Best Lakes in Edmonton: Edmonton Lakes Activities & Recreation Guide

With the weather being friendly for water activities, it's time to start making plans for outings to lakes in the Edmonton area. People can rent or bring a canoe or kayak, fill up their tackle box with enticing lures, or put on a bathing suit and take a refreshing dip in the calm waters. Whatever it is someone likes to do that satisfies their requirement for fun in the sun, these lakes in Edmonton are sure to offer plenty of opportunities for excitement.

Wabamun Lake

Located less than an hour from Edmonton via AB-16, Wabamun Lake Provincial Park encompasses Wabamun Lake's scenic beauty. There's plenty to do on and off the lake year-round. Land lovers can take to the hiking trails or saddle up and go mountain biking. Wildlife enthusiasts can practice their keen sense of observation while quietly watching assorted wildlife and naming the park's bird inhabitants. For a satisfying meal among nature, picnic tables are available for those enjoying a get-together for lunch.

On the lake, there's plenty of action to experience. People can zip along the serene water on a powerboat, leisurely meander around the lake in a canoe, or sit back, relax, and go fishing. They can also get creative and make sandcastles, then cool off at the swimming area. RV and tent camping is also available for extended stays.

Horseshoe Lake

Head to Jasper National Park and the turquoise-blue waters, mountains, and cliffs at Horseshoe Lake. Because the lake contains melted glacier water, visitors should prepare for brisk temperatures. There's a small boat launch where kayaks and canoes can easily access the lake. However, larger boats can only be manually carried to the lake. Fishing for rainbow trout is a favourite pastime for anglers who enjoy dropping a line. Visitors can bring along their canine friends to hike the trail as long as they're on a leash.

Long Lake

For an extended day trip, plan to save time for the hour and a half drive to Long Lake via AB-28 E and AB-831 N. Located in Long Lake Provincial Park is a recreation area established in 1957. During the warm months, the lake is an oasis for fun with a variety of activities available. Visitors can take to the lake with a canoe or kayak, go sailing or powerboating, strap on water skis, go swimming or fishing, or go hiking or biking. The park also features riding stables, a golf course, a boat launch, and a picnic area.

Visitors can expect white powdery snow during the winter when hitting the slopes for cross-country and downhill skiing. When it's time for a break, they can visit the concession area for snacks and refreshments.

Cold Lake

For an overnight trip, Cold Lake offers a beautiful forested area for recreational fun and camping. Getting to Cold Lake Provincial Park can take about three hours and 15 minutes via AB-28 E. Cold Lake is considered one of Alberta's largest lakes and offers plenty of room for visitors to explore and enjoy.

Spending time at Cold Lake provides many opportunities for activities such as sailing, swimming, canoeing, geocaching, hiking, wildlife viewing, and bird watching during warmer months, and ice fishing and snowshoeing when the temperatures are cold. Camping under the stars is also available from May 20 through October 12 for campers who need campsites with power only, power and water, and those who prefer to rough it with just a tent.

Goldeye Lake

Another option for an overnight adventure is a visit to Goldeye Lake, also a little over three hours away via AB-12 S, AB-12 W, and AB-11 W. The Goldeye Lake Provincial Recreation Area is a tree-lover's delight with its abundant forest of spruce and aspen trees. There's much to do on trails to run, hike, mountain bike, or cycle, in addition to swimming, fishing, electric power boating, and more on the lake.

From May 1 through October 11, the Goldeye Lake Campground offers first-come, first-served camping at 44 sites. Firepits and firewood are available to warm up the night or toast some marshmallows. The park also has a pier and boat launch for those who want to cruise the lake or practise fishing techniques.

During the winter, people can enjoy the exhilaration of cross-country skiing over snow-covered un-groomed trails or settle in for a serene ice fishing experience.

Gull Lake

An hour and a half away from Edmonton, Gull Lake, named for its abundance of gulls that inhabit the area, offers visitors an ideal location to enjoy sun, sand, and swimming along pristine sandy shores. Part of the 531-acre Aspen Beach Provincial Park, the lake is a gathering place year-round for those who enjoy fresh air and sunshine.

While sunbathing and swimming are popular activities, the lake also serves as a fisherman's paradise for northern pike, lake whitefish, perch, and walleye. During the winter, depending on snowfall, ice fishing is another opportunity to enjoy the lake. Fishing is open from May 20 to October 31 and reopens again from December 11 to March 31.

Sailing on the lake, windsurfing and enjoying gentle breezes, water skiing, or zipping along in a powerboat offer visitors more opportunities to experience the area's open waters and blue skies. Gull Lake also provides hiking trails, a boat launch, and two campgrounds.

Quarry Lake

Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy the atmosphere and scenery at Quarry Lake Park, about four hours away via AB-1 S. Set amid a natural setting, visitors enjoy scenic mountain views, colourful wildflowers, swimming in the spring-fed water, and opportunities to see a variety of wildlife species during the summer.

For the warmest temperatures and a soothing swim, July and August are the prime times to visit Quarry Lake. Along with swimming and building sandcastles, visitors enjoy picnics and walking the park's trails. When winter rolls in, the park becomes a popular destination for cross-country skiing over the snow-spattered paths. There is also an off-leash park for dogs to get plenty of exercise.

Making the Most of Your Time at Lakes Near Edmonton

Whatever the season may be in Edmonton, there is sure to be an abundance of places to go and things to see and do. Whether it's planning a day of relaxation at one's lakefront home or luxury property or taking on the challenge of a cross-country journey while snowflakes fill the air, there are no dull moments to be found in lakes near Edmonton. Visitors can explore scenic trails, fish in stocked lakes, swim in serene settings, canoe or kayak for endless miles, and camp among nature in peaceful settings. They can take a photo with majestic mountains as the backdrop for a memorable souvenir at the end of the day.