13 Ways to Have Fun in Elk Point, Alberta

The are several reasons to take a trip east of Edmonton, and several more reasons to visit the town of Elk Point! Eastern-central Alberta is home to rolling lake lands, the North Saskatchewan River, and rich history and cultures in which to immerse yourself. This riverside town is at the crossing of Buffalo Trail (AB-41) and AB-646 on the North Saskatchewan’s northern banks. The river provides a lot to do, but also creates scenic views from town.

Being near the River, lakes, a provincial park, and Alberta’s Iron Horse Trail means there is plenty of year-round outdoor recreation in and around Elk Point; it also means there is plenty of camping if you need a place to stay on your trip.

Elk Point is also home to some unique public art installations, a main street filled with great eats, and lots of other fun things to see and do!

Visit the Statues

There is a common name you might run into across Elk Point, and eastern/central Alberta for that matter! Herman Poulin is a renowned local artist with large public installations appearing all over Alberta. In Elk Point, you will see his name under the Royal Canadian Legion Cenotaph and the Peter Fidler Statue. Take this time to also visit the RCMP Centennial Monument created by Ralph Kryvenchuck and Steve Shmyr.

Peter Fidler: north side of town on the west side of AB-41, Elk Point

RCMP Centennial Monument: 4802 50 Ave., Elk Point

Royal Canadian Legion Cenotaph: 4802 50 Ave., Elk Point

Walk through Mural Park

After a visit to the larger-than-life art and statues around Elk Point, you can walk through the outdoor gallery of Mural Park. The murals span 100ft. side-by-side and pay homage to various parts of Elk Point’s cultures, histories, and stories. The murals were created by Milholland nearly 30 years ago, and still stand as bright and colourful pictures of the past in the center of town. This is also a great picnic spot!

Elk Point Mural Park: 5201 50 Ave., Elk Point

Explore the Iron Horse Trail

Iron Horse Trail

You have options when it comes to travelling the iconic Iron Horse Trail: take a quick walk along the North Saskatchewan River’s banks; traverse the trail with quads and mountain bikes; visit in winter with cross-country skis and snowmobiles; or bring the horses- the IHT permits equestrian riding. Elk Point is near the southern-most point of the Trail which ends in historic Heinsburg after crossing the river.

Golfing & Dining at the Elk Point Country Club

The 9-hole course at the Elk Point Country Club is a great way to fit in a quick game of golf while seeing the rest of the town, or while making time for dinner at the Club’s restaurant. You can also book 18 holes to arrange a free campsite for the night. It is a fun course with a few hidden challenges making it a great place for kids to learn too!

Elk Point Golf & Country Club: 4914 50 Ave., Elk Point

Phone: (780) 724-3810

Boating

The smaller Borden Lake within Whitney Lakes Provincial Park makes for a calm, quiet and peaceful float, or paddle, with powerboating permitted on the park’s other lakes. Kehiwen Lake, which runs alongside AB-41, also offers a large wilderness park with a small boat launch at the campground. Stoney Lake is another popular boating spot with other amenities like a playground, trails, camping, and swimming.

Boat Launches Near Elk Point

Beaches & Swimming

Credit: Alberta Parks

There are quite a few hidden swimming holes and lakes within Lakeland County, many of which are a short drive from the town of Elk Point. Whitney Lakes Provincial Park offers a large beach with nearby camping and hiking, a boat launch, and fishing. Other nearby beaches can be found on Fork Lake, Floating Stone Lake, Lower Mann Lake, Vincent Lake, Lac Sante, Lac Bellevue, and Stoney Lake.

Beaches near Elk Point

Hiking

There is a lot of wilderness surrounding Elk Point that you can explore on foot between the North Saskatchewan River, the Iron Horse Trail, and Whitney Lakes Provincial Park. The park offers front- and back-country hiking around smaller and larger lakes with an array of wildlife to watch for, while the Iron Horse Trail takes you through valleys, prairies, and past scenic farmland. The Heinsburg IHT staging area leads to a scenic river walk along the North Saskatchewan.

Fort George & Buckingham House

Government of Alberta

The fur trade was an important part of this area’s early development, and you can walk through this history at Fort George and the Buckingham House. A guided tour takes you through a wooded area to what remains of the two forts. There is an interpretive centre as well where you can tour through artifacts and small exhibits.

Fort George & Buckingham House: 6015 Twp Rd 565 County of St Paul

Historic Heinsberg

The Elk Point Historical Society has a few sites you can visit near town where you’ll learn about Elk Point, Heinsburg, Ferguson Flats, and Lindbergh. It will feel like a drive back in time through preserved sites and buildings, also located in scenic areas! The North Saskatchewan River was an important trade route, so many significant places are on the high banks of the river. The Society provides maps to all the special spots.

Frog Lake National Historic Site

This educational interpretive trail just east of Elk Point (30 minutes drive) highlights the historically significant and tragic event of the Frog Lake Massacre. The site is also home to old artifacts and indications of the town which once was. The walking trail winds through the Frog Lake First Nation and is a glimpse into the Frog Lake Settlement with a cemetery and archaeological remnants.

Lake and River Fishing

North Saskatchewan River Guide

You will find the launch point for the The North Saskatchewan River Guide in Heinsberg. You could catch: Sturgeon, Walleye, Goldeye, Burbot, Pike, a White Sucker, and more on your tour. Contact them for tour rates and to purchase your fishing license before you head out on the water. But if you’re looking for a more relaxing fishing experience, you can try one of a few ponds or lakes:

Moosehills Lake
Ross Lake
Stoney Lake
Whitney Lake
Vermillion Provincial Park

Craft Shopping

There are a few wonderful shops within town run by some crafting experts. Sew Heavenly Quilting is a place to go if you are looking for a new hobby or looking for patches and pieces in all sorts of colours and patterns imaginable. For other types of sewing supplies and fabrics, the local Fabric Fantasy’s can provide everything you need for the perfect piece!

Fabric Fantasy’s: 4817 52 St.
Sew Heavenly Quilting: 4824 50 Ave.

Camping

The eastern Lakeland of Alberta offers a quiet and relaxing escape from home with serene lakes, peaceful trails, beaches, fishing opportunities, and dark, starry skies. To get in all there is to see and do in Elk Point, consider a camping weekend with one of the nearby Provincial Parks or private sites.