We’re glad to have you come explore our four-season playground. Visitors can take advantage of our long summer days by booking an early morning tee off, or doing an evening hike and watching the sun go down over the mountains in a radiant display of reds, pinks, and oranges. The fun doesn’t stop once the snow comes as there are a number of winter activities to do with the whole family. If you’re coming to visit Hinton, there is a recreational facility, outdoor space and attraction for any type of adventurer. You’ll be amazed at how many free activities and attractions there are to see and do in our community.
The Hinton Mountain Bike Association has established Hinton as one of the foremost mountain biking destinations in Western Canada with our vast trail network and Hinton Bike Park.
The bike trails in Hinton are constantly growing and are maintained and curated by a large team of passionate volunteers who aim to keep the trails safe and spectacular. Those who venture out can experience a mix of technical features and climbs in addition to smooth flowing track.
The biking experience within Hinton serves as a hub for other mountain bike adventures in Willam A. Switzer Park and other nearby areas.
There are a stunning assortment of different bird species that any enthusiast would happily enjoy in our region. Popular locations include the Beaver Boardwalk and wetlands area, and nearby William A. Switzer Park.
The local Whisky Jacks Club (birding/nature club) has identified over 156 different bird species at the Beaver Boardwalk area alone!
The Hinton Nordic Centre is located 20 minutes north of Hinton in nearby William A. Switzer Park. There are over 30 km of expertly groomed trails for skating and classic skiing, a large rustic day lodge, and a biathlon range. The trails have been recently upgraded to provide enjoyable skiing on novice to expert trails which have hosted national and world events. The club has an active Jackrabbit, Biathlon, and youth race program.
Hinton has a growing community in the Disc Golf scene, a fun sport for all ages to play and get outdoors. Maintained by the Hinton Disc Golf Association, this free to play course is right across from the Hinton Bike Park and features 18 holes on a technical course tucked into the woods with lots of trees and topography. Well marked, and easy to find, the disc-golf course is open all year round offering another four-season fun activity to experience while in Hinton.
The Hinton Golf Club is an 18 hole public golf course with a fantastic driving range & practice facility, golf shop & clubhouse for you to enjoy. Experience the tree lined fairways and mountain vistas that golfers have enjoyed for decades. After your tee time, enjoy a meal in the clubhouse and soak in the amazing panoramic mountain view. They have league nights and membership options available for all ages, lesson programs, and a fully stocked Golf Shop.
Whether you are looking for an easy hike around a lake, or a challenging multi-day trek over mountain summits, there is a seemingly endless trail network in Hinton and the surrounding area to explore.
If you’re looking for a hike within town, there’s no better place to start than the Beaver Boardwalk which acts as an access point to the Happy Creek trail system, with over 30 km of connecting singletrack trails and a wide range of options for all skill levels. A mix of rolling terrain, roots, climbs, boardwalks, and scenic viewpoints make this a local favourite for everyone.
Experience the natural beauty of Hinton and the Alberta Northern Rockies while enjoying a pleasant horseback ride. With many different horseback riding operators in the Hinton area there are plenty of opportunities for a variety of rides. Explore for an afternoon or head out on a multiple day pack trip.
Four season adventurers and extreme outdoor enthusiasts can challenge themselves in one of the most exhilarating winter sports: ice climbing. Jasper National Park is a wonderland for ice climbers. Every type of climb can be found for climbers at all skill levels, from long alpine ice routes to short bolted mix and dry tooling routes. Ice routes are generally in their best condition from December to March.
The Hinton area has plenty of all terrain vehicle (ATV) trails that range in distance and location and offer both challenging and scenic rides throughout the year.
Located in the Hinton area are a number of Forest Land Use Zones, including the Brule Lake area, the Athabasca Ranch area, and the Coal Branch area. These areas do have general ATV restrictions; however, they also include specific trails for ATV use.
Hinton Rafting Adventures offers a great way to discover Hinton from the land and water! Operating since 2016, this seasonal local tour operator runs family float trips on the historic Athabasca River. The tour starts and ends at the Hinton Visitor Information Centre so stop in and say hi and find out all there is to see and do in our area.
You don’t have to go far from Hinton into nearby Jasper National Park to find some of the best climbing in Canada.
The rock climbing season can begin as early as May, as the cliffs at the lower elevations along the east side of the park begin to dry off. However snow on approach trails and in some of the gullies can remain until June.
Higher alpine peaks (9000’+) only begin to come into reasonable summer conditions in late June and early July. The window for difficult alpine climbs is very limited.
Hinton is a dream location for running, and is home to a community of many passionate trail and road runners (many who are happy to provide advice).
Trail runners can take advantage of the Happy Creek Trail System, which offers over 30 km of challenging single and double track right in town, or the many other easily accessible trails in town. You could always consider a quick drive to some other hot spots too!
Road runners also have a good time with many challenging routes throughout Hinton’s different neighbourhoods, and a 400m outdoor track for those looking for speed workouts.
Skateboarding
Located right outside the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre in the Valley district is the Hinton Skate Park.
This free park is lit for night riding and divided into three sections: A 5′ snake pit, bowls with 8′ extensions, and a street section with ledges, rails, flatbanks, and pyramids.
There is also a pipe-vertical wall with a 3′ vertical with pool coping and tiles.
Skating
Hinton has two indoor arenas in the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre offering hockey, ringette, figure skating, public shinny/skating, and private rentals.
You can find free outdoor seasonal skating facilities at Maxwell Lake beside the Beaver Boardwalk where a beautiful skating oval is groomed and maintained by a local group of volunteers. There is also a season skating rink at Kinsmen Park in Hinton’s Valley district. In 2020 the Town of Hinton also built an outdoor skating oval called ‘The Pretzel’ down at the Hinton Centre Campground, also in the Valley District.
Swimming
Hinton is home to many popular indoor and outdoor options for swimming. The aquatic facility at the Dr. Duncan Murray Recreation Centre consists of a main 25m pool, shallow play pool, hot tub and steam room. The main pool has a 6 lane capacity, slide, tarzan rope, and rock climbing wall.
Some popular seasonal places to swim outdoors include Jarvis Lake and Kelley’s Bathtub in nearby William A. Switzer Park.
Tennis
Hinton has two outdoor hard court tennis facilities located at Harry Collinge High School in the Valley and at Gerard Redmond Community Catholic School in the Hill district.
Both tennis courts are seasonal, free of charge and are on a first-come, first-served basis.
The courts are also popular locations for playing pickleball.
The Airplay Trampoline Park in Hinton is a 15,000 sq. ft. indoor facility offering programs and fun for kids of all ages, and the whole family to enjoy.
Water Sports
With a backyard full of lakes and direct access to the famous Athabasca River, known for its rich history and stunning clarity near the mountains, there are numerous water activities available to you.
Kayaking, canoeing, stand up paddle boarding, boating, and rafting are among the many fun things to try when exploring our outdoor spaces.
Located 10 minutes west of Hinton, Alternative Adventures has been offering one-of-a-kind zipline experiences since 2008.
Unlike most other ziplines, where participants are attached to a cable and ride the downward slope in a sitting position, this zipline is engineered to give you a very unique experience by riding prone – giving the feeling of literally flying like a superhero.