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Athabasca Dunes Ecological Reserve

Alberta Parks
Fire Ban in Effect: Learn more

Information & Facilities

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Athabasca Dunes ER
Athabasca Dunes ER
Athabasca Dunes
Athabasca Dunes ER
Athabasca Dunes ER
Information: 403-743-7437
Directions
Approximately 160 km north of Ft. McMurray, east of the Athabasca River

Activities

No Fires  No Fires
Hiking - Backcountry  Hiking - Backcountry
  • Permitted activities may vary within a park. Please confirm details with park staff.
    • Note: Overnight camping and open fires are prohibited in Ecological Reserves.
    • Access: Accessing Athabasca Dunes by road is extremely difficult. The winter road from Fort McMurray to Fort Chipewyan provides some access. Public access within the Ecological Reserve is restricted to foot travel. Motorized vehicles and boats are not permitted.
    • Birding: Pine marten are known to frequent the area. Most small lakes in the Reserve have nesting pairs of loons. Nighthawks nest throughout the jack pine forests. Common terns, willow ptarmigan, Bonaparte's gull and greater yellowlegs are fairly common. Sandhill cranes are also believed to nest in the area.
    • Wildlife Viewing: Wildlife species and populations are not extensive as a result of the lack of habitat diversity. Red squirrels are very common. Beavers, muskrats, black bears, red fox, lynx, wolves, moose and mink are known to frequent the area.

Events

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No upcoming events at this time.

Maps & Guides

Updated: Aug 25, 2026
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