elk island national park activities
Summer activities include hiking, golfing, kayaking/canoeing, wildlife gazing and unserviced camping. Approaching bison is unlawful and puts yourself and others at risk. The animals are gathered every two years for on average three days. Activities. Laze in your tent. Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Prices to enter the park … The Wood Bison Trail. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. The hiking is easy on primarily flat, grassy trails. It sits at the edge of the boreal forest. Elk Island National Park Less than 35 minutes east of Edmonton lies a year round wilderness oasis where Bison roam freely, sun glistens off lakes and ponds, and the stars light up the night sky. It says its 10.5 kilometres but its actually 12.6 kilometres. Having recently moved to Edmonton I was keen to visit Elk Island National Park seeing that it is only a short drive from the Edmonton CBD. Read a book. Make reservations in the summer and on weekends. Here are 5 fantastic things you’ll want to do on a visit to Elk Island National Park in summer. It’s especially fun to watch a flock of pelicans fishing. A refuge for wildlife and people alike, Elk Island National Park is an oasis of calm. And if you’re lucky you’ll catch sight of the endangered trumpeter swan. Winter activities include unserviced camping, hiking, snowshoeing, cross … Hang out at the beach by Astotin Lake. They stand out with their reddish coloured fur. There’s an onsite café sort of restaurant by the golf course. Even though they look docile they are dangerous, unpredictable, and may charge without warning. Temple Grandin, a brilliant woman with autism, and an expert on humane animal handling, designed the pens in a way that reduces the stress on the animal. Humans need to reconnect with nature for their mental and physical well-being. If you have one iota of patience you should be able to find a beaver, with 1,000 of them living in the park. Get lost in the sound of autumn leaves crunching under foot then thrill at the haunting sound of the bugle of a bull elk in the distance. Elk Island National Park is the 8th smallest of Canada’s National Parks, but it is the largest fully enclosed one. The trail narrows as the mossy ground gives way to wild rose and beaked hazelnut shrubs. Elk Island National Park hiking. The Park is a great representation of the southern edge of the Canadian Shield with active wetlands and beautiful spruce-aspen forest. Edmonton Events Past Events. Plan accordingly and make your trip to Elk Island National Park a safe one and an enjoyable one; The Astotin Lake area can be breezy at night. Novice paddlers will want to choose a time when the lake is calm to explore while more experienced paddlers can make a day of it on the lake. Each of the National Parks is unique in its geography and Elk Island does not disappoint. It’s a super easy day trip from Edmonton – that combines well with a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural and Heritage Village just five minutes east of the park. Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person. There are vso many great features about this national park, first of all the name may throw you off "Elk" island national park. Hike at Elk Island National Park: new scents, sights and sounds await all year round. Celebrate the outdoors by learning new ways to explore and create memories at Parks Day at Elk Island National Park! As an island of conservation, you can expect to find many wild animals roaming free, including elk. Canada Day - July 1st - Run by Elk Island National Park. Golf. Bison Fest - August - Run by Elk Island National Park since 2015. For anyone living in Edmonton, they are lucky to have Elk Island National Park practically on their doorstep – a great destination to renew, reconnect with nature, relax and have fun on a sandy beach by a lake. Roam atop the snow like a snowshoe hare while stars twinkle overhead. As you wander through the pens where the bison are collected for examination every two years you can’t help but notice the design. Family Day - February - Run by Elk Island National Park. Elk Island National Park endeavours to mimic nature since without predators (unlike Prince Alberta National Park which is home to wolves), the bison would eventually eat themselves out of food. Co-author of 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta, Winter in Jasper is divine. Winter activities include unserviced camping, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and wildlife gazing. Even though they look docile they are dangerous, unpredictable, and may charge without warning. A fire permit – with wood provided is $8.80 per night. On this one you won’t see many people but you may see wood bison along with loads of wildflowers. There’s a golf course open from May to September, weather permitting. What’s inside the fence can’t get out so by the numbers, the chances are good you’ll see at least some of the animals that live here. With 11 hiking trails covering 80 kilometres there is a hike for everyone. The mileage on the map is under-represented on the Shirley Lake Trail. Go bird-watching in Elk Island National Park, Further reading on things to do in Alberta. Visitors are welcome to take in the splendour of the park at all times of the night. According to Janelle Lane, one of the park’s interpreters, “the most entertaining time to visit the park is during the bison rut in the first two weeks of August.”. Elk Island National Park is a fantastic place for hiking. Elk Island National Park, Edmonton: Address, Phone Number, Elk Island National Park Reviews: 4.5/5. Therefore, for someone who is planning to visit Elk Island for the first time, you must have a car. Coyotes are plentiful too but what you won’t see are bear, cougar or wolves. Playing a large part in the conservation of the American bison, Elk Island National Park provides a safe haven for them and other animals from this and other areas. It should be call buffalo/Bison national park as they can be seen on every trip to this park. More information. Elk Island National Park is ready to welcome you with lots of different ways to spend the day and create lasting memories. For generations, people have come here for a day picnic or an overnight camping expedition to escape the city’s distractions and explore by foot, canoe, bike or vehicle. (No matter what trail you choose, wear the proper footwear. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. But do check out this park. Night Sky. Snowshoe … Elk Island Park was later granted federal park status in 1913 and became known as an official National Park in 1930. For a family-friendly hike choose the 2.5 kilometre Amisk Wuche Trail. bison teeth last for a lifetime so you can tell their age by the length of the teeth) but you’ll come to appreciate the importance of keeping the bison population in check. These commissions help reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. I’m a little ashamed to admit that I’ve lived in Edmonton 10 years and have never made the trip out to Elk Island National Park. There are opportunities to see elk, white tail deer, moose, coyotes, beavers and […] Park User Fees apply. $12.31 per adult. Please view bison safely and follow these simple tips. Many of the young bison end up being transported to other regions, for example Montana, to help with building bison populations. Park User Fees apply. The landscape consists of small wetlands, lakes, aspen woodlands and surrounding prairie meadows. Learn how your comment data is processed. Activities and Facts. There are many hiking trails from easy and short to … 5 Things You can Do this Winter at Elk Island National Park (with Kids) Edmonton.family January 11, 2021 January 14, 2021 Like many families, we’re searching for ways that we can get the kids outside, and engage them in fun activities that give them something new and fresh to look forward to. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Only 30 miles (48 kilometers) east of Edmonton, a relatively unknown location provides a haven for bison, elk, and birds — as well as for outdoor enthusiasts, stargazers, and wildlife watchers. Required fields are marked *. A big thank you to Explore Edmonton for making the visit possible. Winter in Jasper – The Ultimate 3 Day Getaway, A Guide to Visiting the Abraham Lake Bubbles, 10 Unique Peru Experiences to Try Once in Your Life, 18 of the Best Banff Hikes You Can Do in a Day. We invite you to join us in the love, appreciation and advocacy for Elk Island National Park that we have had for over 30 years. What you’ll find in the park are white pelicans in big groups on Astotin Lake, great blue herons walking the marshes, more avocets than I’ve seen anywhere else, bald eagles, birds of prey, great horned owls and a huge number of songbirds. Should you camp in the park, there’s a good chance you’ll fall asleep to the cry of the loon. The Sandy Beach campground is open May to September. Both novice and expert birders will have a veritable field day in Elk Island National Park. Elk Island National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The cost is $11.50 if it’s done online. Water…, If you're a new visitor to Banff National Park, you may find the selection of…, […] Read: 5 Fantastic Things to Do in Elk Island National Park […], […] Elk Island National Park: 5 Fantastic Things You’ll Want to Do […], Your email address will not be published. Things to do. Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures, 26 Weird, Wonderful and Useful Facts About Edmonton - Hike Bike Travel, Biking in Edmonton on the Edmonton River Valley Trails - Hike Bike Travel. Begin your experience with a short guided hike on snowshoes around the shore of Astotin Lake. Hike Lakeview Trail (3.7 km loop) for panoramic views of Astotin Lake and keep an eye out for beavers at work in the ponds. Parks Day - July - Run by Elk Island National Park. You hike through a lot of aspen forest and meadows but I’d say the Wood Bison trail is more scenic and more interesting. With a park interpreter and the Big Dipper as your guide, gaze up into a sky full of stars and learn to navigate the night sky of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Elk Island National Park – All You Need To Know. Within an hour’s drive of Alberta’s bustling capital of Edmonton lies a place of quiet, where no city lights dilute the starry sky. Pull out the binoculars, pack the zoom lens and don’t forget the bird book. I loved exploring the bird filled islands by kayak. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Elk Island National Park is a wildlife watchers paradise as free roaming bison, elk, deer, moose, and more than 250 bird species call this place home! What a wonderland! On Saturday, July 20, 2019, enjoy family activities at the Astotin Lake Recreation area – then explore the rest of the park in a canoe, on a hike (there are more than 80 km of trails! Thanks for reading! Canada ; Alberta ; Edmonton ; Things to Do in ... or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! It’s the best excuse to stay up past your bedtime. Bison are wild animals. You need a valid parks pass for entry. For a full list of what you can do in Elk Island visit their website. The park is accessed via Highway 16 East – the Yellowhead Highway. Bison are wild animals. The park is open all day, every day. This quiet paradise just so happens to be one of Canada’s most underrated national parks. Seven Things to Do at Elk Island National Park. Once the snow arrives, the town is transformed into a…, Abraham Lake in Alberta's David Thompson Country is the largest reservoir in the province. Author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures Be it for wildlife viewing, hiking, cross-country skiing, picnicking or overnight camping, there is something for everyone at Elk Island National Park. Join a park interpreter and learn the fascinating story behind the bison herds. Come take part in two unique experiences at Elk Island National Park: snowshoeing and stargazing! © 2019 Hike Bike Travel | All Rights Reserved. Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards. Be Bison Wise Wether living of … Dress appropriately for the weather Elk Island National Park, Edmonton: See 598 reviews, articles, and 588 photos of Elk Island National Park, ranked No.8 on Tripadvisor among 172 attractions in Edmonton. (though possibly a week). Try it in the early evening when it’s very peaceful. We saw no elk whatsoever but we did find the bones of a moose. Haskin Canoe has set up a small kiosk and rental centre so you can now try kayaking or canoeing on the island dotted Astotin Lake on Fridays, weekends and stat holidays until September 30th. For the visitor, there’s a surprising number of activities and this is by no means a complete list. Leigh McAdam is an award-winning, Calgary-based writer, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. It doesn’t need to be heavy duty leather hiking boots but they should provide support.). If you’re hiking in late May look for dozens, perhaps hundreds of types of wildflowers that are just starting to put in an appearance. A Day Trip Guide to Elk Island National Park. The night sky is not in a hurry to leave. Approaching bison is unlawful and puts yourself and others at risk. Its $7.90 per adult or $16.00 per family good for 5 days I believe. Right now the babies are around. Interestingly it enjoys a higher density of hoofed animals per square kilometre than any other wild area in the world save the Serengeti. Peppered with small wetlands and boasting thickets of aspen parkland surrounded by prairie, the park is able to provide a home to over 250 species of birds. Your email address will not be published. The 16 kilometre Wood Bison Trail on the south side of the highway is a … We’ve driven past it multiple times, always admiring the herds of Bison so close to the highway but have never ventured through the park … This is by no means a complete list of all there is to do in the park. Get outside and get that dose of nature that we all need so badly. Shortly after entering the National Park we didn't have to look too hard to find Beavers, Bison and White Tailed Deer. Elk Island National Park is a fantastic place for hiking. Take a hike: With over 80 kilometres of trails, it’s easy to get away from it all – and everyone. Four hundred moose round out the hoofed category of animals – and again you’ll be lucky to spot one. Activities for children; Beach; Bird watching ; Canoeing; Cross-country skiing; Cycling; Dog Walking; Geocaching; Golfing; Hiking; Ice Skating ; Kayaking; Photography; Picnicking; Red chairs; Sailboating ; Scenic Driving ; Snowshoeing; Stargazing; Top 5 things to do; Wildlife watching; Winter Adventures; Calendar of events 2021; Camping; Tours and programs; School programs; Volunteer It’s short and easy and there’s a good chance you’ll see a beaver or a muskrat. Please view bison safely and follow these simple tips. Haskin Canoe also offers tours, and Sepp, my guide for the morning told me “that the full moon tours are really popular.”. Approximately 400 plains bison live north of the highway while the same number of woods bison live south of it. They are checked for disease and all females are examined to see if they are pregnant. Elk Island isn’t just an island — it’s 194 square kilometres of rolling hills, forests, lakes and grasslands. Elk Island NP is located approximately 30 kilometres from Edmonton and it makes me sad that this little gem has no daily connections to Edmonton. The 16 kilometre Wood Bison Trail on the south side of the highway is a great choice if you’re looking for an all day hike. Part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, Elk Island cuts down on light pollution so … My store contains affiliate links. A day will give you a taste of the park but spend a night or two camping so you can get the full experience. Activities Activities for children; Beach; Bird watching ; Canoeing; Cross-country skiing; Cycling; Dog Walking; Geocaching; Golfing; Hiking; Ice Skating ; Kayaking; Photography; Picnicking; Red chairs; Sailboating ; Scenic Driving ; Snowshoeing; Stargazing; Top 5 things to do; Wildlife watching; Winter Adventures; Wildlife watching Every year the FEIS hosts annual events, and participates in others to support the advocacy for Elk Island National Park. Elk Island National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round. When you need a break from the city, nothing beats a visit to a national park to recharge your soul. Not only will you be wowed by all the interesting bison facts the interpreter shares (eg. Elk Island National Park is only a 45 minute drive east of Edmonton, Alberta and draws nature lovers from Edmonton and surrounding area, and all over the world. Come take part in two unique experiences at Elk Island National Park: snowshoeing and stargazing! Elk Island National Park is Canada’s only entirely fenced national park. Just because its summer doesn’t mean you have to turn your brains off. More info. Alberta is brimming with special events, from festivals celebrating arts and culture to rodeos and other sporting events, agricultural fairs, exhibits and shows. Fees for a single tent including the reservation fee are $26.06 per night – on the pricey side if you ask me. Scroll down for fun things for kids! National marine conservation areas system, Directory of federal heritage designations. Let’s be Explorers at Elk Island National Park. Check out things to do in Elk Island National Park. With 11 hiking trails covering 80 kilometres there is a hike for everyone. The roads and trails are well maintained and staff … You’ll be lucky if you find one of the 950 elusive elk whereas the chances are very high you’ll see at least some of the 400 white-tailed deer. Swim. Elk Island National Park has been described as “an island of nature surrounded by a landscape of man” at the edge of the boreal forest. Spread a blanket and gaze at a starry sky undiluted by city light, or tour behind the scenes at a bison handling facility and learn how this magnificent animal was brought back from near extinction. On both trails there is supposed to be good viewing of bison, moose and elk. Elk Island National Park, Edmonton: See 599 reviews, articles, and 588 photos of Elk Island National Park, ranked No.8 on Tripadvisor among 172 attractions in Edmonton. “Earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Kahil Gibran.