Information
Landmark: Edmonton Valley ZooCity: Edmonton
Country: Canada
Continent: North America
Edmonton Valley Zoo, Edmonton, Canada, North America
Overview
Elk Island National Park lies just east of Edmonton, Alberta’s capital, where wide meadows stretch toward stands of trembling aspen.This park is among Canada’s easiest to reach, where you can wander through untouched forests, spot elk grazing in the distance, and dive into a variety of outdoor adventures.Elk Island National Park, celebrated for safeguarding plains and wood bison, blends wild prairie, rich history, and a dash of adventure-you might even hear a distant bison snort on the breeze.Elk Island National Park sits about 35 kilometers, or 22 miles, east of Edmonton-close enough for a quick day trip and far enough to catch the scent of spruce on the breeze.Covering 194 square kilometers-about 75 square miles-the park sits in Alberta’s central plains, where the grass rolls out under a wide, pale-blue sky.The park came into being in 1906, created to safeguard a dwindling herd of plains bison-so few remained that their hoofbeats barely stirred the grass.Over the years, it’s become more than just a wildlife preserve-it’s a place where people hike shaded trails, learn about nature, and work to protect the land.The park is best known for protecting bison, yet it also shelters moose, deer, beavers, and more than 250 kinds of birds-some heard calling from the treetops at dawn.Elk Island’s landscape shifts from shady forests to glassy wetlands and wide-open prairies, all packed into one diverse stretch of wilderness.Elk Island National Park is famous for successfully protecting both plains and wood bison, where you can sometimes spot them grazing in the tall golden grass.It’s one of the rare spots where you can watch both species roaming freely, their calls carrying through the crisp morning air.In the late 1800s, overhunting nearly erased these animals from the land, but careful management and breeding programs have since brought their numbers roaring back.The park still acts as a bison sanctuary, where herds wander at will, their hooves kicking up little puffs of dust as they cross the open fields.It’s not unusual to spot bison roaming the open plains, their massive shoulders shifting as they graze-an experience that puts you right inside the wild.Moose are a common sight in the park, especially near quiet wetlands and shadowy forest edges.At Elk Island, moose find a vital home, grazing in tall grasses, raising their young, and wandering freely through its quiet forests.Deer: You’ll spot both white-tailed deer and mule deer roaming the park, sometimes pausing to nibble leaves in the shade.You’ll often spot them grazing in sunlit meadows or slipping quietly between the shadowy trees in the park.Birdwatching at Elk Island is a treat, with more than 250 species spotted here-picture a flash of red as a northern flicker darts across the trail.You’ll spot waterfowl gliding across the lake, raptors circling overhead, songbirds flitting through the trees, and woodpeckers tapping at the trunks.In the park, you might spot trumpeter swans gliding across a still lake or hear sandhill cranes calling from the marsh.Beavers share the park’s wetlands with other mammals, and their sturdy log-and-mud dams reshape the winding streams and marshy ground.You might spot other mammals in the park, like a red fox slipping through the grass, a coyote trotting along the trail, or a raccoon rustling in the leaves.Elk Island’s landscape shifts from shady mixedwood forests to bright aspen groves, with wetlands glinting under the sun and open grasslands waving in the wind, all providing rich habitats for an array of plants and animals.You can wander through the park’s diverse ecosystems on winding trails or join an interpretive program that brings the rustle of leaves and bird calls to life.At Elk Island National Park, you can follow winding trails that lead you through shady forests, quiet wetlands, and open meadows where the grass sways in the breeze.One of the favorite hikes is the Tawayik Lake Trail, a 3.5 km (2.2 mile) loop that skirts the shimmering shoreline, where you might catch sight of a deer stepping quietly from the trees and take in wide, open views of the water.Astotin Lake Trail is a 5 km (3.1 mile) loop that winds along the lake’s edge, offering quiet views of rippling water and the forest that frames it.Wood Bison Trail is a 2.5 km (1.6 mile) path that leads you to open meadows where massive wood bison graze quietly in the grass.You’ll find trails for every skill level here, from gentle paths perfect for a family stroll to steep climbs that leave your calves burning.Biking: The park offers dedicated cycling paths, including a multi-use trail that circles Astotin Lake, where the scent of pine drifts through the air as you take in its natural beauty on two wheels.Wildlife viewing is one of the park’s big draws-you might spot a deer stepping quietly through the pines.If you’re eager to spot bison, catch sight of a moose, or watch a flash of wings overhead, Elk Island offers countless chances to meet its wild residents.You’ll spot the most wildlife at dawn or in the cool glow of evening, when the air is still and creatures are on the move.Near Astotin Lake, there’s a viewing area where you can watch the bison herd grazing in the open grass-a perfect stop for anyone eager to see these iconic animals up close.At Astotin Lake Campground, you can pitch a tent under the pines, park your RV by the water, or reserve space for a whole group.From the campsite, you can step straight into hiking trails, spread a blanket for a picnic, or watch deer slip through the trees-it’s a quiet spot made for soaking up the outdoors.The campground opens each year in May and closes in September, when the air turns crisp and leaves start to fall.You can also camp in the backcountry if you want to venture into the park’s quieter, more remote areas, where pine needles crunch under your boots.You can paddle a canoe or slip into a kayak on Astotin Lake, gliding past reeds and open water while taking in the park from a whole new perspective.The lake lies still, ideal for drifting along in a kayak while you watch deer move quietly between the pines.In winter, Elk Island National Park turns into a quiet, snow-covered wonderland, with trails perfect for snowshoeing or gliding along on cross-country skis.Snow blankets the hills in quiet white, creating a peaceful, picture-perfect backdrop for skiing, sledding, or a simple walk in the crisp air.Around Astotin Lake, you’ll find several picnic spots-perfect for spreading out a blanket, unpacking lunch, and taking in the sparkle of the water.Picnic tables sit under sturdy shelters, making the area a welcoming place where families and friends can kick back together.At the Elk Island Visitor Centre, you’ll find hands‑on displays and vivid exhibits that bring the park’s wildlife, ecology, and conservation work to life.It also shares details on hiking trails, spots to camp under the pines, and upcoming park events.At the park, you can join guided wildlife tours, listen to bison talks, or hike with a ranger who points out animal tracks-perfect for anyone eager to explore its natural history and conservation work.Elk Island National Park welcomes visitors all year, but some services-like the visitor center and camping-are only available in certain seasons.If you want to pack your days with every activity on offer, aim for a trip between May and September, when the trails are dry and the sun lingers into the evening.Admission: You’ll need to pay a fee to get into the park-think a few dollars at the gate before you can wander under the tall pines.Visitors must
