Ponoka
Ponoka is a town of 7,200 (2016) in the Central Corridor region of Alberta. Ponoka is an agricultural community in the scenic Battle River valley between Red Deer and Edmonton.
Understand
Get in
By plane
The nearest international airport is the Edmonton International Airport (YEG IATA), 50 minutes to the north in Leduc.
- 1 Ponoka Industrial Airport (Labrie Field). Small airport for private aircraft.
By car
Ponoka is on Highway 2 (Queen Elizabeth II Highway), about 1 hour south of Edmonton and 40 minutes north of Red Deer.
Get around
Ponoka has taxi service but no public transit.
See
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- Lions Centennial Park (Hwy 2A between 48 Ave & 53 Ave). A major park along the west side of Highway 2A.
- The Legacy. Self-proclaimed World's Largest Bucking Saddle Bronc And Rider.
- Fort Ostell Museum, 5320 54 St, ☏ +1 403-783-5224. May-Sept: M-F 10AM-5PM; Oct-May: Tu-Th 1-4PM. The museum's name comes from the original Fort Ostell that was built near Ponoka during the Riel Rebellion in 1885. The museum displays many local area pioneer and native artifacts and photos. It is also home to the "Alberta Mental Hospital Museum" collection (collection of artifacts and archived material from 1911 to present day).
Do
- Ponoka Golf Club, 3519 46 St, ☏ +1 403-783-4626. Located in the Scenic Battle River valley, the 18-hole course offers a mix of parkland and rolling links- style holes.
- Wolf Creek Golf Resort, Morningside (10 minutes south of Ponoka near Morningside), toll-free: +1-866-783-6050. Scottish links style golf in the heartland of Alberta. Challenge yourself on the same fairways that hosted the world’s best young touring professionals for years at the Alberta Open. 27 hole course with an RV Resort on site.
Events
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- Ponoka Stampede, 5616 39 Ave, ☏ +1 403-783-0100, stampede@ponokastampede.com. end of June and beginning of July to coincide with Canada Day (July 1) long weekend. The Ponoka Stampede is a 7-day rodeo plays host to rodeo competitors and fans from across Canada, the US and Australia. It features a midway and other activities and is among the five largest rodeos worldwide for payouts.
Buy
- Downtown Ponoka. Small collection of specialty and niche shops.
Eat
- Old Iron Horse Restaurant & Lounge, 6000 48 Ave, ☏ +1 403-783-4766. M-Sa 11AM-11PM. Canadian
- Pizza D'oro Pizza & Pasta, #7 5103 48 Ave, ☏ +1 403-783-4460. M-Th Sa 3-11PM; F 11AM-11PM; Su 4-10PM.
- Ranchers Castle, 2B-4213 Hwy 2A, ☏ +1 403-783-2579. Tu-Sa 7AM-9PM. Steakhouse
- Seasoning Pot, 5021 51 Ave, ☏ +1 403-783-8788. M-F 11AM-8:30PM, Sa Su noon-8:30PM. Chinese
Drink
- The Hitchin' Post Saloon & Grill, 4405 Hwy 2A, ☏ +1 403-783-3800. Su-F 9AM-11PM, Sa 9AM-3AM.
Sleep
- Canalta Hotel, #1 6707 Hwy 53 (west side of Ponoka, just off Hwy 2), ☏ +1 403-704-1177. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.
- Dino's Motor Inn, 4405 Hwy 2A, ☏ +1 403-704-1300.
- Stampeder Inn, 4215 63 St, ☏ +1 403-783-5535, toll-free: +1-877-783-5533, manager@stampederinn.com.
- Western Budget, 4205 64 St, ☏ +1 403-783-8382, ponokamanager@westernbudget.ca.
Connect
Nearby
Bashaw
Bashaw is 52 km (32 mi) east of Ponoka on Highway 53.
- Bashaw Fire Hall Museum, 5018 50 St, Bashaw, ☏ +1 780-226-5661. Summer: W-Sa 10AM-4PM. The Fire Hall was built in 1914, it plays host to summer activities for young and old. Tours available during the summer.
- Majestic Theatre, 5110 50 St, Bashaw, ☏ +1 780-372-4341. A rural, wood frame "Boomtown" style of theatre, is now believed to be the last remaining theatre of its kind in western Canada. It is a restored building that hosts many events, including a monthly dance and jam, theatre performances, concerts, and many other exciting opportunities.
Go next
| Routes through Ponoka |
| Edmonton ← Leduc ← | N  S |
→ Lacombe → Red Deer → Calgary |
| Leduc ← Wetaskiwin ← | N  S |
→ Lacombe → Red Deer |
ENDS at N  S ← Rimbey ← |
W  E |
→ Donalda−Forestburg → ENDS at N  S |