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If you are looking for a great year-round outdoor recreation destination, check out William A. Switzer Provincial Park. Situated in the foothills, the park provides magnificent views of the Rocky Mountains. Forests of pine, spruce and aspen surround the park’s chain of five small lakes. The wildland character of the park makes it an ideal home for many animals, including grizzly and black bear, cougar, wolves, moose, elk, beaver and loons.

Learn about the birds, trees, wildflowers and animals in the park by picking up a family adventure pack. There are five different packs of fun activities to help you explore the park’s natural features. Five lakes are connected by Jarvis Creek, and provide excellent fishing and canoeing. If you prefer dry land, try out the hiking and biking trails. Trails range from easy, self-guided interpretive walks of 1 to 3.5 km, to a 10 km loop through rolling hills, meadows, meandering creeks and mixed forests.

Come back in winter if you enjoy cross-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing or ice fishing. There are warm-up shelters available and you can even borrow snowshoes at the park office.

Open year round. Office hours: Mon-Fri 8:15-4:30. Park staff are also available evenings and weekends particularly during summer. Located 25 km (16 miles) north of Hinton on Highway 40, now paved from Hinton to Grande Prairie, offering travellers a shorter and more scenic route to Alaska. .