@ParksCanada
@ParksCanada
Less than 35 minutes east of Edmonton lies a year-round oasis where bison roam freely, sun glistens off lakes and ponds, and stars light-up the night sky: Elk Island National Park. This gentle wilderness of aspen woodlands, prairie meadows and pockets of wetland is a wildlife-watchers paradise; free roaming bison, elk, deer, moose, and more than 250 bird species call this place home.
A short drive to Elk Island National Park rewards visitors with countless recreation opportunities; hike or bike over 80 km of trails, rent canoes and paddle around the islands on Astotin Lake, take in a free program, or borrow a geocaching kit and enjoy a nearly 200 square kilometre scavenger hunt. Fun doesn’t end as the sun begins to set; stay warm by a fire and look into a sky filled with stars and dancing Northern Lights. Without the glow of city lights around you’ll see more than you knew existed!
With so much to do why not stay the night? Book a campsite and bring your tent or RV to the Astotin Lake Campground, or pack a backpack and make the 4 km hike into Oster Lake Backcountry Campground. If you want the experience of camping but need a few more creature comforts, oTENTik’s are available at Elk Island! oTENTik’s are a cross between a tent and a rustic cabin; bring a sleeping bag and discover the joys of camping without any fuss. To reserve a campsite, please visit http://reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca or call 1-877-737-3783 (1-877-RESERVE).
Looking for a winter adventure? Check out winter activities at Elk Island National Park!
Hit The Trails – Bring your own snowshoes or rent some from the Astotin Lake Campground Kiosk and venture out on the snow! Be prepared for your winter get-away by first checking recommendations for
winter visits to Elk Island for a safe and enjoyable winter visit.
Une famille chaussée de raquettes s’amuse dans la neige à l’aire récréative du lac Astotin, dans le parc national Elk Island. / A family on snowshoes playing in the snow at the Astotin Lake Recreation Area in Elk Island National Park.  @ParksCanada
Go Skating – Bring your skates and a group of friends to the Astotin Lake Day Use Area to play pond hockey. Bundle up, pack a thermos and bring a headlamp to skate under the starry skies of the Beaver
Hills Dark Sky Preserve at night. Contact the Visitor Centre for up-to-date condition reports and ensure the ice is at least 15cm thick
before skating.Enjoy the starry skies – Elk Island National Park is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. With minimal light pollution, it’s an ideal spot for stargazing all year round, and the park is open 24/7. Dress
for the weather and enjoy the night sky from the Astotin Lake area.Visit the Astotin theatre: discover artifacts, talk to a Parks Canada interpreter, and watch movies on the big screen. Enjoy snowshoeing, cross country skiing, skating and more winter fun!