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Spray Park in Fort McMurray
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Recreation Resources

Wood Buffalo has many recreational opportunities for both indoors and outdoors sports, fitness and play.

Parks & Trails

Wood Buffalo's natural setting makes it a great place to enjoy the outdoors year-round. With 400 hectares of parks it is perfect for outdoor activities like fishing, snowmobiling, golfing and wildlife watching.

A trail system that runs 130 km through the main service area of Fort McMurray lets residents enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, walking, cycling, and cross-country skiing.  The Birchwood Trails offer endless opportunities for exploring the beautiful surroundings of the region. 

Borealis Park is an outdoor recreation park in Fort McMurray that is a great place for kids. The skateboard park and jungle theme park are examples of the many activities offered at Borealis Park. 

Outdoor Activities

Whether it's on a grassy turf, on the ice or even in the bush, Wood Buffalo residents make the most of the outdoor recreation opportunities found in the region.

  • Miskanaw Golf Club is an 18-hole golf course at MacDonald Island Park in Fort McMurray. Fort McMurray Golf Clubs is a semi-private 18-hole golf course in Fort McMurray. Quarry Ridge is an 18-hole golf course in Fort McMurray.
  • Vista Ridge All Season Park is a downhill ski centre located southeast of Fort McMurray.
  • There are a number of campgrounds in Wood Buffalo.
  • There are 2 indoor rinks, 6 outdoor boarded skating rinks and 18 outdoor community rinks in Fort McMurray.
  • Canada's largest outdoor gym is located in the Birchwood Trails in Fort McMurray. The Green Gym features 53 units of exercise equipment, including wheelchair accessible equipment.

Recreation Programs

The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo operates recreation centres across Wood Buffalo that run seasonal recreation programs.

  • MacDonald Island WaterparkMacDonald Island Park is Canada's largest recreation centre for indoor and outdoor recreation. It includes the Suncor Community Leisure Centre, the Syncrude Aquatics Centre and the Miskanaw Golf Club. The facility offers many activities like swimming, running, racquetball, squash, golf, hockey, curling, hiking, cross country skiing, tennis and baseball. Please visit MacDonald Island for more information. 
  • The Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre is a recreation centre at Keyano College that is dedicated to promoting health, fitness and sports excellence.  Please visit the Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre for more information on the available programs and facilities.
  • The Fort McMurray Minor Hockey Association offers Novice, Atom, Peewee, Bantam and Midget hockey.
  • The Archie Simpson Arena is a recreation centre in Fort Chipewyan.
  • The Haxton Centre is a community facility open year-round. It has many recreation and culture programs.
  • The Wood Buffalo Adventure Club is an outdoor adventure club.
  • YMCA of Wood Buffalo offers recreation programs and services.
  • Alberta Sport Development Centre Northeast is a training, testing and education centre for athletes and coaches at Keyano College.

There are many other sports and fitness clubs and centres in the Wood Buffalo region, including swimming, canoeing, running, cycling, hockey and lacrosse and soccer as well as many other sports and activities. These groups organize local tournaments, leagues and competitions. People who participate in sports at a Provincial or National level will need to travel outside Wood Buffalo for meets and competitions.

Youth & Community Programs

Fort McMurray has plenty of activities to help children and youth burn off some energy, make new friends and participate in recreation and competition.
  • The YMCA of Wood Buffalo offers a number of programs for youth.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters Association of Wood Buffalo provides mentoring programs for the youth of Wood Buffalo.
  • The Anzac Li’l Lakers Family Resource Centre offers a variety of youth & family programs.
  • The Fort McKay Wellness Centre offers many after school programs for youth age 6-17.
  • Fort McMurray Boys and Girls Club offers programs for children 0-18.
  • Girls Incorporated of Northern Alberta offers programs for girls between 6-17.
  • MacDonald Island Park offers youth programs and children's programs, including both indoor and outdoor adventures.
  • Volunteer Wood Buffalo is an association promoting volunteering in Wood Buffalo. They offer an online search tool that lists many local programs and services.

Community Events, Arts and Culture


Wood Buffalo has community events happening year-round. See Arts and Culture for more information. Events Wood Buffalo also has information about activities and events happening around the region.