Whether you're looking to discover trails on your snowmobile or take your tube down the Rotary River Slides, Whitecourt has something for everyone in every season.
Whitecourt and the surrounding area is home to many great fishing spots!
Depending on where you fish, you can reel in many different types of game fish, from northern pike to walleye, yellow perch to lake whitefish. The Athabasca and McLeod Rivers also offer great fishing, as well as many smaller rivers and creeks in the area. Windfall, Groat, Christmas Creek and several others, have game fish such as Athabasca rainbow trout, grayling, pike, walleye, mountain whitefish and northern pike.
McLeod Lake
- Northern Trout, Pike, Whitefish
- Located beside McLeod Lake.
Emerald Lake
- Eastern Brook
- Located 3.2km north of McLeod Lake.
Goose Lake
- Pike, Perch
- Located 30km north-east of Whitecourt. Take Highway 43 east and turn at Cottonwood onto Secondary Highway 658.
Schuman Lake
- Rainbow Trout
- Located 4.6 km southeast of Goose Lake.
Blue Ridge Recreation Area
- Trout
- In 2011 the south lake was stocked with trout and is now managed as a quality stocked trout fishery.
Athabasca & McLeod Rivers
- This includes tributaries such as Sakwatamau and Freeman Rivers; creeks such as Windfall, Groat, Oldman, Chickadee, Christmas
- Athabasca Rainbow Trout, Grayling, Pike, Walleye, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike
Alberta Fishing Regulations
Alberta residents under the age of 16 and over 65 need not worry about a fishing license, as it's not required. But for everybody else, different bodies of water have different regulations, and fishermen are required to have a sport fishing license. For more information on fishing licenses, visit Alberta Environment's webpage.
Free Fishing Weekends!
Alberta has two free fishing weekends each year: the Family Day weekend in February, and during the summer to coincide with National Fishing Week (dates vary).
Fish in town at Whitecourt's Festival Park
Grab your fishing rod and tackle, and take your family fishing at Festival Park. Fishing is limited to people under the age of 16 years, or those accompanied by one or more people under the age of 16 years. Fishing at Festival Park is permitted from May to October. All guidelines in the current Alberta Guide to Sport Fishing apply while fishing at the park. You can pick up a copy of the guide at all establishments that sell fishing licenses.
Become a modern day treasure hunter!
Geocaching is becoming a popular activity across the nation and throughout the world - it's easy, fun, and free. Participants use a global positioning system (GPS) to hide and seek geocaches anywhere in the world. In Whitecourt and surrounding area there are several geocaching sites to be found.
A typical cache is a small container that holds a logbook and treasure, such as a toy or trinket. The idea of geocaching is to find a cache, take something from the cache, leave something in it for the next person, and write about it in the logbook.
Join the world's largest treasure hunt.
For more information contact the Whitecourt Visitor Information Centre at 1-800-313-7383.
Whitecourt Golf & Country Club
Come play one of Alberta's most beautiful courses. GDS Golf Design Service drew on years of national and international experience to design this par-72, 18 hole layout. You don't have to be a pro to enjoy this course. You can also sharpen your skills with a lesson from our golf professional or practice to perfection at the driving range.
Enjoy the view from the clubhouse, stop and have a drink and enjoy fantastic food and friendly service after coming off the links and recap your game with friends. Please call in advance for tee times.
For more information call 780-778-3531 or visit www.whitecourtgolf.com. You can also follow the Club on Facebook.
Brookes Creek Mini Golf
Brooke's Creek is a recreation hot spot located at the entrance to Whitecourt's downtown. The facility is equipped with an 18 hole mini-golf course and a 54 site, partially serviced campground.
For more information follow Brooks Creek on Facebook.
Lace up and leave your everyday life behind as you hike through forested paths and meandering trails.
Make sure to go prepared - and enjoy glimpses of our wildlife, no matter the season! Our animals don't pose for pictures so you have to be fast with the camera to catch them!
Whitecourt Trail System
Whether you're looking for some exercise or just want to enjoy the great outdoors, you will marvel at the opportunities provided by more than 30 kilometres of trails that wind through Whitecourt. Paved pathways, meandering trails, and residential sidewalks will take you from hilltop to valley. The trails are designed and maintained for year-round use for walking, jogging, in-line skating, and biking.
E.S. Heustis Demonstration Forest
Forestry is a major part of the history and economy of the Whitecourt area, and one of the best ways to learn about the industry is by visiting E.S. Heustis Demonstration Forest. Located just minutes from Whitecourt (13 kilometres northwest on Highway 32), it provides a 10 square kilometre forest area that shows how a forest can sustain recreation, wildlife habitat, and resource harvesting over an extended period of time. This would be the perfect outing for individuals who are passionate about the environment, or for those with a general interest in the forestry practices that have shaped the Woodlands County region and the province of Alberta. A 7-kilometre trail (one-way) will guide you through the forest where you will learn something new at each of the 26 interpretive signs.
Hard Luck Canyon
Hard Luck Canyon is a beautiful place nestled in the forests surrounding Whitecourt. Located 20 kilometres from Whitecourt on West Mountain Road, the canyon makes for a quick getaway from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you'd like to explore the best nature has to offer, Hard Luck Canyon won't disappoint you.
For directions, visit the Whitecourt Visitor Information Centre.
Have a riverboat and a need for speed?
Try your hand in the annual poker rally, or go for a family ride on the Athabasca River and enjoy the scenic landscape and wildlife.
Whitecourt is one of just four locations worldwide to host the World Jet Boat Marathon along with New Zealand, Mexico and the USA. While you are waiting for the worlds, you can enjoy the Annual Jet Boat Races every August. Events are centered out of Whitecourt’s Riverboat Park.
On the Lakes
There are countless lakes in our region to enjoy with friends and family. Please be aware of boating restrictions as some of our lakes have speed limits and other regulations.
Don't forget to bring your tubes!
Jet Boat Races
Come experience the sound of thunder racing across our rivers during the Annual Jet Boat Races. Residents and tourists pack the shores each year to witness the excitement of the weekend event.
Whitecourt Riverboat Association
For more information follow the Association on Facebook or contact the Whitecourt Riverboat Association:
- Karey Crawford 780-778-1465
- Paddy Stratton Jr. 780-778-0388
For more information call the Visitor Information Centre at 1-800-313-7383.
Festival Park (formerly Rotary Park) is located at the end of 51 Street (north of the Whitecourt Fire Hall) in downtown Whitecourt. From Highway 43, turn north onto 51 Street and follow 51 Street until you reach the park entrance gate. A public washroom facility is open seasonally (during the summer months) and concession service is generally open when the Whitecourt River Slides are operating. It is recommended that you bring tubes and flotation toys to fully experience the fun of the Whitecourt River Slides (rentals are not available).
If you are a hunter, the Whitecourt and surrounding area is the perfect place for you!
Our area boasts a variety of big game trophy hunting for elk, moose, mule deer and whitetail deer. We also have excellent opportunities to hunt for bear, wolves, even cougars. There is also a variety of game bird species, including geese and ducks. We truly do have some of Alberta's finest hunting.
Hunting draws are done in June annually for hunting across the province. Apply to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development for the opportunity to hunt for a variety of species of big game. For more information visit
Groat Creek Outfitters
Experience a full service, high-quality hunting opportunity. You are invited to come hunt for a unique experience. For more information find them on Facebook.
For more information call or visit the Whitecourt Forest Interpretive Centre at 1-800-313-7383.
Whitecourt is home to many great fishing spots! Depending on where you fish, you can reel in many different types of game fish, from northern pike to walleye, yellow perch to lake whitefish.
The Athabasca and McLeod Rivers also offer great fishing, as well as many smaller rivers and creeks in the area. Windfall, Groat, Christmas Creek and several others, have game fish such as Athabasca rainbow trout, grayling, pike, walleye, mountain whitefish and northern pike.
McLeod Lake
- Rainbow Trout
- 6.5km northwest of Whitecourt on Highway 43; turn north onto Highway 32 for about 10km and follow the signs located on the east side of the road at Carson Pegasus provincial park. For more information check out the Alberta Parks website.
Little McLeod
- Northern Trout, Pike, Whitefish
- Located beside McLeod Lake.
Emerald Lake
- Eastern Brook
- Located 3.2km north of McLeod Lake.
Athabasca & McLeod Rivers
- Tributaries of the Athabasca and McLeod rivers such as Sakwatamau and Freeman; creeks such as Windfall, Groat, Oldman, Chickadee, Christmas)
- Athabasca Rainbow Trout, Grayling, Pike, Walleye, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike
Alberta Fishing Regulations
Alberta residents under the age of 16 and over 65 need not worry about a fishing license, as it's not required. But for everybody else, different bodies of water have different regulations, and fishermen are required to have a sport fishing license. For more information on fishing licenses, visit Alberta Environment and Park's webpage.
