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Home , Elk Island National Park

Welcome to Elk Island Guided programs Camping Stargazing Contact information

Enjoy a true wilderness experience Enjoy drop-in programs Sleep under the stars Lose yourself in the wonder 35 minutes east of FREE with paid park entry of a star-filled sky Emergency Share stories around the campfire as the stars in the night 911 – Police, fire and ambulance Visitor Guide sky twinkle above. Reserve your campsite today for A short drive east of Edmonton lies Elk Island National Programs include: Parks Dispatch Park, a year-round oasis where roam freely, sun camping dates between May 21 and October 10, 2021: • Bison Backstage tours • Bird watching 1-877-852-3100 – Wildlife incidents, glistens off lakes and stars light-up the night sky. Learn and Map • Stargazing • Campfire programs reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca campground disturbances, poaching the story of how bison were saved from the brink of 1-877-737-3783 or off-leash pets extinction, hike or bike more than 90 km of trails, paddle Stop by the Visitor Information Centre or visit 2021/22 around the islands in Astotin Lake or gaze at a night sky parkscanada.gc.ca/elkisland for seasonal ASTOTIN LAKE CAMPGROUND full of stars. program schedules. Nestled in the Astotin Lake Recreation Area, this Visitor Information Centre To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience, plan your PRIVATE PROGRAMS campground is walking distance to the beach, boat & Gift Shop: visit and pack appropriate equipment: rentals, playground, golf course and theatre. interpreters are enthusiastic and 780-922-5790 knowledgeable. Private programs are available for school PLAN Astotin Lake Campground offers: [email protected] groups, organizations and families. • Visit parkscanada.gc.ca/elkisland for the latest info • Potable water • Hot showers parkscanada.gc.ca/elkisland on park activities, events and conditions. • Flush toilets • Picnic shelters • Select a trip that best fits the group’s abilities, • Firewood (fee) • RV dump station Parks Canada Campground experiences, interests, equipment and time available. Navigate the sky of the Dark Sky Preserve Reservation Service: • File a trip plan with friends or family. from Elk Island National Park; without the glow of city OSTER LAKE BACKCOUNTRY CAMPGROUND 1-877-737-3783 • Check weather and road conditions. lights around, you’ll see more than you knew existed. This hike-in only (4 km) campground provides a truly unique reservation.parkscanada.gc.ca • Learn what to do if encountering wildlife. camping experience on the west shore of Oster Lake. The Astotin Lake Recreation Area and the Bison Loop • Stop at the Visitor Information Centre for park updates area are open spaces ideal for viewing the night sky and to purchase your entry pass. above. Bring a blanket and experience seasonal meteor DRIVING DIRECTIONS FROM EDMONTON • Check the time, make sure you can complete your trip showers, the northern lights and shooting stars. before the sun sets or be prepared to travel in the dark. Travel east on Highway 16. The park entrance is located on the north side of Highway 16 approximately STARGAZING TIPS PACK 35 minutes east of Edmonton. 1. Find an open dark area with few obstructions. The first large Elk Island National Park sign on Natural hazards exist in any national park; being prepared View as much of the sky as possible. can minimize risky situations. Pack the basics: Highway 16 marks the park boundary. Continue 2. Use a red light to preserve night vision. Standard 7 km further east to reach the main park gate. Weather appropriate Insect repellent white lights disrupt night vision. Come prepared with a full tank of gas as there clothing Fully-charged phone* is no gas station in the park. 3. Know when to look. Season, time, and weather all Visitor guide and map Flashlight impact what is visible in the night sky. Check the Services and facilities First aid kit Food, water and weather forecast and astronomy calendars online. may be subject to Follow us Sun protection equipment to be COVID-19-related on Twitter: self-sufficient 4. Use a star chart or app. Have the proper tools to @ElkIslandNP help identify constellations. restrictions. Please be *Cell coverage varies and may not be available in all areas of the park. patient and follow all

Aussi disponible en français. Contact the Visitor Information Centre or visit health guidelines. Some activities require additional gear. parkscanada.gc.ca/elkisland for information on dark Visit adventuresmart.ca for more information sky programs taking place throughout the year. on how to stay safe and what to pack.

Hiking Paddling Wildlife viewing Use your thumb Xplorer Program

Explore the park at a slower pace Animals in the park are wild Elk Island National Park is a great place to have fun Moose and may react to perceived with your family, explore nature, and watch bison, Wildlife viewing tips With over 90 km of trails to explore, a memorable threats when startled, moose, and beavers. Become an explorer and learn • Visit at dawn and dusk when animals are most active. experience awaits. Watch a busy beaver construct threatened or protecting about Elk Island National Park by completing Xplorer Be alert as females and their young travel at these times. its dam, listen to songbirds sing a tune or take in a their young. Protect challenges around the park. Start your adventure by • Slow down. Bison and often travel the parkway. breathtaking sunset over Astotin Lake. Most trails have yourself and wildlife by picking up your Xplorer booklet from the campground parking, viewpoints, washrooms and garbage facilities. • Get wet. Moose and waterfowl are most active in rainy weather. giving animals space. To kiosk. The Xplorer program is free of charge. • Be patient. Stop, look around and wait to see what determine if you are at a Trail descriptions and locations are listed on the wanders by. safe distance use back of this guide. your thumb:

Elk Wolf White-tailed Deer 1. Hold your fist straight out in front of you 2. Raise your thumb Cycling 3. Cover the animal with your thumb If the animal is totally covered by your thumb, you are a safe distance away (about 100 m). If your thumb does not Feel the breeze while pedaling cover the animal you are too close and should retreat. through nature.

Bring a bike and breathe in the fresh air while cycling along trails or roadways in the park. Geocaching A canoe or kayak is the best seat Black Bear Beaver TRAIL RIDING in the house Watch for wildlife as you cycle through forest and across open grasslands on more than 80 km of trails Paddling is a great low-impact way to discover the Hide and seek suitable for cycling. natural wonders of the park. Geocaching is a fun ROAD CYCLING Bring a canoe, kayak or paddleboard or rent one at the high-tech adventure With ample wildlife viewing opportunities, paved Astotin Lake Recreation Area. Gas and electric motors where participants roads in Elk Island National Park are a great option for are not permitted. use a GPS (Global road cyclists. Travel the parkway (20 km one-way) or Positioning System) For information on watercraft rentals, visit the administration road (5 km one-way). Bring your binoculars: over 250 species of birds can be spotted in Elk Island throughout the year! to hunt for containers haskincanoe.ca or call 780-922-4324. called “caches.” Please note services are only offered in English. CYCLING SAFETY Stay safe and protect wildlife Caches in the park range from easy finds Golfing • Fast, quiet travel increases the chance PADDLING SAFETY with vehicle access to of sudden wildlife encounters. • Keep a safe distance from all wildlife. • Avoid startling wildlife. Be aware of surroundings and travel in groups. challenging half-day Slow down, stay alert and make noise. • Wear a Canadian approved personal finds on longer trails. Designed by Stanley Thompson, the 9–hole Elk Island floatation device (PFD). • Do not approach or entice wildlife. Store all food, garbage • Stay in the vehicle when driving by wildlife. Only stop to observe if • Pair up with a motor vehicle to navigate Try to locate them all! Golf Course blends nature and recreation. Enjoy a round through bison herds gathered near the road. • Check the forecast and monitor changing and scented items when not in use. it is safe to do. Move on after a few moments to prevent traffic jams. of golf or grab refreshments at the clubhouse. • Ride single file to allow motor vehicles to weather conditions. • Give wildlife the right of way. When encountering elk, moose • Do not stop to view bears. Visit geocaching.com or pick up the safely pass. • Carry essential safety equipment on board, or bison on a trail make noise to alert animals. Wait for them to • Keep dogs on leash and under control at all times. Pets cause Elk Island Guide to Geocaching brochure For more information or to book a tee time • Wear a helmet and high visibility clothing. as required by Transport Canada. move on or slowly back away. stress for wildlife. at the Visitor Information Centre. visit elkislandgolf.com or call 780-998-3161.

Trail information Astotin Lake Recreation Area Bison conservation North Entrance

Legend Trail Road Legend Millions of bison once roamed across the continent from to Mexico. However, within Hiking Accessible Forest Grassland Water Beach Washrooms a single human lifetime, bison populations in Cycling Easy North America declined to less than a thousand. Outhouse Picnic area Moderate Picnic Area The Canadian government purchased one of the last Picnic shelter Difficult herds of bison and between 1907 and 1912 over Picnic Shelter 700 wild bison were shipped by train to Elk Island West Entrance Firewood (fee) National Park. Larger trail numbers on map indicate trailheads. • Today, there are more bison in Elk Island National All trailheads outside the Astotin Lake Recreation Area Parking have parking, outhouses and garbage facilities. Park than there were in the whole of North Group Recycling/Waste Disposal America in 1890. Hayburger Trail camping Recreational Red Chairs • Elk Island National Park is the only national park 11.6 km loop (3-4 hours) – Flat terrain vehicle camping Slow down and relax that maintains herds of both subspecies of North Used as a wagon path until the 1930s, this trail winds in 1 of the 5 pairs of Red ; Wood Bison on the south side of Boat Chairs in Elk Island. Red through open forest and meadows. Keep an eye out launch Highway 16 and Plains Bison on the north side. for bison and moose where the trail crosses a black Chairs are placed in areas with great views. • Wood bison are the largest land mammal spruce forest. Recreational Astotin Lake vehicle dump Campground in North America. station Kiosk Simmons Trail • Elk Island National Park provides bison to conservation initiatives around the world. 2.6 km loop (1-1.5 hours) – Rolling hills This trail makes its way through aspen forest and Walk-in rolling hills. Open areas along the trail offer the Canoe/kayak camping opportunity to watch beavers and muskrats in action. rental ASTOTIN LAKE Note: This trail begins on the north side of Tawayik Road CAMPGROUND 100 m east of the Tawayik parking lot. 4A 4A Shirley Lake Trail 4B 11.6 km loop (3-4 hours) – Rolling hills Playground 4A Numerous shallow lakes and ponds are nestled between aspen forest and meadows. Listen for the calls 4B Astotin of frogs filling the air and watch for nesting birds. Theatre Moss Lake Trails Listen to the call of songbirds on trails that wind up and down hills, around ponds and through the forest. The west side of the difficult trail passes through Oster Lake grassland habitat ideal for spotting bison and deer. backcountry Moss Lake Moderate Trail campground 4A 4.8 km loop (1.5-2.5 hours) – Rolling hills 500 meters Moss Lake Difficult Trail 4B Join a park program or stop at the Visitor Information 12.6 km loop (3.5-4.5 hours) – Rolling hills Golf course To Visitor Centre for more information on bison conservation. & café Information Amisk Wuche Trail Centre 9 2.7 km loop (1-1.5 hours) – Moderate to steep terrain This diverse trail winds through aspen, birch and spruce stands. Floating boardwalks cross small Safety information Tawayik Lake Area kettle lakes and beaver ponds. Rolling hills provide elevated views of forest and grassland habitat. 9 Safety is a shared responsibility Lakeview Trail Trail Road Forest & Grassland Water 3.7 km loop (1-2 hours) – Limited steep sections • Trails and beaches are not patrolled: use at own risk. Discover changing vegetation as the trail bends 9 Mud Lake through aspen and black spruce forest. With panoramic • Be self-reliant: prepare for changing weather viewpoint views overlooking Astotin Lake, this trail provides conditions and emergency situations. wonderful photo opportunities. • Create and share a trip plan. • Stay alert: be aware of surroundings and avoid South Entrance Beaver Pond Trail using headphones. 3.6 km loop (1-2 hours) – Flat terrain • Respect wildlife: wildlife encounters are possible. Open aspen forest and sedge meadows along this Learn more on the other side of this guide. trail are ideal for spotting birds or beavers in the • Check the local weather forecast: conditions Simmons summer and observing bison grazing in the winter. can change from minute to minute and place Trail Living Waters Boardwalk to place. • Check for closures and restrictions: review the Ukrainian Shirley Lake 400 m loop (15-30 minutes) – Boardwalk Trail website or contact the Visitor Information Centre. Cultural Heritage Starting just behind the Astotin Theatre, this boardwalk Village • Stay hydrated: bring enough water and food to To Elk loops over the water of Astotin Lake. Watch for beavers Oster Lake 9 Island and birds or peer into the water to see aquatic life. last through an emergency or unexpected delay. Trail Parkway • Do not rely on a cellular telephone: cell Tawayik Lake Trail coverage varies and may not be available in all 15.1 km loop (4-5 hours) – Rolling hills areas of the park. Tawayik 9 Lake Trail Winding through an aspen forest and meadows, Visit adventuresmart.ca for more safety information this trail is great for watching birds and bison graze. and trip planning templates. Fire pits, picnic tables and a bench commemorating the 1984 visit of Saint John Paul II are available near the trailhead. DO NOT FEED OR Shoreline Trail APPROACH WILDLIFE. 6 km return (2-3 hours) – Flat terrain 50 meters This paved trail follows the original road around Astotin KEEP DOGS ON A LEASH Lake. Short paths off this trail lead to clearings that AT ALL TIMES. 9 are great for observing waterfowl or picnicking on the shore of Astotin Lake. Planning a picnic or campfire? Slow down for Purchase a bundle of firewood from the NO CAMPFIRES OUTSIDE OF 9 Wood Bison Trail Visitor Information Centre or Astotin Lake everyone’s safety. DESIGNATED FIRE PITS. Campground kiosk during operating hours. 15.6 km loop (4-5 hours) – Rolling hills To Elk Island Spot wood bison, the largest land mammal in North NO DRONE ZONE! Parkway America, from the only trail south of Highway 16. All Parks Canada places are “no drone This challenging trail crosses through aspen forest, zones.” Leave drones at home and enjoy Elk wetlands, and along ridges. Island National Park from the ground! 9 Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area