The shores of Wabamun Lake get busier through the summer as this is one of the closest swimming lakes to Edmonton.
Wabamun Lake and Provincial Park are about a half-hour west of Edmonton. The lake’s proximity to the Yellowhead Highway makes it a great place to stop on a long drive. No matter the case, day trip, quick stop, or weekend summer getaway, Wabamun Lake offers tons of beach and summer fun.
Beach Fun & Adventures on Water
Wabamun Lake offers all sorts of water fun and beach activities. As motorized boating is permitted, this makes room for fun like wakeboarding, tubing, or waterskiing. Around the Provincial Park, there is plenty of room for more relaxing activities.
- The Wabamun Waterfront Park is closed for the season while under construction. However, the adjacent Wabamun Marina & RV Park are still open during this time and offer rentals for motorized or non-motorized boats. Explore the lake from a canoe, kayak, paddleboard, pontoon, or fishing boat.
- Enjoy the public day-use beach at Wabamun Lake Provincial Park. The beach is in a quiet cove and away from the noise of the motorized boats. This also makes the waters around the beach perfect for lazy floating and paddling. The provincial park beach also offers a playground, washrooms, picnic areas with fire pits, changerooms, and a lifejacket station.
- Those with their own boats can also use the Sundance Boat Launch on the southeast side of Wabamun Lake.
- The Village of Seba Beach has a small local stretch of sand between the two piers for enjoying the waters on a hot day. Seba Beach is opposite the Provincial Park and on the west side of Wabamun. This is also where you can find the Saturday farmers’ market during the summer.
The Best Hiking & Cycling Trails around Wabamun Lake
The Provincial Park offers a great 1-2 hour hike, while a nearby park offers even more space for an afternoon hike.
- The Provincial Park Day Use area is the start of a shoreline trail which connects the beach to the campgrounds. The walk is well-shaded as you follow the lake’s Moonlight Bay and reach the West End Campground with the entire loop totaling about 6km. More trails loop around the day-use area, as well as a few boardwalk sections.
- On the opposite side of the Yellowhead Highway from Wabamun Lake PP is the East Pit Lake Conservation Area where hikers can explore a ~5km loop around the wetland.
Summer Events around Wabamun
Wabamun Lake is surrounded by small Parkland County communities which offer plenty of summer fun and celebrations.
- Find all the local goods over the summer with the Seba Beach Farmers’ Market every Saturday morning, or the Carvel Station Farmers’ Market every Thursday evening.
- Entwistle, west of Wabamun, hosts their annual rodeo in late July of each summer.
- East of Wabamun, in Stony Plain, catch the annual Blueberry Music Festival on the August long weekend.
Local Dining Options
The Seba Beach and Carvel Station Farmers’ Markets are the first stops to make when looking for tasty local eats and treats. Next, explore the restaurants, cafes, and pubs, of other neighbouring communities.
- More tasty options in Seba Beach include the sweets from Seba Beach Mini Golf & Ice Cream, or the savoury treats from Los Toritos, or the RV Pub & Grill.
- Grab lunch, snacks, or dinner in Wabamun from Yellow Submarine or the Wabamun Hotel Restaurant. And for those morning snacks and coffees, head to Jingls!
- A few must-try highway stops include GPA’s BBQ, or Get Stuffed.
- Several more options are available in Stony Plain and Spruce Grove to the east, or Entwistle and Evansburg to the west.
Where to Stay in Wabamun
Choose between waterfront hotels and inns, the amenities and beach proximity of the Provincial Park campground, or several privately owned options all within a short drive from Wabamun Lake.
- Within the village of Wabamun are a handful of great options right by the Marina. Stay with the Wabamun Lake Inn, or Shoreside Inn & Suites.
- Wabamun Lake Provincial Park’s campground has over 200 tent/RV sites. 109 of those sites offer power hookup, while all of the sites are nestled in the shade of mature trees. Between the lake shores and the campground is a trail which leads campers right to the beach.
- Find more camping opportunities with Shadybrook RV Resort, Whitewood RV Park, or Mink Lake RV Park & Campground.
- Hipcamp provides listings for privately owned campgrounds. There are dozens around Wabamun Lake and north of the Yellowhead Highway. Listings include tent or RV sites, RV rentals, or dome glamping sites.