The warmer weather may prompt the want to get out of Edmonton. Luckily, there are many stops near the city, perfect for a June day trip.
1913 Days
Day trips from Edmonton in late spring/early summer can take many forms. You can take advantage of the season and head out to events or festivals exclusive to June.
Plus, the weather allows plenty of recreational day trips from Edmonton. Get out of the city and make the most of the sun with Provincial Parks, lakes, beaches, or a boat!
Nurseries, Gardens, and Farms near Edmonton
If you take a day trip to visit some flower and plant shops within a day’s trip distance of Edmonton, you may as well plan to visit a few!
- East of Edmonton: Glow Garden Centre, Bellis Garden & Greenhouse, Rod’s Greenhouse
- North of Edmonton: Arrowhead Nurseries, Deb’s Greenhouse, Prairie Gardens, Birchwood Meadows
- West of Edmonton: Steve & Dan’s Fresh BC Fruit, Kiwi Nurseries, Creekside Home and Garden
- South of Edmonton: The Bloom n’ Bucket, New Sarepta Gardens, Tree Time Greenhouses
June Festivals Near Edmonton
Even with Edmonton being a summer festival city, the other Alberta festivals still make for a great reason to take off on a day trip. The spring and summer festivals near Edmonton cover all sorts of interests like market shopping, local food and drink, and local history or culture.
- The Vegreville Dash to Summer (June 2-4) is hosted by the local Agricultural Society and promises an exciting weekend of chuckwagon racing, kids’ activities and obstacle courses, food, and drink.
- Smoky Lake will celebrate its 100th Birthday as an Alberta Municipality this month with a town-wide party (June 3). Features will include a farmers’ market, wagon rides, historic tours, kids’ activities and crafts, a supper, and a dance.
- 1913 Days in Sylvan Lake (June 8-11) is a celebration of local spirit and showcases interesting parts of Sylvan’s history. The weekend’s schedule is jam packed with family friendly fun.
Best June Hikes near Edmonton
And plan to do more than hike! These hikes near Edmonton are great for a lot more than a walk or hike, and can offer beautiful June scenery. You can also get great photo opportunities around these areas, watch for wildlife, or set up a post-hike picnic.
- The Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary is west of the city near Devon and the U of A Botanic Gardens. The area is busy with waterfowl and other birds and is a great place to spot larger bird species like eagles or owls. The trails can take about an hour to complete. There is an area near the start of the trail for picnickers.
- The Strathcona Wilderness Centre is not far from Edmonton but has enough trails to keep you there for a day exploring and watching for wildlife. The trails also connect to the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trails.
- Big Knife Provincial Park is about 2-2.5 hours from Edmonton and has about 10km of hiking trails to explore. The area has some scenic picnic areas overlooking the Battle River, too.
- Best Hikes For a June Day Trip From Edmonton
Kayaking, SUPing, and Canoeing Day Trips
‘Tis the season for boating once again in Alberta! We can now pack up the inflatables, the kayaks, or the canoes, and head to the closest lakes for a day on the water. Lucky for those in Edmonton, several nearby lake parks permit boating.
- Pigeon Lake Provincial Park is a peaceful prairie lake with many amenities near the park and beach.
- Elk Island National Park is about 45-minutes from Edmonton’s east side. The area has several hiking trails, picnic areas, and a boat launch on the largest of its lakes: Astotin.
- Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is perfect for exploring by boat, as the lake has many smaller inlets and islands to weave around.
- Fun Water-Based Activities and Adventures For This Summer in and Around Edmonton
Museum Day Trips Near Edmonton
Explore Alberta’s history in a few different ways! Central and north-central Alberta has numerous types of museums to explore: living history, outdoor or indoor, cultural, and industry museums.
- The Reynolds Museum in Wetaskiwin recently opened a new exhibit! Driving Thru the ’70s is on now to complement the museum’s existing car and vehicle collection.
- Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village is near Elk Island and offers outdoor fun and education for all ages. The living history museum has immersive experiences, dining, and entertainment.
- Red Deer’s Fort Normandeau is an outdoor living history museum on the scenic banks of the Red Deer River. This is also a popular boat launch site.
Day Trip to a Nearby Town
This time of year, you may want to follow the roads that lead to wildflower blooms, wildlife and birdwatching, and other outdoor activities. A day trip to Rocky Mountain House from Edmonton this June can offer all of the above. The town is at the confluence of the North Saskatchewan and Clearwater Rivers where you’ll find over a dozen hiking trails.
- Visit the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site
- Explore the town’s local dining, much of which is on Highway 11
- Take a 10-minute drive to Crimson Lake Provincial Park for boating, a beach, and more hiking/biking trails.
A Day Trip to a Provincial Park
When people in Edmonton want a nice lake for swimming, boating, floating, or beach relaxing, many head to central Alberta. However, if you head north to Long Lake Provincial Park you can find all of this in a small and quiet setting. Long Lake is comparatively small compared to other Alberta Lakes but has a large picnic and day-use area. The PP is connected to the White Earth Natural Area; you can get here with a connector hiking trail. Long Lake is also a great place for watching for wildlife like deer, beavers, muskrats, and several types of birds.
Long Lake is about 1-1.5 hours from Edmonton.