10 Waterpark and Water Fun Day Trip Destinations Near Edmonton
Pembina River Tubing
If you’ve never tried the River Tubing at Pembina, it’s something that should make it on to your bucket list. Plus, if you bring two vehicles and tube with friends, it’s a completely free activity – because you can skip the cost of transportation back to the tubing parking day use area.
Pembina Day Use Area
When you’ve finished tubing, or if you want to skip tubing down the river, Pembina day use area is a popular spot for families that want to get in the water, but don’t want to drive to the sandy beaches that are further outside of the city. Mostly rocky, and with water that can tend to move a little quicker, it’s not the most comfortable beach that you’re going to lay on – so bring chairs, but the kids really enjoy the spot, and parents appreciate a bit of shade!
Whitecourt Rotary Park
One of our favourites, this tubing area for kids (and adults) has two courses that lead to a splash pond at the bototm of the course. Bring your own floatie, and it’s an inexpensive way to enjoy the day with kids. There is also a large playground, and splash park area with plenty of places to sit. With smaller children, there is no shade – s0 bring a shaded tent.
Constable Chelsey Robinson Park
Travel ninety minutes from Edmonton and find this riverside park that’s usually pretty unpopulated through the summer. The kids can wade in the water, and parents can go into the water as well – and you can bring children’s kayaks or tubes to explore down the river. Go later in the season, when the water is running slower, for an easier water experience.
Allen Beach
Allen Beach is a private beach, thirty minutes from Edmonton. Admission is around twenty-five bucks for a family of five, and it’s a bit of a trek to the beach (so bring a stroller or wagon) but it’s worth it for the day spent playing in the sand, close to the city.
Sylvan Lake
Between the beach area and the Aqua Splash Park, the new floating obstacle course that you’ll find at Sylvan Lake. It’s one of those day trips you’ve got to do at least once. Bring along a small floating boat or floating toy and let the kids play in the shallow water while you float along with them. Plus, there’s something to be said for the convenience of having restaurants and shops, within a quick walk across the road.
Devonshire Beach
A bit more of a trek away from the city, at just under three hours, Devonshire beach is worth the trip because it’s not usually too busy, and it’s a large lake area where you can spend the entire day playing. Staying the night? There’s an incredible comfort camping option near the beach!
Long Island Lake
Just about an hour from the city, this private beach destination comes with a low cost to visit of $5/vehicle – but is worth it, as there is great “playable sand” that kids can explore, and water that is usually easy to swim in.
Discovery Canyon Park
Discovery Canyon, in Red Deer, has been recently revamped to create an even more kid-friendly destination for kids to tube during the summer months. Shallow through the short tubing course where kids begin at one end and end up at a small pond in the bottom, it’s a free and fun activity through the summer, but it can get quite busy.
The Abbey Centre
Just under ninety minutes from Edmonton, the Abbey Centre is one of those hidden gems where you can spend the day playing in the outdoor aquatic centre for under twenty bucks, for the whole family. There are multiple spray parks for younger children, two larger waterslides for more adventurous kids, and plenty of places to sit, and a canteen for snacks and drinks, with two large pools.