Bilby Natural Area

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Bilby was originally a railway stop on the Canadian Northern Railway [1, 2] with a general store and a water and coal station for the trains. The track was laid 1912 and the hamlet was named for a company engineer called ‘Wilby’. Unfortunately a spelling error resulted in the name ‘Bilby’. The one room school house closed in 1952 and the train station ceased service in 1961.Signs about Bilby’s history can be found in the former townsite.

The Fast Facts

The natural area is to the south of the train tracks which runs south of Devil’s (Matchayaw) Lake. Camps for kids and cabins were created in the area and were serviced by the train until passenger service ceased. While the hamlet, post office and general store have disappeared; there is an estate and the natural area bears the original name (okay, not the original which was Wilby, but close).There are numerous access points for this large nature area including:

  • Northwest: Range Road 15 and the CNR Tracks.
  • Southeast: Range Road 14, across from the estate community.
  • Northeast: Range Road 14 and Township Road 545.
Track of the natural area.
Bilby Natural Area, Outer Loop

Area Details

  • Name/Owner: Bilby Natural Area.
  • Is it Worth It and Why Go Here?: A worthwhile destination despite the damage from the ATVs. The area is large and the larger Onoway area is worth a visit.
  • Map Reference, Location and Wayne Gretzky Units:
    • Central Alberta Backroads Map Book, p. Wabamun Lake (44), Cell G3.
    • .53′ 42″ -114′ 07″. Not directly accessible from highway 16; travel north on 779 and then west on Township Road 544.
    • Wayne Gretzky Driving Time & Distance: 47 Min(s) & 59 Kilometres.
    • Depending which access point is used, parking on the road maybe required. There is a parking lot just south of Devil’s lake.
  • Rating and Description:
    • Difficulty Level & Safety: High Beginner (due to rutted trails, elevation gains and the distance from the city).
    • A basic loop will take you to Kilini Creek and then return to the road via cut line.
    • Consider exploring trails that go across the reserve.
    • The good news is that the trail is near to the City. The bad news is that quads and snowmobilers have found it; exercise caution on the trail.
    • The total length of the main trail is about 4KM so this is good if you are planning to do something else during the day. You can also explore the middle sections.
    • Reports from the summer suggest that the area is pretty wet and buggy in the summer – which is why we go snowshoeing.
  • Links:
  • The Drive Out: Take Highway 37 out. Although narrower than Highway 16, it travels through farm country. Consider exploring Onoway when in the area including visiting its museum and small downtown core.
  • The Other Shoe: Combine with other activities in the Onoway area. Fat bikes certainly cannot do any more damage already done by the ATVs. Cross country skiing would require breaking your own trail on a rutted track.
  • Frank’s Trip Notes
    • First done: 2017-03-11.
    • 2020-12-11: Trails continue to deteriorate due to the ATVs.

Notes and References

  1. Bilby Remembered (Unpublished), n.d.
  2. Discussion with Blaine from bison grow & greenhouses. Telephone – 780.499.4829, December 4, 2020.
  3. “Bilby.” Placard at former townsite, n.d.

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