Canoes, kayaks, snow bikes and cabin stays make a Métis river tourism experience

Zack Doroshenko realizes he’s not a major player in the tourism industry, but he’s pleased his Alberta business, Rural River Rentals, is able to expand thanks to funding from supportive sources.

Rural River Rentals, located adjacent to St. Albert, Alta. in Sturgeon County, was launched in 2021 when Doroshenko began renting out canoes and kayaks for trips along a neighbouring river.

“Our property is an old Métis river lot… The site itself is on the river lot bordering the Sturgeon River,” Doroshenko said. “It's a site designed for groups, which is expandable. Basically, there's two bunk houses, a main cabin. Then there's a bathroom cabin and a spa area.”

The year-round business is now involved in a major expansion with four tiny cabins under construction for visitor stays.

Doroshenko originally applied for and received funds through Travel Alberta to enhance his company’s glamping experiences. Then federal officials announced that Rural River Rentals would receive $115,000 through the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) program.

“I'm a small fish, kind of competing against these tourism conglomerates,” Doroshenko said. “But it seems the funding went to smaller local operators, which is good.” Rural River Rentals was one of eight businesses in Alberta to receive funds from PrairiesCan.

Doroshenko praised Travel Alberta reps for initially showing interest in his expansion plans.

“This was their project first, technically,” he said. “Travel Alberta invested in the glamping project. And then PrairiesCan saw that there was Travel Alberta investment, which I would say helped their decision-making, because the project had already been vetted by Travel Alberta.”

Doroshenko is pleased to see others investing in businesses that provide Indigenous-led tourism experiences.

“They are steps in the right direction, empowering small businesses and spreading those tourism numbers across the province,” he said.

Doroshenko started Rural River Rentals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It turned out that the only things you could do at the time were outdoor recreational activities,” he said. “We did okay. Honestly, in the first couple years, even though it was tough, it was a really interesting time.”

The business expanded beyond the summer canoe and kayak rentals to some winter offerings. That included the purchase of four moon bikes (electric snow bikes).

“We were the first in Canada to actually offer these bikes,” Doroshenko said.

A four-kilometre network of trails is available for visitors to use.

“And the cabins site is right in the middle of those trails on the property,” he added.

Doroshenko also provides guided tours. The length of tours varies.

“It really depends,” Doroshenko said. “They’re usually around a few hours, depending on what route you do… My trips are all private group tours. So, people can really customize their experience based on their skill level and what they want to do.”

The tours are also educational, providing historical information about Indigenous peoples and their territories in the area.

“The Sturgeon River connects to the North Saskatchewan River eventually. And that played a major part in the development of St. Albert.” It was a thriving Métis community prior to the arrival of Father Albert Lacombe, who established the mission of St. Albert in January 1861.

“I integrate Métis history,” he said of the tours. “And the cabin site itself will be a lot more interactive in the future. People will be able to tour the property and learn about the history, and Métis history, through signage and art installations.”

That expansion will occur after he makes some money on the soon-to-be-opened cabins. He said he wouldn’t have been able to afford expanding the business if it weren’t for outside funding.

“It elevated the business because, before, I wouldn't have been able to front everything for these cabins,” he said. “We did a lot of the work ourselves, which also saved us a lot of money. But it's been a huge, huge help.”

More information on Rural River Rentals is available at https://www.ruralrivers.com/