Edmonton 
You can experience the natural beauty of Elk Island National Park all year long, and it is always a safe bet for a nice nature walk.
The National Park’s central-Alberta location also makes it a convenient attraction to visit for many in Alberta. Elk Island becomes even more attractive during the summer months when the area opens up to a variety of outdoor fun for all ages.
Plan a day trip from Alberta Capital Region, and enjoy picnics, short hikes, and boating; or, book from one of two campgrounds and make time to explore all the park’s activities.
The camping ranges from basic with no services (for tents and RVs), to full-service glamping with unique lodging and dining available. If you decide to camp here, you can tackle one of the parks’ longer hikes, and close the day with stargazing beside your fire. Nighttime stargazing, even by fire, is still open to those stopping by for the day!
Keep in mind that Sandy Beach is not a swimming area, and these lakes will all cause swimmer’s itch!
Watching for Wildlife
Your wildlife viewing adventure begins the moment you enter the park gates: you will be able to spot the park’s bison lazing, grazing, or travelling along the side of the road. Dusk and dawn are the best times to visit if you want to see wild animals and are the times you should be most aware of them. You can also catch deer, elk (of course!), and hundreds of types of birds. Always keep in mind that you shouldn’t approach any of the large wildlife!
At Night with the Stars
Elk Island is underneath the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, one of Alberta’s many dark sky preserves. The best place to go is Astotin Lake as there are washrooms, benches overlooking the dark lake, and ample parking space. It is a peaceful experience which offers up incredible night-sky-views for us, and better habitat for Alberta’s nocturnal animals.
By Boat
Astotin Lake is a wonderful place to explore by boat as it is dotted with several small islands which offer up unique picnic sites and additional bird-watching. You can bring your own non-motorized boat like a canoe, a kayak, sailboat, or stand-up paddleboard, or rent them from Haskin Canoe Rentals, located on Sandy Beach. Haskin rentals are first-come-first-served.
How much: $20-$60 per hour
By Bike
There are many beautiful trails winding through the National Park, but not all permit cyclists! If you want to spend a couple of hours exploring the trees, wetlands, and wildlife, you can pedal away on the Hayburger Trail, the Moss Lake Trail, Simmons/Shirley Lake, Astotin Lake Shoreline, Tawayik Lake Trail, or the Wood Bison Trail. That still leaves you with about half the park’s trail system to explore by bike!
On Foot
You can pick from short and easy hikes like the Beaver Pond Trail or Amisk Wuche Trail to do with small kids, or if you’re short on time; and if you visit Elk Island for the day or weekend, you can take the time to explore the longer and more difficult hiking trails like Tawayik Lake Trail.
There are 14 in total to choose from, some of which include an elevation gain towards lookout points. There are many small lakes around Elk Island to explore, and you may have to come back again to see it all!
With a Picnic
The Astotin Lake Recreation Area has many different types of picnic areas: you can set up under a shelter, next to a fire pit, on the Sandy Beach, under the shade of trees, or on one of the lake’s islands after a boat ride. The Recreation Area is also west-facing, giving you beautiful sunsets, and thus a perfect way to end your picnic. There are two other smaller picnic sites at the Tawayik Lake trailhead, and the Beaver Bay picnic area.
With your Camera
Out of all the recreational activities at Elk Island, including the scenes of the night sky and wildlife, you will want to remember a camera or to keep your phone charged for pictures. There are amazing photo opportunities here all year-round, and the bison are known the steal the spotlight. The lakes provide another source of picturesque scenery, and can be viewed from all around thanks to the numerous trails. Many photographers like to visit during dusk or dawn for wildlife photos, or late at night for starry-sky photos.
With an Overnight Camp-out
You have several ways to camp at Elk Island National Park, including glamping! The Astotin Lake Campground, run by Parks Canada, offers non-serviced sites, as well as the oTENTiks, all with access to showers and washrooms included.
There are additional glamping options with Elk Island Retreat which offer geodomes, tipis, yurts, cabins, and full-service RV sites. These sites all offer you an outdoor fire pit so you can truly enjoy the dark sky preserve while you camp.
How much: $27-$239 per night
PLAN YOUR TRIP
Admission:
Adult: $8.50
Senior: $7.25
Youth: free
Family/Group: $16.75
Commercial Group, per person: $7.25
Address: Elk Island National Park
54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 0V3
TD Elk Island Express free shuttle by Parkbus is expected to restart service by July end.
