Valleyview
Valleyview is a town of about 1900 people (2016) northwest of Edmonton in the Peace River Country of Alberta. Located between the Little Smoky River and Sturgeon Lake, Valleyview is an important junction as travelers from points south can connect to either the Alaska or Mackenzie Highway.
Understand
- π Valleyview Visitor Information Centre (2 km south of Valleyview on Highway #43), β +1 780 524-2410, vic@valleyview.ca. Jun-Aug: daily 10AM-6PM. Travel advice, road reports, weather, and local events. Sani dump station and potable water for RVs. Services in English and French. Come see the 65-km view, take your dog for a walk on leash and check out the original border crossing between Alberta and NWT in 1892. The border crossing also commemorates the original borders of Alberta and Saskatchewan before they were expanded to what they are today.
History
In the late 1800s, the first Europeans to visit the area arrived, seeking natives to exchange goods for furs. The trading was good and a Hudsonβs Bay Company post was established on Sturgeon Lake. βPeace River Jimβ Cornwall established the Bredin and Cornwall Trading Post nearby.
In 1916, the first pioneers settled in the area nearby as its soil was rich for farming.
Get in
By car
Valleyview is about 350 km (220 mi) northwest of Edmonton on Highway 43 at the junction of two major highways. Highway 43 turns west and continues to Grande Prairie, Dawson Creek, and the Alaska Highway; while Highway 49 heads north and connects to Highway 2 near Falher, where it connects to Peace River and the Mackenzie Highway.
By bus
- Ebus, toll-free: +1 877-769-3287. Operates several routes in British Columbia and Alberta. Operates a route between Grande Prairie and Edmonton including stops in Valleyview, Whitecourt, and Mayerthorpe.
- Cold Shot, β +1 587-557-7719, support@coldshot.ca. Operates bus services primarily in Alberta with some service reaching British Columbia. Operates a route several days per week between Grande Prairie and Edmonton including stops in Valleyview and Whitecourt.
Do
- Greenview Regional Multiplex, a recreational centre opened in 2018, with aquatics, a fieldhouse, a play area, a commercial kitchen, and a fitness centre located on the second floor.
- The Polar Palace ice rink is where the Valleyview's hockey team (the Valleyview Jets) plays regular games in the Peace Region league. Also located in the ice rink is a curling rink which has regular bonspiels.
- Next door to the Polar Palace is the local pool, which is on the same grounds as the lovely Legion picnic area and water park.
The nearby Sturgeon Lake provides setting for outdoor activities. Two provincial parks are found on its shores:
- π Young's Point Provincial Park, Township Road 710A & Range Road 243 (26 km west of Valleyview on Hwy 43 and 10 km northeast on an access road (turn right at Sturgeon Heights)), β +1 780-538-5350. Beach, boating, fishing, camping, three trails (2.5-7 km). Camp sites suited to RVs and tents, including unserviced, powered, and lakeside options. The campground is surrounded by mixed-wood forest and most sites are well-treed. Explore the trails for walking, mountain biking and cross-country skiing through the forest. Enjoy sailing, boating, water skiing and other water activities. An observation deck at the beaver pond is a great spot for bird watching.
- π Williamson Provincial Park (20 km west of Valleyview, turn right on Road 242A), β +1 780-538-5350. Beach, boating, fishing, camping,
Eat
- Travellers Restaurant, 3802 Hwy St, β +1 780-524-4465. Daily 6AM-11PM. Popular with truck drivers.
- Tall Timber, 4906 50 Ave, β +1 780-524-2543. M-Th 8AM-5PM, F 8AM-10PM. Cafe with soups, quiche, panini and espresso.
- Western Valley Bar & Grill, 5404 Highway Street, β +1 780-524-2523. Daily 5:30AM-11PM. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wing Wednesdays and daily specials, the Bar & Grill offers a diverse menu of Canadian and Korean food.
Sleep
- π Horizon Inn 1, 5204 Highway St, β +1 780-524-3904, toll-free: +1-888-909-3908, horizoninn1@gmail.com.
- π Horizon Inn 2, 4606 50 Ave, β +1 780-524-3383.
- π Paradise Inn & Suites Hotel, 3609 Highway Street, β +1 780-552-2338. Onsite 24-hour Tim Horton restaurant, complimentary deluxe continental breakfast with waffle bar, waterslide, hot tub, free high speed Wi-Fi, fitness centre, pet friendly, free parkings with hookup, free local phone, flatscreen TV, mini-fridge & microwave, full kitchen available, accessible rooms. From $118.
- π Shamrock Motel, 4710 50 Street, β +1 780-524-5700. On-site Chinese restaurant, free Wi-Fi in all areas. A microwave and a refrigerator are included in each guest room. Valleyview Airport is 3.5 km away. From $65.
- π Western Valley Inn, 5404 Highway St, β +1 780-524-4000, toll-free: +1-888-524-4442, westernvalleyinn@hotmail.com. 24-hour fitness facility, coin laundry, pet friendly. All rooms include a 52 inch flat-screen TV, refrigerator, microwave, Keurig coffee/tea brewing machine, free wireless internet and free hot breakfast From $140.
Go next
Routes through Valleyview |
Dawson Creek β Grande Prairie β | W S | β Whitecourt β Edmonton |
Dawson Creek / Peace River via β Falher β | N S | β END |