ATVing the Iron Horse Trail

Some things in life are better taken at a leisurely pace. Marianne Price, administrative co-ordinator for the Iron Horse Trail, believes that this popular ride through Alberta’s Lakeland region is one of them.

“Not only do you have the scenery and the outdoors but because (the Iron Horse Trail runs along) the old railway bed it goes into all the small communities,” said Price. “You can get off in these communities and go shopping or sightseeing. If you’re going on a weekend, especially through the summer, there’s lots of different events that are happening that you can go and check out.”

The 300-kilometre trail takes riders through diverse landscapes including parkland, boreal forest, natural wetlands and agricultural land. Visitors will often choose a central location to start at and take several days to explore the trail in different directions. Although ATVers and snowmobilers are the most prolific user groups, the trail is multi-use and users could be sharing the trail with anyone from horseback riders to mountain bikers.

The Iron Horse Trail is well signed. Random camping isn’t allowed along the trail, but there is ready access to existing campgrounds along the route. Anyone who wants information on the trail, including events and kilometres, is encouraged to contact Price. Follow the Iron Horse Trail on Facebook, email [email protected] or call toll free 1-877-645-4521.

“It’s a wonderful getaway for families, for groups of friends that want to get together and spend some time together,” said Price. “It’s an opportunity for you to get out and enjoy the sport of ATVing and feel like you’re in the backcountry—you’re off the beaten path and you’re in the great outdoors—and yet you’re within easy distance of all the amenities of a major centre . . . So you can spend your day ATVing and then you can come back and go out and enjoy a nice meal, glass of wine, and have some evening entertainment, so you kind of get the best of both worlds.”

St. Paul and Elk Point

According to Price, the stretch of trail from St. Paul down through Elk Point to Lindbergh and Heinsburg is a particularly scenic ride.

“(This part of the trail) goes through valleys and ravines and kind of goes along the North Saskatchewan River as you get closer to Heinsburg,” said Price. “It probably is one of the more picturesque pieces of the trail. You’ve got some (terrain) diversity there. You go through a little stretch that is actually boreal forest, lots of wetlands, agricultural land for sure, and parkland.”

The town of St. Paul has expanded its Iron Horse Trail staging area into an RV park and campground. Visitors can get up in the morning, jump on their quads and hit the trail right from their campsite, making it a good base for further explorations. The town itself has lots to do. There are several well-known chain restaurants as well as good local places to eat. St. Paul is an active town with lots of events. Watch for concerts in the park; as well, the Lakeland Rodeo finals in August constitute a week-long celebration. Visitors who manage to find extra time can go swimming, bowling, or to a movie.

Riders who stay in Elk Point will also have an access route from their campsite right to the Iron Horse Trail. There’s even a connection to the local golf course. The staging area is not open for camping, but there’s plenty of parking for those who want to leave their trailers. The staging area is also home to the Elk Point Visitor Information Eco-Centre, a replica of a CN train station that was originally built in 1927. The building makes an interesting visit on its own, but is also a handy place to get information. If you’re stopping in Elk Point for a bite to eat you’ll find several options, but for something different keep in mind that the Outback 646 Ranch House serves local elk meat.

Smoky Lake

Near the west end of the Iron Horse Trail, Smoky Lake is a good place to stop. The Smoky Lake Pumpkin Park at the staging area is one must-see attraction, an acknowledgment of the town’s annual Pumpkin Fair & Weigh-Off. Time your visit to Smoky Lake over your birthday and Alberta’s birthday town will give you plenty of reasons to spend the day.

The section of trail to the east of Smoky Lake takes riders through a unique section of terrain. Here, a natural pine forest grows in loose, sandy soil. Riders might want to stop, get off their machines and explore a little bit, especially during blueberry season when a delicious local snack is in order. While trail users need to stay on the designated path for most of the length of the Iron Horse Trail, this stretch outside of Smoky Lake does include an area where ATVers can get off the trail and play around in the sand dunes. Please watch for and respect all signage.