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Trailblaze the untamed

David Thompson: Gateway to Alberta's untouched wilderness

Just off the beaten path, nearby both Jasper and Banff National Parks, the David Thompson region beckons true adventurers. Iconic lake views and rushing rivers meet Métis heritage and warm hospitality in this untamed corridor. Visitors here can unleash their wild side with heli-experiences, canyoning, and guided excursions in places that feel a world away.

This unrealized gem is poised to become a global cornerstone of sustainable adventure tourism. Thoughtful investment in premium services, infrastructure, and nature-based experiences will shape a vibrant future for this special region.

Explore the zone’s key projects

At a glance

Location: West Central Alberta
Key communities: Rocky Mountain House, Nordegg
Projected visitor spend: $487M by 2035*
GDP: $350M by 2035*
Jobs: 2,285 by 2035*

*With investment

David Thompson Country Tourism
Discover Nordegg

A graphic map showing David Thompson TDZ, which stretches west from Rocky Mountain House into the Icefields Parkway.

Resident sentiment toward tourism is high

81% of David Thompson residents say that tourism is important to the local community.

Discover resident perspectives
Demand drivers

High demand for key activities

Highly engaged international travellers are already planning trips to Alberta—but David Thompson needs more four-season adventures and luxury accommodations to fully meet that demand. These additions can anchor year-round itineraries and drive sustained tourism growth.

A group paddles a raft on gentle water in the Rocky Mountains.
River Adventure Potential Market Size: 3.5M
A guide explains Abraham Lake’s frozen ice bubbles to travellers.
Winter Escapade Potential Market Size: 3.4M
A couple exits a helicopter during a heli-hike tour in Nordegg’s backcountry.
Guided Nature Tours Potential Market Size: 3.2M

Developing Alberta Tourism

Key Projects

Travel Alberta helps local tourism grow by facilitating the development of projects that will attract overnight visitors throughout the year. We work closely with local communities to remove barriers to development, provide business coaching to help operators grow and prosper, and invest to accelerate the development of four-season accommodations and experiences that will drive meaningful economic impact and job creation.

People watch as a climber scales a frozen canyon wall.

Girth Hitch Guiding, Nordegg

Indigenous cultural and interpretive hiking tours in remote alpine base camps. Guests explore Nordegg’s backcountry while mastering traditional wilderness skills alongside Indigenous guides.

A server labels a flight of beers.

Rival Trade Brewing, Rocky Mountain House

Taproom expansion and brewery experience. Visitors sip artisanal craft beers made from local ingredients in the heart of Rocky Mountain House.

A car drives along the Icefields Parkway in Jasper National Park.

The Crossing Resort, Cline River

New health and wellness centre facility near Abraham Lake. Travellers enjoy a complete service hub with essential comforts and unparalleled access to the Icefields Parkway.

Aurum Lodge sits in a clearing among a forest with the Rocky Mountains nearby.

Aurum Lodge, Cline River

Expansion from 7 to 27 units, transitioning to an all-inclusive luxury model with a wellness centre. This waterside retreat invites visitors to unwind among breathtaking views of Abraham Lake.

Why develop tourism

Investing in tourism helps make communities a better place to live, work, and visit.

Learn more

More revenues

Communities with strong visitor economies earn more municipal revenues per capita, which can be reinvested in the services and amenities that residents love.

Lower taxes

Residents pay lower residential property taxes in areas with strong visitor economies.

More jobs

More visitors create a steady customer base for local businesses, creating great jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Discover more about the David Thompson TDZ

This 2023 report informs and identifies specific actions Travel Alberta, the Government of Alberta and the TDZ communities should take to support the design of a comprehensive Destination Development Plan.

Download the discovery report

Media highlights

Cyclists ride over the Taunton Trestle with endless forests and a distant mountain range nearby.

BBC: The 109km trail opening up the Canadian Rockies

BBC recently named the "Rocky to Nordegg Trail" one of the world's most anticipated hiking routes for 2026.

Discover the trail
An enormous portrait painted on the frozen lake surface with a mountain in the distance at sunset.

CTV News: Creating art on frozen canvases

An international artist uses Abraham Lake’s frozen surface and methane bubbles as a temporary canvas for massive portraits.

Explore the temporary artworks
ATVs drive up a hill with forests and foothills stretching in the distance.

CBC News: Modernizing energy in Nordegg

Pipeline construction brings stable heating to the mountain hamlet, preparing the region for steady tourism expansion.

Learn about the development
Learn more about the area

Tourism Entrepreneurship Thrives in Alberta with Strong Demand for Investment

Hundreds of applications for Travel Alberta programs show industry innovation amid record growth.

Read more
Learn more about the area

Enhancing communities: Five attractions and experiences that make communities a little more magical

Tourism businesses are more than an economic driver, but community enhancer as well!

Read more

Connect with our Destination & Commercial Development Manager

Learn how Travel Alberta can support your success in the David Thompson region.

Sheri Emberg

Sheri Emberg

West Country