A day at the beach is the perfect way to spend a summer’s day. Families looking for sandy shores, clear water, and fun amenities like playgrounds and picnic areas will appreciate our guide to these kid-friendly beaches in Alberta.

We’ve tried to include beaches throughout the entire province, listed from the northern locations and working our way down. Let us know if you have a beach we should add to the list!

11 best beaches in Alberta for kids

1. Devonshire Beach (Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park)

Location: Near Slave Lake, Alberta
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: 1.5 km sandy beach, picnic areas, accessible viewing platform and beach access (North Beach access), and nearby camping facilities.
Website: Devonshire Beach

At over 1.5 kilometres long, Devonshire Beach on Lesser Slave Lake is one of Alberta’s longest natural sand beaches. It’s perfect for beach walks, sand castles, picnics, wading and swimming in beautiful Lesser Slave Lake—Alberta’s second largest lake. Sections of the beach are groomed, and you can access them from either the Devonshire Beach South or Devonshire Beach North parking lots in Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park.

Devonshire Beach North has an accessible viewing platform, ramp, and beach access. You can also rent kayaks and standup paddle boards at this location, but you must do so online via Kayakomat. Both of the day-use areas have pit toilets.

What we like about Devonshire Beach

• This beach is huge! There is plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the day.
• It’s close to Slave Lake, so you can pick up snacks and supplies
• It’s part of a unique 1500-year-old sand dune complex

Things to consider about Devonshire Beach

• Dogs are permitted, but must be on a leash
• Lesser Slave Lake can get windy and choppy
• Only pit toilets are available

Directions to Devonshire Beach, Lesser Slave Lake Provincial Park

2. Kinosoo Beach (Cold Lake)

Location: Cold Lake, Alberta
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: Sandy beach, splash park, playground, volleyball courts, zipline, concession, washrooms and full services in town.
Website: City of Cold Lake

For the best beach located in a town or city, Kinosoo Beach in Cold Lake takes the cake. This hustling summer hot spot has everything a family could want for a memorable day at the lake.

Cold Lake has no shortage of sand, sun and water, but this place is packed with amenities and activities. It has a playground, splash park, concession (ice cream!), volleyball courts, basketball courts, floating docks and a unique zipline that sends kids flying into the water. It has walking paths, including a breezy beach promenade and a grandstand that hosts entertainment and musical performances throughout the summer. This is arguably one of the best beaches in Alberta and has been recognized in several publications.

If all this activity isn’t your jam, no worries. Cold Lake is huge and has several quieter beaches. For example, just up the road from Kinosoo Beach, the Cold Lake M.D. Park has a day use area that includes a stretch of beach, a grassy field and a playground.

What we like about Kinosoo Beach

• The amenities and activities can’t be beat
• Sandy beach and clean water
• Kids love the splash park and zipline
• Fun community vibes

Things to consider about Kinosoo Beach

• Dogs are not permitted on the beach.
• Cold Lake can be cold, though temperatures vary throughout the summer
• Parking along the beach is limited. Come early to get a close spot.

Directions to Kinosoo Beach, Cold Lake

3. Long Island Lake Municipal Campground

Location: Approximately 1.5 hours north of Edmonton near Westlock, Alberta
Day Use Fee: $10 per vehicle
Amenities: Sandy beach, playground, picnic areas, volleyball court and camping facilities.
Website: Long Island Lake Municipal Campground

Long Island Lake is small, long and narrow, and has remarkably clear water for a prairie lake. The Long Island Municipal Campground beach is harrowed daily and immaculately maintained. Your family will enjoy the wide sandy beach, clean water, and a swimming platform that older kids can swim to and play on. It also has a playground and giant tractor tires on the beach for kids to climb on. It’s a fantastic spot for a day trip or camping weekend.

Why we like Long Island Lake

• Daytrips from Edmonton are possible
• Large beach and playground
• Clear water all summer

Things to consider about Long Island Lake

• There is a $10 day-use fee.
• They do cut off visitors eventually if it gets too busy, so come early.
• No food, drink or pets are allowed on the beach
• There is a $20 boat launch fee
• Only pit toilets are available

Directions to Long Island Lake Municipal Campground, Westlock County

4. Jarvis Lake  (William A. Switzer Provincial Park)

Location: Near Hinton, Alberta
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: Sandy beach, picnic areas, playground, boat launch, paddle rentals and camping facilities.
Website: Jarvis Lake Day Use

Jarvis Lake offers a serene beach setting with clear waters and stunning scenery. Located on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in William A. Switzer Provincial Park, this lake is surrounded by rolling foothills and offers views of mountain peaks. The main day-use area beach is a hot spot for Hinton locals. It features a sandy beach, playground, boat launch, several picnic and campfire areas, and pit toilets. It also has canoe and kayak rentals that you can book in advance via Switzer Park Watersports Rentals.

Families will also enjoy sheltered swimming and paddling in the Kelley’s Bathtub Day Use area, which is located just down the lake by the visitor centre. There isn’t much of a beach here, but the water is calm and a safe place for beginner paddlers. You can also buy popsicles and ice cream bars at the visitor centre.

What we like about Jarvis Lake:

• The water is clean and clear all summer
• Beautiful mountain scenery without the Rocky Mountain summer crowds
• Access to other activities like hiking, biking and paddling

Things to consider about Jarvis Lake:

• It can get busy on weekends, so come early
• Motorboat traffic can be heavy on weekends
• Firewood is available to purchase at the visitor centre
• Only pit toilets are available

Directions to Jarvis Lake Day Use and Kelley’s Bathtub

5. Wabamun Lake Provincial Park

Location: Near the Town of Wabamun, 67 km west of Edmonton
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: Sandy beach, playground, picnic areas, change rooms, flush toilets, boat launch and camping facilities.
Website: Wabamun Lake Provincial Park

Due to its proximity to the city, Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is a go-to for Edmonton and area residents. The well-maintained day-use area offers a spacious sandy beach and a roped-off swimming area with shallow waters, making it perfect for wading toddlers and young swimmers. The water in the swimming area is typically clean and weed-free, though you will find weeds further out in the bay.

Near the beach, you’ll find a playground, picnic and campfire areas, a picnic shelter, washrooms with change rooms, a dock and a boat launch. It also has a beach concession and boat rentals.

Why we like Wabamun Lake Provincial Park

• Close to Edmonton
• Large beach and playground
• Lots of amenities
• Good parking

Things to consider about Wabamun Lake Provincial Park

• Wabamun Lake can get blue-green algae. Check for advisories or call the park office before you go.
• Come early! Because it’s so close to the city, it can get busy on weekends.
• Dogs are not permitted on the beach.

Directions to Wabamun Lake Provincial Park

6. Ross Lake (Whitney Lakes Provincial Park)

Location: East-central Alberta
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: Sandy beach, playgrounds, bike trails, picnic areas, camping facilities
Website: Whitney Lakes Provincial Park

Heading east to the other side of the province, you’ll find the lesser-known Whitney Lake Provincial Park. There are two fantastic beaches here, Whitney Lake and Ross Lake, and Ross Lake is our favourite. It has a sandy beach, clear water, a playground and nearby pit toilets. There is a boat launch on the other side of the lake, but motorboat traffic is minimal.

Most of the people here are campers, so families often come and go throughout the day.  The lake is completely wild and surrounded by a lush forest, which makes it feel peaceful.

What we like about Ross Lake:

• Clean and clear water
• Quiet and peaceful natural area
• Whitney Lake is nearby if you want a change of scenery
• Hiking and biking trails are accessible from the beach
• Whitney Lakes Provincial Park preserves a unique glacial esker

Things to consider about Ross Lake:

• The beachfront isn’t huge, but it goes back quite a ways up a hill.
• Dogs are not permitted on the beach
• Whitney Lake can get blue-green algae
• Only pit toilets are available
• There’s a day use area on the east side of the lake, but we like the beach between campground loops C and D

Directions to Ross Lake in Whitney Lakes Provincial Park

7. Gull Lake – Ebeling Beach Day Use (Aspen Beach Provincial Park)

Location: Near Lacombe, Alberta
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: Sandy beach, playground, picnic areas, food concession and camping facilities.
Website: Ebeling Beach Day Use – Aspen Beach Provincial Park

Fun fact! Aspen Beach Provincial Park was established in 1932 and was the first provincial park in Alberta! Located on Gull Lake near Lacombe, Ebeling Day Use area offers shallow water that stretches out for a long time and has a soft sandy beach. Because it is so shallow and safe, it is one of the best beaches in Alberta for young children and toddlers. It also has a playground, picnic areas, a boat launch and a summer concession.

What we like about Ebeling Beach

• Close proximity to Edmonton and Red Deer
• Shallow water is perfect for toddlers and young children
• Ripples Concession offers hot and cold food
• Lifejacket loaner station

What to consider about Ebeling Beach

• Gets crowded, especially on weekends.
• Parking is limited, and they turn away cars once the lot is full
• Gull Lake is susceptible to blue-green algae and other water advisories. Check before you go.
• Dogs are not permitted on the beach

Directions to Ebeling Beach, Gull Lake in Aspen Beach Provincial Park

8. Sylvan Lake

Location: Central Alberta, west of Red Deer
Day Use Fee: Free beach access; parking fees apply in some areas ($3/hour or $30/day in parking lots)
Amenities: Sandy beach, splash park, playground, nearby restaurants and shops, public washrooms and nearby camping facilities.
Website: Sylvan Lake Tourism

Sylvan Lake is a classic Alberta summer hot spot. It’s a bustling beach destination right in Sylvan Lake, where families can soak up the sun and swim in clear water with close access to ice cream shops, cafes, restaurants and shops. The beach stretches from 34^th Street to the lighthouse, is backed by a grassy park, boardwalk, and picnic areas, and has a boat launch and marina nearby. The water here is shallow for a long way, making it an excellent spot for little kids to splash and play.

Sylvan Lake beach can get busy in the summer, so come on a weekday or come early on weekends to get a good spot. Recently, the town has passed a recent bylaw prohibiting large beach tents on the sand. This has improved visibility and made the beach more enjoyable for everyone.

Why we like Sylvan Lake

• The hustle and bustle of Sylvan Lake and its amenities give it a fun summer holiday vibe.
• The water is clear, warm and shallow for little kids
• There are playgrounds, washrooms, picnic areas and a boat launch

Things to consider about Sylvan Lake

• It can get crowded. Come early or plan your trip on a weekday.
• Dogs are not permitted on the beach
• Beach tents and sunshades larger than one square metre are prohibited. View the tent-free zone.
• Prepare to pay for parking

Directions to Sylvan Lake beach

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9. Newell Lake (Kinbrook Island Provincial Park)

Location: Near Brooks, Alberta
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: Sandy beach, playgrounds, picnic areas, walking paths, boat launch, concession, washrooms and camping facilities.
Website: Kinbrook Island Provincial Park

Kinbrook Island Provincial Park on Newell Lake is an oasis in the middle of southern Alberta’s arid and almost treeless prairie. This well-maintained provincial park offers one of the best beaches in the area on the province’s largest and warmest man-made lake. Grassy picnic areas back the spacious beach, and large cottonwoods provide shade from the summer sun.

The water is clean, clear, and warm, making it a great spot to bring the kids on a summer’s day. There is a playground, walking paths, a food concession, a boat launch and a lifejacket loaner station.

Why we like Kinbrook Island Provincial Park

• Kinbrook Island feels like an oasis on a hot prairie day
• The water is crystal clear and warm in the summer
• The park-like setting is a great spot for picnics and field games
• Only 45 minutes from the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dinosaur Provincial Park

Things to consider about Kinbrook Island Provincial Park

• Dogs are not permitted on the beach.
• It can get crowded, especially on weekends
• Bugs and mosquitoes can be bad in the trees and on walking trails

Directions to Newell Lake, Kinbrook Island Provincial Park

9. Little Bow Provincial Park

Location: About 2 hours south of Calgary, near Vulcan, Alberta
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: Sandy beach, playgrounds, picnic areas, food concession, washrooms and showers, camping facilities
Website: Little Bow Provincial Park

South of Calgary, Little Bow Provincial Park is on the Travers Reservoir and draws visitors who want to enjoy a day of sunshine, swimming and hanging out on the sandy beach! The water is clean, and you’ll find plenty of shady areas to set up under trees at the back of the beach. It can get breezy here, making it a hotspot for sailboats and windsurfers, which kids love to watch.

Little Bow Provincial Park has plenty of amenities that will make your trip to the beach more convenient. The park has flush toilets, showers and a food concession in the summer. You’ll also find boat and paddleboard rentals.   

What we like about Little Bow Provincial Park

• Close proximity to Calgary, making (longer) daytrips doable
• Sandy beach and clean water
• Good amenities, like flush toilets, showers, concessions, paddle rentals, etc.
• Reliable breeze for wind sports

Things to consider about Little Bow Provincial Park

• As of June 2025, potable water wasn’t available in the park. Check Alberta Parks for updates.
• Dogs are not permitted on the beach.
• It can get busy on weekends, so come early!

Directions to Little Bow Provincial Park

11. Elkwater Lake (Cypress Hills Provincial Park)

Location: Southeastern Alberta, 45 minutes southeast of Medicine Hat
Day Use Fee: Free
Amenities: Sandy beach, playground, picnic areas, boat launch and marina, ice cream, nearby hiking trails, camping facilities
Website: Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Cypress Hills Provincial Park offers multiple lakes, campgrounds and the charming summer village of Elkwater. The hills were bypassed by retreating glaciers in the ice age, leaving the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador! This unique eco-system of rolling hills, lakes and lodgepole pine forests, creates an oasis in the middle of the arid prairies.

Elkwater Lake is where all the beach action happens, and for good reason. It offers sandy beaches, grassy parkland, playgrounds, a boat launch, washrooms and a marina for boat and paddle craft rentals.

There are three day use areas on Elkwater Lake, with the east end offering shallow water and playground access for little kids. The west central day use beach is quieter, but you must walk into it. You’ll find more motorboat and watersports traffic near the west end of the lake, as it’s closest to the waterfront campground.

What we like about Elkwater Lake

• Clean, shallow water and a sandy beach
• The summer village of Elkwater provides everything you need and has great vibes.
• Paddle rentals, ice cream and playgrounds
• Access to other outdoor activities in the park: hiking, biking, fishing, etc.

What to consider about Elkwater Lake

• Don’t miss the visitor centre! It has exhibits and activities for kids
• Boat traffic can be intense on the west end of the lake
• Dogs are not permitted on the beach
• Flush toilets and showers are available at the Lakeview shower house

Directions to Elkwater Lake in Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Tips for a great beach day in Alberta

Arrive early

The best beaches in Alberta are popular and can get crowded, especially those near a major city or town, can get crowded. Try to go on weekdays, and if you visit on a weekend, arrive early to get a good beach spot and parking. Sylvan Lake, Gull Lake, Wabamun Lake, Long Island Lake and Newell Lake are probably the busiest of the beaches we listed, but any can be busy on a beautiful sunny day.

Check the weather and for water quality advisories

Always check the weather forecast before heading out. Sometimes a summer day in Alberta can start sunny, but thunderstorms can roll in later in the day.

Unfortunately, some Alberta lakes can have water quality issues throughout the summer. The most common is blue-green algae blooms. However, once a lake gets a blue-green algae advisory, it stays posted for the rest of the season, even if the algae bloom has passed. Blooms often come and go several times throughout the season.

If you want to know if there is an active bloom, call the park or campground nearby. If the beach is in an Alberta Park, it should have any water advisories listed on its website.

Pack the essentials

Most of the best beaches in Alberta do not have shops and services nearby, so you want to make sure you bring everything you need. Pack sunscreen, hats, lifejackets, snacks, a first aid kit and plenty of drinking water. You can also consider bringing a beach tent or umbrella for shade, but be mindful of your beach neighbours and keep your beach shade a reasonable size.

Other beach essentials include sand toys, towels, frisbees, balls, floaties, paddle boards and kayaks.

Be respectful

Beaches can be busy on warm days, so being mindful and respectful of other beachgoers is essential. Everyone wants to have a fun day, so make sure we share the space, respect other people’s property and belongings. Don’t play loud music or smoke on the beach, and please obey local rules about food, drink and pets on the beach.

Leave no trace

Being respectful also includes caring for the land and water you’re visiting. Clean up after yourself, pack out what you pack in and don’t disturb wildlife. You want to leave the beach as clean or cleaner than you found when you arrived.

Enjoy your Alberta beach adventures!