Minimizing light pollution within the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve ensures the night sky is preserved for all Canadians to discover and enjoy. Elk Island National Park: Northern Lights best spot - See 600 traveler reviews, 588 candid photos, and great deals for Edmonton, Canada, at Tripadvisor. While northern lights and cold nights go together (it’s part of what makes our environment spectacular), you don’t have to be uncomfortable! Less than 35 minutes east of Edmonton lies a year-round oasis where bison roam freely, sun glistens off lakes and ponds, and stars light-up the night sky; Elk Island National Park. Check out our elk northern lights selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our shops. Plan accordingly and make your trip to Elk Island National Park a safe one and an enjoyable one, The Astotin Lake area can be breezy at night. Northern Lights over Power Lines, Elk island National Park (18mm, f3.5, 15 sec, ISO 1000) Look North, Find a Foreground, and Be Patient. National marine conservation areas system, Directory of federal heritage designations, The night sky is not in a hurry to leave. By reducing artificial light, the preserve increases the visibility of the night sky. What drew me to Elk Island initially was the opportunity to see and photograph wild bison. Elk Island National Park is one of the lesser known natural gems of Canada, but it definitely deserves to be on your list. Here in Edmonton, you’re in one of the country’s best places for witnessing this phenomenon of nature: green and pink dancing lights form part of Edmonton’s skies for four months over the winter. Vote. I photographed the aurora for the first time in mid-July! Part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, Elk Island cuts down on light pollution so you have the best view of the stars. In addition to bison and elk, Elk Island is home to dozens of waterfowl species, song birds, hawks, beaver, deer, moose, fox, and the occasional black bear...just to name a few. It's great to have such an amazing natural place so close to the city...it's my "escape room" you might say ; ) For more information on Elk Island National Park, including regulations and park rules, visit the Parks Canada website. On the other hand, it will cost more to fly there...and if you have a short trip, there is a chance you won't see them. Mar 8, 2012 - Welcome to the official website of Travel Alberta. Close. Elk Island National Park (established 1913, 194 km 2) is a sanctuary of rolling woodlands and meadows dotted with lakes, bogs and ponds, 48 km east of Edmonton.Public interest in the conservation of rapidly dwindling wildlife led to the establishment of a reserve of elk in 1906, which later became Elk Island National Park. When driving north into the park, Bison Loop is on the right and the new gravel lot is on the left. I've been back several times over the last few months, and seeing these majestic creatures never gets old. Northern lights that are caused by geomagnetic activity are usually observed from September to April. Elk Island National Park has an event between December 22 nd to February 23 rd called Snowshoe & Stargaze which takes you on a guided hike with a park interpreter. Visitors are welcome to take in the splendour of the park at all times of the night. That first summer trip to Elk Island provided me with lots of great photo opportunities with this iconic North American species. elk island national park - Google Search All rights reserved. var s = d.createElement(t); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; Perhaps you’ll even spot the Northern Lights on one of these hikes! Elk Island is one of four national parks that represent the Southern Boreal Plains and Plateau natural region. Elk Island National Park | Travel Alberta This Albertan's fascination for the northern lights became a passion for nature, community and the night sky IMMIGRANT ROOTS RUN DEEP AT UKRAINIAN HERITAGE FESTIVAL Celebrate Ukrainian pioneer spirit with traditional food, dancing and a walk through history in east central Alberta. You will walk around Astotin Lake followed by snacks around a fire under one of the darkest skies in Alberta. In addition to being an important refuge for bison, elk and more than 250 bird species, Elk Island National Park is also an oasis of calm for day … I have, however, heard elk bugle on an autumn night as I watched the northern lights dance above - that was a magical experience I'll never forget. Please complete our online application below. I decided to drag my family along with me to catch the northern lights. Northern Lights, Elk Island, Alberta. There are good trails around the lakeside, and several small islands within the lake that can be reached by your trusty non-motarized vessel. While there are some instances where you can look up in the sky and see the Aurora Borealis dancing over the city, your best bet to see this display is in a nearby dark sky preserve. Elk Island National Park, located just east of Edmonton, Alberta, was the first place I visited outside the city after the move from North Carolina. s.src = '//cdn.viglink.com/api/vglnk.js'; Alberta is one of the best provinces in Canada for seeing the northern lights because vast … It's also easily accessible from town, so when the aurora forecast is strong and the skies are clear, the parking lots can fill up with folks hoping to get a glimpse of the north's most famous celestial phenomena. There are various well-maintained (though often muddy) hiking trails at Elk Island and well-kept washrooms and camp grounds as well. All photos and text (c) 2021 Jon Reaves/Maps & Cameras. The terrain within the park boundaries varies, but is generally flat and partially wooded with birch and spruce groves. I have yet to see Elk Island's elk. My best experiences with the large herd have been at this new (yet to be named) pull off. Elk Island National Park is located approx. The best places to see plains bison (including their adorable calves) are along the Bison Loop Road (see map above) and from a new gravel lot across from Bison Loop Road. Spread a blanket and gaze at a starry sky free from city lights or follow the footprints of a bison and learn how this magnificent animal was brought back from near extinction. And there’s no better time to bundle up and watch for the northern lights dancing across the sky. As part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, Elk Island National Park is an exquisite spot to view the wonders of the night sky. 2021 Update: There has been an increase in visitors to Elk Island NP since the Covid-19 pandemic began. If the aurora is strong, then it can actually create waves in all directions and be photographed from the south as well. Four of the best locations in Jasper that remain accessible year round for Northern Lights viewing are Pyramid Island, Maligne Lake, Old Fort Point, and the toe of Athabasca Glacier. Alberta. The highway divides the park in two and is lined on both sides with high wire fences to keep bison and other wildlife from walking into traffic. You’ll find the latest information on places to go and things to do in Alberta, Canada, along with photos, videos, offers and events. Located in just a short drive from downtown Edmonton, Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve occupies 116 sq mi (300 sq km) of forests, lakes, and prairies. There are hundreds of bison at Elk Island, and as I mentioned before, the two species are separated by fences along either side of Highway 16. 25 reviews of Elk Island National Park "Elk Island is a small Canadian National Park a short drive east of Edmonton off the Yellowhead Highway (#16). Create new Application. Elk Island National Park is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve; 300 sq kilometres of reduced artificial light … As part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, Elk Island National Park is an exquisite spot to view the wonders of the night sky. Elk Island National Park - Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Elk Island National Park is one of the best places to see the northern lights in Alberta (indeed Canada!). It's also easily accessible from town, so when the aurora forecast is strong and the skies are clear, the parking lots can fill up with folks hoping to get a glimpse of the north's most famous celestial phenomena. There are picnic tables, covered picnic areas for larger groups, washrooms, and grills for grilling. There is actually a sandy beach area and a few small floating docks. During the warmer months Astotin Lake offers a beach and great vantage points for sunsets. I've had some of my most memorable nature experiences there on my own terms without having to go hundreds of kilometers from home. The only major downside to this park is the mosquitos, which can be extremely frustrating to deal with during the summer months (bring plenty of strong bug spray for the love of pete!). Always give them adequate space and use a long lens for pictures. Camping in the nearby RV or primitive campsites is popular. Getty. I had, until June of this year, never seen bison in the wild. Just 35 minutes east of Edmonton lies a natural wonderland open all year long! Pics. Sign up for aurora alerts from Aurora Watch, so you don’t miss out! See my article on how to photograph the northern lights here. Add this article to your travel board on Pinterest by clicking the icon on the image below! The most popular area in Elk Island is Astotin Lake, the second largest lake in the park and the most accessible with paved parking. It’s the best excuse to stay up past your bedtime. Tagged: Canada, Nature, national parks, northern lights, Photography, Travel, Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Edmonton, wildlife. These are the best places to see the northern lights in 2020. 50 km (35-40 minute drive depending on city traffic) east of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada just off Alberta Highway 16 (the Yellowhead Highway). Crossposted by just now. Elk Island provides nature lovers with loads of opportunities for recreation. There are also a few fire pits that are often already in use no matter how early you arrive. The wood bison to the south can often be seen along the fence near the highway. var vglnk = { key: '7979de6bb880563a724341c3e2dba331' }; Northern Lights at Elk Island National Park. (function(d, t) { Elk Island National Park. This separation also keeps the herd of wood bison on the south side and the plains bison on the north side to keep them from interbreeding. Required fields are shown with a *. Grempz. Cloudy night meant that we would not see any show. I often trek out to Elk Island as its a recognized Dark Sky location and a great place to see the aurora and milky way. Please wear masks even when hiking and give other hikers space on the trails. Cross Country Skiing There is a hiking trail through the woods (Wood Bison Trail), but I've yet to see bison along it and haven't completed the trail due to mosquitos, so I can't provide details for wood bison sightings. With it being a dark sky preserve, it’s easier to be able to get a clear view of the night sky where you won’t have to worry about light pollution. Bison Portrait, Elk Island National Park, Canada (500mm lens), Bison calves, Elk Island National Park, Canada. Lie down on a blanket and experience seasonal meteor showers, the northern lights or simply count the stars with the kids who will be thrilled at being up past their bedtime, all while staying warm beside a cozy campfire. Bird watchers, bison, canoe and kayaking, … The park is open all day, every day. If it's cloudy, you won't see them. There are several large lakes and countless smaller ones, making this park perfect for canoeing and kayaking. Simply put, the skies dance with colour when particles electrically charged by the sun interact with the Earth’s magnetosphere. The Northern Lights have magical and mystical qualities, but they can also be explained by science. 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