley is the Grey Owl Meadery where you can taste a flight of wine made fr om honey sourced from wild flowers and clover. You’ll be surprised. It’s not what you think.
So go ahead and grab a pint of your favourite bevy and make sure to bring some to Nature’s Getaway. There’s nothing better then sitting under the stars, listening to the crickets and sipping your favourite elixir.
Go fishing. Put on your waders and step into Alberta’s pristine waters full of trout! In our wild waters and calm, grass covered shorelines is lurking your next huge fish story.
Learn the secrets of our many lakes. Rustle up a bull trout, wrestle a cutthroat, or hook an elusive brown. There’s an abundance of biodiversity in our rivers and streams. Spend a leisurely day floating and trolling. On your way to Nature’s Getaway, from whatever direction you are coming, we are surrounded by stupendous fishing opportunities. Bring your rod and flies. Come catch the big one!
Want to learn more about Indigenous Peoples, their food, culture and dance?
You should plan to attend a powwow. Anyone can attend although there are a few rules or appropriate behaviours you should be familiar with. For example, honour the elders. If an elder is beside you it is appropriate to offer them your seat. What NOT to wear: halter tops, shorts and bare feet are not appropriate. Do not walk through the middle of the circle but instead walk around it. Do not refer to Indigenous regalia as ‘costume’. Ask a dancer for permission before touching their regalia or taking photos.
Remember to always be respectful and ask questions if you are unsure. Pay attention to the master of ceremonies. He will be giving you directions that are important such as when to stand and when to sit. If you feel uncertain, educate yourself ahead of time. There are powwows in Calgary, Edmonton, Lethbridge, Red Deer and many other places in Alberta. More information can be found at powwows.com. Attend a powwow and learn about the ancient heritage of Indigenous Peoples.
Paddle, raft, float. Saskatchewan River is so pretty and so is Abraham Lake but these waters are for more advanced paddlers so plan ahead to see if you have the appropriate skill level and correct equipment.
Or consider traversing the beautiful waters of Abraham Lake on a guided tour. If you are a novice paddler you can grab a canoe and experience the quiet tranquility of floating past wildflowers and pine forests on Fish Lake or Goldeye Lake. There’s no better way to submersing in nature then getting out on the water. We invite you to come explore our lakes and rivers.
Go take a hike.
Do you want to hike up to the most beautiful vista you will ever see? Less then an hour drive southwest of Nordegg in the Kootenay Plains Ecological Reserve you can start on a 11km hike up the Tuff Puff trail. Wandering through ponderosa pines and wildflower ladened pathways, this five hour hike takes you up to the spiky summit of Tuff Puff mountain. Take a photo standing on the red striped ground as proof you made it to the top! High above the valley you’re rewarded with breathtaking views of the teal waters of Abraham Lake. Even though this is considered a challenging trail, you won’t regret you hiked the Tuff Puff. And there are many, many trails around Nordegg so bring your boots and let us introduce you to your next great adventure!
Get stoked! Surrounded by a network of trails, Nordegg is a mountain biker’s paradise! Not far from Nordegg is David Thompson Country which boasts epic trails. Baseline Mountain just southwest of Rocky Mountain in Clearwater County has a dozen biking trails. And there’s tons of trails around Crimson Lake Provincial Park and Shunda Lake, most of which are rated easy to intermediate. There’s even a bike track in Nordegg at West Fraser Outdoor Discovery Park for the youngsters. If you prefer fat tires then you’re in luck as the trails are open year round so get out there and enjoy the crisp winter air. Nature’s Getaway is the perfect jumping off point for anyone on two tires.
If you’re looking for something to do during the winter months, Nature’s Getaway is a snow lovers delight.
Around Nordegg our many trails are used all year around, including during the winter. Plan a snowshoe or winter hike and explore our forests, frozen water falls and magical landscapes. Close by are guided tours, pole and ice cleat rentals, and heli snowshoeing adventures. We have something for all levels. The more popular are Crescent Falls, Coral Creek Canyon and Cline River Canyon trails. Which snowshoeing trail is the longest? That would be Ram Lookout trail at almost 15kms. If you’re not jazzed about winter hiking, bring your gear and play hockey on Abraham Lake. Taking photos on frozen Abraham Lake is very popular with our winter guests as it’s famous for it’s frozen methane bubbles. They are super cool! So whether you’re playing, snowshoeing or hiking, after a great day out in the snow, Nature’s Getaway has a hot tub waiting for you.
We are proud Albertans and love every unique inch of this vast and diverse province we live in. Come visit the Nordegg. See our grand skies. Ride the cowboy trails. Converse with nature. Come to Nature’s Getaway. We’re waiting for you.
