Athabasca

Athabasca is a town situated along the Athabasca River in northern Alberta surrounded by boreal forest. The settlement lies at an elevation of about 515 meters and is crossed by Highway 2 and Highway 55.

The Hudson's Bay Company established a warehouse in 1876 that grew into a trading post, becoming the northern transport hub by 1889. This early commerce shaped the town's founding and growth.

The downtown core serves as a gathering place where locals shop and socialize in restored buildings from the early 1900s. These brick structures reflect the community's connection to its rebuilt past and remain central to daily life.

The town is easy to reach from Edmonton via Highway 2 and offers services along the main road corridor. Hotels and shops cluster in the downtown area where you can walk around.

A major fire in 1913 destroyed most of the businesses and forced the town to rebuild. This disaster led to the construction of a new business district designed with the standards of that era.

Location: Athabasca County

Inception: 1877

Elevation above the sea: 515 m

Shares border with: Wabasca-Desmarais

Website: http://athabasca.ca

GPS coordinates: 54.71972,-113.28556

Latest update: December 15, 2025 13:23