Hinton, Alberta is located just an hour’s drive northeast of Jasper and boasts beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains! With a population of just under ten thousand, Hinton may be small, but it boasts lots of fun activities that are great for the entire family. If you’re planning to visit Hinton this summer, you’re going to want to carve out some time to spend outdoors, as there are so many fun outdoor activities to add to your itinerary!
We’ve highlighted 5 of the best summer activities in Hinton that will keep the entire family busy, whether you’re just passing through or making a holiday out of your stay!
Go Disk-Golfing
If you’re looking for a fun afternoon activity that is going to get the entire family involved, then it’s worth checking out the Hinton Disc Golf Course. The 18-hole golf course opened in 2017, and uses the surrounding forest to its advantage, with the unique topography and beautiful scenery of the area utilized directly in the course. The course provides fun for the whole family, and discs can be picked up at the town’s information centre ahead of time!
Explore the Beaver Boardwalk
The Beaver Boardwalk, which was built in 2006 to commemorate Hinton’s 50th anniversary, is a unique wooden boardwalk that gives you an up-close and personal look at a large variety of birds, wetland plants, amphibians, and beavers. A series of interpretive signs line the boardwalk and provide visitors with more details about the different species in the area, as well as how to protect wetlands for future generations to enjoy.
Hike to the “Hoodoos of the North”
While hoodoos are a popular attraction in Southern Alberta, most people don’t realize that hoodoos can be found farther north as well! Embarking on a short drive East of Hinton and tackling a short, one-kilometre hike along the Wild Sculpture Trail will allow you to catch a glimpse of the stunning, sandstone hoodoos. The rare formations were caused by different erosion patterns when glacier melt formed the Sundance Valley thousands of years ago!
Visit the Hinton Bike Park
If you’re looking to keep the kids entertained for an afternoon and have the ability to bring bikes along, then visiting the Hinton Bike Park should definitely be on your list! The park is free to use and boasts accessibility to riders of all ages and abilities. There are several different obstacles and other features, such as teeter-totters, bridges, pump tracks, and other natural elements to challenge your skills, which can provide your family with hours of fun!
Take In Maligne Canyon
Though it isn’t located in town, the hour drive that it takes to get from Hinton to Maligne Canyon is well worth it if you’re looking for a day trip to add to your itinerary. Maligne Canyon is the deepest canyon in Jasper National Park and can be explored by hikers of all abilities utilizing the six bridges that are built across various points of the canyon. The Third Bridge is the best location to view the stunning waterfall and provides a great photo opportunity!
If you’re still looking to add some fun summer activities to your Hinton itinerary, hopefully, these suggestions provide you with some great activities that can be enjoyed by the entire family!