20 Ways to Get Outside this Summer

With 314 annual days of sunshine, the Grande Prairie region makes an excellent destination to enjoy the great outdoors. Even better, our region is bursting with outdoor activities that people of all skill levels and interests can enjoy. Check out our top 20 recommendations for getting outside in our region this summer, with light, moderate, and intense activity levels considered below.

Summer won’t last forever – get outside and seize the moment with your family!

LIGHT

1. Teepee Creek Stampede.

Ready for four days of spectacular horseback action? The Teepee Creek Stampede draws international talent and has been kicking for over 100 years – the spirit of the Grande Prairie region come to life! The 2023 event runs July 13-16, we recommend booking your tickets in advance over on the official website.

2. Street Buskers Downtown

Every Friday and Saturday in the downtown core this summer, you can look forward to free live outdoor entertainment. The talent ranges from singers to dancers to craft entertainment, so grab some grub to-go from one of our downtown restaurants, and wander our city centre streets for an upbeat summer afternoon.

Local tip: Bring cash so you can tip the buskers.

3. Birdwatching at Crystal Lake

Grande Prairie is home to many walking trails and parks, but one stand-out is the 4km Crystal Lake boardwalk loop. You’d never know you’re in the middle of the city while taking a stroll around the lake with the variety of water fauna that calls the area home – watch for geese, coots, and of course our city’s emblematic trumpeter swan.

4. Farmers Market

In summer, you can visit Grande Prairie Farmers’ Market on Wednesday afternoons in addition to their year-round Friday and Saturday times. Whether you’re in the market (pun intended!) for locally-grown veggies, artisanal gifts, or what some consider to be GP’s best fish tacos, a trip to the Farmers’ Market is a must!

The start date for Wednesday shopping, 4 – 7 PM is in 2024 is July and August –  keep an eye on their website for details!

5. Picnic in Muskoseepi Park

Pack up your own homemade picnic, or grab some delicious hand-held food from one of our city’s many food trucks and head down to Muskoseepi Park for a chill afternoon. Want to take it up a notch? The park hosts many sports, including lawn bowling, mini golf, spikeball, and even fishing – more information here!

6. Pick Berries at Broken Tine

Tucked away near the hamlet of Elmworth, Broken Tine Orchard is one of our region’s most unique tourism destinations. Go for the haskap berry picking, stay for the wine tasting! (Psst – the kids will love the orchards Friceys Prairie Fruit Pops – a juicy popsicle made from their haskaps)

Local tip: The best way to tell if a haskap berry is ripe is by giving it a tickle and seeing if it falls off. If it’s not falling off the branch, that berry’s not ready!

7. Downtown BBQ

BBQ is the ultimate ode to summertime. And isn’t it even better if you can sit back and enjoy it while someone else prepares it for you? We recommend checking out the sunny patio at one of our local barbecue eateries, Red Rock Urban BBQ for some of the best authentic smoked meat around! You should also check out The Den Pub & Carvery – a local treasure that has been around for 15 years!

MODERATE

8. Dig for Dinosaurs

The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum celebrates our region’s heritage stretching all the way back to the Mesozoic era, and their fossil dig experience is a unique chance to help real paleontologists on the hunt for more fossils. Places are limited and fill up fast, so we recommend booking your spot well in advance.

9. Aquatera Outdoor Pool

Grande Prairie’s only outdoor pool, Aquatera is a popular spot in the summer months. It boasts slides, fountains, and shallow pools for very young swimmers, with scheduled times for both families and adults. Visit their website for the summer 2024 schedule.

10. Disc Golf at Evergreen Park

Visit one of GP’s three public disc golf (aka frisbee golf!) courses! The Evergreen Park Disc golf course is open to visitors – free of charge. Stay up to date on the course conditions at UDisk.com. Don’t forget to BYOD (bring your own disc!).

11. Hit the Fairway

River Stone Golf Course is one of our area’s newest golf courses, but has quickly established itself as a uniquely challenging and beautiful course along the banks of the Smoky River. The views can’t be beat – even better when you pair them with a Caesar at the clubhouse! Be sure to check out some of the other courses in our region, too.

12. Fishing

Whether you’re a beginner or a pro angler, fishing is an excellent excuse to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. Moonshine Lake in Saddle Hills is a popular spot to catch trout, while Snipe Lake and Sturgeon Lake east of the city provide endless hours of Perch and Northern Pike fishing.

13. Kayaking

Enjoying the waterways is easy! All you have to do is rent equipment and jump in the water! Check out our dedicated blog for a list of our favourite equipment rental companies, who will gladly set you up with the gear you need to make a splash.

INTENSE

14. Horseback Adventures

Horses play a big part in the history of the Grande Prairie region. Exploring our untapped wilderness in the saddle is one of the best ways to get the ‘true’ GP experience. Indian Trail Adventures provide expert guided tours through the beautiful Grande Cache area, offering a range of tours depending on skill level.

15. White Water Rafting

Wild Blue Yonder  provides you an epic adventure at the edge of your (raft) seat,  paddling along the Sulphur River in Grande Cache and taking in the stunning mountain views, where the Sulphur river empties into the Smoky. Their summer weekend tours book fast, so don’t wait!

16. Hit the Races

The adrenaline-pumping sights and sounds at the NPBA Auto Parts Raceway in Beaverlodge make for a unique day trip out of the city. Check their drag racing events schedule at NPBRA Event Schedule.

17. Mountain Biking

Nitehawk Year-Round Adventure Park and Wapiti Nordic Ski Club maintain designated trails all year-round. In winter, they’re perfect for skiing, but in summer, they’re the perfect place to escape the urban buzz and go crazy on two wheels for a couple of hours.

18. Motorcycle Cruising

With endless highway driving in nearly every direction, the Grande Prairie region is a paradise for motorcycle enthusiasts ready to explore on two wheels. Don’t have a bike of your own? No problem. Top Gear Cycles was recently featured in our rentals blog with a fleet of 12 motorcycles available for half-, full-, or multi-day rentals.

19. Hike to the Top

For advanced serious hikers who love a challenge, the Municipal District of Greenview’s Passport to the Peaks program challenges you to ascend 21 stunning mountain peaks in Grande Cache for unparalleled panoramic views of the Rockies.

20. Go Fully Off-Road

All-terrain vehicles might look like they escaped from a Mad Max movie, but they were practically made for the Grande Prairie region – they can tackle rocks, mud, swamps, and open water and keep on trucking. Our friends over Major Rentals rent these beasts year-round, letting you and your friends head out for an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Don’t Stop ‘Til Fall!

We hope this list stoked the adventurer in you, and that you’re already planning how to make the most of our beautiful summer season. As always, we love to see your best pictures and videos from your adventures on social media. Be sure to tag us using #GPTourism for a chance to be featured on our feed!