Trails

The third largest park in Alberta, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park features the longest stretch of sandy beach in Western Canada, the easternmost foothills in the province, and home to the Lesser Slave Lake Bird Observatory (LSLBO). The observatory is located on a migration corridor on the eastern shore of the lake and is the northernmost bird observatory in Canada. More than 230 bird species have been observed in the area, including 23 species of wood warblers. The observatory studies neotropical migratory songbirds and offers regularly scheduled bird banding demonstrations and bird hikes, "citizen science" projects for volunteers, and family bird watching packs. Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park is home to some excellent hiking trails and one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the boreal forest.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

Found at the south end of Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park, Devonshire Beach is a 1.5 kilometer stretch of natural and groomed white sand beach. Part of a 1500-year-old sand dune complex, Devonshire Beach is a unique environment in the province of Alberta and an important habitat for several rare plants and animal species.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

At 983 metres, Marten Mountain Viewpoint overlooks the striking panorama of the lake and lakeshore hiking trails Take in a truly breathtaking panoramic view of Lesser Slave Lake and its forested slopes, ancient beach ridges and shifting sand dunes. Marten Mountain is the highest point of land for hundreds of square kilometres. The extreme elevation of the mountain creates a unique micro-climate, providing the perfect growing conditions for lodgepole pine, devil’s club, and running raspberry.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

This 23 kilometre trail follows the shoreline of Lesser Slave Lake and can be accessed from Devonshire Beach, North Shore Day Use Area, the Boreal Centre for Bird Conservation and Marten River Campground. The trail gives visitors fantastic views of the lake and surrounding boreal forest. Excellent wildlife viewing opportunities abound on this portion of Canada’s longest continuous recreational trail.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

This trail offers visitors breathtaking views of the park’s backcountry. Accessible from Marten Mountain Viewpoint, the trail descends 2.8 km to beautiful Lily Lake, which is stocked with eastern brook trout.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

Signs along this self-guided interpretive trail lead you through a magnificent old growth forest. The trail is 500 metres in length and can be accessed 300 metres down the Lily Lake Trail.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

This 1.75 kilometer trail is ideal for family bike rides. It is an easy gravel trail that runs from Marten River Campground to Marten River Group Use Area.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

This 1.5 kilometer self-guided interpretive trail is actually a small section of the Trans Canada Trail. Accessible from Devonshire Beach parking lot, it tells the story of the park’s provincially significant 1500-year old dune complex.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

This 600 metre loop trail is located next to the Boreal Centre and meanders through a towering aspen poplar forest. Self-guiding interpretive signs introduce the secret lives of birds of the boreal forest. Benches on this trail are a great place to stop, watch, and listen for birds.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

There are two other provincial parks in the community. Cross Lake Provincial Park, just east of Flatbush, and Lawrence Lake Provincial Park are known for their excellent camping and fishing adventures.

Reservations
1.877.537.2757 or online at the Alberta Parks website.

The Peace River Trail, part of the Trans Canada Trail, is maintained by the Athabasca Landing Trails Association. This 60 km route winds its way along the Athabasca River through Boreal forest and offers an spectacular wilderness area with interesting native flora and fauna and breathtaking views of the Athabasca River. This is a multi-use trail for hiking, biking, quadding, sledding and horseback riding.

Click here for more information on this trail.

The Nine Mile Creek Recreation Area offers visitors 10 km of trails open 365 days a year. Junctions at this site are clearly marked with signs portraying maps of the surrounding trails and denoting the visitor’s present location. This trail system offers visitors with beginner and intermediate level trails for hiking, geocaching, or simply an outing into the wilderness. Visitors seeking beginner trails are encouraged to explore the Box Trail, the anchor trail that takes you south down the Nine Mile Creek from the base chalet. Winter activities include x/c classic skiing and snowshoeing. The winter trails are wide and packed with a snowcat; classic ski trails are maintained throughout the system.

Trail Overview and Highlights:

• 10 km of trails groomed for summer and winter use.
• No trail fees are in effect, however donations to the club are encouraged.

Site Facilities: A chalet is located on site and is open year-round.

Ski Equipment: No equipment is available in the local area.

Club Information: The Nine Mile Creek Recreational Club has been actively developing the trail system since 2008. Club members are currently working in conjunction with the Department of Sustainable Resource Development to expand the trail infrastructure and maintain the system for multi season use.

Access to Site (when open/accessible): Visitors may access the site anytime. Located 14km west of Slave Lake, 1/2km south at the Nine Mile Creek bridge crossing on Highway 2.

Contact Info: Evan Baranyk | 780.805.5151