Protected Areas: 25 to 50 km from Red Deer

​Change Distance: [ 0-25 km ]   [ 25-50 km ​​​​]   [ 50-75 km ]   [ 75-100 km ]

The following protected areas are located within 25-50 km of Red Deer and offer accessible day-use opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and outdoor recreation. Please review the Rules & Amenities for all Protected Areas prior to your visit.​

Site Rules
Access & Use:

• Hiking is permitted.
• Day use only.
• Foot access only.
• Open fires are strictly prohibited.

Dogs: Protected areas are among the last remaining places where wildlife can live with minimal disturbance. Dogs can frighten, chase, and potentially harm wildlife. To protect these sensitive habitats, dogs (leashed or unleashed) are not permitted.
Entry Requirements​: Advance permission may be required for access to certain sites.

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Amenities & Site Information
Facilities: 

• Bathrooms: Most sites do not have restroom facilities available, with limited exceptions.
• Waste Disposal: Garbage facilities are generally not provided. Please pack out all waste.

Parking: Parking is limited at most sites. In some cases, roadside or ditch parking near the area may be required. Please park safely and responsibly.
Hazards & Safety: Visitors may encounter uneven terrain and tripping hazards. Wildlife may be present; please come prepared and carry appropriate safety equipment, such as bear spray. Livestock may be present intermittently—please leave all gates as you find them.
Boat Launch​: Boat launch access is available at select sites.

Click on any site name below to learn more. 

1. Burns Nature Park (26 km from Red Deer)
2. Stonhouse (26.3 km from Red Deer)
3. Nova Chemicals Community Nature Trail (26.4 km from Red Deer)
4. Veteran (29.4 km from Red Deer)
5. Beckingsale (30.9 km from Red Deer)
6. Elizabeth Lake Trail (31.3 km from Red Deer)
7. Innisfail Natural Area (33.0 km from Red Deer)
8. Bergeson (33.1 km from Red Deer)
9. Fabris (33.6 km from Red Deer)
10. Nicker (37.6 km from Red Deer)
11. Ray’s Pond (33.5 km from Red Deer)
12. McPhee 1 (33.6 km from Red Deer)
13. Hawthorne (34.3 km from Red Deer)
14. B & E Acres LTD (35.0 km from Red Deer)
15. Kneehill Creek (35.0 km from Red Deer) 
16. Blaikie (35.8 km from Red Deer)
17. Anne Pope (35 km from Red Deer)
18. Bend (35 km from Red Deer)
19. Lockerby (35 km from Red Deer)
20. Boote (37.5 km from Red Deer) ☆
21. Wik (37.9 km from Red Deer)
22. Underwood (38.0 km from Red Deer)
23. Hetchler (38.3 km from Red Deer)
24. Jones (38.4 km from Red Deer)
25. Hansen’s Reservoir – Lake Aeration and ACA Fish Stocking (39.4 km from Red Deer)
26. Warren (40.1 km from Red Deer)
27. Kelly Ranches (40.1 km from Red Deer)
28. Tees Trout Pond – ACA Fish Stocking (40.4 km from Red Deer)
29. Markerville Natural Area (41.0 km from Red Deer)
30. J.J. Collett Natural Area (41.8 km from Red Deer)
31. Hummer (42.5 km from Red Deer)
32. Parlby Creek (42.9 km from Red Deer)
33. H.G. Lawrence (43.1 km from Red Deer)
34. Centre Chain Lake (43.1 km from Red Deer)
35. Haskell (43.4 km from Red Deer)
36. George (43.7 km from Red Deer)
37. Collins (44.6 km from Red Deer)
38. Sylvan Lake Natural Area (44.7 km from Red Deer)
39. Crestomere Lake (45.6 km from Red Deer)
40. Bulka (46.3 km from Red Deer)
41. Dickson Dam Site 7 (46.5 km from Red Deer)
42. Ponoka Hospital Lands (46.6 km from Red Deer)
43. Kraft Wimborne Pond (47.5 km from Red Deer)
44. Raven Ridge (48.1 km from Red Deer)
45. Centennial Park Pond (48.2 km from Red Deer)
46. Kuhnen Natural Area (48.5 km from Red Deer)
47. Boyden (48.3 km from Red Deer)
48. Kemo (48.7 km from Red Deer)
49. Wood Lake (48.8 km from Red Deer)
50. Back Forty (49.7 km from Red Deer)

☆ Recommended Sites for Naturalists