Day Trips in Edmonton – The Gateway to the Canadian Rockies by K Gordon Schultz November 15, 2019 written by K Gordon Schultz November 15, 2019 0 comment 0FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail 2K Table of Contents Day Trips from Banff National ParkElk Island National Park.Animals?Ukrainian Cultural Heritage VillageSylvan Lake Day Trips from Banff National Park The road from Edmonton to Banff is well renowned as one of the most scenic routes in the world, passing wildlife and sights aplenty. However, should impatience take hold of you for a drive before you hit the Canadian Rockies, Edmonton has some exellent day trips. Below are but a few for your perusal. Elk Island National Park. Drive east on the Yellowstone Highway for about 45 minutes and before you know it, you are there. Prepare yourself for a walk. It doesn’t matter what your level of fitness is because the trails vary in length from 2km to 20km. Afterwards, there are open picnic areas and wood-burning stoves for cooking some fresh food. Camping is permitted in designated spots and golfers will be delighted to know that there is an excellent course adjacent to the campground. What more could you want! Animals? Fair enough! Elk Island is home to a herd of buffalo (bison) which you can often see right from the highway. It would not be a wise move to try to touch the buffalo. There is no shortage of stories of how this small gesture has ended up badly. It is also common to see deer, elk, beaver, lots of birds, and sometimes moose (called “elk” in Europe). Although the park is open year round, it is much more accessible in summer. Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village If you are looking for something a little different, you can combine your trip to Elk Island National Park with a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village. This living history village has a number of buildings dedicated to explaining the vast influence Ukrainians have had on Albertan life. Located on Highway 16 just east of the national park’s boundary. Sylvan Lake Sylvan Lake is about an hour and a half drive south on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway(QE2). This is a great place to get away from the city and just chill out for the day. There is a beautiful lake and beach here as well as waterslides. It is possible to camp here too. It is also possible to make a day trip from Edmonton to Calgary – linking the two gateway towns to the Rockies. It is only a six hour return trip. Check out our Calgary section for more information. 0 comment 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail K Gordon Schultz K Gordon Schultz is a well-known figure in the golf community and currently serves as the President of the Canmore Golf & Curling Club in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the role, having spent many years working in the golf industry. Schultz has been a member of the Canmore Golf & Curling Club for over 40 years and has been actively involved in the clubโs operations since he joined. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2001, becoming Club President in 2005. In 2019, he was acclaimed as Club Vice-President, assuming the role of Club President again in 2022. In addition to his work at the Canmore Golf & Curling Club, Schultz is also an avid traveler. He has visited over 30 countries around the world, on all continents. But his most enjoyable travel experiences have come from within Canada, visiting many of Canada's National Parks including Banff National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park, Kootenay National Park, Grasslands National Park, Mount Revelstoke National Park and Pacific Rim National Park. Along with golf, he enjoys scuba diving, biking, hiking and relaxing with a fine Pinot Noir. previous post Winter Adventures in Banff National Park next post The 6 Best Museums to Visit in Calgary You may also like The Casino of the Rockies Makeover: How, What... October 16, 2024 7 Unusual Things to Do in Banff July 25, 2024 50 INCREDIBLE Things to Do in Banff in... March 6, 2023 Heli-Skiing in Canada: The 9 Best High-Flying Adventure February 16, 2023 Power Up Your Adventure: E-bikes in Banff February 15, 2023 Canoeing Lake Moraine – Discover the Canadian Wilderness January 31, 2023 Biking in Banff National Park: The 8 Best... January 9, 2023 The Best Places for Snowshoeing in Banff National... November 25, 2022 Vermilion Lakes – Everything You Need to Know... September 10, 2022 11 Guided Tours in the Canadian Rockies You... September 2, 2022