A friendly community for your family

We’re a young region with an average age of 34. Our fastest growing population is kids under 14, making up 22 percent of the population. With over 60 languages spoken here and 40% of residents belonging to a visible minority, Municipal Census 2025 tells us the story of a young, vibrant and diverse region you might expect in a big city, but with the warmth of a smaller town.

Browse this page to find information about some of Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo’s key neighbourhoods, community attractions, and events. You’ll also find information on education, health care, and municipal services.

Fort McMurray is a closely-knit community with diverse neighbourhoods. Whether you love a walkable downtown area or close proximity to year-round trails, there’s a space for you. Here are just a few of our stand-out neighbourhoods:

Parson’s Creek

Fort McMurray’s northern most neighborhood with upcoming developments, including Walmart Supercentre. Houses two schools (one public, one Catholic), access to wooded trail systems and asphalt biking/running trails. Home to a beautiful man-made lake, community playgrounds, a spray park and skate park.

Eagle Ridge

Lots of access to commercial options – coffee shops, pubs, fast food, hair salons, health and wellness, and more.

Home to a movie theatre and Q Social. A mix of family homes, row housing, and condo buildings. Close to gyms and recreation centres. Walking-friendly with access to trail systems.

Timberlea

The largest subdivision in Fort McMurray. A mix of all housing structures; includes more established neighborhoods and newer builds. Many schools in the area, great access to public transit, many different amenities and commercial options.

Thickwood

One of the most beautiful features of Thickwood is its close proximity to nature. Surrounded by lush forests, the Birchwood Trails, and numerous parks, Thickwood puts nature on your doorstep. On the eastern edge of Thickwood you’ll find amenities like grocery stores, local shops, restaurants, and other services. The neighbourhood has a mix of detached homes, condos, and rowhouses – there’s a home for everyone!

Abasand

Small, tight-knit community, just minutes from downtown. Access to schools, including Fort McMurray’s francophone school, parks and amenities. Surrounded by beautiful landscape. Smaller family homes: detached, row housing, condo buildings.

Gregoire

Minutes from the Fort McMurray International Airport and a beautiful 15-minute drive out to Gregoire Lake Provincial Park. Home to many commercial amenities, alongside the Gregoire Industrial Park. Lots of small family options for housing – or a quick jump across the highway to Beaconhill for larger, more established homes and yards.

Longboat Landing

Anchored on the southern edge of downtown, beautiful scenery with access to all downtown has to offer. Close to the Syncrude Sport and Wellness Centre, Keyano College and Keyano Theatre.

Mostly row homes and condo buildings – when leaving the subdivision, one turn will take you to the heart of downtown with access to recreation, food, and amenities. One turn will take you along the beautiful Clearwater River and access our historical Heritage Shipyard and local gem, Snye Point Park.

Rural Communities

Learn about all 10 rural communities within the region and the distinctive offerings of each. Visit rmwb.ca for more.

Saprae Creek Estates

Located South of Fort McMurray, a “country” feel outside of the city. Large family homes with incredible green space and a small community feel. Minutes away from Vista Ridge, home to skiing in the winter, and the zipline park and golfing in the summer.

Quick access to the Fort McMurray International Airport. The boreal forest and incredible access to the outdoors is right in your backyard.

Anzac

Rural hamlet located approximately 40 minutes Southeast of Fort McMurray. Beautiful, tight knit community surrounded by boreal forest.

Access to waterfront areas at Anzac beach or a 5 minute drive to Gregoire Lake Provincial Park.

Large family homes with huge green spaces – access to a school, grocery store, local pubs, and a world class recreation facility.

Diverse events all year round

Events help to bring our community together. From tournaments to food and music festivals, markets, cultural celebrations to seasonal galas, here’s an overview of some of our signature events:

ATC Cultural Festival

The mission of the Athabasca Tribal Council Cultural Festival is to develop and deliver a festival that showcases, celebrates, and fosters the development of Northern Alberta’s diverse and distinctive Indigenous arts and culture.

WinterPLAY

Snye Point Park is the home of our community’s annual WinterPLAY festival, presented by the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. It’s a celebration of all things winter – with a range of events sure to heat things up!

Patio Party

Summertime is patio time! And what better space than the Fort McMurray Heritage Shipyards? Waterfront breezes, great food, live music, and cool vibes make this event a community favorite (paused for 2026).

Ribfest

What’s better than a weekend of BBQ and live music? When the event is raising thousands of dollars and thousands of pounds of food for local groups as well. Ribfest is a relatively new event for the city, but the 2023 event attracted over 10,000 visitors. Expect this event to become a community staple.

Inter Pipeline Fort McMurray Marathon

Each September hundreds of runners take part in this event, with full and half marathons, 10k, 5k, 3k, and a kids fun run as well. The well-organized event includes music, food, prizes, and family fun.

Remarkable Indigenous Strength

Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo is Treaty 8 Territory, the traditional lands of the Cree and Dene, and the unceded territory of the Métis people.

First Nations and Métis communities from Fort Fitzgerald to Conklin are continuing centuries-old traditions while innovating new paths on the journey forward.

Friendly Shops, Quality Services, and Districts to Explore

Fort McMurray is an entrepreneurial hotspot. It’s part of our culture, and hundreds of businesses have grown to provide the good and services you’re seeking. Here are five commercial areas to explore:

Downtown

OK - so this is a big one. The original townsite is Fort McMurray’s largest commercial area with a variety of businesses from unique shops to big-box stores. Entertainment options like the Rivers Casino keep things hopping, and the restaurant scene reflects the city’s rich cultural diversity.

Peter Pond Mall

Located centrally in the city’s Downtown, Peter Pond Mall is a two-level shopping centre with dozens of shops, restaurants, and services. The property’s managers work hard to bring in-demand retailers to the city, such as the new Sephora store that opened in November 2023.

Eagle Ridge

Fort McMurray’s most recent commercial development is a thriving hub. The area is easily accessible from Confederation Way. Landmark Cinemas is a popular destination, along with the local hotspots East Village Pub and Banquet.

Gregoire

Access to Fort McMurray International Airport, Downtown, and Highway 63 make Gregoire an ideal site for major local hotels. A variety of family-friendly restaurants are located nearby to support travelers (and locals!).

Mackenzie Industrial Park

From veterinary services to self-storage sites, and from auto repair to equipment rentals, Mackenzie Industrial Park is home to over one hundred businesses. It’s also the location for Keyano College’s Suncor Energy Industrial Campus.