You’ve decided you’re going to propose. Fantastic! Where are you going to pop that question? And when?
Grande Prairie has several fantastic proposal spots. Some of them are season-specific, while others are beautiful options year-round.
Here are some of our top choices:
1. In a Canola Field
Season: Late Summer
Gorgeous yellow fields under our big Alberta skies: could there be a better backdrop for your engagement? All that’s required here is access to a vehicle and the patience for a bit of a drive to find the perfect field.
Bonus points: Wait for the soft light of the golden hour. Also, walk along the field for a bit for effect.
Considerations: As long as she isn’t allergic to canola – or has a strong aversion to the great outdoors – it should be a hit.
2. Quadding or Side-By-Side-ing
Season: Summer or Early Fall
Tons of quad and side-by-side trails span the Peace Country. Use them to your advantage. The benefit of quadding around is you can keep going until you find the ideal spot or moment to pop the question. Plus, it’s secluded so you can enjoy the moment together.
Bonus Points: Go to your favourite spot or a place you’ve been lots. The memory of this moment will linger in that location forever.
Considerations: If she likes photos, try not to get too muddy beforehand (unless that’s fun for all parties!). Also, keep the ring in a safe spot! It’s easy to lose and hard to find when you’re ripping around the woods.
3. Bear Creek Folk Festival
Season: Summer (Usually in August)
Perfect for music lovers and social butterflies. You can pop the question during her favourite band’s performance or while wandering through the Muskoseepi Park trails in the heart of Grande Prairie.
Bonus Points: Wait until a nighttime performance and drop the question under the stars.
Considerations: Make sure she’s into a public proposal! And make sure she’s gonna say yes – there are usually a lot of people there.
Find more info on the Folk Fest here.
4. River Boating
Season: Late Spring, Summer or Early Fall
For boat lovers, you can’t beat a day trip down the Wapiti – or any other river for that matter. Packing a picnic beforehand provides the perfect excuse to find a quiet, secluded spot to ask that all-important question.
Bonus Points: Go midday to avoid an overhaul of mosquitoes. Also, tell friends to meet you there a bit after – that way you can both enjoy some champagne.
Considerations: Rainy days can put a serious damper on this idea, as well as a late-spring or early-fall snowfall. Check the long-range forecast before committing to this one.
5. Kakwa Falls
Season: Summer or Fall
Optional: Also quite beautiful in the winter, but much trickier to access!
A truly stunning scene, especially on a warm summer day. Kakwa Falls is one of the most refreshing backdrops close to Grande Prairie. The trail to the falls is perfect for hiking, biking, or quadding and – since it’s a bit of a trip outside the city – it’s usually not too busy.
Bonus Points: Climb down the falls (carefully!) and walk behind the pouring water for a mystifying proposal spot.
Considerations: The falls are 160 km out of Grande Prairie, but the small roads can take a while to drive through. The road ends about 1.5 km before the actual falls so come prepared to hike, bike, or quad the final distance. The bottom of the falls can also be slippery so watch your step before you kneel!
6. Kleskun Hill
Season: Late Spring, Summer, Fall
The most northern badlands in Alberta provides a unique proposal scene. This grassy knoll is ideal on a sunny summer day but is equally beautiful with the changing colours of fall and spring. You can hike up the hills for a gorgeous view or propose in front of the hills for a stunning backdrop.
Bonus Points: Pack a picnic and make a day out of it. For those early birds, hike the hill in the morning before sunrise and drop the question to a breathtaking sight.
Considerations: Windy days can kick up a lot of dirt here. It’s also a bit of a walk, especially if you want to climb the hills, so make sure you’re dressed appropriately.
7. O’Brien Provincial Park
Season: All
Between the towering trees and the serenity of the river, few outdoor experiences beat a trip out to O’Brien for beauty. In the summer, the trees provide gorgeous shade. In the fall, the colourful trees are the perfect scene. And winter is a real-life wonderland. Proposing here can bridge the views with peaceful nature for a remarkable memory.
Bonus Points: Take the trail up to Nitehawk for a bit of privacy and several stunning proposal spots.
Considerations: Gorgeous summer days find this park packed with people. The evenings can be quieter, but mosquito-filled. The trails also aren’t maintained in the winter either, so you might have to hike through snow.
8. Nordic Ski Trails
Season: All
Quiet, winding paths offer a great choice for a proposal, any time of the year. In the winter, you can bring your cross-country skis to traverse the trails. The rest of the year, you can walk, bike, or run along the trails until you see the perfect spot.
Bonus Points: For a fall proposal, make sure you go right as the leaves are their brightest – but before that first snowfall!
Considerations: Sometimes the trails are busy, so you might cross other hikers’ paths. It’s also an activity-centred place, so don’t expect to drive up and then leave.
9. Ice-Skating Ponds
Season: Late Fall, Winter, or Early Spring
A heartily Canadian move, proposing while skating is a nearly fairy-tale choice of scenery. Several options for location lie in each neighbourhood of the city, so pick one and grab those skates!
Bonus Points: Go skating late in the evening or into the night. It increases the chance at privacy and you can skate under the stars – and maybe northern lights. Extra points if it’s snowing.
Considerations: Light snow is great – blizzarding is less ideal. Also, make sure you both skate well, or else this night could end in the hospital instead of in celebration.
10. Your Own House
Season: All
We tend to think we need to ask this special question in a “unique” place. But that’s not always the best answer. Popping the question in the house is both private and personal. It’s also comfortable, reducing the awkwardness of an unfamiliar place or location. Plus, what better place to start your life together than in the place you’ll live that life?
Bonus Points: Make plans to go out and pop the question before you leave. That gives you plans to celebrate with and she’ll be dressed up for photos – if that’s her style.
Considerations: Clean the house! Also, don’t get too weird about getting her to stand in a specific spot or area. This location deserves a more relaxed and natural approach.
