Highway 16 – The Yellowhead
Heading east out of Edmonton on the Yellowhead Highway, the Strathcona Wilderness Centre, Cooking Lake – Blackfoot Recreation Area, Elk Island National Park and the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village are all worthy of day-long outings, especially if you’re looking for a quick getaway from the city. After Ross Creek it’s clear sailing through classic prairie to the Mundare turn-off (see the Highway 15 tour), the Parkland Conservation Farm, and on to Vegreville: home of the giant Ukrainian Easter Egg, and an International Peace Park. And there’s lots of great shopping too! Continuing deeper into Minburn County, take a drive up Akasu Hill, near Lavoy the highest point in the landscape between the Canadian Shield and the foothills of the Rockies.
Skirting south of Ranfurly, be sure to pull off at the viewpoint overlooking Birch Lake, south of Innisfree, where you can picnic or camp at the campground. Go for a hike or swim at the nearby Wapasu Lake Recreation Area, then head into town to see the Bank Museum. Afterwards enjoy the undulating landscape as you travel by Minburn to Mannville, where the golfing is spectacularly scenic. If you are looking for a hotel, motel or campground as a base from which to explore Kalyna Country, Vermilion and Lloydminster have a selection of accommodations to choose from. You’ll enjoy the attractions and the driving down the Yellowhead Highway which is completely divided between Edmonton and Lloydminster.