Things to do at Elk Island National Park - Our Top 5

A 35-minute drive east of Edmonton takes you to the rolling hills, aspen forests, rich wetlands, pretty lakes and starry skies of Elk Island National Park. It is an ‘island’ of natural wonders and a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, surrounded by agriculture. This wild inland island is home to free-roaming bison herds, elk, deer, coyotes, beavers and over 250 bird species.

The park is popular for wildlife viewing, paddling, hiking, stargazing and picnicking at Astotin Lake. Elk Island National Park is a gem in the Edmonton area and one of Alberta’s most unique national parks.

Elk Island National Park is in the Treaty 6 Territory. It is the traditional territory of Nehiyaw, Denesuliné, Nakota Sioux, Anishinaabe and Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and is located in the Métis Nation of Alberta District 11.

Here are our favourite things to do at Elk Island, plus some bonus activities ideas for families with kids.

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6 Things to do with kids at Elk Island National Park

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Wildlife Viewing

Things to do at Elk Island National Park - bison — Photo by Chris Bayley

Pack some snacks, load the car and enjoy a prairie safari in Elk Island National Park! The chances of seeing plains bison on the park’s north side are high, as they often come to graze in the rolling grasslands visible from the parkway. Wood bison live on the south side of the park, across Highway 16, and can be seen along the Wood Bison Trail.

Wildlife viewing on a scenic drive on the Parkway is the easiest way to see bison, and with the highest success rate. If you find yourself in a bison traffic jam, pull over and enjoy bison-watching from the safety of your vehicle. Bison also often gather around the Bison Loop Road, so drive slowly and get your camera ready.

Bison aren’t the only wild things that roam these parts. Elk are often seen along the Bison Loop Road in the winter, and you can catch a glimpse of deer, moose, coyotes, rabbits, birds, waterfowl and, sometimes, black bears. If you’re coming for wildlife viewing, come early in the morning or at dusk, when the animals are the most active.

Bison Wise Safety Tips: Bison may seem docile, but they are wild animals. That means they are unpredictable and can charge at you without warning. Keep a safe and respectable distance from wildlife (100 metres if you’re on foot) at all times, and never try to scare or chase bison away. Read how to be Bison Wise.

Hiking

Walk under the shade of black spruce trees, through open meadows and under the rustling leaves of aspen poplar and birch trees before circling beaver ponds and crossing wetlands on wooden boardwalks. Hiking trails in Elk Island National Park are varied, with distances and difficulties for all abilities. Here are some of our go-to hiking trails:

Hayburger Trail (11.6 km loop): Stroll through a spruce bog, natural meadows and aspen forest. Bison are often grazing in the meadows, and you can see a quicksand pit!

Tawayik Lake Trail (15.1 km loop): This trail showcases the best Elk Island National Park has to offer. Tawayik Lake is more like a wetland, teaming with waterfowl, beavers and muskrats. You go through aspen forests and break into open meadows. Keep an eye out for deer and bison!

Moss Lake Trails (4.8 km or 12.6 km loop): These two connected loops go through mixed forests around beaver ponds and aspen parkland. You can take a quick stroll or extend your adventure by combining the two loops.

Lakeview Trail (3.7 km loop): If you’re picnicking at Astotin Lake, stretch your legs on this popular trail. It offers sweeping views of the lake, its many islands, plus beaver and waterfowl.

Shoreline Trail (6 km return): This paved and accessible trail is perfect for walkers with mobility issues, strollers, and bikes. You follow the shoreline of Astotin Lake through mixed forest, and the Beaver Bay Picnic Area makes a good stop for snack breaks.

Paddling

Astotin Lake is a popular canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding spot. There is a well-maintained boat launch, sandy beach and wooden dock. The lake itself makes for an interesting paddle, as there are several islands, inlets and channels on the south end of the lake. In the spring, you’ll be surrounded by the sounds of life as birds and waterfowl get busy nesting. It’s likely you’ll see little muskrats swim by or a busy beaver working on its lodge.

Canoe, kayak and paddle board rentals are available at the lake from May Long Weekend through the summer and continue on weekends only in September. Rentals are first-come, first-serve, but limited reservations are available. Learn more about Elk Island Paddle Sports Rentals.

Astotin Lake is mostly calm, but the wind can pick up at any time. Always wear a certified life jacket and stay close to shore on windy days. Mornings and evenings are the calmest paddling times, and the best time for wildlife viewing, too.

Blue-green algae advisory: Unfortunately, Astotin Lake is prone to blue-green algae blooms in the summer. This naturally occurring organism can be toxic and cause illness to people and animals when ingested or skin contact is made. Plus, it’s slimy and yucky. If there is a bloom, avoid wading and paddling in the water.

Stargazing

Elk Island National Park is in the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve. It is one of the best places to view the constellations, meteor showers and northern lights in the Edmonton area. Stargazing in the winter is more accessible because you don’t have to stay up as late for it to get dark. But it’s a magical activity in the summer as well.

Bring a blanket, lay on the ground and experience the wonders of the night sky! Or, you can make a fire in a campfire pit at a designated picnic area, pull up a lawn chair and stay up late to enjoy the stars. You can spend the night at the Astotin Lake Campground or Oster Lake Backcountry Campground or visit for a few hours after dark. The park is open 24 hours a day, and visitors are welcome to come at any time of night.

Parks Canada offers dark-sky experiences throughout the year. Learn more about their stargazing programs.

Picnicking

City dwellers flock to Elk Island National Park on weekends to get away from the hustle of the city and spend some time with their families in the great outdoors. The most popular picnic spot is the Astotin Lake area. It offers an open field, sandy beach, playground, public washrooms, drinking water, cook shelters, picnic tables, fire pits and beautiful lake views. While it is busy on weekends, this area empties out on weekdays. It’s also the best spot in the park to watch the sunset over the lake, so evening picnics are a must.

The Astotin Lake Recreation Area is also a good home base for nature walks. You can take a stroll up the Lakeview Trail and explore the wetlands on the Living Waters Boardwalk. This boardwalk loops out onto the water of Astotin Lake, offering interpretive signage about the living wetlands and great lake views.

There are also picnic spots located in the trees around Astotin Lake, including beside and behind the boat launch. This area beside the boat launch also has firepits, bathrooms and a small playground. Because you have to walk a little further here, it is usually less busy than the main Astotin Lake beach area.

If you want to avoid the crowds, there are other places to have picnics at Elk Island National Park. A quiet favourite accessible by car is the Tawayik Lake Recreation Area. It has several picnic spots, firepits, and a picnic shelter. It also makes a good launching point for a nature walk. Alternatively, you can hike into the Beaver Bay Picnic Area.

Things to do with kids at Elk Island National Park

Elk Island’s proximity to Edmonton offers accessible wilderness and outdoor adventure for locals and visitors to the area. Here are our top picks for things to do with kids at Elk Island National Park.

Explore with Club Parka

Parka the beaver is the cute Parks Canada mascot, and most national parks in Canada offer a free self-guided scavenger hunt featuring Parka and her woodland friends. Pop into the visitor centre on your way into the park and pick up your Club Parka booklet. The booklet will guide your family through interactive activities that help your kids explore, learn and have fun in the park.

You can also download the free Photo Missions App. Through the app, your kids can help Parka find and photograph specific items around Elk Island National Park.

Once you complete the booklet or the Photo Mission activity, take it back to the visitor centre and your kids will get a reward!

Astotin Lake Recreation Area

The Astotin Lake area is a great place to take kids for a day of outdoor fun. As mentioned, it offers picnic spots, an awesome playground and a sandy beach. Spend the day playing, building sand castles, exploring the Living Waters Boardwalk and participating in Parks Canada activities on weekends at this spot and in the Astotin Theatre.

If you have young ones in strollers, you can still go for a stroll along the nearby Shoreline Trail. It is paved and fully accessible. You’ll also have access to public washrooms with running water and flush toilets, drinking water and can purchase firewood at the Astotin Lake Campground Kiosk.

Hiking with Kids

Elk Island has several easy hiking trails that pack a lot of nature into a short distance. The trails around Astotin Lake offer stunning lake views, and you can go as far as you’d like (or those little legs allow). Other favourite hikes for kids at Elk Island National Park include:

Amisk Wuche Trail (2.7 km loop): Boardwalks, busy beaver ponds, poplar and spruce forest and active ducks and geese make this a fun trail for kids. They can see a little bit of everything, and new, interesting things await around every turn.
Simmons Trail (2.6 km loop): You can access this shorter loop at the Tawayik Trail Parking lot. It’s a good trail for viewing bison grazing in the meadow.
Shoreline Trail (3km one-way): This paved trail is perfect for family bike rides or if you have kids in strollers. It has pretty views of the lake, and you can essentially turn back at anytime.
Living Waters Boardwalk: Kids love this dock-like trail that loops right into Astotin Lake. Make sure you keep a close eye and hold hands with little ones, as there is no railing on some parts of the boardwalk.

Discovery Kits

Pick up a free discovery kit from the Astotin Theatre. They’re free to borrow for the day, available in English and French, and can help your kids learn and discover more about the park. Geocaching and Dark Sky kits are available year-round, while Nature and Pond-dipping kits are available in the summer. They also have a Winter kit for the colder months.