5 Things You Have to do This Winter at Elk Island Park

You don’t have to venture too far away from Edmonton to experience winter in the wild. From skating on a frozen lake, to moonlit snowshoe tours, there are a few reasons you should plan a visit to Elk Island through the winter.

Five Experiences to have at Elk Island this Winter:

Snowshoe and Stargaze 

Come take part in two unique experiences at Elk Island National Park: snowshoeing and stargazing!
Begin your experience with a short guided hike on snowshoes around the shore of Astotin Lake. Roam atop the snow like a snowshoe hare while stars twinkle overhead. As you march along, the welcoming crackling of a campfire eclipses the soft sounds of nature surrounding you.

Find tickets for Snowshoe and Stargaze, Saturday nights through the winter months.

Drop in Winter Programming 

Join a friendly park interpreter around a glowing fire at the Astotin Lake Recreation Area in the afternoon for drop-in programs. Activities vary every weekend and may include:

• Animal tracking
• Building winter shelters
• Winter survival
• Wildlife displays
• Ice skating
• Snowshoeing
• Roasting winter treats

Dress in layers and bring your skates!

Find a Geocache

Caches range from easy 1/2 hour treks to challenging half day finds. These caches showcase some of the top picks in the park. To ensure that animals don’t become interested in the geocaches, staff kindly ask that you not to leave anything in the caches; sign the log book, take a selfie, and log your find on www.geocaching.com. (Not sure about how to get started with Geocaching? We like this guide and app)

Watch for a Bison Traffic Jam

Watch in awe from the safety (and the warmth) of your car as a herd of bison graze before you in an open meadow, steam rising from their woolly coats on cool mornings. Inch forward and feel your pulse accelerate as the prehistoric behemoths grunt and paw the earth. One raises its head, casts a glance your way, then the herd of a dozen amble onto the roadway.

Winter S’more Fests

Enjoy a picnic at one of the Elk Island picnic shelters all year long! Picnic shelters are located within the Astotin Lake Area includes the Pavilion or at the Tawayik Lake Picnic Area. You can waarm up with a fire at the Tawayik Lake warming shelter which is outfitted to keep out the winter chill! Wood is provided in the wood boxes at Tawayik, and the Astotin Lake Day Use Area. These non-reservable shelters are only available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Photo: Hand Luggage Only