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Inside Passages
Speeding along asphalt and gravel all day can exhaust even the most avid roadtripper. Why not slow down and float for a while? Alberta Transportation operates seven river ferries throughout the province from spring to mid-November. The brief boat-trips offer a welcome, waterborne reprieve from the road if you happen to be touring nearby.
• Bleriot Ferry: When traipsing through the Drumheller region on the Dinosaur Trail (Hwy. 838), head past Horsethief Canyon to the Bleriot Ferry. The short ride crosses Red Deer River.
• Klondyke Ferry: Start the day at the Barrhead Museum learning about the pioneering history of the area’s settlers. Then take Hwy. 769 north via Vega to the Klondyke Ferry crossing. The short ride across the Athabasca River deposits travellers minutes from the Fort Assiniboine Sandhills Wildland Provincial Park, a popular quadding destination. Take Hwy. 661 to the Fort Assiniboine Friendship Museum.
• Crowfoot Ferry: About a 20-minute drive from Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park Interpretive Centre (the site of a historic peace-treaty signing in 1877), the Crowfoot Ferry crosses Bow River.
• Finnegan Ferry: With the town of Brooks about a 45-minute drive south, and Drumheller the same distance to the north, Finnegan Ferry is one of the more remote crossings. However, for those who do make the trek, the small town of Gem welcomes visitors on the south side of the river. Take Hwy. 862 to get there.
• LaCrete Ferry: About 70 km southwest of the Mennonite community of La Crete, passengers can hop aboard LaCrete Ferry and cross the Peace River. Overnight at the recently expanded LaCrete Ferry Campground.
• Shaftesbury Ferry: Explore Peace River’s missionary past along Shaftesbury Trail (Hwy. 684), stopping at St. Augustine Catholic mission and the cairn of Scottish explorer Sir Alexander Mackenzie. When you get to Bricks Hill, take Hwy. 740 to the ferry landing, where you can board the Shaftesbury Ferry to cross the Peace River.
• Rosevear Ferry: A 15-minute drive outside of Edson, the Rosevear Ferry crossing attracts its fair share of tourists from around the world. Many on their way to Jasper National Park make a detour to cross McLeod River.
Contact Alberta Transportation for more information.
