60 Million Years of Wonder (Give or Take)
Not to boast, but the Grande Prairie region has been around for a minute. The history of our region lies all around us. You can see it written in the landscapes, preserved in the oral histories and traditions of Indigenous Peoples, and enshrined in the many museums we’re proud to maintain, each waiting to share a story 60 million years in the making.
In just one day, visiting history buffs and community residents alike can travel our region and find all sorts of sights and experiences to quench their thirst for knowledge. With some museums offering free or discounted admission, learning about our region’s past doesn’t have to break the bank. We’ve gathered some of our favourite highlights below.
History of the Land
Did you know that Grande Prairie used to be underwater? This has not only given us plenty of astounding fossils of marine creatures, along with dinosaurs, but has also helped shape the land itself.
Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum
Get up close and personal with a life-size Albertosaurus! The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum’s ever-changing lineup of exhibits lets you delve into the past, with displays of fossils and information about what the Grande Prairie region looked like millions of years ago.
Website: Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum
Distance from Grande Prairie: 22.4 km
Admission: Visit the museum’s website for current admission prices, hours, and visitor information.
Kleskun Hills Provincial Park and Museum
Erosion caused by rivers millions of years ago has blessed Kleskun Hills Provincial Park with captivating hoodoo-like formations that feel like stepping into another world. The site has long been significant to Indigenous Peoples, and the on-site museum commemorates both this history and the way of life of European settlers, with several historic buildings still standing.
Park Website: Kleskun Hill Provincial Park
Museum Website: Kleskun Hills Museum
Distance from Grande Prairie: 23.9 km
Admission: Group and private museum tours can be arranged for a fee. Visit the museum website for details.
Muskoseepi Park
Muskoseepi Park runs through downtown Grande Prairie, featuring over 1,100 acres of carefully preserved parkland. “Muskoseepi” is a Cree word meaning Bear Creek, paying homage to the Indigenous Peoples who first inhabited the area and the creek that runs through the park. A walk along one of Muskoseepi Park’s many trails is a convenient and beautiful way to discover how the area might have looked in ages past.
Website: Muskoseepi Park
Distance from Grande Prairie: 0.0 km
Admission: Free!
History of Indigenous Peoples
First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples have inhabited the region since time immemorial. Discover a living history and culture that predates Grande Prairie through these selected highlights from our region!
The Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association acknowledges that we are fortunate to live and work on Treaty 8 territory, the ancestral and present-day home of many diverse First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Peoples.
Traditional Healing Gardens at Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
The Grande Prairie Friendship Centre was created to support Indigenous people living in the urban centre of Grande Prairie and help keep their culture alive. Its mission is reflected in the Traditional Healing Gardens, which grow ingredients used in many traditional medicines and ceremonies. Tours can be booked in advance, and everyone is welcome!
Website: Grande Prairie Friendship Centre
Location: Grande Prairie
Admission: By donation
Memberships are available at no charge.
Grant Berg Gallery
The Grant Berg Gallery is owned and operated by Grant Berg, an Indigenous sculptor who works primarily in stone, antler, and wood. He pays tribute to his heritage through his art and invites other Indigenous artists, along with artists of non-Indigenous descent, to share their messages through regularly rotating exhibits.
Website: Grant Berg Gallery
Distance from Grande Prairie: 0.0 km
Admission:
- General admission: Free
- Exhibit admission: Varies
If you’re interested in exploring Indigenous culture and history in the wider Alberta area, we highly recommend visiting Indigenous Tourism Alberta.
History of the Settlers
European explorers and fur traders initially arrived in the Grande Prairie region in the late 1700s. Settlers soon followed, and by the early 20th century, the City of Grande Prairie had been established. Their stories are memorialized in museums throughout the region.
Grande Prairie Museum
While visiting Muskoseepi Park, you can drop into the Grande Prairie Museum for free! The museum’s collection contains approximately 55,000 authentic pioneer artifacts, helping you imagine what life must have been like in the past.
Website: Grande Prairie Museum
Location: Grande Prairie
Admission: Free!
South Peace Centennial Museum
Since 1967, the South Peace Centennial Museum has welcomed guests to explore 40 acres of restored pioneer village. There are plenty of buildings to see, along with hundreds of antique tractors, steam engines, stationary engines, horse-drawn wagons, and rare antique automobiles.
Website: South Peace Centennial Museum
Distance from Grande Prairie: 45.1 km
Admission and camping:
- Day pass: By donation
- Events: $10.00; children six and under are free
- Unserviced camping: $10.00 per night
Historic Dunvegan Provincial Park
Dunvegan has a long history for both the Indigenous Dunne-za People and the European fur traders who established Fort Dunvegan in 1805. Four original, authentically restored buildings are nestled in Dunvegan Provincial Park, near the towering suspension bridge. Staff at Historic Dunvegan, dressed in period-appropriate clothing, provide interpretive experiences that help bring the past to life.
Website: Historic Dunvegan
Distance from Grande Prairie: 90.1 km
Admission: Visit the Historic Dunvegan website for current admission prices and visitor information.
Sexsmith Museum Society
Once known as the “Grain Capital of the British Empire,” Sexsmith honours this heritage through the Sexsmith Museum Society, which restores and maintains the last authentic grain elevator in town. It also offers a self-guided walking tour app that directs visitors to historical highlights throughout the community.
Website: Sexsmith Museum Society
Distance from Grande Prairie: 21.5 km (Closed during winter months)
Admission: Donations encouraged
Veterans Memorial Garden and Interpretive Centre
Canada has a long and distinguished military history, and the Grande Prairie region is no exception. Men and women from the region have served in the Canadian Armed Forces since their inception, and some have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The Veterans Memorial Garden and Interpretive Centre keeps the memory of these heroes alive.
Website: Veterans Memorial Gardens
Location: Grande Prairie
Admission: Free!
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