St. Francis NA (OC)

The St. Francis Natural Area is a largely undisturbed mixed wood forest, accessible via private land with permission required. The trails features cut lines and beaver dams, making it challenging yet rewarding. It’s suitable for those seeking a four-season experience but lacks amenities like washrooms and is not kid-friendly.

Looking South across a large beaver pond beneath the powerline corridor, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
Looking South across a large beaver pond beneath the powerline corridor, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07

Access to this Natural Area [1] is challenging as it requires gaining permission from the adjoining landowner. Nevertheless, it is well worth the effort as the site is largely undisturbed. A loop is possible along a series of cut lines, single tracks, and crossing two beaver dams. Not for the faint of heart but not impossible either.

Fact Facts

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

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Provincial Order in Council. Accessing the site requires crossing private land and permission is required to do so from the land manager of the property.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: Overall (4 out of 5) Mostly undisturbed mixed wood forest. Pre-existing cut lines and game trails make a loop possible.
  • Wayne Gretzky Units: 73 KM
  • Trail Classification: Rating: 8; Access: Granted; Develop: Traditional Trail. ; Maint: No Human Interventions. ; Season: All Season: The trail is four seasons. Likely well used by the local ungulate population so even snow covered, it should be passable or follow the GPS.
Trail Classification System with examples - YEG-Ville.
Trail Classification System with examples – YEG-Ville.
  • The Drive Out: Very nice rural drive from Edmonton particularly along highway 622, very green with little development. Nice valleys to drop in and out of. The namesake hamlet of St. Francis is 13 KM ESE of the Natural Area. It is a tidy little collection of buildings with a restful cemetery on HWY 770.
  • The Other Shoe: Botanical and other nature pursuits.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
  • First done: 2025-06-07. Weather: 14C to 20C with high cloud cover, very windy and smoke haze.

(On smart phones, swipe to advance the pictures)

  • Private road looking north towards the NA and River, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Private road looking north towards the NA and River, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Gate in the SW corner of the site providing access to the NA, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Gate in the SW corner of the site providing access to the NA, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Example of the thick mixed forest and an animal track descending towards the river to the North, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Example of the thick mixed forest and an animal track descending towards the river to the North, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • An ATV track or cutline following the South border of the property, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    An ATV track or cutline following the South border of the property, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Looking SE from the NA into the adjoining property, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Looking SE from the NA into the adjoining property, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • A permit tag from Arcis Seismic Solutions crew from a geophysical survey. The tag is used to trace responsibility for problems that might be noticed after the survey is finished. The "03" part of the code refers to 2003. Arcis was acquired by TGS-NOPEC Geophysical in 2012.St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    A permit tag from Arcis Seismic Solutions crew from a geophysical survey. The tag is used to trace responsibility for problems that might be noticed after the survey is finished. The “03” part of the code refers to 2003. Arcis was acquired by TGS-NOPEC Geophysical in 2012.St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Looking South at an abandoned beaver pond with a brackish backwater; about the center of the site, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Looking South at an abandoned beaver pond with a brackish backwater; about the center of the site, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Looking South along the power line corridor running through the site, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Looking South along the power line corridor running through the site, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Looking West across the upper beaver dam beneath the power line corridor, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Looking West across the upper beaver dam beneath the power line corridor, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Looking North across the upper and lower ponds created by beaver dams, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Looking North across the upper and lower ponds created by beaver dams, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Looking East across the beaver pond system extending further into the site, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Looking East across the beaver pond system extending further into the site, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
  • Gate at South boundary of the site beneath the power line corridor, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07 o
    Gate at South boundary of the site beneath the power line corridor, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07 o
  • Looking East along the South boundary of the NA and the well site service road running through the adjoining property, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07
    Looking East along the South boundary of the NA and the well site service road running through the adjoining property, St. Francis NA-OC, P. Potter, 2025-06-07

Notes and Reference

  1. St. Francis Natural Area | SAPAA.

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.