tourism center grande cache

Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre

We are more than just a tourism information centre..

Located on Highway 40 and surrounded by stunning panoramic vistas of the Canadian Rockies, the Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre has much to offer the curious traveller, newcomers to our community and long-time residents.

The Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre can provide all your tourism information needs; our friendly staff encourages you to explore our history and culture. We host community programs and events and provide school and special group tours.

The Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre showcases the fascinating history of the area through exhibits and displays featuring ice age artifacts, dinosaur tracks, Aboriginal heritage and fur trading, full animal mounts, tree and geological descriptions and local industry.

There is also the Bighorn Gallery Gift Shop, the Esson Gale Art Gallery, and space available for meetings and conferences. Make sure to save time to tour the Bird’s Eye View Park featuring interpretive trails and gazebo-style picnic areas, outside of the Centre. A replica of a “cache” along with other historic buildings is also on site.

Hours of Operation:

Monday to Sunday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

Indoor Amenities:

• Information
• Retail Gift Shop
• Art Gallery
• Wildlife, History & Industry Displays
• Meeting Room Rentals
• Home to Palette Pals Art Club f: Grande Cache Palette Pals
• Home to Grande Cache Historical Society

Outdoor Amenities:

• Bird’s Eye View Interpretive Park
• Historical Buildings
• Picnic Area

Click here to view our facility

9701 100 Street (HWY 40), Grande Cache, Alberta PO Box 1079 Valleyview, AB T0H 3N0

780-827-3300 | Toll-Free 1-888-827-3790 [email protected] grandecache.ca Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre

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Best Things to do in Grande Cache Alberta

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Grande Cache is located at the foothills of Canadian Rockies, in the province of Alberta. In this post we will cover the best things to do in Grande Cache, plus a weekend itinerary suggestion.

Best things to do in Grande Cache

Grande Cache Itinerary for the weekend 

Grande Cache is a hamlet located in west-central Alberta . It is located on Highway 40 approximately 145 kilometres northwest of Hinton and 435 kilometres west of Edmonton. 

Here is how you can spend 2 days road tripping from Edmonton to Grande Cache and back!

Day 1  

Start for Grande Cache from Edmonton , the capital city of Alberta, preferably in the morning. Grande Cache is well connected via road from all major cities in the province. The road trip from Edmonton to Grande Cache took us about 6.50 hours, with stops on the way. Straight driving between 2 places is 4.50 hours.

We decided to travel via Hinton and Jasper (which is about 4 hours), with a lunch rest stop at Jasper town. We had lunch at this awesome Greek restaurant called,“Something Else”. Very cozy place with a great menu line-up.

While traveling from Jasper to Grande Cache, we took Route 40. Along this way, we came across Highway to Alaska – considered as one of the most scenic routes to the States. (The Highway to Alaska connects the United States to Alaska across Canada.

It begins at the junction with several Canadian highways in Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and runs to Delta Junction, Alaska, via Whitehorse, Yukon. It was constructed during World War II.)

So we reached Grande Cache in the evening. A day of winding, steep roads, yet very scenic and beautiful.

Where we stayed: Not very many options here. However, we picked a great spot – Days Hotel . The hotel property was clean and very affordable. They had large rooms with fire-places.

Start with breakfast at this cute little place named Noelle Cafe . This is located opposite to the Days Hotel Mall area (by the Legion). The mall area also has other places to eat and shop.

After a heavy brunch, head to a park nearby called Labyrinth Park. 

After the Labyrinth Park, leave for Sulphur Gates. On your way out stop by the Tourism office at the town entrance and enjoy their free museum exhibition.

At the Sulphur Gates, spend a couple of hours before returning to Edmonton.

On the way back to Edmonton, take the route back via Hinton. Stop by the William A. Switzer Provincial Park.  Relax, take pictures, and enjoy a stroll at Kelly’s BathTub.

Tourism Office & Open Musuem

The Grande Cache Tourism Information Centre has the highest rating for “most places to visit” in town on TripAdvisor.ca at the time of visit in 2016, and so we were curious to visit. 

After the visit, we were really impressed and now know why they were rated so highly. The site has a free museum with tons of informative details about the hamlet, and its heritage. Everything inside the center and in their complex was in great condition.

The locals started this center and now the provincial government provides funding. The staff was very informative and friendly. 

Did you know? Grande Cache got its name from a Hudson’s Bay Company fur trader named Ignace Giasson who cached a large supply of fur in the area during one of the winters between 1818 and 1821.

Stop by the Interpretive center to learn more, and photograph the logs and various cabin structures!

Labyrinth Park

Known as the walking meditation park, the Labyrinth Park is a beautiful spot with 360-degree mountain views to soothe your mind and take you on a tranquil journey! 

Labyrinth Park is located at the end of 104th Street, to the right of Fireman’s Pit Road in Grande Cache. This place is great for photography. 

View from the park is brilliant and mesmerizing. People visit this place for soul searching. The park has messages written on a few stones surrounding the park.

You can easily spend 45 minutes to an hour here – soaking in the views, strolling or going on a short hike. 

Enjoy time at the Acorn Shopping Mall

Located in the heart of Grande Cache, Alberta, Acorn Plaza Mall is a popular, one-stop shop for local shoppers. It has everything you need for your stay in the city, from multi-cuisine restaurants to retail therapy and gas stations. 

Grande Cache Beach

There are many beaches located near Grande Cache, but the Grande Cache beach is the closest. It is a natural beach, and you can boat here, and soak up some sun!

Sulphur Gates

The Sulphur Gates are a natural phenomenon formed at the confluence of Sulphur and Smoky Lakes in Alberta. 

It is great for camping. The campground is located in Sulphur Gates Provincial Recreation Area, which is 5 km north and 7 km west of Grande Cache. 

The site also includes 2 equestrian campsites with corrals, and 2 equestrian day-use sites. From the parking lot at the campground, there is a short trail that leads to a lookout platform with spectacular views of the Sulphur River canyon and the Smoky River. 

If you are visiting during winter or crossover months, ensure you have winter tires on. 

Get hiking, soak in mountain views

Grande Cache is known to have the ‘passport to the peaks’. Most travelers to Grande Cache enjoy a day or days hiking and soaking in the views of the stunning mountains. 

Choose from easy, moderate to difficulty level hikes via the Passport to the Peaks program. 

READ: Amazing hikes to do in Banff National Park

Wild Blue Yonder Water Rafting

Grande Cache is home to the best whitewater rafting in Alberta. It is affordable, and you get to enjoy the true rugged beauty of the mountains and waves. 

The Wild Blue Yonder Water Rafting provides rafting experience for solo travelers and groups alike!

The Canadian Death Race – Every Year in August

Grande Cache is known for “Canada’s Death Race”. The Canadian Death Race is a 125-kilometer foot race through the Canadian Rocky mountains in Grande Cache, Alberta. 

It includes three mountain summits, one major river crossing, and 17,000 feet of elevation change. The race has been held annually on the August long weekend since the year 2000. 

In 2010 The North Face became the title sponsor and the race was renamed The North Face Canadian Death Race. Since 2014 it is organized by a non-profit organization known as the Canadian Institute of Extreme Racing. 

Racers can compete by themselves or in relay teams of up to five people. This race was started by Dale Tuck, a local marathon runner. In August every year, during the race, the population of town explodes to over 100%. 

Stop by William A. Switzer Provincial Park

William A. Switzer Provincial Park is located on both sides of the Bighorn Highway, between Grande Cache and Hinton. This is a perfect stop before returning to Edmonton.

If you have more time on hand, you can enjoy overnight camping and go hiking the next day.

There are campgrounds in the provincial park which are maintained on the shores of Gregg Lake, Cache Lake, Blue Lake and Jarvis Lake. 

This 63 km path is almost undisturbed and is a great alternative to Banff/Rocky Mountains or other national parks nearby.

We enjoyed our weekend here, it was a wonderful getaway. Very affordable. It’s an unexplored, yet beautiful place. We highly recommend visiting!

More posts on Alberta

• Towns in Alberta : Prettiest  small towns in Alberta
• Lake Louise :  Visiting Lake Louise in winter
• Banff :  Christmas in Banff
• Banff Airbnbs:   Best Airbnbs in Banff
• Bragg Creek :  Things to do in Bragg Creek
• Canadian Rockies :  Canadian Rockies Road Trip Guide

Pin: Best things to do in Alberta’s Grande Cache

Mayuri Kashyap is an Indian Canadian traveler, writer and photographer based in Alberta. She moved to Toronto as a student in 2009, and has been calling Canada home ever since. She started the blog - Canada Crossroads - to share her travel and living experiences in the Great White North!

A History graduate and an MBA, Mayuri is a destinations marketing expert. She loves traveling with her husband, Salil and soaking in experiences across Canada, India and Europe.

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WELCOME TO 

Grande cache.

Nestled on a mountain plateau at (4200 ft.), the Town of Grande Cache is surrounded by panoramic views of 21 mountain peaks and 2 river valleys. This small mountain town is adjacent to the unspoiled Willmore Wilderness Park. There’s something for everyone; photographers, artists, hikers, bikers, paddlers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers, fishermen and hunters alike.

GRANDE CACHE  TOURISM & INTERPERATIVE CENTRE

The Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre can provide all your tourism information needs; our friendly staff encourages you to explore our history and culture.

The Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre showcases the fascinating history of the area through exhibits and displays featuring ice age artifacts, dinosaur tracks, Aboriginal heritage and fur trading, full animal mounts, tree and geological descriptions and local industry.

There is also the Bighorn Gallery Gift Shop, the Esson Gale Art Gallery, and space available for meetings and conferences. Make sure to save time to tour the Bird’s Eyeview Park featuring interpretive trails and gazebo style picnic areas, next to the Centre. A replica of a “cache” along with other historic buildings is also on site.

GRANDE CACHE LABYRINTH PARK

One of the most original sites in Grande Cache is the Labyrinth Park; for thousands of years cultures from all over the world have walked labyrinths for different purposes.

At its most basic level the labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world with a broadened understanding of whom you are.

Take the Journey and give yourself the gift of time at Labyrinth Park – Entrance located at the corner of 97 Ave and 104 St in Grande Cache, Alberta.

WILLMORE  WILDNERNESS PARK

Willmore Wilderness Park comprises 4,597 square kilometres of pure, unspoiled mountain wilderness.  The Park is a pristine mountainous area with rugged forest and alpine expanses. The rivers and creeks are crystal clear. The park is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Take time to stop and see Sulphur Gates – one of the most popular attractions to the Grande Cache area. It is a staging area for equestrian users and backpackers going into Willmore Wilderness Park. A short trail provides access to spectacular views of the Sulphur River canyon and the Smoky River where it cuts through the front ranges of the Rocky Mountains. The only mode of transportation allowed in the mountain Park is by foot, horseback or bicycle. 

Motorized vehicles are not allowed in the park. 

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Grande Cache

Grande Cache is a bustling community of 3800 at the foot of Wilmore Wilderness Park. The towns name comes from a Hudson’s Bay fur trader who established a large fur cache in the area in the 19th century. Hence, the name, Grande Cache. In 1969, coal was the mainstay of the towns growth and economy, but forestry, oil and gas have also had a significant impact. Tourism is now becoming a major factor as visitors discover the immense natural beauty of the area and its easy access for hiking, ATVing, canoeing and more. The Bighorn Highway passes through the town of Grand Cache 140km north of the Yellowhead junction.

www.grandecache.ca

Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre offers hiking guides and maps and a look back at the rich history of the area with exhibits and displays. 780-827-3300

Camping in Grande Cache

Grande cache municipal campground.

This is the only fully serviced campground in Grande Cache. They have 77 sites (56 full service, 21 partial services), plus an open tenting area. Campground is within walking distance of town attractions.

Hotels in Grande Cache

Grande cache inn & suites.

All rooms are smoke-free and have a refrigerator and microwave. Enjoy beautiful wilderness landscapes right from you room. Enjoy the fitness center, and nearby hiking & biking trails, kayaking, and rafting.

Grande Mountain Lodge

This lodge is only 0.9 km from Willmore Wilderness Park. Amenities include WiFi, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a mini-kitchen with a refrigerator, microwave and tea and coffee making equipment.

Things to do in Grande Cache, AB

The grande cache tourism and interpretive centre.

The Centre houses exhibits that trace the history and culture of the region from its early indigenous inhabitants, through European exploration and settlement, to the contemporary period. This includes exhibits on the region’s ecology, the fur trade, and the more modern coal mining industry. The Centre also organizes walking tours of the nearby Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park, where visitors can learn about indigenous uses of local plants and wildlife.

Visiting the Grande Cache Tourism and Interpretive Centre is a sure way to gain an appreciation for the natural and cultural history of this part of Alberta.

Willmore Wilderness Park

This pristine wilderness area covers approximately 4600 square kilometers and is located north of Jasper National Park. It was named after Norman Willmore, the Minister of Lands and Mines from 1934 to 1943.

The park is renowned for its impressive landscape that includes high alpine ridges, lush, green valleys, and clear, rushing rivers. It is home to various species of wildlife like grizzly bears, black bears, moose, elk, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, caribou, wolves, and numerous bird species.

Unlike many provincial parks, there are no permanent structures to accommodate visitors in Willmore Wilderness Park. There are no maintained trails or campsites, but the park does have backcountry camping areas.

Activities in this park typically include horseback riding, hunting, fishing, and hiking, all of which offer an incredible opportunity for experiencing the wilderness. In the colder months, visitors may find opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing. It’s a great place for individuals who seek to enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the Canadian wilderness.

The Sulphur Gates

The Sulphur Gates are one of the spectacular natural landmarks located in Willmore Wilderness Park. This area is where the Smoky and Sulphur Rivers meet. What makes Sulphur Gates exceptionally significant is the geological formation resulting from erosion. There, you’ll witness deep, powerful rivers compactly bookended by steep cliffs of multi-coloured rocks. The rivers have over time chiseled their way through the rocks, creating deep crevasses and unique shapes. At the confluence of these rivers, the rushing waters have carved an impressive canyon that reminds visitors of nature’s raw power and beauty.

There is an easily accessible platform that gives visitors a breathtaking aerial view of the converging rivers. There are also numerous easy to moderately difficult hiking trails around the area. Sulphur Gates is one of the most popular starting points for multi-day hikes into the Willmore Wilderness Park.

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Actively Seeking the Past

Discovering Alberta’s Grande Cache

Megan Kopp · September 8, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Mountains and foothills, biking and quads, friendship and history – that’s what we discovered in Grande Cache. Read on for the inside scoop of what to see and do in this northern Alberta town… er… hamlet. Not the Hamlet that questions “to be or not to be” – because this tiny town knows that it will always be alive with endless potential.

Disclosure: This post contains Affiliate links.

Table of Contents

What & Where is Grande Cache?

Grande Cache sits in the foothills of Canada’s Rocky Mountains – about 183 kilometres south of Grande Prairie or 143 kilometres north of Hinton, Alberta. The hamlet got its name from a Hudson’s Bay Company fur trader. Ignace Giasson built the namesake cache – a small, secure cabin on raised stilts to secure food, fur and trapping supplies – for a bunch of fur pelts one winter in the early 1800s. 

Geologists discovered high-grade coal in the area in the 1950s. A coal mine opened in 1969 and the new town of Grande Cache was built. A sawmill and correctional institute have replaced currently closed coal mines as major employers. In 2019, the town of Grande Cache became a hamlet in the MD of Greenview. Times are tough, but tourism opportunities abound for those who enjoy unique adventures.

Winding Down 

In the spirit of unique adventures, we left  Tumbler Ridge and set up camp in Grande Cache. After spending an hour soaking up the indoor and outdoor displays at the excellent Visitor Information Center, we headed off to investigate Labyrinth Park. Walking the stone circle, we soaked up the scenery of the Willmore Wilderness Park and immediately found peace in our surroundings.

Reconnecting

In a zen moment, I had an urge to message a friend and let her know we were in her old stomping grounds. She moved away for work, but still owns a home here. It’s for sale, btw! Let me know if you’re interested 😉  

As fate would have it, she was on her way back to check up on the homestead. We ended up camping together for a night – two tiny trailers side by side –  and getting the inside scoop on what to see and do in Grande Cache.

Heading Out to Sulphur Gates

Must do: Sulphur Gates. 

What are they? 

Sulphur Gates are part of the Cadomin Formation. This geological formation is important to geologists because it indicates the presence of coal, but for most visitors the formation is interesting because of the views it offers. 

Where are they? 

You can drive approximately 7 km south along the Sulphur Gates road off Highway 40 to the parking area – it’s also a staging area for equestrian users and backpackers heading into the adjacent Willmore Wilderness Park. From the parking lot, it’s a short couple hundred metre stroll to the lookout. Sheer 75-metre high cliffs overlook the confluence of the Smoky and Sulphur River. 

A Different Viewpoint

We opted to hop on our mountain bikes and take a series of quad/hiking/biking trails down to the river confluence on the opposite side from the lookout. Quad trails do not make great mountain biking trails. We ended up ditching our bikes before the last big hill and walking the final kilometre or so to the river. While I wouldn’t recommend biking this route, the hike is totally worth the vantage point. 

Passport to the Peaks

There are 21 peaks all visible from the Grande Cache townsite. Clever tourism folk came up with a cool way to promote hiking to their summits – a ‘passport’ with embossing stamps left in marked boxes on the peak. The peaks are rated bronze, silver and gold – depending on level of difficulty in reaching the summit.

Check out MEC for hiking boots!

Bronze mountains are daytrips. Silver mountains are multiday adventures or summits that require more advanced route-finding skills or involve river crossings. Gold mountains are remote, undeveloped and challenging. You can find out more information at  www.passporttothepeaks.ca . 

Hiking Mount Stearn

We didn’t have time for 21 peaks, so we opted for an easier Bronze peak that stands prominently against the skyline when looking westward from town – Mount Stearn. It’s a relatively steep 1,000-metre climb in just over 7.5 kilometres. The trail slogs up and up and up through pine and aspen woods. The grade moderates a bit through thicker spruce and subalpine fir forests before it plateaus out in lush meadows. From here it’s a joyous romp – key “Sound of Music” – up to the summit. Warning: watch out for the wind! It howled on the last leg of our ascent. 

Taking a Trip Back in Time

Our friend took us out of town towards Pierre Grey’s Lakes Provincial Park. On the drive out, she pulled over near the tiny Muskeg River Graveyard on the righthand side of the highway just past the Muskeg River bridge. I’d mentioned the interpretive display outside the visitor centre that talked about “spirit houses” – and here they were.

Spirit Houses

Covered graves with roofs, carved fronts and fences exist in coastal native communities. Over time the tradition migrated inland and spirit houses became a custom in the Grande Cache area. They are a simple and beautiful monument to lives from the past; lives of the Mountain Métis.

The Mountain Métis

In the early 1800s, North West Company employee Jacco Findlay moved his family to the Athabasca Valley near Jasper, Alberta. Jacco was a member of a group of people now known as the Mountain Metis. From 1906-1910, Mountain Metis families were evicted from the newly established Jasper National Park. Many relocated to the Grande Cache area. You can find more information about the Mountain Metis on their  website . 

Pierre Grey’s Provincial Park

Pierre Gris was a Métis fur trader born in 1846 in Lac Ste Anne. Officials wrote his name as Grey’s not Gris numerous times over the years. Thus we have Pierre Grey’s Provincial Park today. Pierre ran a trading post on the beautiful lakes now contained within this park. He spent winters trading here for marten, beaver, lynx, wolf, coyote and wolverine furs. Between 1886 and 1895 – working only part of the year – he made over $3000. That’s over $85,000 in today currency. Not much remains of his trading post – three buildings locations and a couple of graves. The site is a provincial historic site.

The park’s lakes were busy with anglers and kayakers. Campers filled campsites. Birds twittered and we sighed as we lifted ourselves off our lakeside picnic spot to head home. Our time in Grande Cache was over but we know we’ll be back. There are still countless waterfalls to see, trails to hike – and then there are those dinosaur tracks (according to staff in the Visitor Centre they are slowly working on a plan to get public access and interpretation at the site in the next five years). 

To be or not to be… we will be. Back, that is 😉

Additional Resources 

• Pick up a copy of Grande Cache Adventure Guide (good overview of things to see and do) and a Grande Cache Area Trails & Adventure Map (big picture of area) from the Tourist Information Centre. For more general information, visit  http://www.grandecache.ca .
• You can find camping at the Smoky River South Recreation Area. Full-service RV sites are available in town at the  Grande Cache Municipal Campground . 

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Travel: 10 Things To Do In Grande Cache, Alberta

• By Linda Hoang

Linda Hoang

• September 14, 2018

Alberta is known for its stunning mountainscapes and pristine lakes. Tourists come from all over the world to visit places like Banff National Park, Lake Louise and Jasper National Park.  These spots are gorgeous, picturesque, and popular.

But they’re not the only spots in the province where you can experience the beauty and adventure in the Canadian Rockies!

Today I’m writing about an alternative to your Banffs and Jaspers—picturesque Grande Cache, Alberta.

Grande Cache is a mountain town located about 4.5 hours north west of Edmonton, and this summer, I was invited up to explore the area by Grande Cache Tourism. They’re working to diversify their economy, and part of that plan included bringing up a blogger to experience and share what the area has to offer for tourists.

Happy to say—there’s lots to do in Grande Cache!

Keep on readin’ for what I got up to during my weekend trip to this lovely little spot, surrounded by mountains, lakes, and a ton of wilderness.

10 Things To Do In Grande Cache, Alberta

Pin + share my blog post: 10 Things To Do in Grande Cache, Alberta! (Photo Supplied by Grande Cache Tourism)

Grande Cache, Alberta sits on a mountain plateau, at an elevation of 4,200 feet, with views of 21 mountain peaks and 2 river valleys. It’s adjacent to  Willmore Wilderness Park , an unspoiled region featuring ancient glaciers, high mountain peaks, thick forests and raging rivers, offering a “true backcountry experience” with over 750 km of trails.

The area is well-known for being home to the Canadian Death Race , and I’d say a lot of the activities you’ll end up doing in Grande Cache will be outdoor adventure-focused.

1. Hit a hiking trail or visit the Mountains

One of a few look-outs at the Sulphur Gates in Grande Cache.

Many visitors to Grande Cache are quick to hit the hiking trails. Grande Cache has a “ Passport to the Peaks ” program which encourages you to hike all 21 of the area’s mountain peaks! They’ve divided the mountains into three levels (from easy to most difficult/extreme), so there’s definitely some easier trails the more casual adventurer can do (like me!) during a few hours of the day, but also more intense ones for avid hikers looking to challenge themselves.

Sulphur Gate — where Smoky and Sulphur Rivers meet in Grande Cache, Alberta.

My friend Catherine has ridden up to Grande Mountain on an ATV, and marvelled at the views up there.

Meanwhile during my tourism trip, my friend Sharman and I did a really quick and easy hike to the popular  Sulphur Gates , a cliff-edged confluence of the area’s two rivers (Smoky and Sulphur).

Something I wanted to do but didn’t have time for was to visit some of the waterfalls nearby too! There are three nearby.

2. Try Grande Cache’s Famous Prime Rib 

Did you know: Grande Cache is home to the best prime rib in Alberta?

Eating our way through Grande Cache was an important part of our tourism trip, and one of the food highlights for sure was trying the “famous prime rib” from Grande Cache’s High Country Steak & Ale Restaurant!

Here, you can order prime rib in a few sizes, the smallest being 8 oz. and the largest being 24 oz (wow!!) I tried the smallest and couldn’t even begin to imagine how large 24 oz would have been.

The prime rib here is AAA black angus beef, specially aged for 28 days (for extra flavour and tenderness), rubbed with their unique blend of spices, and slow roasted.

The (gigantic) 8oz prime rib at High Country Steak & Ale in Grande Cache, Alberta.

The prime rib in Grande Cache is delicious! And comes topped with yorkshire pudding and au jus, and your choice of two sides.

It’s a must-eat in Grande Cache.

Sharman tried their braised and BBQ pork shank, and was also really impressed. She was also really happy with the gluten-free options available at the Grande Cache restaurants we visited that weekend! (She is celiac!)

3. Go White Water Rafting! 

We hit the Smoky and Sulphur River on our Grande Cache adventure.

Along with hiking, another popular tourist activity in the area is white water rafting!

Our group went rafting down the Sulphur River with Wild Blue Yonder Rafting Adventure Company .

The run we did is a relatively beginner experience, with mostly moderate rapids, and when we went, the water level was pretty low, so we didn’t get too many rapids, but it always depends on the day/time of year of course, and even with slower rapids, it’s still quite the ride!

Thanks to Wild Blue Yonder White Water Rafting for the fun!

This adventure was approximately 4 hours (with 1.5-2 hours being in the river) and was my second time white water rafting (I had done it out of Jasper on Athabasca River before!) It’s family-friendly (kids and the elderly get it sweet because they sit in the middle while the rest of the adults paddle lol)

Wild Blue Yonder White Water Rafting also offers longer and more challenging adventures, including overnight rafting experiences too.

Just a trek through the Shire—I mean Grande Cache, Alberta!

What was really interesting about this experience was how you get down to the water in the first place. Because Grande Cache is at such a high elevation, you need to walk down a fairly steep hill to get to the river.

The company basically ziplines its rafts down each time it does an adventure, while you walk down in what feels a lot like a scenic Lord of the Rings valley. It’s really neat—but, people who are scared of heights, beware!

Hanging out where Sulphur and Smoky Rivers meet!

Our Wild Blue Yonder White Water Rafting crew!

Thanks for the great adventure, Wild Blue Yonder!

4. Walk the Labyrinth!

The peaceful Labyrinth Meditation Park in Grande Cache, Alberta.

Grande Cache is home to a walking meditation park called the Labyrinth . At first look, the Labyrinth looks like a maze made up of different sizes rocks, but it’s not a maze. As the park puts it, mazes are designed to make you lose your way, where the labyrinth is designed to help you find your way.

It was a really peaceful place, and a nice spot to take a moment (amidst all of your Grande Cache adventuring!) The sky was smokey when we went, but normally you get a really stunning view of the mountains from the Labyrinth as well.

5. Visit the Farmer’s Market and Thrift Shop 

Peaches at the Grande Cache Farmer’s Market!

In between our outdoor adventures, Sharman and I stopped at the indoor Grande Cache Farmer’s Market and Thrift Shop.

Both of these activities are only open on selected dates, so be sure to do your research before you go, in case it’s not open on your weekend visit. The Grande Cache Farmer’s Market takes place in their Recreation Centre , while the Thrift Shop is in the basement of the Grande Cache United Church. There are are some great finds at both places!

The Grande Cache Farmer’s Market is inside their state-of-the-art Recreation Centre!

And while you’re at the Recreation Centre you can grab some ice cream and snacks at The Canteen, or hop in the hot tub / pool! It’s also home to a hockey arena and curling rink and is right by a park.

6. Eat at Aurora Sushi (and other Grande Cache restaurants)

Delicious, authentic sushi and sashimi at Aurora Sushi in Grande Cache!

The surprise food hit of the weekend was our sushi at Aurora Sushi located in the Alpine Motor Inn on the main road through the town. One TripAdvisor review I came across before selecting the restaurant really encapsulates my thinking on the food we had: “Unusually good sushi” lol.

Just generally, you might not be expecting too much from a small town sushi restaurant—or even expect a small town to  have sushi restaurant at all! But Aurora Sushi is quite legit and delicious, and I could not recommend it enough.

Solid gyoza and seaweed salad at Aurora Sushi in Grande Cache.

The interior decor and the food at Aurora Sushi is all quite authentic.

Order the sashimi bento box, gyoza, seaweed, and share some of their rolls.

You won’t be disappointed!

Breakfast poutine from The Ridge in Grande Cache.

Here are a few other food spots we visited in Grande Cache:

• The Ridge Restaurant for breakfast (though I’m told their Wing Wednesday is also great, if you’re going to be there on a weekday)
• The Coffee House for coffee, tea, and sandwiches
• Luciano’s Italian for a really hearty pasta dinner

Something we noticed about Grande Cache food: they are generous with their portion sizes!

That’s always a plus, but the quality/taste of the food here was also solid, particularly for small town eats.

7. Lounge at the beach 

Beach day at Grande Cache Lake!

I’ve always been jealous of places with a beach. There’s just something about sitting in the sand, soaking up the sun, jumping in the water for a quick splash, or just floating in a boat, especially if you can experience it just minutes from home.

In and around the Grande Cache area is Pierre Grey’s Lakes, Victor Lake, Grande Cache Lake, and Peavine Lake.

During our visit, we stopped at Grande Cache Lake, the closest to the town centre, that is home to a natural beach. Some of the lakes are better for canoeing or kayaking, some are better for boating, some (like Grande Cache Lake) are just better for some daytime sun and sand. The day of our visit, it had been raining so it wasn’t the warmest or sunniest place to be, but you could imagine the potential on a hot summer day. (We were still able to get some cute beach photos!)

8. Learn about Grande Cache’s history

Why is Grande Cache called Grande Cache? Because of these structures!

We learned a lot about Grande Cache’s history during our visit. There’s a great Grande Cache Tourism & Interpretive Centre that includes both indoor and outdoor exhibits!

My friend Sharman and I went with the outdoor exhibit first (stopping to take photos with the Grande Cache sign, obviously).

Here you’ll see a lot of imagery of a log cabin-like structure on stilts in the Grande Cache area. We learned that these are called caches and was used primarily to store furs in winter, but also other supplies, and sometimes a person could stand in it too. They were propped up tall to keep out wolverines and bears, who might try to get at the supplies inside. Neat hey?

Dugout canoes were once used on the Smoky River in the early 1900s.

We also learned about The Wickiup, “Tipi for the Mountains” which played a major role for the people in the Rockies (and even thousands of years before then), and we learned about the Dug Out Canoe, which was used by the local Indigenous community on the Smoky River in the early 1900s. That was all displayed outside the Tourism & Interpretive Centre.

Inside, they have a whiteboard with suggestions on different activities you can do in the town (many of which I mention in this post), and different areas about Grande Cache’s history over the years, including features about Indigenous and Metis locals who played big roles in the shaping of the area.

There is also a section all about the Grande Cache region’s dinosaur history (the town would love to build out its dino-tourism—turns out there are some pretty cool dino tracks in the area, though they’re currently a bit tough to get to for a typical visitor).

9. Find some Instagrammable Walls 

There’s some nice Instagrammable Walls in Grande Cache!

What’s a travel post from me without a section on Instagrammable Walls?

There are definitely more  natural Instagrammable Walls in the Grande Cache area, like the mountains lol. But I was actually delighted to find a few colourful walls inside Shopper Park Mall, along with some mountain murals in a few different restaurants we visited.

I love this Instagrammable Wall in Grande Cache!

There’s not a place you can visit where they won’t offer some kind of nice backdrop for your photos, Grande Cache included!

10. Go horseback riding

Go horse back riding with this beautiful mountain backdrop! Photo Credit: U Bar Ranch.

Okay, so horseback riding was on our itinerary for the weekend but it was raining too hard so it got cancelled.

Regardless, I wanted to mention horseback riding because I think it’s really cool you can hit the trails on a horse! Our riding was scheduled with U Bar Ranch . When I talk about how this area is picturesque, I’m thinking about this horseback riding photo—with the gigantic mountain in the backdrop. Simply. Stunning! These historic trails go back 225 years, and to travel by horseback is still very common in the area!

If you get a chance to horseback ride here, please do it so I can live vicariously through you (until my next visit when I can do it myself!)

So there you have it! Those are just 10 of many potential activities for you to try when you visit Grande Cache.

There’s really something for everyone (at least, from an outdoors perspective)—photographers, artists, hikers, bikers, paddlers, horseback riders, cross-country skiers, fishermen and hunters alike (I took that line straight from Grande Cache’s Visitor Guide!)

Grande Cache is your “road to adventure” and I’m so thrilled I got to work with Grande Cache Tourism to experience what the area has to offer, and share it with you.

Pin + share my blog post: 10 Things To Do in Grande Cache, Alberta!

But this blog doesn’t cover all of it. There’s lots more to see and do in the region beyond what I’ve suggested!

Click here to read the Grande Cache Visitor’s Guide

In the Guide, you’ll find other recommended activities (and more detailed descriptions about the different mountain peaks, hiking trails, lakes, and other outdoor activities) to help plan your visit.

For a basic price comparison as well, to the other, more popular mountain towns, Friday/Saturday night in Grande Cache costs about $80-$100 per night, compared to $200-$300 ish per night you might typically find in Banff, or $130-$200 ish per night you might typically find in Jasper.

While Grande Cache doesn’t have a cute little tourist street like Banff or Jasper do (yet!!!!?), that doesn’t mean the area doesn’t offer a ton of great tourism opportunities for its visitors.

You’re surrounded by mountains. You’ve got a ton of outdoor activities to choose from. And for an area of its size, and one that hasn’t necessarily put a huge focus on tourism, it’s got some good and varied food offerings.

The next time you’re planning a mountain getaway, think about Grande Cache!

Your adventure awaits! 

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Disclaimer: I will always provide my 100% honest opinion on this blog. I was invited by Grande Cache Tourism to come up and explore what the area had to offer, and share my tourism experiences on my blog and social media. This was a paid, working tourism trip, with complimentary experiences.  This has no impact on opinions stated in this post. I’m a huge fan of exploring different spots in Alberta and Grande Cache had a lot of great outdoor activities! 

Thank you for Visiting my Beautiful Mountain Town . I have lived here for 17 years , And i never get tired of wake in up to the Beautiful Mountain’s scenery . Wish I could leave a picture to show you what I woke up too today . Also just a suggestion to your followers that do decide to visit Grande Cache , We are known to get snow in the Summer Month’s , Usually only last a day be for it melt’s . But just bring some warm clothe in case . Can’t love the Scenery if your cold . Any way’s again thx for your Blog i will be sure to follow you . Teri

Loved our visit to Grande Cache. Lake Grande Cache is so beautiful its a shame you can’t hire a canoe or boat to enjoy it.

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Acknowledgement

This blog is based in Treaty 6 Territory, traditional and ancestral lands of many First Nations and Métis in Alberta. I’m a settler who lives, works, and plays in the Amiskwaciwâskahikan (Edmonton) area on Turtle Island (Canada). I’m committed to reconciliation. uplifting and supporting Indigenous communities and one way I do that is by highlighting Indigenous-owned artists, business owners, makers, events, and other experiences here on this blog and on social media.

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