National park · Canada
Beaver HillsBeaver Hills Biosphere
Go for a half day at Elk Island: drive the parkway at dawn or dusk for bison, walk a 1–3 h trail, pay the Parks Canada day fee; skip it if you want mountain scenery.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
194 km²75 sq mi
approximate
Established
1916
Best months
May–Jun, Sep
UNESCO
Biosphere
Rules in force · 6Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- Canada ↗Visa-exempt travellers flying to or through Canada usually need an eTA; check your passport on the official Government of Canada site (canada.ca) and apply only there.
- Canada ↗A Parks Canada pass is needed to stop in national parks such as Banff and Jasper; some spots (for example Moraine Lake) are reached only by shuttle or tour, so book ahead.
- Canada ↗Keep well away from bears, elk and moose; carry bear spray on Rockies trails and follow trail closures.
At a glance
- Country
- Canada
- Area
- 194 km²75 sq mi
- 194 km² is Elk Island National Park, the core of the biosphere; the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve covers a much larger area across several counties (check).
- Established
- 1916
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep
- Permits
- For some areas
Beaver Hills is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve east of Edmonton, centred on Elk Island National Park. It is aspen parkland — low wooded hills, kettle ponds and wetlands — not mountains. The draw is wildlife: free-roaming plains bison north of Highway 16 and wood bison south of it, plus elk, moose and over 250 bird species. Elk Island is fully fenced and small (194 km²), so a loop of the parkway and one or two short trails fills a day. Cooking Lake–Blackfoot Recreation Area and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park sit inside the same biosphere and need no national park pass.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve · 2016Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, designated 19 March 2016.
Size and age
194 km²75 sq mi · national park since 1916
194 km² is Elk Island National Park, the core of the biosphere; the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve covers a much larger area across several counties (check).
Why go
- Bison you can see from the car: two separate herds, plains north of the highway and wood bison south of it.
- One of the last large undisturbed stretches of aspen parkland in Canada, a habitat type that has mostly been ploughed.
- Easy, flat trails of 1–3 hours — no altitude, no scrambling, good for a half day from Edmonton.
- Winter works too: groomed cross-country ski trails and snowshoe routes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprCaution
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulGo
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctGo
- NovCaution
- DecGo
- JanCold, often below −15 °C; snowshoe and ski trailsCold, often below 5 °F; snowshoe and ski trails
- FebCold and clear; bison visible against snow
- MarWarmer days, icy mornings
- AprMud and slush; some trails soft
- MayGreen-up, birds arrive, calves
- JunLong days, peak birding
- JulWarm; rut caution starts late month
- AugRut season; keep 100 m from ungulates
- SepCool, quiet, good light
- OctCrisp; some services close
- NovGrey and quiet; short days
- DecSnow; ski trails in use
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plains bison (north of Highway 16)All year · Free-roaming; keep 100 m and stay in the vehicle on roads. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Wood bison (south of Highway 16)All year · Separate herd kept apart from the plains bison by fence and highway. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Elk, moose and deerAll year · Rut from late July into autumn — keep well back. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Waterfowl and wetland birdsMay–Sep · Over 250 bird species recorded; spring and autumn migration are busiest. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Edmonton
Drive Highway 16 (Yellowhead) east to the Elk Island Parkway; about 45–60 min from the city centre.
45–60 min
From Sherwood Park
Highway 16 east, then the parkway north or south of the highway.
30–40 min
From Edmonton airport
Rental car via Highway 16; no public transport to the park gate.
1 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| North of Highway 16 | Astotin Lake, the visitor centre, campground, golf course and the plains bison range. | Open with a park pass; the parkway is a one-way Y loop. |
| South of Highway 16 | Tawayik Lake area and the wood bison range. | Open with a park pass; trails from the Tawayik Lake lot. |
| Cooking Lake–Blackfoot Recreation Area | Provincial trails south of the park, with three staging areas. | Free; no national park pass. |
| Miquelon Lake Provincial Park | Wetland and lakeshore trails in the biosphere's south. | Free; seasonal campground. |
Sketch map
- 1Wahkotowin Visitor Information Centre · Headquarters≈53.579, -112.838Map ↗
- 2Astotin Lake · Beach≈53.677, -112.830Map ↗
- 3Astotin Lake campground · Sleep≈53.676, -112.827Map ↗
- 4Tawayik Lake trailhead · Trail≈53.619, -112.874Map ↗
- 5Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village · Village≈53.569, -112.799Map ↗
- 6Strathcona Wilderness Centre · Ranger station≈53.533, -113.000Map ↗
- 7Waskahegan Staging Area · Gate≈53.506, -112.945Map ↗
- 8Miquelon Lake Provincial Park · Town≈53.237, -112.905Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Island National Park day entry, adult | CAD 6–12 | person | 2026 estimate; Parks Canada day fees change yearly — check the current rate. |
| Elk Island National Park day entry, family or group | CAD 12–25 | vehicle or group | 2026 estimate; a Discovery Pass is cheaper if you visit several parks. |
| Astotin Lake campground, unserviced site | CAD 20–35 | night | 2026 estimate; reserve ahead for summer weekends. |
| Cooking Lake–Blackfoot Recreation Area | Free | person | No national park fee; provincial recreation area. |
| Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village | CAD 10–15 | person | Separate admission, seasonal; check current prices. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Elk Island park entry permit or guide
Backcountry or winter travel no permit
Cooking Lake–Blackfoot trails no permit
Park rules
- Distance from wildlife
- Stay at least 100 m from moose, elk, deer and bison; view from a vehicle on roadways.
- Feeding
- It is forbidden to feed, touch or attract wild animals with food or bait.
- Dogs
- Must be leashed and under physical control at all times in the national park.
- Speed limit
- 60 km/h on the Elk Island Parkway; slow down when animals are near the roadside.
- Trail closures
- Areas close for aggressive wildlife or poor conditions; entering a closed area is an offence.
- Cycling in wet weather and the rut
- Cycling on park trails is discouraged in wet spring conditions and from late July through autumn.
Where to stay
In the park
Astotin Lake campground
Semi-serviced sites in the park; summer season, reserve ahead.
Near the park
Elk Island Retreat
Private campground just outside the boundary with yurts, tipis and cabins.
Near the park
Miquelon Lake Provincial Park campground
Provincial sites south of the park, still inside the biosphere.
Near the park
Sherwood Park or Edmonton
Hotels and full services 30–60 min away; the biosphere itself has no towns.
Safety
Bison on or beside the road medium
Rut season aggression medium
Winter cold and ice medium
Ticks and mosquitoes low
Accessibility
- The visitor centre, Astotin Lake boardwalk and picnic areas are reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- The parkway is a paved drive, so bison viewing needs no walking at all.
- Longer trails are dirt and can be muddy; check conditions before relying on them.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to trails; the aspen parkland here is a rare, mostly unploughed habitat.
- Do not pick plants, berries or mushrooms — they feed the animals you came to see.
- Pack out everything; there is no litter collection on the trails.
- Buy a Discovery Pass rather than paying day fees if you will visit several parks.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Beaver Hills?
There is no fee for the Beaver Hills Biosphere as a whole. Elk Island National Park charges a Parks Canada day entry fee per person or per vehicle (2026 estimate: about CAD 6–12 per adult), and a Discovery Pass covers it if you visit several parks. Cooking Lake–Blackfoot Recreation Area and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park are free.
What are the best hikes in Beaver Hills?
For most visitors: the Astotin Lake shoreline and boardwalk near the visitor centre (1–2 h, easy), the Tawayik Lake Trail south of Highway 16 through wood bison country (2–3 h, moderate), and the free Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail (1 h, easy). The Strathcona Wilderness Centre trails are easy walks in summer and ski trails in winter.
When is the best time to visit Beaver Hills?
May, June and September. Long days and active wildlife in early summer; cool, quiet conditions and good light in September. Late July through autumn is the rut, when you should keep extra distance from elk and bison. Winter is viable for skiing and snowshoeing if you are dressed for −20 °C.
Can I see bison without hiking?
Yes. The Elk Island Parkway is a one-way loop off Highway 16, and bison are often visible from the car. Stay in the vehicle, keep to 60 km/h, and never approach on foot — 100 m minimum.
Do I need a car to visit Beaver Hills?
Yes, realistically. There is no public transport to the park gate and no car rental inside the biosphere. A summer Parkbus day trip from Edmonton has run in past years, but check whether it is operating before you rely on it.
Where can I stay near Beaver Hills?
Inside the park, the Astotin Lake campground is the only option. Just outside, Elk Island Retreat has yurts, tipis and cabins, and Miquelon Lake Provincial Park has a campground to the south. For hotels and restaurants, use Sherwood Park or Edmonton.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go