Paddling the Oldman River from Nolan’s Bridge to Taber in Alberta, Canada would make a perfect one-night, two-day paddle. We took a leisurely three days (half days first and last) to float, birdwatch, and enjoy this 44-kilometer (27.3 mile) stretch of prairie river and its environs. Read on for details to plan a trip of your own!
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Paddling the Oldman River
Our first canoeing foray on Alberta’s Oldman River was paddling from Monarch to Lethbridge a few years ago.
Loved it!
Friends suggested we get together again for another section. After much debate – and checking out limited free time still available on the summer calendar – we settled on the relatively short, 44-kilometre (27.3 mile), easy section from Nolan’s Bridge just north of Coaldale to Taber.
Perfect choice – especially if you’re a birder or simple enjoy chilling out on the water!
For the Birds!
Our first day included driving from home and setting up the shuttle. We were looking forward to a relaxing float away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But once on the river we realized this trip was for the birds. Literally.
In the area? Don’t forget to check out the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre!
At the put-in, terns and gulls soared overhead. A meadowlark sang from the south bank. Squadrons of silent, soaring white pelicans dotted the horizon. Smaller birds squawked as they mobbed lone raptors to get them away from their young.
The ratchet-y call of the kingfisher echoed along the riverbank. A small flycatcher was spotted feeding two, grotesquely big but still young brown-headed cowbirds. Red-tailed hawks called from rising thermals. Bald eagles perched on low cliff-faces.
My friend’s binoculars and my Merlin Bird Sound ID app (excellent free smartphone app from The Cornell Lab) came out in unison. We gazed and listened and soaked up the diversity of life along a prairie river in the height of summer.
In random order, here is the complete list – minus the dozen or so unconfirmed sound recordings – of what we saw and/or heard along the way:
- Clay-colored sparrow
- Violet-green swallow
- Kestrel
- Cliff swallow
- Tern (no species ID)
- Gulls (no species ID)
- Red-tailed hawk
- Prairie falcon
- Meadowlark
- Eastern kingbird
- White pelican
- Spotted sandpiper
- Yellowlegs (unsure if Greater or Lesser Yellowlegs)
- Common merganser
- Mourning dove
- Belted kingfisher
- Bald eagle
- Tree swallow
- Rough-winged swallow
- American robin
- American goldfinch
- Nighthawk
- Rock dove
- Merlin
- Yellow warbler
- Least flycatcher
- Chipping sparrow
- Downy woodpecker
- Barn swallow
- European starling
- Magpie
- Ash-throated flycatcher
- Western wood peewee
- Cedar waxwing
- Blue heron
- Brewer’s blackbird
- Black-capped chickadee
- Mallard
- Brown-headed cowbird
- Killdeer
Day One – Two Hour Float
We paddled, but barely. River flows ran from 65-75 cubic meters per second (cms). We opted to bring our two Aquaglide inflatable rafts for this float. They’re super stable, if a little slow compared to our friends’ sleek yellow 17’ Prospector canoe. We travelled 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) on the river to our first campsite, choosing a long, dry small cobble shoreline on river right.
Cottonwoods provided shade with no need to set up tarps. Chairs were quickly set up and we sat back to watch the river run. Deer meandered along the grassy hill on the opposite shore. One lone deer thought it was a mountain goat and opted to scale straight up a steep open slope. It slipped into the river twice before admitting defeat. We watched and cheered and chuckled while sippin’ on “sangria” and munching on veggie pate, crudites, crackers and nuts.
Need lunch ideas for your next active travel adventure?
Check out 10 Best Sandwiches for Outdoor Adventures!
The site would have been a 5-star, except for the wafting odors drifting down from prairie level feedlot. It woke us up a couple times during the night. We could only give this camp a 4-star rating after that!
Notes to self:
- Don’t trust the seal on a collapsible wine container.
- Flies love the sweet taste of spilled wine inside a duffle bag.
- Make sure you remember which container holds the sangria and which one has the dessert port. Otherwise, happy hour might get a little happier with such a big pour. P.S. It might have happened on this trip!
Day Two – Easy 22 Km Paddle on the Oldman
Breakfast burritos and a second cup of coffee under our belts, we leisurely pack up and hit the water by 10:30 am. Yes, we take R’n’R seriously on these easy float trips!
High, brown water means fishing is a bust, but that doesn’t stop the guys from trying their luck again as we tuck into the confluence of Little Bow River – more creek than river – and the Oldman. The great blue heron and mama merganser found fish. Our guys did not.
We float by a few fields, some irrigation pivots and riverside water pumps, but there is little else in the way of civilization to be seen along this beautiful stretch of the river. Scanning tall cliffs with binoculars, a coyote is spotted close to a small herd of black cows hanging out on the hillsides. Downstream, a racoon shoots for cover as we round the corner.
Again, by mid-afternoon we spot a likely place to camp for the night. The sheltered rise has massive old cottonwoods providing shade and we can’t see the massive farmhouse downstream on river left. Perfect!
Relaxing in Camp
No sooner had we set up the chairs when a horseback rider appears. The sweet horse stood patiently while her rider took us up on the offer of a cold one. We chatted about land and weather and wildlife. He took off to finish his circle ride – and was back in a few minutes. A moose interrupted their ride through the thicker woods just outside our camp!
Our riverside happy hour was followed by a gourmet Chinese stir fry dinner and raspberry crumble with cream. Naturally a beaver offered après-dinner entertainment, swimming up and down the river and hauling out onto shore. Not to be outdone, Canada geese and pelicans swam upstream. Eastern kingbirds, kingfishers and woodpeckers vied for attention by perching on nearby cottonwoods.
The site would have been a definite 5-star, except for the early wake-up call from the gravel pit nearby. Work started at 6 a.m.! It was quickly followed by the sounds of trains, distant vehicles and crop-dusters taking off from the Taber airport. We could only give this camp a 4-star rating after that!
Day Three – 10 Km to Take Out at Taber
Another leisurely start and we were at the take-out at the Highway 864 bridge – boat launch directly across from Taber Municipal Park – before 1 p.m.
This trip could easily be done as a one-night, two-day weekend paddle. Surprised we didn’t see another boat the entire time. The birdlife alone makes it worth the paddle.
Would we recommend paddling this section of the Oldman River?
Absolutely.
Enjoy paddle trips? Check out my ETSY SHOP for a guide to 5 More Paddle Trips in Alberta!
When You Go
It’s an easy two-hour drive from our home in the Crowsnest Pass to Taber (less than a three-hour drive if coming from Calgary, Alberta).
We drove directly to Taber Municipal Park and the picnic area near the campground (on the south bank of the Oldman River) to drop off the takeout vehicle. There is more shady parking available here than at the official boat launch on the north side of the river.
Check Alberta River Basins for Oldman River current conditions and flow rates. Best paddling is 56-227 cms.
Current weather forecast is available at Environment Canada.
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