THINGS TO DO NEAR ROCHON SANDS

​Rochon Sands is a great home base for exploring the Buffalo Lake region and Central Alberta. Whether you are staying at Rochon Sands Provincial Park or The Narrows Provincial Recreation Area, you are within easy reach of beaches, boating, fishing, golf, bird watching, museums, train excursions, shopping, dining, and family day trips.

​Rochon Sands Provincial Park offers beach and lakeside activities such as swimming, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, power boating, fishing, birding, and wildlife viewing, while The Narrows is known for shore fishing, paddling, and bird watching.

​STAY WITH US, THEN EXPLORE

​The Summer Village of Rochon Sands operates both Rochon Sands Provincial Park and The Narrows Provincial Recreation Area on the south shores of Buffalo Lake. Rochon Sands is ideal for beach access, camping, and lakeside recreation. The Narrows offers a scenic, tree-lined camping experience along the narrow channel connecting two portions of Buffalo Lake, with good opportunities for shore fishing, paddling, and bird watching. 
Great for:
  • weekend campers
  • seasonal visitors
  • families
  • anglers
  • paddlers
  • golfers
  • bird watchers
  • guests looking for easy day trips

​ON THE LAKE & AROUND THE PARKS

​Buffalo Lake is the main attraction. Visitors come here to swim, fish, paddle, boat, relax on the beach, and enjoy lakeside sunsets. Rochon Sands Day Use and campground areas support beach and water-based recreation, and both park areas are strong bases for nature viewing and quiet outdoor time. 
​Popular activities right here:
  • swimming and beach days
  • fishing on Buffalo Lake
  • canoeing and kayaking
  • paddleboarding
  • power boating
  • water skiing
  • bird watching
  • lakeside walks
  • disc golf
  • wildlife viewing
  • family camping
  • group camping

​GOLF NEAR ROCHON SANDS

Golfers have a surprising number of options within about an hour to an hour and a half of Rochon Sands. The Stettler area includes Stettler Golf & Country Club, Big Valley Golf Club, and Pheasantback Golf Club, which local tourism identifies as the region’s only 18-hole facility. Farther out, visitors can reach Bashaw, Camrose, Ponoka, Lacombe, and Red Deer area courses. 
​Closest courses:​
  • Stettler Golf & Country Club
  • Pheasantback Golf Club (12 minutes SE of Rochon Sands)
  • Big Valley Golf Club
More courses within day-trip range:
  • Bashaw Golf & Country Club
  • Country Nine Golf Course - (Bashaw)
  • Haunted Lakes Golf Club - (Alix)
  • Camrose Golf Course
  • Silver Creek Golf Course - (New Norway)
  • Fawn Meadows Golf and Country Club - (Delburne)
  • Ponoka Golf Club
  • Lacombe Golf & Country Club
  • River Bend Golf & Recreation Area - (Red Deer)
  • Alberta Springs Golf Resort - (Red Deer)
  • Balmoral Golf Course - (Red Deer)

​FISHING, PADDLING & BOATING

​Buffalo Lake and The Narrows area are ideal for anglers, paddlers, and families wanting to get on the water. Alberta Parks specifically highlights fishing, shore fishing, paddling, boating, and bird watching at Rochon Sands and The Narrows.
Ideas for visitors:
  • morning shore fishing
  • family paddling
  • kayak and canoe outings
  • birding from the shoreline
  • beach and picnic days
  • sunset walks by the lake

​BIRD WATCHING & NATURE

​Buffalo Lake is well known for bird watching and nature observation. Birding Trails Alberta notes that Buffalo Lake attracts migrating waterfowl and other birdlife, and Alberta’s published shoreline survey documented a wide range of bird species around the lake. This is a great area for casual birders, photographers, and anyone who enjoys wildlife viewing. 
​Best fit for:
  • early morning walks
  • shoreline photography
  • family nature outings
  • spring and fall migration viewing
  • quiet recreation close to camp

​DAY TRIPS TO STETTLER

​Stettler is the main service centre for many visitors to Rochon Sands and is also home to several attractions. One of the biggest draws is Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions, which operates vintage train experiences out of Stettler with themed excursions through prairie country. 
​Popular Stettler-area outings:
  • Alberta Prairie Railway Excursions
  • shopping and supplies
  • restaurants and cafés
  • local events
  • golf and recreation
  • museums and small-town exploring

​BASHAW DAY TRIP (About 30 minutes from Rochon Sands)

​A friendly prairie town with small-town charm, Bashaw is an easy and enjoyable short trip from Rochon Sands. Visitors come for golf, casual dining, local shops, and community events.
​Popular Things to Do in Bashaw
  • Bashaw Golf & Country Club – A well-kept 9-hole course with open prairie views
  • Majestic Theatre – Historic small-town theatre offering movies and community events
  • Local Cafés & Restaurants – Small-town diners and coffee stops
  • Antique & Gift Shops – Browse unique local finds
  • Nature & Walking Areas – Enjoy quiet prairie scenery and local trails
  • Community Events – Seasonal events, markets, and fairs
Great For
  • A relaxed afternoon outing
  • A casual golf round
  • Dinner and a movie night
  • A quiet walk or scenic drive
​Bashaw is a great half-day trip from Rochon Sands — golf in the morning, lunch in town, and back to the lake for sunset.

​BIG VALLEY, DONALDA & COUNTRY DRIVES

​A drive through the Buffalo Lake and Stettler region makes for a great half-day outing. Big Valley, Donalda, and surrounding communities offer prairie scenery, historic character, and small-town stops that pair well with a day at the lake or a train excursion. Alberta Prairie Railway excursions also connect visitors with the Big Valley area. 
​Great ideas for a relaxed outing:
  • scenic country drive
  • coffee stop in a small town
  • local history
  • seasonal events
  • train excursion day

​CAMROSE DAY TRIP

​Camrose is a strong day-trip option north of Buffalo Lake. Tourism Camrose promotes outdoor activities, live entertainment, and visitor attractions, and the city’s golf course is a public 18-hole course. The historic Bailey Theatre is one of Camrose’s best-known cultural attractions.
​Things to do in Camrose:
  • Camrose Golf Course
  • Bailey Theatre
  • downtown shopping
  • restaurants and coffee shops
  • seasonal festivals and events
  • outdoor recreation

​RED DEER DAY TRIP

​For visitors wanting a larger-city outing, Red Deer offers shopping, dining, golf, trails, and family recreation. River Bend combines golf, trails, and seasonal recreation within the Waskasoo Park system, while the Kerry Wood Nature Centre and Gaetz Lakes area offer accessible nature programming and walking trails.
Popular Red Deer options:
  • shopping and restaurants
  • River Bend Golf & Recreation Area
  • Kerry Wood Nature Centre
  • trails and park system
  • family activities and events

​FAMILY-FRIENDLY IDEAS

​Looking for simple ideas for a great day? Start with the beach in the morning, head out for a golf round or country drive, enjoy lunch in a nearby town, and come back for fishing, bird watching, or an evening by the fire.
​Easy family favourites:
  • beach + picnic
  • train excursion + supper
  • golf + patio
  • paddling + bird watching
  • town visit + ice cream
  • sunset at the lake

​PLAN YOUR STAY

​Rochon Sands and The Narrows make it easy to build a weekend or week-long getaway around camping and day trips. Stay at the lake, then explore the region at your own pace.