Discover North Central Alberta’s Lake Loops & Backroad Beauty

Wetaskiwin to Red Deer Circle Tour | NC Alberta Road Trip

This relaxed circle tour between Wetaskiwin and Red Deer shows off the best of North Central Alberta: lakeside highways, grainbelt detours, and small towns where the welcome is as warm as the weathered barn wood. Whether you're looking for a weekend ride or a full-day drive, Maps 7 and 8 deliver laid-back roads and real Alberta stories.

What makes this tour special? It’s built for those who want to travel slower, dig deeper, and find beauty where others just pass through.

🌊 Lake Country & Easy Cruising
Starting in Wetaskiwin, head west through Winfield, Hoadley, and Bluffton, where the road bends through farmland and forest. Rimbey and Bentley bring small-town energy, with diners, antique shops, and summer markets. Ma-Me-O Beach is a peaceful lakeside stop — bring your camera or your fishing rod.

From Blackfalds to Lacombe, the route gets a little busier, but the charm stays intact. Both towns offer walkable downtowns, coffee stops, and historic buildings that tell the story of North Central Alberta’s settlement days. End in Red Deer, where urban meets prairie and the circle tightens.

🛤️ Quiet Roads & Heritage Routes
On the return loop, explore the quieter eastern side. From Red Deer, cruise through Joffre and Tees, then into Clive, Bashaw, and Alix — small towns with churches, murals, and quiet corners where life slows down. Ferintosh offers a peaceful break on the lakeshore, and then it’s back to Wetaskiwin, where prairie roots meet a rider-friendly downtown.

☕ Hidden Gems Along the Way
Stop for pie in Bentley, check out the farm museum in Bashaw, or walk the boardwalk in Lacombe’s historic Flatiron District. These aren’t places to pass — they’re places to pause.

📸 Pro Tip:
The light over Ma-Me-O Beach at sunset, or fog drifting through Tees in the early morning, will stop you in your tracks. Bring your camera. Bring time.

Maps: NC AB R7 & R8

Towns: Wetaskiwin, Winfield, Hoadley, Bluffton, Rimbey, Bentley, Ma-Me-O Beach, Blackfalds, Lacombe, Red Deer, Joffre, Tees, Clive, Bashaw, Alix, Ferintosh