We may not be able to travel far for our Spring vacations, but we can still explore our own backyard. 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 around 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.
You may like: 50+ Bucket List Ideas for a Summer Staycation in Alberta
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 end of April), the Town of Tofield holds the annual Snow Goose Festival. Though there is no official festival this year (2021), you can still visit the area and view many species of birds that stopover in the Beaverhill Natural Area during northward migration during 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 for yourself the annual migration of snow geese, sandhill cranes, hawks, waterfowl and songbirds.
Driving Time: 60 minutes
Hiking in the Athabasca Region
Driving north from Edmonton takes in you into lake land 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, 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 to some of these spots with your car. But with so many murals, it will be easy to make this a spring day trip to remember.
Driving Time: 45m-1hr
Hesje Observatory
Did you know that there is a new 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.
2021 is a year full of astronomical events, and you can watch Lyrid Meteor Shower, Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower, and Total Lunar Eclipse this spring.
The observatory is currently closed due to COVID-19. But you can still visit Miquelon Lake Provincial Park to enjoy the best of the night-sky or watch wildlife.
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 that 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. The trails are closed to cross-country skiers for the season due to significant snow melt, but that means it is ready for hikers. Near the parking lot is a boardwalk and viewpoint area over the lake, as well as many trail heads. 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 star-gazing skies in central Alberta. It has been a mild enough spring so far that you know you it will be warm enough 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 an enormous amount of room 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 daytrip 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 Farm Bird Sanctuary for an afternoon of birding in this incredibly scenic area (your Instagram photo tour could easily carry-over to the Sanctuary. The trails will bring you through farmland, thick trees, and hand-made 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 talk a long walk amongst a diverse selection of flowers, trees, shrubs, and vegetation. The U of A Botanical Gardens are a 97-hectare park which is preparing to open for 2021 season in May. But stay tuned to their events page as they’re always working to create 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
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-leash), 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, 2021.
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 are surrounded by the valleys of the Athabasca River and the Lost Creek. 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
Farmer’s Markets
Did you know that the St. Albert Farmer’s Market is the largest in all Western Canada? This famous Market is open rain or shine beginning the second Saturday in June and stretches 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 Farmer’s Markets is the easiest and most fun you can have supporting the local farmers and producers of Alberta.
Directions (St. Albert)
Directions (Leduc)
By: Bernadette Gallagher