Central Alberta 
While spring vacations may not take us far, there’s still plenty to discover close to home. Even without exotic travel plans, exploring our own backyard can be just as rewarding. Here are a few ideas to inspire your local adventure from Edmonton.
First on your list can be all the art displays that decorate small-town Alberta: from murals to statues and sculptures, you can easily create day trips around historic and cultural art in our province.
There are also many natural areas to escape to for the day, all within no more than 2.5 hours of Edmonton. You can hike, spot wildlife, and go birding, or just set up a chair for some relaxation under the stars.
The times listed are one-way and do not include your stay at any locations or your drive back to Edmonton.
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Celebration of Spring Migration
Snow Geese and other migratory birds returning to Beaverhill Lake is the ultimate celebration of spring. The area is also home to Beaverhill Bird Observatory, the second oldest migration monitoring observatory in Canada. Usually, every spring (around the end of April), the Town of Tofield holds the annual Snow Goose Festival.
You can still visit the area and view many species of birds that stopover in the Beaverhill Natural Area during northward migration in late April/Early May. Hike trails around Beaverhill Lake located about 60 km east of Edmonton, and the nature spaces in Beaver County. So, plan a trip and witness the annual migration of snow geese, sandhill cranes, hawks, waterfowl and songbirds for yourself.
Driving Time: 60 minutes
Hiking in the Athabasca Region
Driving north from Edmonton takes you into Lakeland and boreal forest, and the Athabasca Region can offer a bit of both. The area is known for picture-perfect hikes, wildlife viewing, and lake views.
There are two major hiking trails running through the area: the Muskeg Creek trails and the Athabasca Landing trails.
The directions below will take you first to Athabasca Landing and then to Muskeg Creek. However, both trails offer enough exploration for a day trip on their own.
Driving Time: 2hrs
Mural Walk through Legal
Drive north of Edmonton into the Lakeland areas and discover the quiet little town of Legal – home to over 30 painted murals which decorate the area. Your Mural Tour of Legal, Alberta can be by bike or foot, and you may need to arrive at some of these spots in your car. But with so many murals, it will be easy to make this a spring day trip to remember.
Driving Time: 45m-1hr
— Mural Towns of Alberta: Places to See Intricate Wall Art
Hesje Observatory
Did you know that there is an observatory at the Miquelon Lake Provincial Park? Located southeast of Edmonton, the Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is a great day trip for all who want to escape the city. The park is known for its many hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife, and birds. Being part of the Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve, the park is also the perfect place to enjoy an excellent view of the sky.
2026 is a year full of astronomical events, and you can watch the Lyrid Meteor Shower and Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower this spring.
The University of Alberta offers Thursday evening drop-in stargazing sessions at the Hesje Observatory, with no registration required. Weekly start times and weather updates are posted on their calendar and social media platforms. The drop-in rate is $15 per person.
Credit: Alberta Parks
Driving Time: 50 minutes
Eastern ‘Big Alberta’
Instead of visiting one town for your day trip, you could make quick stops in a few! Eastern Alberta is home to a few unique sculptures and art pieces that are large and that are found in some of the towns’ buildings. Many of the towns are also relatively close to Trans Canada and offer scenic views of rolling hills, treed in farmland, and skies for days. Your day road trip is best started in Mundare and can take you all the way to the Vegreville Pysanka- just in time for Easter! Expect to spend about four hours in your car, including your drive home.
Suggested route from Edmonton: Edmonton, Mundare, Andrew, Smoky Lake, Vilna, Vegreville
Driving Time: 3hrs 20m
Cooking Lake – Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area
The extensive trail system in the Cooking Lake – Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area offers many hiking options: you can take longer hikes around several small lakes beaver, or explore some of the shorter trails and loops if you have more little ones with you, or if you’d like to explore other nearby areas like the North Cooking Lake Natural Area, or the Beaver Hills Bio-Diversity Area. You don’t need to venture far into any of these trails to spot some wildlife like busy beavers, squirrels, rabbits, and possibly deer or owls if you’re out closer to dusk and dawn.
Driving Time: 35-45min
Strathcona Wilderness Centre
Overlooking Bennet Lake, the Strathcona Wilderness Centre is a wonderful family-friendly day-trip filled with fresh air, and possibly some wildlife. Near the parking lot is a boardwalk and viewpoint area over the lake, as well as many trailheads. The trail map provides detailed descriptions of difficulties, elevation gains, and facilities you can find along the trails. Please note that dogs are not permitted in the SWC. If you live in Sherwood Park, this is only a short drive away, allowing you tons of time to check out the entire area.
Driving Time:35-45 min
Stars and Aurora at Elk Island National Park
Late winter and early spring make for some of the best stargazing skies in central Alberta, with great options to sit around a fire, tell ghost stories, or lay back and just enjoy the moment.
Elk Island is a short drive from Edmonton and other Capital Region areas, with ample space for different households to gather and have their own fires. Many of the firepits also sit beside Lake Astotin and face west, so you can enjoy an epic sunset before the stars come out.
Driving Time:1hr
Lacombe
If you’re looking for a picture-perfect Instagram photo tour close to Edmonton, then make your next day trip out to Lacombe. Lacombe is decorated with pictures all over, making it the mural capital of Alberta.
After checking out the town, head to Ellis Nature Centre for an afternoon of birding in this incredibly scenic area. The trails will take you through farmland, dense forests, and handcrafted wooden arches. On your way out, grab a six-pack of the local Blindman Brewing beer to take home and enjoy.
Driving Time: 1hr 20m
University of Alberta Botanical Gardens
As spring prepares to bloom in Alberta, you can take a long walk amongst a diverse selection of flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetation.
The U of A Botanical Gardens is a 97-hectare park that is preparing to open for the 2026 season on May 8. Stay tuned to their events page, as they’re always creating unique date nights and family experiences.
Driving Time: 40 minutes
St. Paul’s UFO Landing Pad and Art Walk
Many Albertans are aware of the famous UFO Landing Pad on St. Paul’s main street. This popular attraction is also part of their Visitor’s Centre, where you can learn more about the Landing Pad and the history behind it. This main street is also home to various local restaurants and shops.
Head a little further into town towards North Therrien Lake on the north end to find Lagasse Park: the waterfront area offers picnic tables, benches, walking paths, and an Art Walk, which can take you to a beautiful sunset spot.
Where to eat: Twisted Fork, UFO Pizza
Driving Time: 2hrs
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Discover Wetaskiwin’s Parks
On your way into Wetaskiwin from Edmonton, you’ll first pass By-the-Lake Park, a wonderful spring walking or biking spot. This is a great place to bring kids (playgrounds) and dogs (on leashes) and spot ducks and geese returning for the spring and summer.
All along the paved path, you’re likely to spot goslings or ducklings waddling to and from the water- just be aware of their parents! The Park is covered in picnic benches, so we suggest packing some snacks and having a picnic here before heading back home. On the opposite side of the lake is the area’s Bark Park, where you can take your pups for off-leash exercise before heading back.
Driving Time: 1hr
Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary
The Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary west of Edmonton provides a true escape to nature. You can even preview on their website the types of spring sounds you can expect on a walk through the protected marshlands and aspen forests.
Spring is a perfect time to take advantage of an outdoor adventure such as this, as you’ll encounter virtually NO mosquitoes or bugs. Just sun, flowers, and trees in bloom, and likely a squirrel or two. There are four main trails in the Sanctuary, two of which are up on raised boardwalks.
Driving Time: 20-40m
Jurassic Forest
Do your children love dinosaurs or getting out into nature? The Jurassic Forest between Gibbons and Fedorah provides a totally immersive experience that can wow and amaze.
This hidden gem begins your experience as you arrive in the parking lot: the entrance is surrounded by 2-story high walls which beg the question, what are they trying to keep in? There are a couple of paths you can take from the main concourse area, depending upon which creatures of the past you’d like to learn about first. Jurassic Forest is scheduled to open to the public on May 1st, 2026.
Driving Time: 40m-1hr
Credit: Jurassic Forest
The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
A short drive east of Edmonton is the living history museum in honour of some of Alberta’s earliest settlers. The Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village brings the history of the area to life through interpreters and costumes, museums, food, and more. This museum and interpretive centre offers a full day of family-friendly fun. Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village opens for the season during Victoria Day Weekend.
Driving Time: 40 minutes
Whitecourt’s Waterfall and Natural Areas
The hills and greenery of the Whitecourt area offer tons of room for hikes and exploration, and the valleys of the Athabasca River and the Lost Creek are surrounded by them.
There is a long list of parks within the town’s limits, but you don’t have to drive very far outside of town to experience the hidden gem of Hard Luck Canyon Falls. The Falls are south of town and are a chance to get in a good hike or walk before heading back to Edmonton.
Driving Time: 2hr 10min
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Farmer’s Markets
Did you know that the St. Albert Farmers’ Market is the largest in all of Western Canada? This famous Market is open rain or shine, beginning the second Saturday in June and stretching through the centre of town. There are many other small-town farmer’s markets returning this spring in Alberta, which can all make buying your groceries for the week a lot more interesting than usual.
The Leduc Farmer’s Market opens a bit earlier in May and can be a closer option for those in South or West Edmonton. Spending a day of shopping at either of the Farmer’s Markets is the easiest and most fun way you can support the local farmers and producers of Alberta.
Directions (St. Albert)
Directions (Leduc)
