The Red Deer River Valley is home to beautiful Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park, camping, golfing, museums, and festivals.
By: Jeremy Derksen
I’m standing on a prairie plateau that falls away before my feet down into the badlands of Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park. Below and as far as the eye can see, no cars, no buildings, no people, no paved roads. No signal. Peace.
This place is as majestic as the dinosaurs that once roamed it, and the glaciers that once carved it. As part of the Red Deer River Valley, it shares similarities with the rest of the badlands and Dinosaur Provincial Park. There are the coulees, hoodoos and scrub brush. The rich colours of the stone and soil.
But up here, a little further north, it is more lush and grown in, the canyon walls narrower and steeper. And yet, you could roam through this land it seems forever.
To do so, though, would be to miss out on all the other things Red Deer County has to offer – the Anthony Henday Museum in Delburne, or Fawn Meadows Golf and Country Club for example.
For inspiration on how you can explore Red Deer County, check out the full story at ZenSeekers.com.
Because this is a day use area only, there’s no camping at Dry Island but you can find some nearby at Trenville Park. The campground also sits in the valley and has river access sites, so you can get on the river any time, to survey the region a little more by water the way early explorers like Henday might have done.
Being a little more remote, off the paved and beaten path, there is a certain sense of conquest in being here. Standing above it all, the wind rustling the grasses, it’s as if I’m the first to discover it. And in that moment, I am.
For when I’m gone from this place, like those before me, the natural processes of erosion will wipe away any trace that I was here. And once again, here will lie a blank slate, ready to receive the next explorer.Make it a road trip – discover seven destinations brimming with unique experiences – start here by visiting ZenSeekers’ #BoomTownTrail expedition page.
If You Go
Read more about Red Deer County, one of seven stops on the #BoomtownTrail on ZenSeekers.com.
For camping, head to Fawn Meadows Golf and Country Club, or Trenville Park.
Check out Elnora Brahma-Rama, Aug 10-11, for a taste of local ag culture featuring professional bull riding, wild pony races, wild cow milking and a community dance.
Visit Blindman Brewing in nearby Lacombe for one of Alberta’s largest craft beer selections, with over 20 taps ranging from classic IPAs and stouts to sours and foeders.
Experience the #BoomTownTrail – learn more about Red Deer County and start planning here.
#ExploreAlberta with Travel Alberta and learn more about travelling the #BoomTownTrail.
Make it a road trip – discover seven destinations brimming with unique experiences – start here by visiting ZenSeekers’ #BoomTownTrail expedition page.
