David Thompson Country

David Thompson was one of the best pioneering geographers in history, mapping almost half of North America from the St. Lawrence River and the Great Lakes to the Pacific Ocean. The part of Alberta that carries his name is something of a hidden gem and boasts plenty of natural beauty. Rocky Mountain House is the area’s major centre. As you travel east, the fields and plains meet foothills. Beautiful forests are threaded with rivers and jewelled with lakes. Further west, majestic mountains rise from untouched wilderness areas along the province’s deepest and bluest artificial lake. David Thompson Country spans the Jasper-Banff highway and more than 20 provincial parks and recreation areas. Stop for a picnic at a spectacular viewpoint. Spend a day at the beach or riding your bike down a forested trail. Or plan to stay awhile — camping, hiking, paddling, fishing, birdwatching or gazing at the stars and soaking up nature’s beauty.