Try These Five Free Summer Adventures In and Around Hinton

Vacations take planning, but that doesn't mean you have to break the bank to have a good time when you're in Alberta. Here are five free ways to make the most of a summer day in Hinton.

1. Pop a wheelie at the Hinton Bike Park

The Hinton Bike Park, which was the first of its kind in Alberta and is one of the largest parks in the country, spans a whopping 37 acres. You'll need to bring your own wheels, but you can test your skills on dirt jumps, the pump track, the drop zone and explore a network of forested trails. The park is progression-based and completely free to use from dawn until dusk and welcomes all skill levels.

2.Toss a hole-in-one at the Hinton Disc Golf Course

When you're done at the bike park, head across the road and for a round of disc golf. This 18-hole course uses its forested setting to its advantage, building the natural landscape and scenic Alberta topography into the course itself. Bring the whole family and remember to pick up your discs ahead of time from the town's information centre (a small deposit is required).

3. Take in the “Hoodoos of the North” at Sundance Provincial Park

Hoodoos are stunning sandstone formations that are usually associated with southern Alberta, but these hidden gems can be found in the northern part of the province too. Take a quick drive east of Hinton, turn north on Highway 16, and from there it's just a 1-km (0.62-mi) hike along the Wild Sculpture Trail to spot the hoodoos, which were caused by differential erosion patterns when glacier melt formed the Sundance Valley thousands of years ago. Plus, once you're in the park, you can keep trekking into the valley or set up camp at Emerson Lakes, a nearby network of seven gorgeous lakes.

4. Fawn over fauna on the Beaver Boardwalk

In the mood for wildlife? There's no better place to see it than the Beaver Boardwalk, which was built to commemorate the town of Hinton's 50th anniversary in 2006. This unique wooden pathway lets you get up close and personal to a variety of amphibians, waterfowl, wetland plants and, yes, beavers. The path winds along Happy Creek, up through Hinton's famed trail network, and back to the waterfront around Maxwell Lake. A series of interpretative signs provide details about the different species in the area and remind visitors how they can ensure wetlands like this remain intact for generations to come.

5. Take the scenic route on the historical driving tour of Hinton

Maybe you aren't looking for something physically demanding. If so, Hinton's got you covered there, too — just pick up a free copy of the town's driving-tour brochure and take a self-guided trip through the history of the town from the comfort of your vehicle. What better way to learn about the original homesteaders and ranchers than to see their old properties for yourself? Learn about vital historical industries at the Coal Branch Archives and Hinton Station, and make sure to leave time for a picnic lunch at the Green Square, where you can have any lingering questions answered at the distinctive Visitor Information Centre.