A big thank you to Explore Edmonton for making the visit possible. 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. $12.31 per adult. The cost is $11.50 if it’s done online. Swim. Should you camp in the park, there’s a good chance you’ll fall asleep to the cry of the loon. The park is accessed via Highway 16 East – the Yellowhead Highway. 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. Elk Island National Park is Canada’s only entirely fenced national park. Therefore, for someone who is planning to visit Elk Island for the first time, you must have a car. As you wander through the pens where the bison are collected for examination every two years you can’t help but notice the design. Even though they look docile they are dangerous, unpredictable, and may charge without warning. 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! 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. More info. 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. A refuge for wildlife and people alike, Elk Island National Park is an oasis of calm. 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 says its 10.5 kilometres but its actually 12.6 kilometres. Roam atop the snow like a snowshoe hare while stars twinkle overhead. Seven Things to Do at Elk Island National Park. 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. Celebrate the outdoors by learning new ways to explore and create memories at Parks Day at Elk Island National Park! 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. Thanks for reading! Every year the FEIS hosts annual events, and participates in others to support the advocacy for Elk Island National Park. 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. 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. Night Sky. On both trails there is supposed to be good viewing of bison, moose and elk. 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. Approximately 400 plains bison live north of the highway while the same number of woods bison live south of it. More information. There’s a golf course open from May to September, weather permitting. Humans need to reconnect with nature for their mental and physical well-being. Bison are wild animals. With 11 hiking trails covering 80 kilometres there is a hike for everyone. Elk Island National Park hiking. The 16 kilometre Wood Bison Trail on the south side of the highway is a … A day will give you a taste of the park but spend a night or two camping so you can get the full experience. Winter activities include unserviced camping, hiking, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and wildlife gazing. Author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures Go bird-watching in Elk Island National Park, Further reading on things to do in Alberta. 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. Elk Island National Park is a fantastic place for hiking. 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. Join a park interpreter and learn the fascinating story behind the bison herds. 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. Elk Island National Park is ready to welcome you with lots of different ways to spend the day and create lasting memories. Both novice and expert birders will have a veritable field day in Elk Island National Park. Elk Island National Park is the 8th smallest of Canada’s National Parks, but it is the largest fully enclosed one. Your email address will not be published. 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. Not only will you be wowed by all the interesting bison facts the interpreter shares (eg. 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. With 11 hiking trails covering 80 kilometres there is a hike for everyone. Be it for wildlife viewing, hiking, cross-country skiing, picnicking or overnight camping, there is something for everyone at Elk Island National Park. It’s the best excuse to stay up past your bedtime. They stand out with their reddish coloured fur. Make reservations in the summer and on weekends. Check out things to do in Elk Island National Park. This quiet paradise just so happens to be one of Canada’s most underrated national parks. 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. As an island of conservation, you can expect to find many wild animals roaming free, including elk. Take a hike: With over 80 kilometres of trails, it’s easy to get away from it all – and everyone. Leigh McAdam is an award-winning, Calgary-based writer, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Interestingly it enjoys a higher density of hoofed animals per square kilometre than any other wild area in the world save the Serengeti. Golf. 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 … Just because its summer doesn’t mean you have to turn your brains off. My store contains affiliate links. These commissions help reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. Things to do. It’s especially fun to watch a flock of pelicans fishing. Bison are wild animals. 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. Hike at Elk Island National Park: new scents, sights and sounds await all year round. 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. 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. Be Bison Wise Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Haskin Canoe also offers tours, and Sepp, my guide for the morning told me “that the full moon tours are really popular.”. Come take part in two unique experiences at Elk Island National Park: snowshoeing and stargazing! 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. 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. Elk Island National Park – All You Need To Know. Required fields are marked *. Each of the National Parks is unique in its geography and Elk Island does not disappoint. The trail narrows as the mossy ground gives way to wild rose and beaked hazelnut shrubs. Right now the babies are around. This is by no means a complete list of all there is to do in the park. Please view bison safely and follow these simple tips. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. 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. 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. Its $7.90 per adult or $16.00 per family good for 5 days I believe. What a wonderland! (though possibly a week). Four hundred moose round out the hoofed category of animals – and again you’ll be lucky to spot one. Prices to enter the park … The mileage on the map is under-represented on the Shirley Lake Trail. Get outside and get that dose of nature that we all need so badly. Scroll down for fun things for kids! 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. A Day Trip Guide to Elk Island National Park. Canada ; Alberta ; Edmonton ; Things to Do in ... or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Hang out at the beach by Astotin Lake. Elk Island National Park is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year round. 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. Visitors are welcome to take in the splendour of the park at all times of the night. If you have one iota of patience you should be able to find a beaver, with 1,000 of them living in the park. Here are 5 fantastic things you’ll want to do on a visit to Elk Island National Park in summer. Bison Fest - August - Run by Elk Island National Park since 2015. They are checked for disease and all females are examined to see if they are pregnant. You hike through a lot of aspen forest and meadows but I’d say the Wood Bison trail is more scenic and more interesting. It should be call buffalo/Bison national park as they can be seen on every trip to this park. Begin your experience with a short guided hike on snowshoes around the shore of Astotin Lake. Family Day - February - Run by Elk Island National Park. It’s short and easy and there’s a good chance you’ll see a beaver or a muskrat. You need a valid parks pass for entry. 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! It sits at the edge of the boreal forest. Activities and Facts. Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards. Fees for a single tent including the reservation fee are $26.06 per night – on the pricey side if you ask me. 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. Shortly after entering the National Park we didn't have to look too hard to find Beavers, Bison and White Tailed Deer. For a full list of what you can do in Elk Island visit their website. The roads and trails are well maintained and staff … The animals are gathered every two years for on average three days. The Wood Bison Trail. 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. The Park is a great representation of the southern edge of the Canadian Shield with active wetlands and beautiful spruce-aspen forest. There are vso many great features about this national park, first of all the name may throw you off "Elk" island national park. There are opportunities to see elk, white tail deer, moose, coyotes, beavers and […] (No matter what trail you choose, wear the proper footwear. 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. Pull out the binoculars, pack the zoom lens and don’t forget the bird book. Dress appropriately for the weather It doesn’t need to be heavy duty leather hiking boots but they should provide support.). Part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, Elk Island cuts down on light pollution so … Please view bison safely and follow these simple tips.