Take advantage of these local rafting companies in Edmonton, and nearby lakes and rivers for a lazy float this summer!
Credit: Jason Woodhead/Flickr
You can rent a raft from companies like River Lifestyle Co., Pembina River Tubing, or The Paddle Station, or bring your floaties to Edmonton’s closest swimming lakes.
Know before you go:
- Check river flow levels before you go – here.
- Always bring paddles! Even if you’re floating around a small lake, it is easy to get stranded without paddles.
- Bring plenty of water and sunscreen; you’ll not only be catching the direct sun, but also its reflection off the water.
- The Provincial Park Day use parking lots fill up quickly on hot days; leave as early as you can!
The River Lifestyle Co. on the North Saskatchewan
Edmonton’s weather is only getting warmer from here on out, and you can head towards Devon to enjoy a casual float on the North Saskatchewan. For a cool down and float, you can catch the River Lifestyle Co. at Voyageur Park who have space to launch, and where they offer tube rentals and transportation (only offered to those renting tubes). They’ll provide options for float distances, and tube rental type. Details
When: Summer, depends on river levels
Where: Voyageur Park, Devon
Pembina River Tubing
Take your water adventure into the deep valley of the Pembina River with the Entwistle operators. They provide everything you need to enjoy a lazy river float: parking, tubes of various sizes, life jackets, a shuttle for you and your tube, and detailed instruction on when to exit the river. Details
When: summer 2022
Where: Entwistle
How much: With shuttle – $29-$33 per person
Without Shuttle – $24-$28 per person
The Paddle Station on the North Saskatchewan
You can rent a variety of raft sizes from Edmonton’s newest outfitters, The Paddle Station. They make it super simple to enjoy a lazy float through the city of Edmonton as a couple, as a small group, or even as a group of up to 20 people! Your journey starts at Emily Murphy Park and ends at Capilano Park on Edmonton’s east end. Details
When: open as of June 4, 2022
Where: Emily Murphy Park – 11904 Emily Murphy Park Rd NW, Edmonton
How much: $79-$400
Ma-Me-O Beach at Pigeon Lake
As one of Edmonton’s closest beaches, the beach at Pigeon Lake is a perfect place for a lazy float where you don’t need to worry about start and end points. You can launch from the beach, and stay within the buoys, or bring some paddles to venture further out onto the small lake. Details
Where: Highway 13A via Highway 13
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
If you live in north or west Edmonton, Wabamun Lake is an incredibly close location for a day of lake floating. Even from other Edmonton neighbourhoods, it is a maximum of a 1-hour drive to Wabamun’s beach. From here, you can slowly float around the bay and catch some sun. Details
Where: via Range Rd. 35 from Highway 16
Long Lake Provincial Park
The shape of Long Lake, and the fact that it is close enough for a day trip from Edmonton, make it a wonderful floating lake. You can explore up and down the lake’s shores or stay in the middle close to the beach. If you need to take a break from floating on the lake, the park also offers a large picnic area, a large beach, an onsite concession, lakeside trails, and more. Details
Where: Range Rd 191A, Ellscott