Look no further for the best beaches and water filled day trips in Alberta that you’re going to want to add to your list of places to discover. From sandy white Alberta beaches to mountain getaways and those reachable by small hikes, you can discover them in your own backyard - and you’re going to want to add a few of these to the rest of your summer to explore list.
Devonshire Beach, Lesser Slave Lake
A sandy white beach is just a little more than a day trip away. The popular Devonshire beach also plays host to the Sand Sculpture championships of Alberta, with the 2014 theme of Superheroes. The natural beach of white sand is one of the lesser known beaches in the province, and is a great destination for the weekend. Get the details about Devonshire Beach.
Long Island Lake Beach
Long Island Lake Beach has a concession stand, easy parking and a playground close to the beach, making it a popular choice for families. Located near Westlock, it’s just over an hour outside of the city - making it a great choice for families looking for an impromptu beach day. It gets quite crowded though, so make sure you’re coming early if you want a spot close to the water.
Blue Ridge Recreation Area
The Blue Ridge recreation area is one of those gems that we’ve just discovered this summer. The gravel pits turned natural area has water that was immediately inviting for the kids to jump off of the dock, the pond is stocked for fishing and there’s bike trails to bike (or walk) around and explore through the area. It’s a must-stop by if you’re heading out to the River Slides in Whitecourt, about twenty minutes before you get to Whitecourt. If you’re nervous about the kids being unable to swim, the water is deep bring life jackets if you’re going to play in the first pond there’s a big drop off. Our brave ones immediately stripped off their clothes jumped in, and swam back to the ladder.
Quarry Lake, Canmore
A canmore must-do while you’re visiting, Quarry Lake is a popular hangout for the locals. Best for swimming in the month of July and August, you can visit the lake while you’re checking out all of the other fun things to do in Canmore with kids. There are benches, picnic tables and washrooms and 5K+ of trails in the area to check out while you’re there. Get the details and directions.
photo credit
Johnson Lake, Banff
Right outside of Banff, you will find hiking trails and a small sandy beach perfect for the kids to play on as you enjoy a picnic in the midst of the mountains. For bigger and braver kids, there is a rope swing across the way (not my jam!) and you can even take a small hike to explore more lakes, with the surrounding trails. Get the details and directions.
Aspen Beach, Gull Lake
Fun boardwalk, lots of sand and shallow, kid-friendly water make this the perfect beach for a quick day trip. It’s just over an hour from Edmonton, making it a great choice for families with young children that don’t yet tolerate those long road trips for a fun day out.
Discovery Canyon, Red Deer
One of our favorite places to spend summer days, we make sure and go during the week and earlier in the day to avoid the rush. The small beach area is shallow enough through the middle straight across for even toddlers to walk all the way through, and you can bring your own tube to make it a free day out for the family. If you don’t bring your own tube, bring cash - you’re going to need between $5-10 for a tube rental, and a $20 deposit. It’s so much easier to bring your own floaties. Get the details and directions.
Allan Beach Resort
Close to Edmonton, Allan Beach is about thirty minutes outside of the city and one of the only beaches that we’re choosing that comes with admission. Admission is $10, but you can get a family pass for $25. Go early, it gets busy! No alcohol, no glass bottles while using the day passes to the beach. It’s a favorite for many families, as the water was nice and clean when we stopped by recently on the way home from Whitecourt.
Whitecourt River Slides at Rotary Park
Similar to Discovery Canyon, Whitecourt River Slides has two tubing courses perfect for children, a couple of hours outside of Edmonton. Lots of green space means that you’re going to be able to skip the sand for the day and they’re open from Mid may to the end of September, every year. While you are there, you can make a day of it, play in the fantastic playground and enjoy the paddleboats, fishing and other features of the park. Get the details and directions.
Hike and Wade to Cat Creek Waterfall
Located in Kananaskis, this hour long easy hike brings you to a wonderful family friendly waterfall that’s perfect for a family day out. Best suited for the weekend, since it’s a three hour+ drive outside of the city, it’s a great addition to your weekend out of town. It’s easy enough for young kids and there are lots rest stops along the way. Get the details and directions.
photo credit
Cameron gulash says
Brazeau Dam Resevoir clean water no showers or flush toilets but very clean water nice swimming and if you like atving excellent there.
Allison says
Long Island Lake is a great one! Close enough for a day trip and a $5 entrance fee, we went mid-week last summer and it was not busy at all. Nice playground as well but make sure to bring hand sanitizer as the bathroom is a bit less than desirable. I plan to go again this summer as a day trip
Great job Lori!
Bob Hamilton says
The BEST beach on a river in Alberta is at Writing on Stone Provincial Park in the deep south. Beautiful sand, great fun to float the gentle river. If you are a distance swimmer, you can go in the current and start swimming up stream and never move. It is great fun.
Kristin says
I know it’s far from the city.. but if you’re looking for a great alberta beach. Cold lake is it. It’s a beautiful beach with clean water. I’m from eastern canada and it’s the closest thing I’ve found to a beach id go to back home. If you have the time.. go. You won’t regret it.
Bev says
We just got back from a camping trip to Jasper. We took a chance and went to Edith Lake, and we were pleasantly surprised., it was a great beach. Sure a little colder, being a glacier lake, but the kids still had a great time, and it is dog friendly.
Cynthia says
I moved here from Manitoba and was very disappointed in many of the places mentioned. Some of the beaches had signs posted for swimmers itch, some you couldn’t find a place to park, and others required you to pay a fortune to access the lake. In Manitoba, you could buy a provincial park pass for $20 which allowed you access to the parks from the May long weekend to the Sept long weekend. Why can’t there be something more reasonably priced here. If you want to check out a smaller lake, Jackfish, they charge you $20/day to park. Definitely not family friendly!
I don’t think that any of the places on this list were closed last summer? Maybe another list you’re thinking of closer to the city? We avoid those beaches. Go to Slave Lake, you won’t be disappointed. Happy summer!
David em says
If ever there was an oxymoron it is “Great Alberta Beaches”
Weedy sloughs with sand would be a more accurate description.
Bev says
totally agree lol…I grew up in SK, and now living in Edmonton…have yet to find one that compares.
Lynn says
A favorite of ours is Buffalo Lake. The campground is Old MacDonalds Farm isn’t the greatest, (run down), but the beach and the lake are great. Shallow enough that our 4 year old grandson could go out a long ways with us. And is really clean. They have an ice cream etc hut on the beach as well you can bring or buy your floaties and they have an air compressor form you to fill’em up. If you’re not camping, they charge a fee for day use.
Ma-Me-O Beach at Pigeon Lake is very nice and a short drive from the tourist area The Village at Pigeon Lake. Family Friendly for sure.
K says
Mameo beach has repeatedly been shut down for blue green algae problems. The campground is lovely but the stench is incredible!
We’ve never been there either - prefer to stick to places that don’t have all the blue green algae (;
K says
Mameo beach has been repeatedly shut down for blue green algae. It is essentially a dead lake, usually complete with dead fish. Wouldn’t go there again if you paid me!
Sydney says
I’m surprised Mameo beach isn’t on this list. I love it there. Beautiful sand.
Barb Croft says
Alberta Beach has done MAJOR renovations and is really nice this year! And call before heading to Allen Beach - it seems to be open & closed at will!
Ryan says
Shaws Point Resort has the best beaches on the north west side of lessor slave lake. Tons of activities and great fishing as well.
Wayne says
There are tons of amazing lakes in Alberta however the lakes west of Edmonton are truly spectacular- Wabamun Lake, Lake Isle and Lac St Anne.
Lisa says
Are these dog friendly? I’m trying to find a place to take my dog swimming near Edmonton with the exception of the manmade ponds within the city. The ponds we’ve encountered were no good for dog to swim. Looking for a lake for my dog to swim in? Any suggestions?
Amelia says
Hermitage dog park in the north end of Edmonton is great we take our dog there and let her in the water on the “beach”
just outside of Medicine Hat is this great spot called Echo Dale Park with sandy beach with lifeguards, fire pits and picnic area, farm with animals, and a ball field. It’s free and run by the City even though it’s in the county.
Cindy Dueck says
I am looking for a place to hold a family reunion on the August 2016 long weekend. There are approx. 36pp adults and children. Need to have accommodations, a lake or water slides. Are there any reviews that can be given for Kramer Pond Lodge, Alberta? Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Megan says
Maybe check out Back to the Woods out by Wabamun. Here’s their website, http://back2thewoods.com/index.html, they’re only minutes from Lake Wabamun and it’s a beautiful area.
Rick says
Hi Cindy: the August long is a tough one. Everything is usually booked up. We just had our reunion on the 22nd weekend, at Camp Whitney. Nice lake, accommodations chalets, not at all busy that time of the summer. You need generators for trailers, or rent the chalets.
Good luck!!
I loved Allen Beach but I thought it closed to the public several years ago?
gordon bertie says
New owners season day pass for $50.00 per car last year, great value.
Nunki says
Allan beach is charging 25 family pass, we were there today. Go early because at 2 pm was a line of at least 10 cars waiting for parking spot. After 20 min, we could go in. Clean, great time.
Janine says
I can’t believe Sylvan Lake didn’t make the list. One of our favorites for sure!
Lana says
Pelican point has really bad swimmers itch right now! Don’t go there p.
Charlotte says
Sylvan Lake! Best Alberta lake, hands down! Clean, clear and hard sand bottom so there’s not squishy stuff between your toes. ;). A family favorite for us. 😀
Tracy says
Made the trip to Whitecourt to the river slides..awesome except those thoughtful people who used them to bath their large dogs. Seriously..I love dogs but .
Melissa says
What?! That’s brutal. We go probably 3 days a week and have never seen that.
Shawna Norris says
Spruce point park is located 7 Km north of Kinuso ab, which is 1/2 hour west of Slave lake. 70 x35 km this is the best lake in Alberta!!!
Check out sprucepointpark.ca
Silverbirch by kikino alberta is a nice campground nd has a wonderful park store and beach nd wonderful cabins
Susie says
Pelican point campground. Quiet beach with a nice playground area. A favorited camp site destination for us located outside bashaw
Wabamun provincial park is awesome!
Christy says
Our family loves pembina river tubing, a stones throw from west edmonton, it’s an awesome 2 hr float on a hot day!
Kat says
Hey Lori loved the post never thought of alberta as a beach province . Can’t wait to go out and explore!