Elk Island National Park in Winter
Winter is a great time to visit Elk Island National Park. It’s an easy place to access as a day trip from Edmonton, if only for a few hours.
There’s plenty to do – just not a whole lot in the way of services. Here are suggestions based on my experience traveling with Priscilla from Haskin Canoe. She spends a lot of time in the park and has a wealth of knowledge about what you can do in Elk Island National Park in the depths of winter.
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Elk Island versus Yellowstone National Park in winter
My trip to Elk Island National Park made me think of a time when our family traveled to Yellowstone National Park in the dead of winter for some cross-country skiing.
Yellowstone is glorious – filled with geysers with hardly a soul around. It too is home to plains bison. Despite their size, they seem to disappear into the trees. On one trail, my son who was lagging behind, came as close as you ever want to get to a bison – nose to nose is a pretty accurate description.
The bison blocked the path between us and him, a scary proposition when you’re 11 years old, or any age for that matter. It all ended well, and became one of our great family stories. The point – I wondered if I would have such a spontaneous encounter in Elk Island National Park.
Fortunately I did not.
Look for bison in Elk Island in winter
Within minutes Priscilla and I spotted bison, just in from the road. Hopping out of the car, we ventured as close as we dared, keeping in mind that bison can travel from 0 to 50 km/hour in just a few strides.
Ideally you should stay at least 30 metres away – which we definitely did.
Hike or snowshoe the Wood Bison Trail if you’re on the lookout for wood bison. They’re south of the highway, while the plains bison are found north of it.
Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing
Usually Elk Island National Park has lots of snow so snowshoeing and skiing are great activities. But if it’s a light year just do a winter hike instead, taking poles for support.
There are a huge number of trails to explore but be prepared to break trail. Think of it as an amazing winter workout.
The 13 kilometre Moss Lake Trail, the 12.5 kilometre Shirley Lake Trail and the 16.5 kilometre Tawayik Lake Trail are typically good spots to see elk and plains bison.
The 12.2 kilometre flat Hayburger Trail takes you through aspen forest and meadows. Both moose and plains bison can often be seen.
For a shorter trail try the 5 kilometre Simmons Trail, the 3.5 kilometre Lakeview Trail or the 3.5 kilometre Beaver Pond Trail.
Skate on Astotin Lake
Don’t forget a thermos of something hot to drink if you plan to go skating in Elk Island. You can skate around Archer Island, enjoy a game of pond hockey or even throw on a headlamp and skate under the stars.
Check in with the Visitor Centre to get an up to date report on ice conditions.
Have a red chair moment in winter in Elk Island National Park
You’ll find Parks Canada red chairs in five scenic locations in Elk Island National Park.
If it’s not too cold, why not enjoy a hot drink and lunch while admiring the winter scenery from your red chair. On Twitter you can post a picture using the hashtag #ShareTheChair but don’t forget to tag @ElkIslandNP.
Sign up for a star gazing experience at Elk Island
Elk Island National Park is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. It’s considered to be an amazing place for star gazing. Be sure to dress warmly if you want to enjoy the night outside.
The park does offer a stargazing program that includes a combo of snowshoeing and stargazing. It sells out quickly so plan in the fall to sign up for one of the winter nights.
Winter camping in Elk Island anyone?
If you’re a hardy soul, consider a winter camping experience at Elk Island. The Astotin Lake Campground is open from Thanksgiving until the end of April for tents or RV’s.
You’ll get a picnic table and a fire pit – so load up on firewood – offered for sale at the kiosk in the campground to stay warm. There is running water in the beach washrooms, but showers will have to wait until you get home.
Catch the beauty of a winter sunset at Elk Island
You don’t have to wait long to catch a sunset in Elk Island National Park in winter. In December the sun is setting by 4:20 pm and even in early March, it’s setting by 6:10 PM. Why not enjoy a late afternoon ross-country ski, skate o snowshoe and catch the sunset at the same time.
Final thoughts on winter in Elk Island
Elk Island National Park offers a peaceful getaway from Edmonton. Combined with a very high chance of seeing bison, it’s a destination where an outing on foot, snowshoes or skis can make winter a whole lot more fun.
Further reading on things to do in Alberta in winter
- 6 Fun Things to Do in Hinton, Alberta in Winter
- Things to do in Edmonton over a Winter Weekend
- Canada’s Most Scenic Drive: Banff to Jasper, Alberta
- What to Do in Winter in Lake Louise
- Nordegg Alberta – An Undiscovered Gem in the Rockies
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I don’t know why I was envisioning hundreds of elk roaming around here instead of bison 🙂 There is a lot about this park that reminds me of Yellowstone. Beautiful photos, Leigh! It looks so inviting even in winter.
@Mary There aren’t many places where you find bison wandering wild so a great comparison to Yellowstone. It’s actually a superb spot to visit in the snowy months.
Awesome shots! and I love that shot of the woodpecker! I don’t know though what I’d do if that was I who had that encounter with a bison.. I must have panicked!
@Sofia Thank you. I think if you came close to a bison you’d either have to not move or back away very slowly.
Nice pics! Elk Island looks like a great place to explore. Talk about spontaneous experiences. I had one in Yellowstone years back when I was young and foolish. We encountered a herd of buffalo with some young and I was so excited, I ran after them with my camera. A woman pulled up in a car and said that someone had been killed (be a charging bison) the year before from doing the same stupid thing! I’m now always sure to take my time in sizing up the wildlife, and not getting any closer than they are comfortable with.
@Doreen I’ve also been to Elk Island when the snow has disappeared – lovely canoeing and hiking. I love your story – amazing so many of us survive to tell the tale.