Alberta’s wildland parks preserve There are sand dunes in the eastern two-thirds © Gord Court and protect natural landscapes and Site Description & of the park that are part of a larger dune field Contact extending northeast along the Athabasca River. ecological processes. They also The stabilized dune field is in a transitional Alberta Tourism, Parks & Recreation provide opportunities for backcountry Location state between transverse and parabolic dunes. Stony Plain District Office recreation; in some wildland parks Parabolic dunes are crescent-shaped, with Phone: (780) 960–8170 Fort Assiniboine Fort Assiniboine Sandhills is located in the central horns facing upwind. Transverse dunes are mixedwood subregion of the Boreal Forest trails, staging areas and/or primitive linear-shaped and form at right angles to the General Provincial Park Information Natural Region. The park’s diverse landscapes campsites are provided to minimize prevailing wind. The western part of the park is Web: albertaparks.ca Sandhills include steep valley walls and river flats; springs predominately wetlands consisting of sedge/grass Toll Free: 1–866–427–3582 visitor impacts on natural heritage and wetlands; stabilized sand dunes; and pine, Wildland Provincial Park fens, black spruce/larch bogs, shrub fens and Phone: (780) 427–3582 values. white spruce and aspen forests. The park marshes. includes Pemmican Island and other islands Fire Bans in Alberta PA R K G U I D E Fort Assiniboine Sandhills was designated a in the Athabasca River. Access to the park is There are three distinct grassland types in the Web: albertafirebans.ca wildland park in 1997. It covers approximately 66 via Highway 661 from the west through Ft. park. Northern ricegrass occurs in sandhill areas square kilometres along the north shore of the Assiniboine; from the east, access is via Vega and is associated with jack pine forests. Slender Fire Bans in Alberta Athabasca River northeast of the Hamlet of Ft. ferry crossing. wheatgrass occurs in the park’s boreal and aspen 310–FIRE (3473) Assiniboine, roughly 40 kilometres northwest of forests. The third grassland type in the park is Barrhead. The Athabasca River forms the eastern The area contains a high diversity of vegetation dominated by western porcupine grass and is Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance) boundary of the park. types—436 plant species have been recorded in normally found on loamy soils. Phone: 911 the park, 20 of which are classified as “provincially rare” including low milkweed, MacCalla’s aster, The riparian zone along the Athabasca River Richardson’s sedge, stiff clubmoss, wooley sedge, contains old-growth mixedwood forests that are To Slave Lake blunt-leaved bog orchid and large northern aster. over 160 years old. The largest concentration of old-growth forests is on Pemmican Island and 44 on the large island immediately downstream of 661 Fort Assiniboine Pemmican Island. Although Clearwater Creek Wildland 661 is the only significant Athabasca River tributary Provincial Park To Swan Fort To flowing through the park, there are several small Hills Assiniboine 769 Athabasca seasonal streams that drain into the valley. 33 44 2 18 18 Barrhead Wildlife 2 33 To Mayerthorpe 654 The Athabasca River valley’s old-growth forests To Edmonton contain the most wildlife diversity in the park. muskrat are found along the river and it is believed Some of the best habitat in the province for that black bears inhabit dens in the protected cavity-requiring bats and ducks occurs here. slopes of the river valley. The park also provides Provincially uncommon bank swallows are habitat for pileated woodpeckers, bay-breasted abundant on eroded river banks. Mule deer, warblers, black-throated green warblers, magnolia white-tailed deer and moose browse in riparian warblers, Cape May warblers, flying squirrels and woodland and willow communities and use great grey owls. ISBN: 978–0–7785–9583–0 the valley as a travel corridor. Beaver, mink and Photo Credit: Travel Alberta Printed April 2012 impacts of recreational use in wildland parks and • For more information about bears and Recreational Activities Minimum Impact wilderness areas: bear safety, pick up our Alberta Parks • soil & water contamination BearSmart brochure, or visit srd.alberta.ca. Visitors to the park can enjoy bird and wildlife • loss of vegetation cover watching, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Recreational Use Three staging areas in the park—Central, • soil erosion You can minimize the impacts of your recreational Athabasca Viewpoint and Klondike Trail—provide Hiking activities by being aware of the effect you have • wildlife disruption small parking areas and access to more than 80 on the environment and acting responsibly. Be km of trails. • Use well-defined trails. informed; familiarize yourself with regulations pertinent to any managed areas you plan to travel • Walk single file to avoid widening trails. Klondike Trail Staging Area through (i.e. wildland parks). Choose equipment Backcountry Safety • Don’t create your own pathways around that is lightweight, functional and safe. Park your muddy or rough sections of trail; this only Klondike Trail Staging Area is located in the vehicle in an established parking area; avoid Tips makes the problem worse. southwest end of the park. It provides access parking on roadside meadows and other sensitive to a portion of historic Klondike Trail, which runs areas. Check trail and campsite conditions before • In areas without trails, spread out; this • Inform family, friends or authorities of your north/south through the park. Klondike Trail was your trip. Be aware of the following environmental disperses impact and prevents creation of first established in 1824-25 as a portage between intended route and estimated return time. new trails. the North Saskatchewan and Athabasca rivers. • Never travel alone. • Approach fragile areas such as low wet • Don’t tie horses to live trees; this can damage It was a major link in the Hudson Bay Company’s regions with caution; avoid such areas the bark and eventually kill a tree. trans-continental transportation corridor. Although • Bring sufficient clothing and gear such as whenever possible. the trail fell into disuse when Ft. Assiniboine food, matches, first aid kit and emergency • Avoid soft or marshy edges when watering closed in 1877, it came into use again as part of blanket, even on day trips. • Never drop litter along trails; keep a plastic horses. an overland route to the Klondike during the gold • Be prepared for sudden changes in weather. bag handy and pick up any litter you find rush of 1897-99. along trails. • Be knowledgeable about your route; obtain maps; keep track of where you are at all Garbage Disposal Central Staging Area times by map and compass or GPS. • Keep bear spray accessible and know how • Garbage should always be packed out of Central Staging Area is approximately 3 kilometres • Be cautious when fording streams and to use it. Equestrian Use the backcountry, never buried. Wildlife can south of Highway 661. It provides access to trails rivers—they can be dangerous, especially • Watch for signs of bear activity—tracks, • Use established trails and routes in areas easily find and dig up old garbage pits, even in the eastern portion of the park. Athabasca when stream flows are high. scat (bear dung), rolled logs and rocks, open to horseback riding. in winter. Once accustomed to human food Viewpoint Staging Area is in the northeast corner • Familiarize yourself with wildlife safety torn stumps, claw-marked trees, anthills these animals may become a problem for of the park near Vega ferry crossing. • Be cautious around hikers. techniques; when hiking or riding in bear torn open and locations with many noisy future visitors. country, consider the following: birds. If you see these signs, leave the • Supplemental feeds such as hay, grain The closest provincial park with overnight • Although some small animals may be curious, area. pellets and alfalfa cubes can be used to camping facilities is Thunder Lake, located 21 • Never feed or approach bears. resist the urge to feed them; feeding wildlife prevent over-grazing and reduce competition kilometres west of Barrhead on Highway 18 • Keep in mind that bears will eat just about • Make plenty of noise when hiking into upsets the natural balance of the food chain. with wildlife for food. Supplemental feed (roughly 30 kilometres south of Fort Assiniboine anything, even things we don’t think of as the wind, in dense shrubbery and along should be stored in sealed containers to Sandhills). Thunder Lake’s campground is food, like barbecue grease and toiletries. streams and rivers. prevent tampering by wildlife. Please note equipped with power hook-ups, coin-operated • Avoid outdoor activities from dusk until • It is best to leave your pet at home; that using hay as supplemental feed has the showers and flush toilets. early morning when bears are most active. however, if you do travel with a pet, keep potential to introduce noxious weeds into the it on a leash at all times (loose dogs can backcountry; grain and/or alfalfa pellets are • Keep a close watch on children at all attract and irritate bears). preferable. times. Fort Assiniboine Park Map Athabasca Viewpoint 661 661 Staging Area Lookout North Loop 1.0 km Loop 2.2 km 0.3 km 2.3 km 1.7 km Klondyke (Vega) Ferry To Note: OHVs are not Barrhead Equestrian Snowmobiling permitted. Wagons Trail Moose Hiking Trail Viewpoint 1.1 km and snowmobiles are 1.7 km permitted on designated Parking