Vacation rentals in Grande Prairie

Tucked away in northwest Alberta and surrounded by the grasslands, rivers, and rich forests of the Peace River Country, Grande Prairie is often referred to as Swan City thanks to its role as the summer nesting grounds of the trumpeter swan. Bear Creek Valley, which winds through the city, is home to many walking and biking trails, as well as a public pool, a pond that becomes an ice skating rink in winter, and Muskoseepi Park. In the northeast part of town, Crystal Lake is a protected waterfowl wetland area with excellent bird watching.

Aside from its scenic natural features, Grande Prairie has a rich cultural scene, with concert halls, theatres, and art galleries, music and arts festivals, and a large farmers’ market. This part of Alberta has a rich paleontological history, with many dinosaur bones discovered in the area; there is a museum and research centre dedicated to fossils and ancient artifacts.

The best time to book your Grande Prairie vacation rental is during spring or summer. Spring mornings can be chilly, but the temperature rises during the day, making it perfect for outdoor activities and recreation. In April, the city organizes the Fiddlers’ Jamboree, a day of traditional and modern performances from musicians of all ages.

Summers offer warm temperatures and clear skies, and in August, the town hosts a famous folk festival, with Canadian and international musicians playing bluegrass, country, folk, rock, and world music over three days. Autumn brings cooler temperatures ideal for exploring the many walking paths in the town under colourful foliage. Winters are very cold and this part of the country sees quite a bit of snow, so take advantage of winter sports that the region offers or curl up inside your cabin with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the falling snow.

Muskoseepi Park

Spread across 445 hectares, Muskoseepi Park reflects Grande Prairie’s ecosystem, with beautiful ponds, trees, natural and paved hiking trails, and picnic areas. In the summer, Bear Creek Reservoir welcomes kayakers and paddleboarders, and anglers can fish for trout in the pond. In winter, the park is dotted with ice skaters, snowshoers, and tobogganers.

Grande Prairie Museum

Grande Prairie Museum is located in Muskoseepi Park and represents the natural and cultural history of the area. Exhibits include dinosaur bones and fossils, ancient stone artifacts, and other temporary and permanent exhibits relating to the region’s homesteading past. Next to the museum is a heritage village containing relocated and restored original buildings, including a schoolhouse, taxi office, and mountain cabin.

Saskatoon Island Provincial Park

Saskatoon Island Provincial Park is a small forested park 15 miles west of Grande Prairie that is a protected federal sanctuary for shorebirds and waterfowl including trumpeter swans. Take one of the scenic hiking trails among the trees and wetlands to observe the region’s native flora and fauna. If you time your visit right, you may spot some of the migratory bird species that pass through the park each year.