You might want to stop off at the Orchard Palace and En Sante Winery before heading back to the lake. (Shutterstock)

Some secrets are just so good, you know you shouldn't tell anyone.

On the other hand if a secret is that good human nature says tell everyone.

Such is the case with the town of Elk Point, some 250 kilometres east of Edmonton.

"Flat to rolling hills and some river valleys," says Dennis Jasinsky, deputy mayor of Elk Point, regimented in his secrecy but set to burst with the tiniest bit of prodding. "Not too much."

Not too much, eh? No lakes or anything?

"Lakes," says Jasinsky, as the dam of secrecy bursts, "we're in the middle of Alberta's Lakeland. There are a thousand lakes out here."

In fact, Elk Point's claim to fame is "Gateway to Alberta's Lakeland."

For landlocked Albertans, any talk of Lakeland can be a hard pill to swallow, but it's true.

Stoney Lake is the closest lake, lieing just beyond Elk Point and is home to some of the areas best fishing, swimming and camping.

Whitney Lake Provincial Park encompasses Ross, Whitney, Laurier and Borden lakes and comes complete with an extensive trail system that tells the story of the area's formations, as well as describes the flora and fauna that are characteristic to the area. As expected in an area referred to as Gateway to Alberta's Lakeland, there is excellent boating, fishing, swimming and camping.

The lakes that beckon from Elk Point are left over from the last ice age, howver, that's not the extent of the town's historical ties.

"Elk point is the oldest settlement on the North Saskatchewan River in Alberta," says Jasinsky of the town of 1,440 that was established on fur, grew up on agriculture, and has come into its own with oil and gas. "That river used to be the highway."

In 1792, famed Hudon Bay Co. explorer Peter Fidler helped establish a Hudson Bay Co. fur trading post called Buckingham House. Not to be outdone the North West Company built Fort George not 50 yards away.

"This is the only place in North America that had two rival trading forts," says Jasinsky.

So proud of this history, the entrance to Elk Point is guarded by a 32-foot tall carved statue of Fidler. As well, the site of the old trading posts is now known as the Fort George and Buckingham House Provincial Historic Site. The site consists of a new interpretive centre with a small gift shop and washrooms, and a trail leading to the two fort sites. The local Pioneer Museum is a great way to help relive Canada's fur trading history.

As well, Elk point is home to a piece of an old railbed now called The Iron Horse Trail. The pathway follows an abandoned section of the Canadian National Railway line from Waskatenau, 90 kilometres east of Edmonton, to Cold Lake, with an arm branching off to St. Paul and Elk Point.

The trail was born a decade ago after CN abandoned 34 kilometres of the line from Elk Point to Heinsburg.

The 250-kilometre trail that links town after town, runs through one of the most scenic areas in northeastern Alberta was built thanks to a partnership of counties, towns and villages.

"It's part of the TransCanada Trail," says Jasinsky. "It's used for recreation. People hike it or run ATVs on it. It even sees covered wagons come down.

"You can pick it up in Heinsburg."

To help choke down all this adventure and history, Elk Point has some interesting culinary opportunities. JVM Farm is in the rolling hills of the Stoney Lake region, south west of Elk Point. Started in 1994 by Walter and Cecilia De Silva, the farm specializes in the production of organic grown berries - ingredients that make their famous organic fruit pies.

As a side note, Cecilia also makes Raku Pottery, which is an ancient Japanese form of firing pottery. For the past 15 years Cecilia has been selling her works through the local Visual Arts Centre, West Edmonton Mall, a gallery in Lethbridge and Stettler and at La Corey. The Raku process requires the pieces to be fired to 1800 F and placed in a container of combustible materials. While bursting into flames, the container is covered. It is the lack of oxygen, smoke and special glazes that create the unique one-of-a-kind work of art. Come see this ancient and unique pottery demonstration.

Finally, you might want to stop off at the Orchard Palace and En Sante Winery before heading back to the lake. In January 2006, En Sante Winery began producing an organic fruit wine under the new Cottage Winery Legislation. The OrchardPalace features 1,500 certified organic apple trees and is located west of Elk Point nearBrosseau. The orchard supports a U-pick and the winery. Fruit Wine is another unique Alberta product.

There are two ways to get to Elk Point. The first is up Highway 16 to Vermilion and then north on Highway 41, or the more leisurely route via Fort Saskatchewan to Lamont and then banking between Duvernay, Brosseau and Lafond.

"I guess there is a lot to do," says Jasinsky. "You just have to get it out of me."