Athabasca River

The Athabasca River is one of Canada’s major rivers. It begins in the Columbia Icefield in the Rocky Mountains of Jasper National Park and flows more than 1,000 kilometers north to Lake Athabasca in the province of Alberta. Along the way, the river becomes part of the Athabasca oil sands, the world’s largest body of crude oil. From there, the river is joined by other rivers including the Hinton, Athabasca, Pembina and Athabasca Canyon. Along its course, the river runs through a variety of landscapes including mountains, forests and wetlands, creating a diverse array of habitats and wildlife. During the summer months, the river is popular with white-water rafting and canoeists, while its shorelines offer plenty of opportunities for a variety of activities including camping, fishing, hiking and wildlife viewing. Wildlife includes grizzly bears, black bears, wolves, wolverines, moose, elk, beavers, bald eagles, osprey and sandhill cranes. The Athabasca River is also one of the clearest and cleanest rivers in Canada. Whether by car or on foot, visitors can enjoy its natural beauty for hours.