Outdoor activities in Edmonton

Edmonton is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise as there are so many activities that people can do in and around this vibrant city from canoeing some of the great lakes to mountain biking down mind-blowing hills.

The city recently welcomed super humans as part of the World Triathlon in Edmonton and has been hosting triathlon events for over 15 years. But if you don’t fancy a 1500m swim, 40k bike ride and 10k run, there are plenty of other outdoor activities to enjoy.

If you have taken advantage of the car hire options in Canada then we fully recommend driving to this sports mad city and here we take you through some of the best outdoor activities and sporty attractions you can do and see in the city.

The top outdoor activities in Edmonton to try

Go canoeing

You can spend an afternoon or day having fun outdoors on the water with Edmonton Canoe, who will take you on a river excursion to the North Saskatchewan and Athabasca Rivers or on a quiet lake in Elk Island National Park.

The North Saskatchewan River offers gentle conditions and visitors can jump in a tandem canoe or go solo in a kayak.

The other benefit of canoeing down the North Saskatchewan River is the phenomenal views you get of the downtown Edmonton skyline.

Golf

With more than 80 golf courses located in and around Edmonton it should come as little surprise that the area is a mecca for golfers.

If you fancy enjoying a relaxing round of golf then you can choose from rolling rural golf courses to urban or riverside courses.

Golf courses within the city include Edmonton Garrison Memorial Golf and Country Club, Mill Woods Golf Club, Raven Crest Golf & Country Club, Riverside Golf Course and Rundle Park Golf Course to name just a few. If you want to take your own clubs, you can take them on Air Transat flights for free!

Biking

Edmonton’s River Valley is home to a staggering 160km of trails that run through the heart of the city.

You can take in the stunning views and ride through the different neighbourhoods in the city or if you would prefer to go mountain biking then there are lots of off-the-beaten-path tracks that go through forests on the outskirts of the city.

The top outdoor attractions

Edmonton Eskimos

If you would prefer to watch sports, rather than participating, then why not visit the Commonwealth Stadium to cheer on the green and gold of the Edmonton Eskimos?

The city is football mad and you can watch the “Eskies” march towards another Grey Cup success during the regular season, which runs from June until November. There are then three weeks of playoffs.

Elk Island National Park

Just outside of Edmonton is Elk Island National Park and if you love wildlife then you need to visit this nature reserve!

This well-loved stretch of wilderness has around 250 species of birds living there as well as deer, bison, elk and moose.

The woods and wetlands are also great for keen hikers as there are lots of nature trails available to enjoy. Visitors can also go canoeing in the national park or skiing during the winter months.

The Edmonton ski hills

Based in the river valley of Edmonton, the urban snow sports learning centre, which is run by the Edmonton Ski Club, is another great place to visit for outdoor enthusiasts.

There are 25 skiable acres of machine-made snow that are perfect for beginners taking to the slopes for the first time, and challenging enough for advanced skiers and snowboarders to hone their skills. Visitors can also rent all their equipment at the centre.

The slopes of Edmonton are a great place to start out, but for those looking for a longer ski holiday in Canada, Whistler is a superb option.

Image Credit: Shawn McCready, Leigh McAdam