Sundre is a town of about 2,700 people (2016) in the Rocky Mountain foothills of Foothills region of Alberta, Canada.

Understand

Sundre is an emerging resort town on the Red Deer River. It was established by cowboys, rangers and a Norwegian postman. In the summer its small population of 2,700 is joined by a constant stream of campers, hikers, "just-out-of-college" back-packers, cowboys, golfers, art lovers, and international tourists. Its commercial centre is the 2nd largest in the region and it is just possible that there are more stores, coffee shops and services than residents.

Get in

By plane

The nearest international airport is the Calgary International Airport (YYC ^IATA), located an hour and a half away.

• 1 Sundre Airport (located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) southwest of Sundre). Small airport for private aircraft, operated by Mountain View County (updated Oct 2019)

By car

A car is essential; rentals are available in Calgary and Red Deer. Sundre is about 120 km (75 mi) northwest of Calgary; travellers have the option to take Highway 2 north to Highway 27 at Olds (exit 340) and then head west, or for a more scenic route take Highway 1A to Cochrane and follow Highway 22 north.

See

• 1 Bergen International Sculpture Garden (from Sundre, 6.6 km south on Hwy 760, 1.6 km west on Twp Rd 322, 350 m south on Rge Rd 54). A forested garden displaying stone sculptures (6 to 12 feet high) created each summer by artists from around the world. The collection represents India, Cuba, Kenya, Vietnam (3), Thailand, Armenia, Ireland (2), and Canada. (updated Oct 2019)
• 2 Otter Pottery, 829 Main Ave W, ☏ +1 403-638-5177. Exhibit gallery of barrel-fired pottery by Sundre Artist David Todd, who uses a primitive firing pit and glazes made from the ash of local trees. (updated Oct 2019)
• 3 Sundre & District Museum (Sundre Pioneer Village Museum & World of Wildlife), 211 1 Ave SW, ☏ +1 403-638-3233, sundremuseum@telus.net. Showcases Western culture of ranching, rodeos, and taming the wild. The Chester Mjolsness World of Wildlife, part of the museum, offers a collection of preserved animals from around the world. (updated Oct 2019)

• Wild Horses (Wild Horses of Alberta Society), WHOASalberta@gmail.com. Herds of wild horses inhabit the fields and slopes of the lower Rocky Mountains. Best viewing is early spring and summer. Wild Horses of Alberta Society rescue facility is located 15 minutes west of Sundre. 

Do

Explore

• Hike along the Red Deer River in town or explore numerous backcountry trails to the west.
• 1 Painted Warriors Ranch (from Sundre, 26 km south on Hwy 22, 6.8 km west on Twp Rd 312, 2.5 km north on Rge Rd 51), ☏ +1 403-637-9138, tracey.paintedwarriors@gmail.com. Aboriginal adventures and learning centre. Vistors will learn about aboriginal culture, taken on a walk through the woods, eat traditional indigenous foods, and learn to shoot bow and arrow. (updated Oct 2019)
• Trail Rides. There are several outfitters located near Maintain Aire Lodge, southwest of Sundre. (updated Oct 2019)

Golf

• 2 Coyote Creek Golf Club, ☏ + 403-638-2450, info@coyotecreekresort.ca. Golf club with views of the mountains and a trout pond. (updated Oct 2019)
• 3 Forest Heights Golf Course, 4451 Twp Rd 340, ☏ +1 403-556-4010, toll-free: +1-877-556-4010, info@forestheightsgolf.com. (updated Oct 2019)
• 4 Sundre Golf Club (Hwy 22/27 on the east side of Sundre), ☏ +1 403-638-3520, toll-free: +1-800-565-0525, info@sundregolf.com. Semi-private golf course, 18 holes, Par 72. (updated Oct 2019)

Rafting

• 5 Hunter Valley Adventures (see website for directions), ☏ +1 403-637-2777, huntervalleyadventures@gmail.com. Offers whitewater rafting, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding or hiking and ​classic camp games. (updated Oct 2019)
• 6 Mukwah Rafting Tours (60 km west of Sundre via Hwy 584 and Coal Camp Road), ☏ +1 403-586-9449, toll-free: +1-800-465-0144, info@mukwah.com. Mukwah Rafting Tours operates in the Red Deer River west of Sundre. Cabins and camping available on site. (updated Oct 2019)
• Kayak on the Red Deer River, there are several launch areas in the Sundre area including the Greenwood Campground.

Eat

• 1 Kodiak BBQ & Deli, 557 Main Ave W, ☏ +1 403-638-8068, kodiakbbq@gmail.com. M-F 7AM-3PM, Sa 8AM-2PM. Eat-in or take-out options, daily lunch specials, and breakfast. BBQ catering service also available. (updated Oct 2019)
• 2 Original T's, 401 Main Ave W, ☏ +1 403-638-2235. Daily 11AM-10PM. Pizza and Canadian cuisine. (updated Oct 2019)
• 3 Piros Family Restaurant, 110 Main Ave W, ☏ +1 403-638-3354. Greek, Canadian, and Mediterranean cuisine. (updated Oct 2019)

Drink

• 1 Cedar's Pub, 303 Main Ave W, ☏ +1 403-638-3111. (updated Oct 2019)
• 2 Swamp Donkeys Pub, 205 Main Ave W, ☏ +1 403-638-2882. (updated Oct 2019)

Sleep

• 1 Chinook Country Inn, 120 2 St SW, ☏ +1 403-638-3300, chinookinnsundre@gmail.com. Located in downtown Sundre. (updated Oct 2019)
• 2 Mountain View Inn & Suites, 706 Main Ave E, ☏ +1 403-638-0002, toll-free: +1-855-638-0012, frontdesk@mvisundre.com. Sundre's newest hotel, close to the Sundre Golf & Country Club. Starting at $159. (updated Oct 2019)
• 3 Rustlers Lodge, 32578 Range Road 52 (east Border of Sundre, Hwy 22/27 directly across from the Sundre Golf Club), ☏ +1 403-638-4389, rustlerslodge@gmail.com. Boutique Bed & Breakfast lodge, providing guest rooms, a banquet room, indoor pool and hot tub. (updated Oct 2019)
• 4 Schott's Lake RV & Guest Ranch (20 minutes west of Sundre on Hwy 584), ☏ +1 403-638-4464. Located in the foothills of the Canadian Rockies, this 160 acre site boasts its own private, spring fed lake, the "Ranch House" restaurant, newly renovated motel rooms, seasonal rustic cabins and recreational campground (coming Spring 2020). (updated Oct 2019)
• 5 Sundre Motor Inn, 101 3 St SW, ☏ +1 403-638-4440. Located in downtown Sundre; low-rise, budget motel. (updated Oct 2019)

Connect

• 1 Visitor Information Centre (Sundre & District Chamber of Commerce), 500 Main Ave E, ☏ +1 403-638-3245. Winter (Sept-May): F-Su noon-2PM; Summer (Jun-Aug): 10AM-5PM. (updated Oct 2019)

Nearby

• 2 Bergen : a small settlement located 11 km (7 mi) south of Sundre on Highway 760 with directional signage to "Beautiful Downtown Bergen". This "downtown" is a single building acting as a general store, ice-cream shop, post-office, museum, and library. Bergen is home of the Bergen Rocks International Sculpture Symposium.
• 3 Bearberry : 26 km (16 mi) west of Sundre on Highway 584 along the James River, contains a traditional pioneer-style general store. The James River Ranger Station from early 1900s was moved to Bearberry and opened as museum, artisan shop and gallery. Bearberry Community Hall has campgrounds and can be rented for group events.
• 4 Westward Ho : is a valley hamlet 9 km (6 mi) east of Sundre and along the Little Red Deer River; a general store serves its year-round campground and recreational area.

Stay safe

• Bears & cougars: The mountains and foothills are bear country and home to the cougar. Understanding wildlife and how they interact with people is key to remaining safe. Bear Smart information is available from Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, which also recommends walking in groups of 3 or more, sealing food and removing all trash from any site you visit.

• Wild Horses travel in herds dominated by a single male who can become aggressive when threatened. View these noble creatures from a distance.

• Moose large wild animals that can cause injury by charging. They are common throughout the region and can be seen on the roadways and even walking down the centre of towns or in parks.

• Driving and wildlife Deer and moose frequently cross roads and highways, presenting dangers to drivers. If you see wildlife from any distance, near or on a road way, slow down and be prepared to stop suddenly. They are most difficult to spot at night.

• Temperatures in summer range from 18-32°C with strong sunlight. Winter temperatures range from 0°C to -40°C. Very low humidity makes it possible (even pleasant) to insulate yourself from the winter cold with layers of warm clothing.

• Sundre Hospital and Care Centre, 709 1 St NE, ☏ +1 403-638-3033. This facility provides a range of healthcare services including a 24/7 emergency department. (updated Oct 2019)

Go next

Routes through Sundre

Drayton Valley ← Rocky Mountain House ←	N  S	→ Cochrane → Diamond Valley
END ←	W  E	→ Olds → Drumheller