Victoria Settlement NA

Victoria Settlement NA, located along the North Saskatchewan River, consists of an island and a small piece of land. This natural area offers limited activities. The site is not recommended for a YEGVille visit.

Looking southwest across the North Saskatchewan River; the island portion of the NA is visible mid-stream, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
Looking southwest across the North Saskatchewan River; the island portion of the NA is visible mid-stream, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.

Its Namesake is a historical location which is about 10km further upstream. Victoria Settlement NA is composed of two parts, an island mid-river and a sliver of land on the north (river-left) shore. The NA is largely undisturbed with no discernable trails going into it. They only exception is on the west side where transmission lines cross the river in the march south.

Water, Private, or No Access. The NA is surrounded by private land to all but the south where the North Saskatchewan River forms the border. Permission must be sought from one of the landowners or plan to paddle to the site. For the latter, expect steep embankments and not much in the way of trails up to the table land.

Not Much YEGVille’g Here. Unless you hunt, want to explore native botany, or like the thrill of steep embankments, there is not much here. The private land to the north has the possibility some snowshoeing, fat biking, or horseback riding – with the complication of getting permisson from the landowner. Great to know this oasis of nature is here, just not a YEGVille top destination!

Any maps and map views are for general information only. Do not rely on them for navigation or to determine legal boundaries.

The Fast Facts

  • Winter Challenge Category: NOT MUCH HERE.
  • Not Worth Visiting unless you are in the area or are driving by.
  • No Washrooms.
  • Not Kid Focused

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council, Protected Notation Natural Area.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: 1/5:
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 91.1km
  • Trail Classification: Overall (1 out of 5); Rating: ; Access: ; Develop: ; Maint: ; Season: : The powerline access has sufficient space to make for an interesting day of trumping through the snow. Potential for fat bike, etc. – with landowner permission, of course!.
    • The Drive Out: The drive through the Alberta industrial heartland is fascinating. Beyond this, pretty farms and the first inclination of the boreal forest.
  • The Other Shoe: Fat biking, snowshoeing, perhaps horse back riding – if you can get permission from the landowner to the north.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2024-08-30. Weather: Very Warm and sunny. Comments: see the post on the combined visit with Ukalta and historical parks in the area.
  • Methodist cemetery across the road (and up the hill) from the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter., Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Methodist cemetery across the road (and up the hill) from the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter., Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Memorial in the methodist cemetery across the road (and up the hill) from the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Memorial in the methodist cemetery across the road (and up the hill) from the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking north at the giant sentinels whose power lines pass through the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Looking north at the giant sentinels whose power lines pass through the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking north, along the power corridor, at two white tail deer that have yet caught my scent or sound; they are feeding on private land with the fence being the north border of the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Looking north, along the power corridor, at two white tail deer that have yet caught my scent or sound; they are feeding on private land with the fence being the north border of the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking down from the viewing platform-built overlooking, but not in, the NA; the easterly portion of the NA is below, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Looking down from the viewing platform-built overlooking, but not in, the NA; the easterly portion of the NA is below, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking south from a viewing platform-built overlooking, but not in, the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Looking south from a viewing platform-built overlooking, but not in, the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • ATV Track that runs north of and parallel to, but not in, the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    ATV Track that runs north of and parallel to, but not in, the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Boundary sign nearly obscured by the thick vegetation in the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Boundary sign nearly obscured by the thick vegetation in the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
  • Looking south (across the North Saskatchewan River) and into the west border of the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.
    Looking south (across the North Saskatchewan River) and into the west border of the NA, Victoria Settlement NA, 2024-08-30, P. Potter.

Notes and Reference

  1. Victoria Settlement NA | SAPAA
  2. DONOVAN, LARRY. ALBERTA PLACE NAMES: The Fascinating People & Stories behind the Naming of Alberta. Canada: DRAGON HILL PUB, 2007.

Usage: This site is intended for my personal use only and very select invited guests. My recommendation is for you to stay in bed with the covers pulled firmly over your head.