Fort Normandeau
Fort Normandeau
4
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
Sitting on the south bank of the Red Deer River, Fort Normandeau is the historical meeting place of Red Deer's three founding cultures; the Indigenous people who lived on the land for millennia, Metis buffalo hunters and traders, and early European settlers. Explore the Fort grounds, visit the interpretive centre, and have an interactive historic experience with the Interpreters in the rec-recreated Fort building and palisade.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
24 reviews
Excellent
11
Very good
7
Average
5
Poor
1
Terrible
0
advcards
Reno, NV3,515 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
Small exhibit little Museum Fort TP, overlooking the river. I’m sure and watch the video and actually explain the process a little bit museum itself is free although you can make a donation overall probably a half hour to 45 minute stretch break and walk around.
Written July 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeregrineEdmonton
Edmonton272 contributions
Aug. 2021
This was the original Red Deer River crossing. This is a well-designed and well-kept County site. Access is by donation. There is an interpretive centre with a balanced 10 minute video introduction to the history of the site, as well as friendly and knowledgeable interpreters on site. The visitors centre is cleverly built into the river bank, nicely integrated into the environment. The fort, which is small, a stockade around a house and a couple of out buildings, is none-the-less a good example of fortifications at the time. The house contains a collection of period artifacts.
The grounds have several benches and picnic tables and good views of the river. There is also a boat launch.
The grounds have several benches and picnic tables and good views of the river. There is also a boat launch.
Written August 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
browncondo2102
Kitchener, Canada1,666 contributions
Jul. 2021
I great little fort from years gone by. Unfortunately during this part of our trip there were no kids with us to enjoy the animals.
This is the birthplace of Red Deer and is steeped in local history from the mid 1800's.
This is the birthplace of Red Deer and is steeped in local history from the mid 1800's.
Written July 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shaowu C
Edmonton, Canada12 contributions
Aug. 2020 • Family
Visited this fort for the first time last week. It is conveniently located less than 10 min west of highway 2. Plenty of parking and surrounded by nice park, chicken coop and veggie garden. There were two interpreters dressed in historical outfits in the fort that told us short stories about hygiene practices in old times. It was quite fun. The fort is small and due to social distancing, I didnt really walk around inside. My kids had lots of fun feeding the chickens behind the fort with dandelion leaves. I definitely recommend this sight if you want a short break from your travels and if you want to learn a bit about Ref Deer history. Beautiful scenery around the fort too.
Written August 7, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stacysmith22
Red Deer, Canada5 contributions
Aug. 2018
A lot of new things for the kids to participate in that are different that the hustle and bustle of "life". Suitable for all ages including adults!
Written August 27, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sameh W
Edmonton, Canada15 contributions
Aug. 2017 • Family
Great place to visit. It is beautiful, quiet and the river is amazing. There is lots to see, but mostly it is a place to relax.
Good activities for the kids!
Good activities for the kids!
Written August 30, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael G
Edmonton, Canada185 contributions
Aug. 2017 • Couples
We wandered down to the fort and found it to be a great place to visit. It is beautiful, quiet and the river is amazing. There is lots to see, but mostly it is a place to relax.
Written August 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pat G
Calgary, Canada47 contributions
Jul. 2017
We had never heard of Fort Normandeau before our trip to camp nearby, but this one should be on every family's bucket list for travel near Red Deer AB. This is a well-designed reconstruction of the first settlement at this site. Our guide identified himself as Plains Cree, and was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area. The tour begins with a 12 minute video, introducing the people who made the history here. Following that, there are well-placed exhibits, including actual uniforms for children to try on and a scale model of the fort to build. Outside there is more to see, including gardens and a reconstruction of part of the fort. Workers outside told us about Fort Normandeau Days coming up later in August, with a reenactment of local battles.
The Fort offers many tours and workshops throughout the year, including day camps during summer months. One of our group members is a teacher in Calgary, who thinks this would be a perfect day trip for a Social Studies class. We decided that this is one spot that should be better known and visited frequently.
The Fort offers many tours and workshops throughout the year, including day camps during summer months. One of our group members is a teacher in Calgary, who thinks this would be a perfect day trip for a Social Studies class. We decided that this is one spot that should be better known and visited frequently.
Written August 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are so glad that you had a great time! Thank you for coming to see us and we hope to see you again soon!
Written August 7, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
ahsjadhagshagd1234
Red Deer, Canada47 contributions
Jun. 2016 • Friends
This place has buildings only made of wood. You can only be outside for most of it. I really like this park to be improved.
Written December 24, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We are sorry to hear that you found your experience to be lacking. Please feel free to visit us when the Fort and Interpretive Center buildings are open between May and September.
Written August 7, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Adrian D
Coquitlam, Canada173 contributions
Sep. 2016 • Couples
We visited Fort Normandeau with family while on a visit from our BC home. The location is extremely pleasant - a nice park-like setting right beside the river. However, the historical presentation is every bit as worthwhile - we learned a great deal about early settlement in the Red Deer area as well as the Northwest Rebellion. If you enjoy a taste of history in an extremely relaxing setting, this is the place for you! Great stop for a picnic lunch too!
The only downside is the parking area, which appears a little on the small side. We were told that parking during the summer season can be extremely problematic.
The only downside is the parking area, which appears a little on the small side. We were told that parking during the summer season can be extremely problematic.
Written September 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingFORT NORMANDEAU - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Fort Normandeau
- Fort Normandeau is open:
- Sun - Sat 11:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Hotels near Fort Normandeau:
- (3.25 km) Best Western Plus Red Deer Inn & Suites
- (4.32 km) Holiday Inn Express Red Deer, an IHG Hotel
- (6.99 km) Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton Red Deer
- (6.50 km) Holiday Inn & Suites Red Deer South
- (3.88 km) Radisson Hotel Red Deer
- Restaurants near Fort Normandeau:
- (4.15 km) Tribe
- (1.46 km) Westlake Grill at Heritage Ranch
- (1.46 km) Westlake Grill
- (1.10 km) A & W Restaurant Highway 2 South
- (3.99 km) It's All Greek To Me- original owner, Nick Sakkalis