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Discover the perfect family adventure with kid-friendly canoe trips on the Peace River. This scenic waterway offers gentle currents, breathtaking landscapes, and abundant wildlife, making it an ideal destination for paddlers of all ages.

Whether you’re introducing your children to the joys of canoeing or looking for a relaxing way to explore nature together, these trips provide a safe and memorable experience for everyone.

Join us as we navigate through the best routes, and must-see spots for a fun-filled family outing on the Peace River.

Cotillion Park to Many Islands Park

Paddling Distance: Approx. 35km Paddling Time: 4-8 hours

Cotillion Park is an excellent place to start a day on the river. This area offers both serviced and unserviced RV and tent sites, complete with firepits, firewood, picnic tables, washrooms, a shower house, picnic areas, hiking trails, and a playground. Shortly after you embark from this site, you will be able to see hoodoos, plenty of islands, and local wildlife such as deer, moose, and eagles.

The Many Islands Recreation Area features camping sites with all the necessary camping amenities. This campground offers beautiful scenery and is a great location to spend a couple nights at after exploring the waterway. 

Many Islands Park to Pratt’s Landing 

Paddling Distance: Approx. 43km Paddling Time: 4-8 hours

This is an excellent route if you’re looking for a slightly challenging paddle with interesting pitstops along the way. Stop and enjoy lunch at Carter Camp, a historical location with camping accommodations such as bathrooms, picnic tables, fire pits and firewood, a picnic area, and a playground. Docking your boat is convenient with ample space amid river rocks and gravel, perfect for exploring before heading to the campsites. You can stretch your legs, discover new sights, and add an adventurous twist to your journey here.

As you get closer to Pratt’s Landing, you can also stop at Fourth Creek, which is an extremely scenic location only accessible by river. You’ll be able to see a carved canyon that’s filled with diverse wildlife, trees, hoodoos, and caves. Hiking is encouraged if you decide to stop for a while, but camping and building fires is not permitted.

Ending at Pratt’s Landing, this campground offers all traditional amenities: RV and tent spots, picnic tables, fire pits, picnic areas, a playground, hiking trails, and a versatile boat launch for both power boats and canoes. Alongside the river, a spacious, gravel shoreline makes it easy to stop and dock at. 

Pratt’s Landing to Dunvegan Historical Park

Paddling Distance: Approx. 28km Paddling Time: 3-6 hours

This is an ideal, short paddle for families, with minimal distance to shuttle a second vehicle. The best part is that it ends at a historical park with a full campground, playground, and market gardens. 

After leaving Pratt’s Landing, you will be greeted with towering riverbanks and beautiful riverbends. This section of the river is extremely scenic, and paddlers of all ages will appreciate their surroundings, as well as the frequent sightings of wildlife along the water. 

As you approach Dunvegan, you will be greeted by the iconic suspension bridge and will be able to dock at the well-maintained boat launch before touring this area. With almost 70 power RV stalls, tap water, a sani-dump station, a playground, toilets, and walking paths, you can end your river journey here and stay a few nights.

Just past the campground is Dunvegan Market Gardens, where you will find a greenhouse, a mini golf course, and a restaurant in operation during the summer months. Rich in history, you can also tour the Maples Recreation Area and spend time learning about the historical sites there. 

Elk Island Park to Tangent Park

Paddling Distance: Approx. 37km Paddling Time: 3.5-7 hours

For families who don’t want to paddle too far away from civilization, this is an excellent route. This section has plenty of interesting stops to spend time at and ends at a beautiful campground beside the Shaftesbury Ferry. Elk Island Park offers basic camping sites and an easy location to launch your canoes or kayaks. 

Paddlers on this route can dock at several islands, including Sand Island and Mushikitee Island, perfect for peaceful and scenic pitstops. As you float by Shaftesbury Settlement, modern houses along the left shore are visible from the river. A paved road, Secondary Highway #684, runs along this shore and leads into the Town of Peace River. Should you need it, you can dock and walk to the highway from anywhere along the shore.

Tangent Park, a beautifully developed camping and public use park, is among the most well-equipped campgrounds along the river. Accessible via Secondary Highway #741 and from the river itself, the campground features RV and tent sites, power hookups, fire pits with firewood, picnic tables, washrooms, tap water, a telephone, playground, slow pitch ball diamond, hiking trails, and an onsite caretaker.

Tangent Park to Lower West Peace Boat Launch, Town of Peace River

Paddling Distance: Approx. 23km Paddling Time: 2.5-5 hours

Offering a short, scenic paddle suitable for children of all ages, this stretch of the river is one that holds significant historical locations and landmarks. 

Along this route you will be able to see the Mackenzie Lookout, where men from Fort Fork used to watch for Alexander Mackenzie’s return during the summer of 1793. You will also be able to paddle past the Mackenzie Cairn and the originally site of where Fort Fork stood, which was built in 1792 as winter quarters for Alexander Mackenzie. 

At about the halfway mark is Strong Creek Park, which is located on the left shore. This fantastic spot offers RV and tent camping, a new playground, direct access from Secondary Highway #684, picnic facilities, fire pits with firewood, outhouses, a water pump, baseball diamonds, and hiking trails. A beloved local favorite, this park boasts some of the finest scenery in the Peace Region. This is a great place to stop and explore before finishing your paddle to the Town of Peace River. 

The Lower West Peace Boat Launch features porta-potties, a spacious floating dock with benches, and ample boat docking and vehicle parking space. It’s a popular summer destination for locals who come to enjoy the scenic views and is maintained by the Peace River Boating Association.

 

From tranquil paddling routes to scenic picnic spots and opportunities to spot local wildlife, these trips promise cherished moments for all ages. Whether you’re discovering historical landmarks, enjoying leisurely paddles, or simply basking in the beauty of nature, the Peace River provides an ideal backdrop for family bonding and outdoor fun.

Start planning your next adventure today and create lasting memories on these kid-friendly canoe trips along one of the best waterways in Alberta.