Swan Hills is a charming town nestled in the heart of northern Alberta, Canada. Located approximately 80 km north of Whitecourt and 62 km northwest of Fort Assiniboine, Swan Hills is a major settlement near the geographic centre of the province. The town is conveniently situated at the junction of Highway 32 and Grizzly Trail, surrounded by the picturesque Big Lakes County.
Swan Hills was initially a base camp for workers in the local oilfield. The town was jointly developed by the government of Alberta and oil companies between 1959 and 1961. The town's official name, Swan Hills, was inspired by the densely forested uplands in which it is located.
The New Town of Swan Hills was incorporated on September 1, 1959, with R.L. Maxfield appointed as Development Officer and Secretary Treasurer. The first all-weather road into the area was completed in 1960, replacing the forestry road connecting Swan Hills to Fort Assiniboine. The Swan Hills Post Office was opened the same year.
Swan Hills was officially opened by Premier Ernest Manning in June 1962. The town's population rapidly increased as oil field workers began to relocate their families to the town. Swan Hills was formally incorporated as a town on January 1, 1967, making it the first town incorporated during Canada's centennial year.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Swan Hills had a population of 1,201 living in 512 of its 728 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -7.7% from its 2016 population of 1,301. With a land area of 25.87 km2, it had a population density of 46.4/km2 in 2021.
Swan Hills' wilderness setting makes it a popular year-round destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor sports including camping, hunting, fishing, trapping and ATV riding. The town is one of the three points of The Golden Triangle, a groomed 350 kilometres snowmobile trail.
Annual events in Swan Hills include the Swan Hills Snow Goers snowmobile rally, a motocross meet hosted by the Swan Hills Dirt riders, a skeet-shooting competition at the gun range, and several annual tournaments at the Swan Hills Golf and Country Club. In the winter, the Swan Hills Curling Cub and Swan Hills Minor Hockey host several tournaments.
Swan Hills offers a range of health services at the Swan Hills Healthcare Centre. Family and community social programs and services are also available through the Family & Community Support Services (FCSS).
Nearby attractions include the Goose Mountain Ecological Reserve, E.S. Huestis Demonstration Forest, Trapper Lea's Cabin, Centre of Alberta Natural Area, and the Swan Hills Airport. These attractions offer a variety of experiences for visitors, from exploring the natural beauty of the region to learning about its rich history.
