Fret not about the name as the only smoke here is perhaps in the sausages. Kaskapite Sakigan, or Smoky Lake, in Cree was named for the mists that often obscure the opposite shore. Just an hour and a half east of Edmonton, Smoky Lake, Alberta makes for a great weekend getaway and escape from the city. Save money on gas, and head out for a fun, easy overnight with options on where to sleep, eat and experience life in rural Alberta.

Smoky Lake a Rural Escape from Edmonton with Plenty to do

Sleep Here

Hanmore Lake

Some of the 46 campsites here flank the lake, which means campers may have their own private beach or boat launch area. That, and dense with large mature trees, make Hanmore Lake one of the loveliest campsites in the region. At this recreational area 15 minutes north of Smoky Lake, spots, including pull thru, are available for both tent campers and RVers. All include firepits with firewood for sale. While here, you have options for boating and watersports, beach time, or relaxing by the fire and under the stars.

Smoky Lake Golf Course and RV Park

Check out its Stay and Play Packages before you get to this RV park next to a golf course. Set up just 5 minutes out of Smoky Lake, then walk to the clubhouse and links. The club house restaurant is open seven days a week and the nine hole course is great for kids and adults both.

Bonne Nuit Bed & Breakfast

If you prefer a non camping option, Bonne Nuit Bed & Breakfast offers elegant accommodation within a peaceful setting. Each room features a full bathroom, free Wifi, Google Home and smart TV. Bonne Nuit Bed & Breakfast is located right in Smoky Lake, close to shopping and dining within the town, only 15 minutes away from Hanmore Lake and 5 minutes to the golf course. The Iron Horse Trail access is only a few steps away and Métis Crossing (see Do This below) is less than 10 minutes away.

Eat Here

Besides the golf course clubhouse, Smoky Lake’s local restaurants offer tasty food options.

The Old-Fashioned Bread Bakery is a family-owned Ukrainian bakery that serves up freshly baked bread, donuts, muffins and handmade deli sandwiches. Dine outside the bakery on a shaded patio. Make lunch an apple fritter or check The Old-Fashioned Bread Bakery Facebook page for Soup of the Day posts!

The Smoky Lake Inn, a local favourite, features pub style food in a family-friendly atmosphere, with an outdoor patio. This cozy cafe is also just a minute walk from Pumpkin Park and the CN Rail Museum, a blast to the past.

Betsy’s Burger Shack is a casual and authentic drive-thru experience, with the best burgers in Alberta’s Lakeland, served by Betsy herself! Onion rings are a must try as is the pizza and one of the best selections of milkshake flavours around. Fresh, made on site and direct to you.

Linda’s Market Gardens and Serben Farms

Two farm fresh shops 5 minutes away from Smoky Lake Golf Course and RV Park and 15 minutes from Hanmore Lake campground, offer up some amazing fare for your own campground dinner. Grab an ice cream, fresh vegetables and fruit at Linda’s Market Gardens, and at Serben Farms, pick up some sweet chili and lime or apple and fennel gourmet sausages for the barbecue. This small family farm uses old-style, outdoor farming practices to create its fresh products. It is also one of the places you can get Just For Licks ice cream, hand made by a local small batch creamery!

The Smoky Lake Farmers’ Market takes place every Saturday and is a great place to stock up. Also make sure you check out these divine home made cheesecakes by Carmen’s Cheesecake at the Smoky Lake Pharmachoice.

Experience This

Shoot a Bow at Métis Crossing

The Métis Interpretive Centre, shares the history of Alberta’s Métis people. It opens at 11 am, but you can explore the riverside area on foot if you arrive earlier. Try the Métis Archery Program, or one of many other immersive experiences. Take a guided tour or spend the entire day partaking in the interactive display of Métis history and culture. Smoky Lake is a 10-minute drive north of Métis Crossing, which also has food and stay options.

Swing a Club

The Smoky Lake Golf Course & RV Park is a renowned course, with a scenic 9 holes and tough 8th, great for everyone, but perfect for the kids to try out too. Food in the clubhouse is excellent.

Splash Around

Swimming or playing in the water never gets old and Alberta’s Lakeland has so many to choose from. Apply sunscreen regularly and bring all the water toys you need. Paddling on canoes, kayaks or SUPs is also a ton of fun so bring those too. If you have a boat, Hanmore Lake allows motorized boats and fishing so don’t forget fishing gear, bait and tackle. For the younger kids, check out the Smoky Lake Spray Park.

Tune Your Rodeo Dial

The Smoky Lake Stampede is July 30 and 31st in 2022. The local stampede has an event slate that includes barrel racing, roping and bull riding, but also makes it fun for families to enter contests to push bales or eat donuts.

When you head in to Smoky for food, snap a pic among the giant pumpkins in Pumpkin Park. Watch out for ghosts when you visit the CN Museum, full of cool items used by the CN Railway in the 1900s. A ticket master’s wicket—once used to sell return tickets to Edmonton for $1.95—stands to the left of a pot-bellied stove in this reputedly haunted CN Station.

However you choose to explore or wherever you plan to stay, Smoky Lake, Alberta, and the rest of the Travel Lakeland area make for a great weekend getaway from Edmonton, or anywhere.