| The Deh Cho Trail meanders through the boreal | | | | and ranch vacations. Heading north on Highway 35, |
| forest, pristine rivers, former gold rush towns and | | | | motorists will pass through a string of towns such as |
| Aboriginal culture of northern Alberta. Travel Alberta | | | | Manning and High Level that played a key role in |
| offers insights into the highlights and navigation | | | | connecting communities during the fur-trade and Gold |
| secrets of the trail. Exploring this trail with an RV | | | | Rush era. East of High Level is the town of Fort |
| gives you a window on a magnificent world. There's | | | | Vermilion, which competes with the northern hamlet |
| a bear grazing on the side of the road, munching | | | | of Fort Chipewyan as the oldest settlement in |
| contentedly on grass. And just yesterday, you got | | | | Alberta. Fort Vermilion was founded as a North West |
| the rare chance to watch a gangly mother moose | | | | Company trading post in the late 1700s; historic |
| and her calf wade on the banks of a crystal-clear | | | | buildings dot the town and the restored General |
| lake. Driving an RV along the Deh Cho Trail in | | | | Store is a popular refueling stop for travelers. The |
| northern Alberta affords moments like these at | | | | Fort Vermilion Heritage Centre boasts tales from the |
| every bend in the road. The rugged landscape - while | | | | town's founding days, as well as a unique |
| vast and remote - is a modern-day explorer's dream, | | | | experimental farm collection dating back to 1907. |
| a land steeped in the unique culture and history of | | | | North of High Level, the Deh Cho Trail crosses into |
| the region's early inhabitants and the traders and | | | | the Northwest Territories at the 60th parallel, which |
| prospectors that followed. For those who do not | | | | is denoted with a bustling visitor centre. From here, |
| own an RV of their own, there are RV rentals | | | | Highway 35 becomes the N.W.T. Highway 1, which |
| available throughout Alberta. Throughout your | | | | winds through communities such as Fort Smith - a |
| adventures you will find accommodations to suit | | | | gateway to Wood Buffalo National Park - and Fort |
| every need. Whether you're traveling by car, bus or | | | | Simpson, a popular jumping-off point for travelers |
| RV/motorhome, this 1,800-kilometre (1,118-mile) circle | | | | exploring Nahanni National Park. From there, the route |
| route is a classic road trip for adventure-seekers who | | | | loops through communities such as Fort Liard - home |
| like to walk (and drive) on the wild side. This journey | | | | to its famous hot springs and river - and south into |
| through the Canadian North thanks to its vast boreal | | | | the neighboring province of British Columbia. The city |
| forests, mighty rivers, pristine lakes and rolling | | | | of Dawson Creek, B.C., marks the start of the |
| prairies, rivals other classic driving routes such as the | | | | Alaska Highway, and travelers frequently stop |
| Alaska Highway, Aptly named, the Deh Cho | | | | downtown to get their photo taken at the Mile Zero |
| (pronounced Day-Cho) is an Aboriginal term for 'big | | | | Signpost. (There's also a visitor centre, museum and |
| river', representing the Mackenzie River region | | | | pioneer village). Three hours later, travelers are back |
| through which travelers will pass on their 12- | | | | in Alberta's Grande Prairie, an urban oasis of 35,000 |
| to-14-day journey. This driving trek is sprinkled with | | | | people that boasts several campgrounds as well as |
| scenic campgrounds and RV parks - a testament to | | | | an assortment of hotels and motels. Check out the |
| the countless tourists who drive the route each year. | | | | city's history at the Pioneer Museum, or head to |
| Officially, the trail loop begins in the town of | | | | Muskoseepi Park to bird-watch and catch some rays. |
| Grimshaw, 440 kilometers (270 miles) north of the | | | | From here, the road jogs north again back to |
| provincial capital of Edmonton. (Check out Grimshaw's | | | | Grimshaw, passing through classic prairie towns such |
| Mile Zero Antique Truck Museum, which boasts an | | | | as Fairview, home to Dunvegan - an interactive |
| eclectic collection of old vehicles. A few kilometers to | | | | interpretive centre that recreates life in the 19th |
| the east is Peace River, a former gold-rush town | | | | century. Those who are still in 'go' mode can continue |
| from which explorer Alexander Mackenzie launched | | | | their drive through several routes: from Grande Prairie |
| his epic journey to the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can | | | | south on Highway 40 to the city of Grande Cache, a |
| delve into the past at the Peace River Centennial | | | | journey that meanders past pristine areas such as |
| Museum and Archives, which boasts interpretive | | | | Willmore Wilderness Park and onto Jasper National |
| displays on the region's Aboriginal culture, early | | | | Park; or southeast on Highway 2 through Slave Lake |
| explorers, fur trade and northern transportation. | | | | and Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park for great |
| There's also a restored railway station, dating back to | | | | camping, world-class boating, fishing and beaches, plus |
| 1916, as well as the grave and statue | | | | an annual sandcastle-building festival each summer) |
| commemorating a local character named 12-foot | | | | and Athabasca to Edmonton. To sign up to receive |
| Davis, who found riches - and fame - in the | | | | Travel Alberta Adventure Advisor newsletter with |
| mid-1800s, when gold was discovered in the Peace | | | | travel updates, holiday tips and vacation deals in |
| River. The town, situated at the confluence of three | | | | Alberta visit: For more information or Alberta Travel |
| rivers, is well suited to recreation lovers - boasting | | | | Planning visit: Are you a media person who requires |
| world-class fishing and boating as well as hunting, golf | | | | more information? |