The Elk Island National Park: Exploring The Beauty Of Canada’s Outdoors

If experiencing the great outdoors is as important as strolling the streets of a bustling city, then Edmonton, Canada, is the best summer holiday choice you could hope for. The city boasts some serious green space – you’ll find over 7,400 hectares of land and river valleys, a space equivalent to 22 times the size of New York’s Central Park. In fact, Edmonton is home to the largest expanse of urban parkland in North America. Here’s how to make the most of it…

City-based adventures – To fully embrace the beauty of Edmonton’s green space, you don’t have to travel far – there’s so much on offer right on the city’s doorstep. One of the best ways to take it all in is by discovering the picturesque river valleys 100 miles of trails – great for a gentle stroll or a more challenging hike depending on what you fancy that day. Take a jog with epic views over the cityscape, or pick up the pace and explore on two wheels. Adrenaline junkies will love the off-road mountain bike routes, which offer a chance to break away from the trails and discover the lesser known corners of the city’s spectacular parks.

For a less traditional way to cover some ground, check out the River Valley Adventure Co.’s Segway tours. The trips will have you blazing your own trail and venturing through the river valleys routes at your own pace. With these tours you’ll have the chance to hear about Edmonton’s rich history, while also soaking up some tips on how to get skilled on a Segway. If you’re looking to just kick back and enjoy the park’s scenery, the company will also lend you volleyball, croquet and football gear – perfect for a picnic session in the park.

After exploring the parks’ tree-packed slopes, it’s time to hit the water. Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle your way along the wide and gentle North Saskatchewan River. Bring a fishing rod and throw it over the side – it’s a great chance to catch some sturgeon or walleye along your route. If that’s not your scene then try paddle boarding along the peaceful river — it’s one of the best ways to spend a summer day in the city.

Discovering Elk Island National Park – Just 22 miles from the city of Edmonton there’s even more to explore in the pristine, remote wilderness of Elk Island. Barely an hour by car from the city, you’ll discover another world of pure Canadian wilderness. This is a region packed with history and wildlife, all of which you can experience in a day trip from the city.

Wildlife lovers’ will be in their element in Elk Island National Park. The park protects the nature of the aspen parkland, while also working to save and preserve the area’s bison species. It’s also now home to a bison conservation facility – take a behind-the-scenes tour and you can learn about the techniques behind the successful conservation facilities with demos and hands-on activities, not to mention some incredible picture opportunities.

Not only that, but the aspen parkland is a lush oasis that’s home to moose, elk, deer and over 250 species of birds. It won’t take you long to be blown away by Canada’s native animals in their natural habitat. When not spotting wildlife in Elk Island National Park, you’ll get to see one of the areas other spectacular sights: the sky. The park is set within a dark sky preserve, which means you’re in prime territory for seeking out star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. You may even catch nature’s most jaw-dropping light show – the Northern Lights. With a backdrop of pristine Canadian wilderness, it’s sure to be the highlight of your year’s adventures.

You won’t be short of fun outdoor activities in Elk Island National Park, either. Astotin Lake is surrounded by trees and beaches, and great for canoeing, kayaking and sailing along the calm water. It’s animal-spotting heaven – keep an eye out for birds including the rednecked grebes, common loons, white pelicans and blue herons. In the rest of the park there are hundreds of trails waiting to be explored – whether you’re a beginner or experienced hiker, you’ll find something to suit you.

To up the ante, the park is home to eight geocaches. Each geocache needs to be sought out, and contains a clue and a secret message for you to crack – meaning you can embark on your own real-world, adult treasure hunt in one of Canadas most stunning natural parklands. For a tee-time with a difference, be sure to check out the parks nine-hole golf course, close to Astonin Lake. All equipment can be rented from the shop, and there are plenty of beachside picnic spots to head to after a round.

If all that sounds like too much to squeeze into a single day, then you can stay the night in the park itself. Depending on what camping style you fancy, you can go for a backcountry tent or a fully equipped campsite. Better still, you don’t need to lug any camping and cooking gear with you – it’s all available to rent when you get to the park. When you’re craving a summer city break with some outdoor adventure thrown in, it’s fair to say that Edmonton, Canada, has it covered.

Explore Jasper National Park – A BIG-ADVENTURE EXCURSION

To get an even bigger taste of Canada’s untouched playgrounds, take the epic road trip from Edmonton to Jasper National Park. The 365km drive between the city and Jasper is one of the most spectacular routes in the country. Winding its way through the famous Canadian stretch of the Rocky Mountains, the wide, easy-to-drive roads are lined with towering pines, picture opportunities and wildlife.

Once you reach Jasper – Canada’s base for adventure – you’ll be set to discover one of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in North America. The area is crammed with ancient glaciers, roaming wildlife (expect to see bears and moose during your trip), and crystal-clear lakes. Then there are the remote waterfalls, deep canyons and evergreen forests – all of which are surrounded by the towering Rockies.

Of course, this epic scenery lends itself to some pretty cool activities. Try canyoning, canoeing and hiking in the summer, or ice climbing and dog sledding in the winter. Round it all off with some stargazing; Jasper National Park is a designated Dark Sky Preserve and home to the world’s #1 Dark Sky Festivals – and the perfect place to catch the Northern Lights.

Athletics – EDMONTON MARATHON (20-21 AUG; RACE WEEK (1-5 SEP)

If you have the energy (and you’ve put in the training), there are few better ways to see Edmonton’s beautiful river valley and vibrant neighbourhoods than the 25th annual Edmonton Marathon. If you’d rather see how the pros do it, the ITU World Triathlon Series comes to the city from 3-4 September for its penultimate round. It overlaps with the Tour of Alberta – a six-stage road cycling race that takes in the province’s stunning scenery – which hits Edmonton on 4 and 5 September.

Music – EDMONTON FOLK MUSIC FESTIVAL (4-7 AUG); SONIC BOOM (3-4 SEP)

Now a summer institution, Edmonton Folk Music Festival brings artists from all over the world to perform in a relaxed and atmospheric setting, overlooking the city and river valley. Artists confirmed this year include Calexico, the Tallest Man on Earth and Willy Mason. For alternative music – accompanied by pop-up stores and the city’s best food trucks – check out Sonic Boom, where this year you can catch the Lumineers, Jake Bugg, AWOLNATION, Twenty One Pilots and Edmonton’s own the Royal Foundry.

Arts & Culture – Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival (11-21 Aug)

The Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival isn’t just the city’s biggest cultural event of the year – it’s the biggest (and oldest) fringe festival in North America. This year’s fringe will be the 35th running, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever, with more than 1,600 live performances over 11 days at nearly 40 different venues. Alongside world-class theatre, look out for acrobats, jugglers and fire-breathers on the outside stages, and late-night cabaret, music and comedy at midnight every evening.

Action Sports – FIVE WORLD SERIES (16-18 SEP)

If you’re into live action sports, it doesn’t come bigger or better than the Festival International des Sports Extreme (FISE) World Series, which comes to Canada for the first time this September. Look out for some of the world’s best extreme sports athletes performing with Edmonton’s Hawrelak Park as a backdrop. Expect mountain bike slopestyle, freestyle and flat BMX and skateboard, all served up with the usual FISE good vibes. And best of all? It’s free for anyone to attend.