Your Guide to Visiting Hinton with Kids in the Summer
Trying to find a new family summer trip? After returning for the second summer in a row, Hinton Northern Rockies is quickly becoming one of our favourite places to visit in the Canadian Rockies outside the busy national parks. Like many travellers, we originally chose Hinton as a convenient home base for exploring Jasper National Park. But this time, we made a point of slowing down and enjoying more of Hinton itself.
If you're planning a family getaway to the Canadian Rockies, I'd encourage you to set aside at least a day or two to experience Hinton and the surrounding area. In this guide, I’m sharing all the fun things to do when visiting Hinton with kids, where your family should stay and some great dining options to end your days.
What to do in Hinton Northern Rockies with kids
If your family loves being outside, Hinton has no shortage of places to explore. We spent most of our time on the trails, at the lake and enjoying the surrounding mountains. I loved how peaceful it was. You won’t see the big crowds the nearby national parks get, and it’s great for that!
But don’t worry, there are also some great options if the weather is not on your side.
Cool off at Jarvis Lake
Jarvis Lake was one of our favourite places to spend a warm summer afternoon. The sandy beach is perfect for kids, with plenty of room to build sandcastles. Plus, the water is warmer than most mountain lakes. Our boys were perfectly happy using their creative skills for hours to build an impressive sand fortress, but if you're looking for a little more adventure, you can also paddleboard or canoe (which is what we did the previous year).
One thing we really appreciated was the self-serve watercraft rental right at the lake. You simply book online, receive a code to unlock the equipment and you're ready to head out on the water. We rented paddleboards on our previous visit and loved how easy the whole process was.
💡 Important: If you're bringing your own paddleboard, kayak or canoe, don't forget to stop at the mandatory watercraft inspection station on Highway 16 between Hinton and Jasper to help protect Alberta's lakes from aquatic invasive species.
Walk the Kelly's Bathtub trail
Just minutes from Jarvis Lake, the Kelly's Bathtub Trail is an easy family hike that's well worth adding to your day. The loop is only about one kilometre long with very little elevation gain.
When we visited in mid-summer, the trail was lined with colourful wildflowers. The boys couldn't resist taking off their shoes and splashing in the water by the little wooden bridge before we continued our walk.
Spot wildlife along the Beaver Boardwalk
No visit to Hinton Northern Rockies is complete without a walk along the Beaver Boardwalk. It’s the world's longest freshwater boardwalk and one of the world's largest natural beaver ponds. It’s one of Hinton's most iconic attractions and a favourite for families.
You can opt for a shorter stroll or a longer loop depending on how much time you have. We visited on a rainy morning, but we were lucky enough to watch a beaver at work, which made walking under the rain worth it.
Even if you don't spot any wildlife, the boardwalk is a beautiful place to walk.
Hit the trails by bike
If your family enjoys biking, I'd definitely pack your bikes for your trip to Hinton. Hinton Northern Rockies is known for its incredible mountain biking, with more than 90 kilometres of trails for all levels.
And if you're new to mountain biking, it's a great place to give it a try. You can book a guided mountain bike ride with Glen from Rocky Mountain Ride Guides.
We started at the Hinton Bike Park, where the boys had fun riding the pump track and practising on the skills area before heading onto the trails. From there, we chose one of the green-rated routes, which was perfect for our family. I think we followed Jodoin's Journey, Pembina Spockids to Flow Master via the Mid Access trail. The trail was smooth, easy to follow and surrounded by colourful wildflowers. I found myself stopping far more often than planned just to take photos.
Play a round of Disc Golf
Right across the road from the Hinton Bike Park, you'll find one of Alberta's top-rated disc golf courses. In fact, in 2026, the 18-hole Hinton Disc Golf course ranked #36 in Canada and #6 in Alberta. That is pretty cool!
We decided to play just the front nine holes (the perfect length for our family), though I must admit... I stopped counting strokes because it was getting a bit embarrassing. We still had a blast, laughed a lot (and didn’t lose any discs).
If you don't have your own discs, you can borrow them for free from the Hinton Visitor Information Centre at the Green Square.
Hike to the Athabasca Lookout Viewpoint
If your kids are up for a bit more of a challenge, Athabasca Lookout is one hike I'd absolutely recommend. The trail is only about one kilometre to the viewpoint, but don't let the distance fool you, it's a steady uphill climb that will get your heart pumping.
The climb is short enough that our boys stayed motivated, and the reward at the top was more than worth the effort. The panoramic views over the Athabasca River and the valley are incredible, and when we visited, the hillsides were covered in wildflowers.
Don't miss Fridays in the Green Square
If you're visiting Hinton Northern Rockies during the summer, try to plan your trip around Fridays at Green Square. This free outdoor event is held every Friday evening.
From 4:00 to 7:30 p.m., the downtown square comes alive with live music, food trucks and lawn games. It’s a great way to spend a summer evening with kids. While the kids ran around playing with the other children, we were able to relax a bit and enjoy the music… a nice change of pace after a day of hiking and exploring.
I'd recommend bringing a camping chair or a picnic blanket so you can settle in for the evening.
Fun Indoor Activities For Rainy Days
While we were lucky to spend most of our trip outdoors, Hinton Northern Rockies has plenty of family-friendly activities if the weather doesn't cooperate or if you simply need a break from the trails.
Visit the Northern Rockies Museum
The Northern Rockies Museum is small enough to explore in about an hour, but still worth it. What kept our boys really engaged was the scavenger hunt. It wasn't too easy either, so they stayed interested right until the end.
We also had the chance to chat with the friendly staff, and during our visit there was a blacksmith workshop taking place outside, which was so cool to observe, and of course, the kids asked a lot of questions.
Bounce and solve puzzles at AirPlay
If your kids still have energy to burn after a day of hiking, AirPlay Trampoline Park is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon. The indoor trampoline park has plenty of room to jump, along with basketball hoops and a dodgeball area. I ended up joining the boys, and despite being one of the only adults bouncing around, we all had a blast.
AirPlay is also home to an escape room. We chose the genie-themed room, and it turned out more challenging than we expected. We definitely needed a few (... many) hints along the way, but after working together as a family, we escaped with just two minutes left on the clock.
Step back in time at King Drug Soda Shoppe
One of the most unique places we visited in Hinton was the soda shop inside King Drug Soda Shoppe in the Valley District. It’s like stepping into a vintage diner. You can order handcrafted sodas, sundaes and milkshakes. They also have a small selection of food (hummus & crackers, hot dogs, veggies & dip).
But there is more. You can try out board games while enjoying your drinks and snacks, with their board game library. We ended up staying much longer than planned. The shop also sells board games, and the owner happily answered the kids' many questions about Dungeons & Dragons.
If you're looking for a fun place to unwind, this is one stop I'd definitely add to your Hinton itinerary.
Where to Stay in Hinton with Kids
Hinton has plenty offamily-friendly accommodation options and campgrounds. During our visit, we alternated between a hotel stay and a camping stay.
Velora Hinton
We stayed at the Velora Hinton and found it to be a great base for exploring both Hinton and nearby Jasper National Park. The location is convenient, with restaurants and shops just a short drive away, and after a full day outdoors, the heated indoor pool was a huge hit with our family. As someone who's always cold in swimming pools, I especially appreciated that the water was actually warm enough to enjoy.
The hotel also has a hot tub, fitness centre and a complimentary hot breakfast served each morning in the on-site restaurant. We also loved the cozy sitting area with its little library and free book exchange.
Camping
If your family enjoys camping, Hinton has several great options.
Our top pick is Jarvis Lake Campground, especially for families with kids. It's a smaller campground, so it's worth reserving well in advance, but the location is hard to beat. You'll have direct access to the lake, a playground nearby and you're only a short drive from the public beach.
For something a little different and if you’d like to enjoy a horseback riding experience, I’d recommend staying at Old Entrance Teepees and Campsites. It’s located right along the Athabasca River. They have a couple of teepee accommodations and tent sites. It's a peaceful spot that offers a completely different side of Hinton.
Where to Eat in Hinton
After a day spent hiking, biking or at the beach, you'll have plenty of great places to refuel. Note that some hotels offer complimentary breakfast and there are many grocery stores in town if you’re camping (and Maximum Outfitters has a large selection of dry meals for camping).
Here are a few of our family favourite restaurants:
The Old Grind
For breakfast, coffee or lunch, we'd happily return to The Old Grind. Located just off Green Square, it's a cozy café serving excellent coffee, fresh pastries and hearty homemade meals.
We stopped in for an early lunch before our bike ride. The boys enjoyed bowls of soup, while my husband and I both got one of their chicken wraps. The food was fresh, filling and so colourful. I was also tempted by the homemade tourtière (a classic French-Canadian meat pie), but decided to save that for our next visit.
Blend Kitchen + Bar
Blend Kitchen + Bar is a great option for dinner. It’s located just outside the Green Square and has a nice atmosphere inside. The menu features a mix of dishes, but we decided to try the Indian-inspired options.
Even our oldest son skipped the kids' menu and ordered the butter chicken, while I chose another Palak Paneer and my husband went with a steak. The portions were generous, so sharing is definitely an option if you have younger kids or lighter appetites.
Las Tres Marias
Las Tres Marias may be tucked away between downtown Hinton and the Valley District, but it's absolutely worth seeking out. The colourful murals and festive atmosphere immediately caught our attention, and the food was delicious (You have to order the Quesabirrias… so good!).
Las Tres Marias also runs a food truck that is parked at the Green Square regularly throughout the summer. They are attending some of the Fridays in the Green Square events too.
Folding Mountain Brewing
If you're driving between Hinton and Jasper, make time to stop at Folding Mountain Brewing. It's the perfect first meal when arriving or a fun final stop before heading home. We lucked out as we visited during the annual Folding Mountain Brewing's Summer Collective, so there was live music, vendors and a great vibe.
The brewery has a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere (Yes, even as a brewery). You’ll find indoor board games, a spacious outdoor patio and lawn games that kept our boys entertained while we waited for our food.
While they're known for their craft beer (I love their Alpine Cranberry Sour), the food is excellent too. We all ordered burgers. Just note that they don’t have a kids menu, so kids can share a plate if the portions are too big.
Final Thoughts
We first visited Hinton Northern Rockies because it was a convenient place to stay while exploring Jasper National Park. After returning for a second summer, we realized we'd been overlooking everything Hinton has to offer.
Relaxing afternoons at Jarvis Lake, spotting a beaver along the Beaver Boardwalk, mountain biking through fields of wildflowers, discovering great local restaurants… We found ourselves filling our days without ever needing to leave town.
If you're planning a family getaway to the Canadian Rockies, I'd encourage you to set aside at least a day or two to experience Hinton Northern Rockies itself.
Emilie’s Bio
Originally from Québec and now based in Alberta, Emilie Brillon spends much of the year exploring Canada with her husband and two sons. Through her website Road Trip Across Canada, she shares practical family travel guides, scenic road trips itineraries and outdoor adventures inspired by places her family has personally experienced.
All written and photography credit to Emilie Brillon | Road Trip Across Canada