Fort Chipewyan

Canada

Fort Chipewyan is a hamlet on the western shores of Lake Athabasca 250 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta. It had a population of 852 in 2016.

Aerial view of Fort Chipewyan Fort Chipewyan is one of the oldest European settlements in Alberta. It was established in 1788 as a Northwest Company trading post. Most locals are native Cree or Chipewyan.

  • Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum, 109 Mackenzie Ave, +1 780-697-3844. A replica of the Hudson's Bay Store created by the Fort Chipewyan Historical Society to commemorate the post's 1988 bicentennial. By donation.
  • Egg Island Ecological Reserve, +1 780-743-7437. Small ecological reserve established on Lake Athabasca to protect a major breeding colony of Caspian terns, a "vulnerable species".
  • Old Fort Point. The site of the first Fort Chipewyan established in 1788 by Roderick Mackenzie, southeast of Fort Chipewyan. It is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. Historic places in the community include the site of the third Fort Chipewyan established in 1803, the Anglican Church built in 1880 and Day School built in 1874, and the Roman Catholic Mission Church built in 1909.

Fort Chipewyan Bicentennial Museum, 109 Mackenzie Ave, +1 780-697-3844. A replica of the Hudson's Bay Store created by the Fort Chipewyan Historical Society to commemorate the post's 1988 bicentennial. By donation.

Egg Island Ecological Reserve, +1 780-743-7437. Small ecological reserve established on Lake Athabasca to protect a major breeding colony of Caspian terns, a "vulnerable species".

Old Fort Point. The site of the first Fort Chipewyan established in 1788 by Roderick Mackenzie, southeast of Fort Chipewyan. It is designated a National Historic Site of Canada. Historic places in the community include the site of the third Fort Chipewyan established in 1803, the Anglican Church built in 1880 and Day School built in 1874, and the Roman Catholic Mission Church built in 1909.

  • Visit Wood Buffalo National Park, the largest national park of Canada, which is about the size of Denmark. It is home to the world's largest herd of free roaming wood bison, estimated at more than 5,000. It is one of two known nesting sites of whooping cranes. Access to the park from fort Chp is via the winter road, or by motorboat or canoe in summer.

  • Fort Chipewyan Winter Carnival. Late February; jigging, trap-setting, snowmobile racing, and moose calling. $5 button.

Fort Chipewyan Winter Carnival. Late February; jigging, trap-setting, snowmobile racing, and moose calling. $5 button.

  • Northern Store, +1 780-697-3687. Come and marvel at the prices in this grocery store -- $10 for four tomatoes, seedless grapes for $13 -- and see why high food prices are an issue in northern communities.

Northern Store, +1 780-697-3687. Come and marvel at the prices in this grocery store -- $10 for four tomatoes, seedless grapes for $13 -- and see why high food prices are an issue in northern communities.

Chips Family Restaurant, 108 Flett St, +1 780-697-0233.

Miss Mah's, 164-188 MacKenzie Ave.

  • Athabasca Cafe & Dining Lounge. Pub & bar.

Athabasca Cafe & Dining Lounge. Pub & bar.