Tipi beneath northern skies at Aurora Borealis Indigenous Village in Fort McMurray, Alberta, symbolizing Indigenous traditions and connection to the land.
A tipi at Aurora Borealis Indigenous Village offers visitors a glimpse into traditional life and Indigenous storytelling in the heart of northern Alberta.

Circle Tour: Two Hills to Anzac – Lakes, Culture & Boreal Beauty

Rumble Alberta Stories | Travel, Road Trips & Hidden Gems Hits: 129

Lakes, Legends & Northern Lights

Two Hills to Anzac Circle Tour | NE Alberta Road Trip

This circle tour winds through rolling farmland, Métis settlements, boreal forests, and peaceful lakes—all the way from Two Hills to Anzac. It’s a route rich in Indigenous culture, natural beauty, and off-the-beaten-path towns where stories are just waiting to be discovered.

From the pumpkin capital of Alberta to lakeside trails in Lac La Biche, and all the quiet corners in between, this is rural Alberta like you’ve never seen it.

🌊 Waterways & Woodlands Worth the Drive

Lakes, forests, and quiet trails.

One of Alberta’s most scenic drives, this route hugs peaceful waters and dense woods. Start your morning at Beaver Lake or Lac La Biche, where you can paddle, picnic, or birdwatch in total tranquility. Further north, Gregoire Lake near Anzac offers sandy beaches and calm evening light—a favorite among photographers and campers alike.  OH and watch for moose and eagles along the way. This is wild country, and it's beautiful.

🪶 Indigenous Culture & Northern Roots

History lives in the land.

In Lac La Biche, visit the Lac La Biche Mission Historic Site to learn about early Catholic missions and the Métis communities that helped shape northern Alberta.

Further down the road, Anzac sits on Treaty 8 territory and holds deep cultural roots tied to both Cree and Dene peoples.

Stop in Conklin or Hylo for a quiet break—these remote hamlets sit between water and woodland, still tied to traditional land use and stories that go back generations.

Vilna copy🏘️ Prairie Towns with Big Character

Grain elevators, roadside cafés, and tiny treasures.

Your trip begins or ends in Two Hills, where Ukrainian heritage is everywhere—from onion-domed churches to local museums.

Smoky Lake brings color with its annual pumpkin fair, and Vilna offers Alberta’s oldest pool hall and a photogenic boomtown main street.  

You’ll pass through Andrew, Egremont, Spedden, and Waskatenau—each with their own flavor. Look for old signage, faded elevators, and cafés where time seems to slow down.

☕ Where to Stop, Refuel & Recharge

Eat, sip, and stretch.

  • Grab lunch in Boyle or Lac La Biche, both with solid local diners.

  • Try a baked treat from a Smoky Lake café or grab ice cream in Vilna.

  • Fuel up in Grassland, Wandering River, and Fort McMurray—your major service hubs on the northern loop.

📸 Pro Tip:

Plan your timing around golden hour—Gregoire Lake and Beaver Lake both offer unreal reflections and skies that seem to stretch forever.

Maps: NE R3 & NE R4


Towns: Two Hills, Waskatenau, Smoky Lake, Vilna, Spedden, Ashmont, Foisy, Brosseau, Duvernay, Beaver Lake, Lac La Biche, Hylo, Conklin, Anzac, Fort McMurray, Wandering River, Atmore, Grassland, Boyle, Thorhild, Newbrook, Egremont, Radway, Andrew, Warspite, Willingdon