Elk Island National Park

Four-season fun is on offer at Elk Island National Park. The park is 48 km (30 mi) east of Edmonton, making it ideal for day trips. A campground in the heart of the park and one in the backcountry make overnight stays possible. However long you stay, you won’t run out of things to do. Elk Island National Park is part of the Beaver Hills Biosphere. It’s home to more than 250 species of birds and 42 species of mammals, including deer and elk. The park also plays a vital role in bison conservation. In 1907 plains bison were reintroduced to the park. Today, there are about 400 plains bison and 300 bison in the park. In the summer, visitors can hike, bike and paddle. The winter fun includes snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and searching for animal tracks. And the fun doesn’t stop at night. Elk Island is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, making it the perfect place to do a little stargazing or to admire the northern lights.