Attractions - Barrhead, Westock, Fort Assiniboine, Swan Hills

Freeman River RV Park

At Freeman River RV Park and Campground, you will find yourself ideally situated to explore the many fabulous museums, attractions and outdoor adventures that the local communities and surrounding Campgroundhave to offer.

Three golf courses are within thirty minutes of Freeman River RV Park and Campground.

Only ten minutes away from the RV Park is the Geographical Center of Alberta – explore the trail and visit the monument that marks the site.

Inside the Old School House
at the Fort Assiniboine Museum

Tourist Information ~ Museums ~ Shopping and Restaurants

Roadside Attractions and Ranch Tours ~ Local Towns

Tourist Information

Fort Assiniboine Tourist Information

the Fort Assiniboine Tourist Information Center is located in the Fort Assiniboine Friendship Museum on the south side of Main Street. Tel: (780) 584-3737.

Fort Assiniboine and Campgroundcontains the Geographical Center of Alberta as well as many hot spots waiting to be discovered.

Fort Assiniboine, Alberta is located in Woodlands County. For information on the county council, administration, Woodland tourism, the events calendar and much more, see their website: Woodlands County Website

Fort Assiniboine has a very important place in the history of Alberta. the location is mentioned in early historical records dating back to the 1700's. Fort Assiniboine is registered as the second oldest Fort in Alberta.

Barrhead Tourist Information

the Barrhead Tourist Information Center is located in the Barrhead Centennial Museum on Grizzly Trail Highway 33, on the east side of the street just a short distance inside the city limits. Tel: (780) 674-5203.

Barrhead has all the desirable qualities of a rural community with many of the benefits found only in larger centers.

For information on businesses in Barrhead, a business directory, employment and business opportunities, visitor information, programs and services, town administration and community events, see the Barrhead Town Website: Town of Barrhead

During the late 1800's and the early 1900's, Barrhead played an important role in the settlement of northwestern Alberta. Highway 33, known as the Grizzly Trail, follows the original Klondike Trail which was the shortest route to the Yukon during the Gold Rush. Once established, this route was key to the settlement of the Peace River region. the Old Barrhead Townsite (3 km north of the present Town Center) was a frequent stopover for the Klondikers and others who needed supplies for the rigorous journey north.

Swan Hills Tourist Information

the Swan Hills Tourist Information Booth is located on the west side of the highway as you enter Swan Hills on Grizzly Trail Highway 33.

the small rustic cabin, which serves as the tourist information booth, has a history.

For information on businesses in Swan Hills, a business directory, visitor information, programs, services and community events, see the Swan Hills Town Website: Town of Swan Hills

In the late 1960's, the three Corrections Officers assigned to work the Judy Creek Young Offenders Camp were dissatisfied with the travel trailer that served as their accommodation. these three officers - Tom Brown, Lloyd Goodwin and Harold Riggs - decided to design and build a log cabin. Work on the cabin began in May of 1970 and was finished in October of 1970.

Westlock Tourist Information

The Westlock Tourist Information Centre is attached to the Westlock Pioneer Museum at the intersection of Highway 18 and 102 Avenue. Wetlock is 55 minutes southeast of Freeman River RV Park.

Tel: (780) 349-4849. You can reach the town office at 780-349-4444, or toll-free 1-866-349-4445

For community services, having fun in Westlock, information on living there and much more, see the Westlock Town Website: Town of Westlock

Westlock offers excellent shopping, fabulous restaurants, exciting recreational activities, professional services, entertainment and cultural events.

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Museums

Fort Assiniboine Friendship Museum

A 5-minute drive from Freeman River RV Park brings you to the Fort Assiniboine Friendship Museum, fashioned after the Hudson Bay Fort that was situated there during the Klondike Gold Rush. the museum is located 5 km east of Freeman River RV Park, on the south side of Main Street in Fort Assiniboine.

the Fort Assiniboine Friendship Museum is open from Victoria Day Weekend in May to Labor Day Weekend in September, 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily. Admission: Free, donations gratefully accepted. Tel: (780) 584-3737.

To commemorate early history during the Hudson Bay Era between 1823 and 1877, the exterior of the museum was designed to reflect the fur trading times. Exhibits include farm equipment, pioneer furniture and tools, history of the Campground, wildlife, R.C.M.P., nails that were part of the original fort.

the mural mounted on the outside of the Fort Assiniboine Museum was painted by Dorothy Kruse. the painting depicts Gold Rush seekers crossing the Athabasca River about the year 1898 on their way to the Yukon. the Gold Rush seekers camped at Klondike City (about 16 km north of Fort Assiniboine) for the winter of 1898-99.

museum mural

During the Klondike Gold Rush the N.W.T. government dispatched T.W. Chalmers to cut a trail from Klondike City to Lessor Slave Lake. This trail called the Chalmers portion of the Klondike Trail is today being mapped and preserved by the Klondike Trail Society.

Barrhead Centennial Museum

the Barrhead Centennial Museum and Visitor Information Center features the early history of the Campground. Exhibits include farm equipment, pioneer furniture and tools. A very interesting map shows the meandering of the Klondike Trail through the County of Barrhead during the Gold Rush years.

Located 25 minutes southeast of Freeman River RV Park, in Barrhead on Grizzly Trail Highway 33, on the east side of the street just a short distance inside the city limits.

Open Victoria Day Weekend in May to Labor Day Weekend in September. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission: Free, donations gratefully accepted. Tel: (780) 674-5203.

The Westlock Pioneer Museum and Visitor Information Centre

The Westlock Visitor Information Centre is attached to the Westlock Pioneer Museum.

Located at 10216-100 St. (near the centre of town).

Hours: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. between Victoria Day and Labour Day.

Admission Fee: Adults $4.00 Students $2.00
Family (maximum of two adults) $8.00
Children 5 and under: Free

Visit the Westlock Pioneer Museum website at: http://www.westlockmuseum.com

Contact: Telephone: 780-349-4849 during tourist season.

Note: During the off-season you will be redirected to the Westlock Town Office.

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Shopping / Restaurants:

Fort Assiniboine

Population: 235

Location: 5 km east of Freeman River RV Park and Campground on Grizzly Trail Highway 33, a scenic 5 minute drive from the RV Park.

Features: Restaurants, general store, churches. Click here for a detailed list of Fort Assiniboine's amenities.

Barrhead

Population: 4200

Location: 40 km southeast of Freeman River RV Park and Campground on Grizzly Trail Highway 33, a scenic 25 minute drive from the RV Park.

Features: Restaurants, shopping, churches, entertainment, movie theater. Major grocery stores: IGA and Co-op.

Swan Hills

Population: 2000

Location: 55 km northwest of Freeman River RV Park and Campground on Grizzly Trail Highway 33, a scenic 35 minute drive from the RV Park. This stretch of highway is well known for wildlife spotting.

Features: Restaurants, shopping, churches. Major grocery store: IGA.

Westlock

Population: 4800

Location: 93 km southeast of Freeman River RV Park. Follow Highway 33 towards Barrhead. By Barrhead, Highway 33 will become Highway 18. Continue straight towards Westlock.

Features: Restaurants, shopping, churches, entertainment, recreation and cultural events.

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