Forests, Rivers & Prairie Horizons
Circle Tour: Wildwood to Slave Lake | NW Alberta Road Trip
This circle tour links Wildwood, in central Alberta’s parkland, with the northern waters of Slave Lake. It’s a route that carries you through boreal forests, river valleys, prairie towns, and small farming communities — a true sampler of everything Alberta’s heartland has to offer. From lakeside sunsets to roadside diners, this drive is packed with both scenery and stories.
🌲 Forest Trails & River Crossings
Heading north, you’ll pass through Flatbush, Smith, and Wandering River, communities that sit at the edge of Alberta’s boreal. Smith is especially scenic — where the Lesser Slave and Athabasca Rivers meet, once a vital stop for fur traders and river travelers.
Outdoor lovers will find plenty of hiking, birding, and paddling opportunities in this stretch.
🪶 Heritage & Culture Along the Way
This loop connects you to towns with deep cultural roots:
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Radway & Thorhild — farming settlements with Ukrainian and Eastern European traditions.
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Egremont & Waskatenau — small communities with heritage churches, cemeteries, and prairie history.
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Bon Accord — a town known for its starry skies, once designated as a Dark Sky community.
Each community offers a reminder of the resilience and traditions that shaped Alberta.
🏘️ Prairie Towns & Main Street Moments
On your southern leg, Wildwood, Onoway, Calahoo, and Entwistle capture that classic small-town Alberta feel. Stop for coffee, check out local antique shops, or snap photos of old signage and grain elevators.
Don’t miss Wabamun — famous for its lakeside beach, pier, and Canada’s largest painted outdoor mural. Perfect for stretching your legs before continuing the drive.
🚗 Roadside Stops & Local Gems
Rochester & Perryvale: Quiet farming hamlets with postcard-perfect prairie views.
Jarvie & Fawcett: Known for rodeos and rural hospitality.
Gainford: A hidden stop on Highway 16 near Wabamun Lake.
These are the kinds of towns where pulling off the highway rewards you with stories you won’t find in a regular guidebook — but you will in the Road Trips + Tours Spring/Summer 2025 Guidebook.
👉 Download your free copy when you become a member by registering HERE
Membership & the Guidebook are FREE!
📸 Pro Tip
If you’re heading toward Slave Lake, time your arrival for sunset at Devonshire Beach. The golden light and wide-open views make it one of Alberta’s most photogenic spots.
Towns: Wildwood, Slave Lake, Smith, Wandering River, Flatbush, Atmore, Grassland, Boyle, Radway, Rochester, Thorhild, Egremont, Warspite, Waskatenau, Wellington, Bon Accord, Namao, Gibbons, Calahoo, Onoway, Jarvie, Fawcett, Entwistle, Gainford, Wabamun, Andrew, Newbrook