Boasting big-city convenience and small-town comfort, Fort Saskatchewan is definitely a place to have on your “must-visit” list. Situated in the heart of Central Alberta, Fort Saskatchewan experiences all four seasons and offers many activities that can be enjoyed year-round. Its proximity to Edmonton makes Fort Saskatchewan a great place to visit, so we’ve put together a list of some ways to travel Fort Saskatchewan on a budget!
Travelling Fort Saskatchewan on a Budget: The Sheep of Fort Saskatchewan
First introduced in 1992, the Fort Saskatchewan sheep flock has been delighting visitors for 30 years! Fort Saskatchewan uses a flock of sheep as an eco-friendly way of maintaining the parks. During the summer months, be sure to keep an eye out for a shepherd and sheepdogs herding the flock of 50 sheep from park to park.
More recently, goats have also been used as a safe, environmentally friendly way of managing weeds at West River’s Edge. The goats cover up to 96 hectares and treat the affected areas up to three times over the summer and fall months.
Warm Weather Activities
There are a number of great things to see and do in Fort Saskatchewan if you are travelling on a budget. The city is located along the North Saskatchewan River and boasts a number of different river trails to explore during the warmer months. Alongside the trails, there are over 500 hectares of parks throughout Fort Saskatchewan for residents and visitors alike to enjoy. Jubilee Park is a great one to check out if you’re looking to entertain a large group with diverse interests. The park has three baseball diamonds, a soccer field and a playground. It’s also within walking distance of the Jubilee Recreation Centre, Harbour Pool, and the Gold & Curling club.
If you are looking to do some camping in Fort Saskatchewan during the summer months, the Fort Lions Campground is a great campsite to check out. The campground is connected to over 73 kilometres of paved walking and biking trails, making it a perfect home base if you are looking to get out and explore the city.
Located just a short drive from Fort Saskatchewan in Edmonton, the Alberta Railway Museum is definitely a cool place to check out. The museum contains a number of different outbuildings as well as several locomotives and railway cars that are available for visitors to tour while learning about Alberta’s railway history.
Cold Weather Activities
While cold weather can sometimes be a deterrent from exploring Alberta in the winter, Fort Saskatchewan boasts a number of different winter activities that make it a great place to visit in the colder months. The annual Light Up! celebration provides families with the opportunity to take photos with Santa, warm up at a fire pit with a cookie and hot chocolate, and partake in the countdown as they light up city hall. If your timing is right, you might also be able to experience the annual Santa Claus Parade that also takes place in downtown Fort Saskatchewan.
Plus, Fort Saskatchewan has a number of great outdoor winter activities such as cross-country skiing, tobogganing, and skating that provide fun for the entire family. Head over to the Fort Saskatchewan Nordic Ski Club to give cross-country skiing a try, or check out one of the tobogganing hills scattered across the city in one of the numerous parks.
There are also a number of different snowbank rinks to take the family for a day of skating, but it’s important to note that hockey sticks and pucks are not permitted at these skating areas. Instead, if you’re looking for a place to pick up a game of hockey, there are two outdoor, boarded skating rinks in Fort Saskatchewan that are available to the public.
Whether you are visiting Fort Saskatchewan during the warmer months or in the winter, there is no shortage of fun activities for the entire family to enjoy. The best part is that many of these activities are free to enjoy, making Fort Saskatchewan a great place to travel on a budget!