Did you know there is a free river ferry in the heart of the Canadian Badlands in Alberta? The Bleriot Ferry takes vehicle and foot passengers across the Red Deer River. The ride is short and sweet, but it’s a fun, scenic roadside adventure for kids. My 9-year-old son got a kick out of riding the flat, floating platform and seeing it pull itself across the...
For a taste of everything Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park offers, hike the Matapiiski (Hoodoo) Trail. It takes you through sandstone columns and hoodoos, across grasslands, offering sweeping vistas of the Milk River Valley, coulees and the Sweet Grass Hills (Katoyiss) behind it. It also showcases a few Indigenous rock markings, including the epic Battle Scene. These...
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park (Áísínai’pi in Blackfoot) is a sacred place, surrounded by mixed grasslands, spectacular hoodoos and winding coulees. Located along Alberta’s southern border and the Milk River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a natural and cultural experience like no other. Called Áísínai’pi by the Blackfoot People...
The Edmonton region is in the heart of aspen parkland, where the prairie meets the northern boreal forest. Mixed forests, open meadows, wetlands, small lakes, and hummocky hills create a scenic and adventurous landscape for outdoor recreation, nature escapes, and camping trips. Whether you live in the area and want an escape from the city, or you’re...
Alberta’s Lakeland Region offers abundant campgrounds near quiet lakes and a welcome escape from city life. With dozens of lakes, provincial parks, municipal campgrounds and forested recreation areas, it’s a popular destination for families, paddlers, anglers and anyone looking to slow down for a few days. We’ve visited several campgrounds...
The hike to Eva and Miller Lakes is an out-and-back day hike in Mount Revelstoke National Park, British Columbia. It offers hikers beautiful vistas of the surrounding mountains and valleys, green meadows alive with wildflowers, boulder fields home to chirping pikas and marmots, and remarkably picturesque alpine lakes. Because you start at the top of the Meadows in...
Getting out on the water is one of the best ways to experience nature. In a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard (SUP), you can enjoy the weather, spot wildlife and get some exercise. If you don’t own a kayak or paddleboard, paddle gear, or the right vehicle to transport them from lake to lake, accessing these activities can be difficult. West Country Rentals has the...
Paddling the Ucluelet Inlet – Mirage Sun Long Sleeve Tee from Hooke. Ucluelet, BC, is located on the west edge of Vancouver Island. It’s an end-of-the-road town that provides the perfect home base for outdoor endeavours, including paddling, hiking, wildlife viewing and surfing. The town is perched on a peninsula and completely surrounded by water. Its location...
The Sunshine Coast is true to its name. The sunshine glimmers on the Salish Sea, forests stretch down to rocky ocean shorelines, and smaller coastal communities invite you to slow down and explore. For families who like an active holiday, there are beaches to comb, lakes to swim in, forest trails to hike, and plenty of places to launch a paddleboard or kayak. One of...
Northern Explorers was approached by a NOMAD representative to test out the NOMAD SafeSip water bottle. As outdoor explorers, we’re always looking for water filtration solutions that are packable, easy to use, and improve the outdoor experience. Our Chief Editor and Travel Writer, Amy Hancock, was happy to give an honest gear review of the product. Overview: NOMAD...