Athabasca

The town is home to Athabasca University, a major centre for distance education and the town's largest employer.

History

Unlike many other towns in Alberta, Athabasca predates the railway. It was the terminus of the Edmonton to Athabasca Landing trail. Athabasca lies on a southern protrusion of the Athabasca River. During the fur trade era, when rivers were the principal means of transportation, the Athabasca–Edmonton trail connected two different drainage basins. The Athabasca River flows north and is part of the Mackenzie River watershed, which leads to the Arctic Ocean. Edmonton lies across a height-of-land on the North Saskatchewan River in the Nelson River drainage basin, which empties into Hudson Bay. Edmonton was in Rupert's Land but not Athabasca. The trail allowed goods to be portaged back and forth between river systems. Once agricultural settlement occurred, the trail served a similar purpose. Eventually, road and rail links would trace the same path.
The Athabasca Heritage Society has put up signs through the downtown as well as along the riverfront that explain and depict the history. It has also published a historical walking tour that is available from the town office, library and visitor information centre.

By car

It is 145 km (90 mi) north of Edmonton at the intersection of Highway 2 and Highway 55, on the banks of the Athabasca River.

Walk or drive.

• 49th Street Grill

  phone: +1 780-675-5418
  address: 4901 - 49th Street
  Chicken or pork souvlaki; pizza.

• Anne's Fine Dining (Green Spot)

  phone: +1 780-675-3040
  address: 4820 - 51 Street
  Canadian, Italian, Greek and Irish cuisine.

• Athabasca Burger Bar

  address: 4719 - 50 Street
  Fast food

• Athabasca Hillside Motel

  phone: +1 780-675-5111
  address: 4804 - 46 A Avenue
  20-room motel built on the side of a hill with a panoramic view of the river valley. Some rooms have kitchenettes.

• Athabasca Lodge Motel

  phone: +1 780-675-2266
  address: 4004 - Hwy #2 South
  Continental breakfast with seasonal fruit included. 32 rooms, air-conditioning, fridge, microwave, LED TV, fitness room, laundry room, kitchenettes, cable TV.