Pocahontas, Alberta facts for kids
Pocahontas is a place in Jasper National Park in Alberta's Rockies, Canada. It used to be a busy community where people mined coal. Today, it's a popular spot for visitors to the park. You can find it along Highway 16, about 38 km (24 mi) northeast of the town of Jasper. It's also where you turn off to visit the Miette Hot Springs.
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What is Pocahontas?
Pocahontas was once a small town built around a coal mine. It was located in a beautiful mountain area. While the mining community is no longer there, the area still offers things for people to do. Today, you can find a campground, a hotel, and a walking trail. This trail lets you explore the few buildings that are left from the old mining days.
How Pocahontas Got Its Name
The community of Pocahontas was named after another coal mining town. That town is called Pocahontas, Virginia, in the United States. In turn, both places were named after the famous Native American woman, Pocahontas, who lived a long time ago.
Visiting Pocahontas Today
The main attraction in the Pocahontas area now is the campground. It used to be called Pocahontas Campground. Parks Canada manages this campground. It has 140 campsites where you can park your RV or set up a tent. The sites can fit vehicles up to 27 ft (8.2 m) long.
Miette Campground Name Change
In 2022, something important happened regarding the campground's name. The Jasper Indigenous Forum and Parks Canada decided to change the name. The campground is now known as Miette Campground for a while. This change is part of a bigger discussion. They want to find a new, permanent name that truly respects and honors the Indigenous cultures. These cultures have strong connections to Jasper National Park and its land.
