Welcome to Hinton
History
The town was named after William P. Hinton, the Vice President and General Manager of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway. Hinton was given its name in 1911, but remained a hamlet until 1956.
The population of Hinton increased significantly in the 1930s after the Hinton Coal Mine was opened in 1931. Then expanded again in 1955 when a pulp mill was constructed in town. Coal mining inspired another increase in population in the late 1960s when the Cadomin and Obed mines were operating. Hinton is now a town of 10,000 people.
Present
Hinton is a vibrant community. It has a small town feel, yet is filled with outdoor activities for the adventurous. Hinton, Alberta is a town in west-central Alberta. It is located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, on the south bank of the Athabasca River. It is 81 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Jasper and 284 kilometers (176 miles) west of Edmonton.
Hinton, Alberta has an engaging history and a rich cultural present. It is the hub of many rewarding outdoor activities and events. Within Hinton is the Beaver Boardwalk, the Mountain Bike Park and extensive walking and hiking trails. The Beaver Boardwalk is a unique wooden pathway that extends around a fully functioning beaver habitat. The three kilometers of connected paths includes seating areas, interpretive signs and observation towers. The Mountain Bike Park was designed with fun and safety in mind for people of all ages and skill levels. It is a free park with biking trails on 37 acres of land. Each year it hosts the Beaver Bike Fest – a fun biking competition for all ages. Throughout Hinton, there are many kilometers of walking and biking trails, which can also be used as cross-country skiing trails as weather conditions permit.
There is also the Hinton Golf Course, Athabasca Riverfront Park, and the annual Fohn Festival. The golf course provides challenging holes and some of the best views of the mountains in town. The Athabasca Riverfront Park is the only riverfront park in town. It offers a walking trail along the river, historical information, and locations to picnic. The Fohn Festival is a one day event that highlights the multiculturalism of the town and includes live music and locally made dishes.
Hinton is within close proximity to Jasper National Park and the Willmore Wilderness Park. Jasper National Park is the largest National Park in the Rocky Mountains and includes glaciers, hot springs, lakes and hiking trails. There is a complex ecosystem within the Park that includes deer, elk, moose, wolves and bears. The Willmore Wilderness Park includes 750 kilometers of trails, within 4600 square kilometers, for caamping, backpacking, and horseback riding. Within the park lives mountain goats and bighorn sheep, as well as elk, bears, caribou, cougars, wolverines and lynx - making Hinton a town at the edge of vast and beautiful wilderness.