Gibbons Cactus Prairie - Gibbons, Alberta

David H.

The Gibbons Cactus Prairie is a desert-like area located in the town of Gibbons, Alberta, Canada. Gibbons, Alberta is a central Alberta town found just 37 km (23 mi) northeast of downtown Edmonton. The cactus patches are along the dry south facing slopes of the Sturgeon River Valley on town parkland. The landscape here looks much drier than the general area would suggest due to the steep south facing aspect and poor soil. It's unique because this is the only known place on public land where cacti grow wild in the Metropolitan Edmonton Area. The area is peaceful and is a gorgeous, colourful mixture of badlands, prairie grassland, aspen and spruce forest with riverside. The barren areas support growth of Opuntia Fragilis, or Brittle Prickly Pear Cactus. It's the northernmost ranging and most cold tolerant cactus species in the world and thus, able to survive the harsh Edmonton area winters. The badlands and prairie grasslands where the cacti exist are wonderfully contrasted by thick boreal forest style spruce tree groves on north facing hillsides in the area. It's a hike for Edmonton area residents looking for a badlands type experience that is akin to a slice of Drumheller, Alberta transported far to the north.

I visited the Gibbons Cactus Prairie in early May 2020 and noticed extensive OHV damage to the sensitive area. There are signs around the park stating that it's a sensitive area and to treat it with respect. Several years ago, due to previous OHV damage, the town of Gibbons surrounded the badlands portion of the park with barbed wire fencing. Between my visit in October 2019 and the next in May 2020, the barbed wire fencing was damaged and off road vehicles cut several swaths of destruction in the area. The vegetation here is unique to a large swath of Alberta. It's the only wild cactus patch on public land that I'm aware of between near Grande Prairie and Donalda, Alberta (a distance of over 600 km). The Gibbons Cactus Prairie needs to be treated with respect and off road vehicle users shouldn't be hill climbing in the area. It's just a small area of only about 1 km in length on the north side of the Sturgeon Valley and west of Highway 28 A which off road travel should be avoided. There are plenty of other places in the region, such as near Redwater and even the river itself in winter which are okay for off road travel. Don't off road in the cactus prairie or cut the fences.

Brian R.

Great area, but under threat!
This great area, that is so unique is under threat from OHV riders and the town of Gibbons. It has been brought to the towns knowledge that OHV riders are in the natural area, that is clearly signed, and that they need to repair fences and keep OHV riders out, but the town does little to nothing to stop it. So I'm asking that if you love it like I do, call or write the Gibbons Town Office and let them know. There are lots of great places to ride OHV in Sturgeon county and Strathcona county we need to preserve this little gem before it's destroyed.

nikita G.

Nice park but lots of bugs after sunset

Rebecca C.

Beautiful. Could not find a proper trail.

Laurence M.

Pretty neat area to walk around

Jen P.

Neat secret spot!

Tanya D.

Great place to walk.

Panos (.

Nice place to visit