Alberta off-road riders have another major fall gathering on the calendar as the Brazeau ATV Club prepares for its 23rd Annual Poker Rally on Saturday, September 19, 2026, on the Brazeau OHV trail system near Drayton Valley.
The annual event combines a day of trail riding with a five-card poker rally, prizes, food, camping and fundraising for the club’s maintained trail network.
The event takes place at the Brazeau OHV Trails off Range Road 83 near Drayton Valley. A riders meeting is scheduled for 9:30 a.m., registration runs from 10:00 a.m. to noon, completed poker hands must be returned by 4:00 p.m., and winner announcements are scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Five checkpoints across the Brazeau trail system
The format sends participants through five checkpoints, with riders drawing one card at each stop to complete a five-card poker hand.
The club describes it as a true five-card poker format, meaning riders are responsible for ensuring there are no duplicate cards in their final hand.
After the riders meeting, participants can head onto the trail system and work through the checkpoints at their own pace before returning their completed poker hand by the 4:00 p.m. cutoff.
Poker hands start at $30
The first poker hand costs $30, while additional hands are available for $10 each.
The event will also include a 50/50 draw, door prizes and other prize opportunities, while food will be available for purchase during the day.
Organizers are advising participants to bring cash because cellular service in the riding area can be limited.
The rally helps maintain the trails
For the Brazeau ATV Club, the event is more than a day on the trails.
The club identifies the Poker Rally as an important annual fundraiser, with proceeds helping support maintenance of the Brazeau trail system and the work required to keep the network safe and usable.
That connection matters in off-road recreation.
Trail systems depend on ongoing maintenance, signage, volunteer labour, repairs and cooperation with landowners and public agencies. Events such as the Poker Rally give riders a chance to support the same network they are using during the event.
Community support is part of the day
The event also includes a 50/50 draw, with organizers identifying Brazeau Search and Rescue as a beneficiary of the 2026 draw.
That creates a direct community connection between the rally and an organization involved in emergency response and public safety in the region.
The event information also states that participating machines must carry valid registration and insurance.
Organizers have established zero tolerance for alcohol or drug use during the event.
Camping available near the trails
Random camping is available in the area for riders who want to make a weekend out of the event.
An evening bonfire is also planned, subject to any fire restrictions in effect at the time.
Participants should confirm current local fire conditions before travelling and arrive prepared for changing September weather.
An established Alberta off-road event
Twenty-three years is substantial longevity for a volunteer-driven powersports event.
The Brazeau Poker Rally gives riders a structured reason to explore one of central Alberta’s maintained OHV networks while directly supporting the organization helping to maintain those trails.
It also arrives at a useful point in Alberta’s riding season, when September conditions can offer strong fall trail riding before colder weather begins reducing the remaining ATV and OHV calendar.
For riders heading to Drayton Valley, preparation remains important. Machines should be mechanically ready for a full trail day, riders should carry appropriate recovery and safety equipment, and all registration and insurance documents should be current.
Event details
Brazeau ATV Club 23rd Annual Poker Rally
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Location: Brazeau OHV Trails, RR 83, Drayton Valley, Alberta
Riders meeting: 9:30 a.m.
Registration: 10:00 a.m. to noon
Poker-hand cutoff: 4:00 p.m.
Winner announcements: 4:30 p.m.
First poker hand: $30
Additional hands: $10
Payment: Cash recommended due to limited cellular service
Camping: Random camping available
Requirements: Valid vehicle registration and insurance
Participants can register through the official Brazeau ATV Club Eventbrite listing.
Bottom line
The Brazeau ATV Club’s 23rd Annual Poker Rally returns September 19 with trail riding, poker hands, prizes, food, camping and fundraising tied directly to the local OHV network.
For Alberta riders, it is both a fall riding event and a chance to support the volunteer infrastructure that keeps the Brazeau trail system active.
