If you’re looking for adventure spots close to your Hinton Hotel, you don’t need to look far. There are tons of outdoor activities in Hinton, AB, as its rugged terrain, glaciers and meadows attract some of the nation’s most extreme outdoor enthusiasts.
In the summer, the area offers great fishing, hiking, golf, rafting, and more, while the winter season features some of Canada’s best skiing, as well as plenty of shopping and indoor entertainment options.
If you’re travelling to Jasper National Park for a vacation, consider staying in Hinton. Located just 20 km from the park, Hinton is an affordable, convenient alternative to the inflated prices of Jasper, and features many attractions of its own!
Check out Hinton’s Visitor Information Centre Before Heading to Your Hinton Hotel
Located along Highway 16 in Hinton, AB and less than an hour from Jasper Park, this Visitor Information Centre (VIC) is a great place to stop and get great information on both the local area and the province Alberta. Very helpful and knowledgeable VIC staff can help with quick questions and trip planning information. Hinton’s Visitor Centre also offers free WiFi, complimentary coffee and plenty of parking.
Outdoor Activities and Adventure Spots in Hinton
As mentioned previously, you don’t have to travel far from your Hinton hotel to get a sense of adventure. Everywhere you look in Hinton, AB is an opportunity to get in touch with your adventurous — although please do so safely! However, below are our top picks for adventure spots near your Hinton hotel.
Mountain Biking
Hinton Bike Park: An outstanding mountain bike skills park that is fun, safe, free of charge, and accessible for all abilities and ages, thereby facilitating the promotion of skills development, active lifestyles and mountain culture.
Fat Biking—it’s a Thing: Chubby tires help you glide over rough terrain – these bikes have hit craze status! Hinton has started a new fat biking endurance race, the Hinton Growler. Hinton has fantastic fat biking opportunities that can’t be missed!
Hiking, Mountaineering and Sight-Seeing in Hinton, AB
Willmore Wilderness Park: For a rugged backcountry trip, check out Willmore Wilderness Park. It’s the largest wilderness area in Alberta and the second-largest provincially protected area. It offers a unique backcountry experience in some of the last undisturbed range of many wildlife species in Alberta. Visitors to Willmore should be experienced and well-equipped when hiking in this area.
Cadomin Caves: These Caves are a multi-chamber cave system that stretches 2,791 m (9,150 ft) in length. They are located in Whitehorse Wildlands Provincial Park, about 75 minutes from the small town of Edson. While exploration and caving are allowed with permission from the Alberta Speleological Society, the cave remains wild and so proper equipment and experience are necessary. The caves are a bat habitat and are thus closed from September to April.
Orge Canyon: Come see the towering cliffs, meandering streams and sunken sinkholes of this impressive canyon, located west of Hinton near Brule.
Horseback Riding
Horseback Adventures Ltd: This is a family-owned-and-operated business that has offered guided horseback vacations to Jasper and Solomon Creek Wildland Provincial Parks since 1979. Ride the high country for 2 – 6 days at West Range Cabins. Private sleeping cabins, shower house, hot and cold running water and solar lights all make this backcountry horse experience more enjoyable. Cabin-tent combo rides to the Moosehorn Valley are also available for up to 8 days in length!
Old Entrance Trail Rides: Provides guided trail rides for up to 4 riders along the scenic Athabasca River Valley and Eastern slopes of the Rockies.
Fishing
Maxwell Lake: With countless lakes, rivers and streams all bursting with fish, the Hinton area is a fisherman’s dream. There are several whitefish and Trout species to try for during this time of year, as well as during ice fishing in the Winter. The most highly recommended area for fishing is Maxwell Lake. However, if you’re interested in going against the grain, click here for a list of other fishing spots in Hinton, AB.
River Rafting
Hinton Rafting Adventures: Operating since 2016, this rafting adventure company runs Class 2 family float trips and tandem kayak tours on the historic Athabasca River.
Hunting
R.D. Zuger Outfitting & Trail rides: Offers guided hunting trips and trail rides in the Canadian Rockies (Hinton/Jasper area). The company’s experienced guide/outfitter (Ralph) is born and raised in the local area and is able to offer locations based on the rider’s/hunter’s needs!
Golfing
The Hinton Golf Club: This golf club has been lovingly nicknamed by golfers as The Enchanted Forest for its picture-perfect course. The Golf Club features 18 holes, a driving range with a putting and chipping area, a licensed clubhouse with mountain and course views, golf lessons, and rentals.
Car Racing—Say What?
Yellowhead Raceway: Enjoy the thrill and excitement of car racing at this track, located just southwest of Hinton on Highway 40 South. Stock races, demolition derbies and more begin in May and run all summer long.
Hot Springs
Miette Hot Springs: Visitors won’t soon forget a drive up the wild Fiddle Valley to the hottest mineral springs in the Rockies. Flowing from the mountain at 54ºC, the water is cooled to a comfortable 40ºC as it enters the pools. Two hot pools and two cool pools within a newly renovated facility. These hot springs have peaceful surroundings with a café, a gift shop, hiking, a picnic ground, interpretive exhibits and plenty of camping and accommodation nearby.
Best Spots for Multiple Activities
William A. Switzer Provincial Park: This provincial park protects Alberta’s upper foothills region. It has activities such as camping, orienteering, camping, fly fishing, kayaking, swimming and wall climbing. The park is 22 km north of Hinton, off Hwy 40.
Wolf Land Tours: Facilitates outdoor Adventures, Guided hiking and backpacking 2 hours to several days, canoe tours 1-5 days and heli-hiking on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains on the border of Jasper National Park. The experienced wilderness guides speak English, German and French!
Foothills Booking Service: Offers wilderness and adventure tours including lodging, pack trips, artist tours, canoeing, dog sledding, four-wheeling, skiing, snowmobiling, and more.
Brule Sand Dunes: The Brule Sand Dunes are located west of Hinton off of Highway 16. Signs leading to the dunes are posted on Highway 16, as well as in the Wildhorse Provincial Recreation Area. Trails can be used by all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), hikers, and horseback riders. Trail conditions are weather dependent.
Winter Activities
The Hinton Nordic Centre: Located in the William A. Switzer Provincial Park, the Nordic Centre is a world-class venue for cross-country skiing, mountain biking, biathlon and even natural luge, and is located on Highway 40 North.
Now Which Hinton Hotel Should You Rest At?
During your stay in Hinton, Alberta, it’s likely that each day will be jam-packed with outdoor adventures. Assuming this, it’s safe to say that you’ll likely want to pick a Hinton hotel where you can feel comfortable and get a good night’s rest at. BCMinns Hinton has a pool, hot tub, jacuzzi and many other amenities that can optimize your level of comfort during your stay, especially when you’re feeling sore from biking, hiking or any other outdoor activity.
Looking for a Hinton Hotel with top-notch amenities, great service, and continental hot breakfast? Book your room today!