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Enjoying nature has well documented benefits for the body and the mind. Unfortunately, nature doesn’t come with accessible building codes. This can make it more challenging to get out and enjoy natural surroundings. However, these are some great accessible options to escape the hustle and bustle of city life to escape into nature for the day. All are located within a short to moderate drive from Edmonton, and several areas also offer accessible camping sites if you are looking to go on an extended adventure.

There is no public transportation available, so to get to these destinations you will require a vehicle. All are within a 2 hour drive maximum, but most are an hour or less away. All have accessible parking available and accessible restrooms available (although keep in kind some restrooms may be very basic “pit” toilets). The majority have paved trail systems, and all destinations are fairly flat for rolling around with ease, but there might be a few steep sections that require some assistance. (However, for more freedom and terrain options I would highly recommend investing in an attachable e-bike motor for your wheelchair).

Here’s my list of wheelchair accessible day trips that can be enjoyed from Edmonton:

Elk Island National Park  
54401 Range Rd 203, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta (Approximately 30 minute drive east of Edmonton)
Hours: Open 24 hours
Admission: $7.90/adult, or $16/family
Elk Island National Park was established in 1906 and offers a relaxing escape into nature a short drive east of the city. There are several paved trails suitable for wheelchair users (Shoreline Trail and the Living Waters Boardwalk). Though it is worth noting that if the lake level rises too high portions of the boardwalk may be underwater and inaccessible. In general, these trails are mostly flat. Although, there are a few fairly steep hills that may require assistance for some wheelchair users. There are also many great areas to enjoy a picnic and enjoy the scenery. There are a variety of natural landscapes to enjoy, from grasslands, to wetlands and quiet lakes. Keep your eyes peeled for various birds, and wildlife, especially the majestic bison, the cornerstone of the wildlife conservation project on which the park was founded (just remember to enjoy the view from a safe distance). There are accessible washroom facilities located throughout the park (Astoria Lake main parking lot, Astoria Lake campsite, the Visitor Information Centre, the Astotin Theatre. and several trial heads). Enjoy the natural scenery during the day, or visit in the evening to enjoy a pristine location for star gazing at night. Elk Island is located within the Beaver Hills dark sky preserve, making it an excellent location to get an out of this world view of the night sky. Keep in mind the park gets quite busy on the weekends during the summer months, so it is best to go during the weekdays if possible. For more info check out their website.

Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
195041 Highway 16 East, Lamont County, AB (approximately 25 minutes east of Edmonton along Hwy 16 E)
Hours : Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from June 19, 2021 to September 6, 2021,( Closed Mondays (except holidays) and Tuesdays)
Admission: Family (2 Adults & Youths to a maximum of 8 people): $40 Adult (18-64): $15 Senior (65+): $13
Youth (7-17): $10 Child (0-6): Free (Enjoy 2 for 1 admission if you have an Access2 Card)
Enjoy a trip back in time with this open air museum celebrating the pioneers of east central Alberta from 1892 to 1930. Historical buildings have been relocated from farms and towns across eastern Alberta. There are costumed historical interpreters to transport you back in time to get a feel for what life was like back in these days. Unfortunately in the name of “historical accuracy” not all of the buildings are wheelchair accessible but they can still be enjoyed from the outside. However, the Visitor Centre is fully accessible and contains an exhibit gallery, gift shop, and accessible washroom. Plan for 2-3 hours to explore, the pathways connecting the historical buildings are gravel and may not be suitable for all wheelchair users. Weather should be considered as the majority of attractions are all outdoors (make sure to bring sunscreen and stay hydrated). No outside food is allowed but there are food services on site which are are operated by the Friends of the Ukrainian Village Society. For more info check out their website.

University of Alberta Botanical Gardens, Devon (Devonian Gardens)
51227 AB-60, Spruce Grove, AB T7Y 1C5, Canada (approximately 35 minutes southwest of Edmonton)
Hours: Open May 6- Sept. 30, 2021 from 10 am to 10 pm daily Reservations must be made in advance,
Admission: Adult $18.75 Senior (65+)  $12.75 Student  $9.50 Youth (13-17)  $9.50 Child (3-12)  $5.00
Child 2 and under | free (Prices do not include tax.) (Garden Season Passes are also available)
A museum of living plants to relax and inspire. Enjoy this breathtaking 240 acre property of natural beauty of cultivated gardens, botanical collections and natural areas. Enjoy the tranquil Kurimoto Japanese Garden, the serene Aga Khan Garden, the Tropical Showhouse which houses exotic butterflies, the Temperate and Arid Showhouses, the extensive alpine garden; as well as, the Indigenous Peoples’ Garden and much more. The newer areas of the park have smooth concrete paths. However, the majority of the site can be accessed by a brick pathway system making it easy to roll around with a wheelchair and enjoy the view. Some pathways have less accessible natural terrain such as grass, wood chips, gravel and may be slightly uneven. There are also some portions of the path with steep inclines and stairs, so routes should be planned accordingly. Accessible parking is available in the main parking lot and there are accessible restrooms situated throughout the site. No outside food is allowed, other than light snacks, but food is available for purchase at the Patio Café. Special brunch boxes and twilight picnic sets are available to purchase. For more info check out their website.

Jurassic Forest
23210 Township Road 564 #2, Gibbons, AB T0A 1N0 (approximately 45 minutes north of Edmonton)
Hours: 9am-6pm Mon- Thurs (last entry of the day 5pm) 9am-7pm Fri-Sun (last entry of the day 6pm)
Admission: Adults $15 Senior (60+) $12 Children (3-12) $10 Youth (12-17) $12 Family (of 4)$45 Family (of 5 ) $55
Travel back in time to when dinosaurs roamed Alberta millions of years ago. Enjoy the 2km of boardwalk paths through the old growth forest and get up close and personal with life-sized animatronic replicas of different dinos. From stegosaurus, to triceratops, to the mighty T-rex and even Alberta’s provincial dinosaur: the Albertosaurous! All of the boardwalk pathways are wheelchair accessible and there are accessible restroom facilities located in the main visitor center. For more information check out their website.

Miquelon Lake Provincial Park
20514 SEC HWY 623, Camrose County, AB T4V 2N1 (approximately 45 min southeast of Edmonton)
Hours: Open Year-round
Admission: Free for day use
This is a small 1,300 hectare provincial park located between Edmonton and Camrose. It is a popular day use area, and is popular for camping as well. There are a network of scenic trails through the site to enjoy nature and enjoy a nice picnic. There are 3.7km of paved trails available to enjoy. As well as, a sandy beach area (but keep in mind sand makes for difficult terrain in a wheelchair, even with assistance). Unfortunately, the majority of the 20km trails are natural pathways, rather than paved pathways, so wheelchair users may require assistance. The Shoreline Path is a paved option which snakes through the campgrounds and along the lake’s perimeter, and the most accessible wheelchair friendly route. There are accessible restrooms located throughout the park, as well as accessible campsites available for reservation. It is a great destination for bird watching, as the area was designated as one of Canada’s Important Bird Areas and a Provincial Migratory Bird Sanctuary. Miquelon Lake is also park of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, making it an excellent location for stargazing year-round. For more info check out their website.

The Louis Hole Centennial Provincial Park
1 Ray Gibbon Dr, St. Albert, AB T8N, Canada (approximately 30min northwest of Edmonton)
Hours : Open Year-round
Admission: Free
Named after Louis Hole, the former Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, this provincial park offers a great locale for bird watching, as well as a great place to watch the sunset. The park is situated around Big Lake which is an important nesting habitat for the rare Franklin’s gull. As well as, the tundra swam, black tern and the erred grebe, amongst others. There is a boardwalk style pathway over the water, as well as a crushed gravel path, both of which are wheelchair accessible. Accessible washrooms were added to the park as part of the 2019 revitalization plan. There is also a wheelchair accessible pedestal table for unobstructed views of the scenery. For more info check out their website.

Ellis Bird Farm
39502 Range Rd 260, Lacombe County, AB T4L 1W7 (approximately 1.5 hours south of Edmonton)
Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm and Holiday Mondays 11:00 am to 5:00 pm from May 24-September 6, 2021 (note the Bird Farm is closed on Mondays).
Admission: There is no admission fee, but donations are appreciated .
Ellis bird farm is both a non-profit company, as well as a working farm. They are dedicated to the conservation of Mountain Bluebirds, Tree Swallows and other native cavity-nesting birds. Enjoy the system of trials and garden around the property.; as well as, the world’s largest outdoor collection of bluebird nest boxes! There are various workshops available to register for as well. The upper parking lot is designated for accessible parking. All trails and facilities are wheelchair accessible. There is an accessible washroom available in the Ellis Café. For more info check out their website.

Discovery Wildlife Park
5400 42 Ave, Innisfail, AB T4G 1P9 (approximately 2 hours south of Edmonton)
Hours: 10am – 5pm daily (Last admission at 4pm) from May 1 to Sept 30, 2021
Admission: Adult (18-59) $19 Seniors (60+) $16 Youth (13-17) $16 Children (3-12) $12 Babies (2 and under) $1
The Discovery Zoo is home to a variety of animals that have been abandoned and rescued. There are lions, bears, tigers, wolves, cougars and many more animals to see. The terrain may be a bit difficult for some wheelchair users, as there is not a paved pathway, but rather packed sand and gravel. This pathway is very hard packed when dry, but can become a bit soft if there has been heavy rainfall. If you are able to transfer to a golf cart and feel comfortable stability wise, there are 4 seat golf carts available for rent as well. These are $10/hour for persons with disabilities. Wheelchairs are not permitted in some of their wildlife encounter sessions, such as the Tundra Wolf encounter. There is a wheelchair accessible washroom with a flush toilet, as well as a wheelchair friendly port-a-potty out in the park. For more info check out their website.

Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
Township Rd 531A, Parkland County, AB T0E 0N0 (approximately 1 hour west of Edmonton)
Hours: Open Year-round
Admission: Free for day use
Wabamun Lake is a popular summer destination for Edmontonians. There is a paved path along the shoreline and there are accessible restrooms located near the parking lot (be warned they are not always the cleanest washrooms in the world). There are also wheelchair accessible campsites that can be reserved (sites 90 and 91) if you are interested in an overnight adventure. For more info check out their website.

Sylvan Lake Provincial Park (approximately 1 hour and 45 min south of Edmonton)
4403 Lakeshore Dr, Sylvan Lake, AB T4S 1C4
Hours: 7 am – 11 pm for day use areas
Admission: Free
Sylvan Lake is an expansive naturally spring-fed lake in central Alberta. It is one of the province’s most popular natural tourist destinations, hosting over 900 thousand visitors every year! The long beach has a paved wheelchair accessible pathway and restrooms. For more information check out their website.

Long Lake Provincial Park (approximately 1.5 hours northeast of Edmonton)
Range Rd 191A, Ellscott, AB T0A 1B0
Hours: 7 am – 11 pm for day use areas
Admission: Free
Take in the park’s beautiful scenery, the long winding lake and the surrounding boreal forest. There are barrier-free accessible washrooms located in the parking lot areas. There are also accessible campsites (A-47, A-49, and A-51) which can be reserved for those interested in an overnight adventure. For more information check out their website.

Largest Roadside Attractions Tour
Hours: Open Year-round
Admission: Free
From the giant mushrooms in Vilna, to the UFO landing pad in St. Paul, to the World’s Largest Sausage in Mundare or the Largest Easter Egg in Vegreville. These giant icons are testament to the history and showcase the livelihood of many small towns across the Alberta prairies. Check out the full list here. There are no accessible restrooms available at the roadside attractions. However, there should be one available at one of the local businesses nearby.

The golden hues of the prairie landscape, the gentle rolling hills and animals you spot along the way are calming to watch as they pass by. The prairie grass blowing in the wind, and the expansive Alberta skies are soothing to the soul. Half of the fun of any day-trip is the journey along the way!

If you are unable to venture out for a day trip from Edmonton, there is always the beautiful North Saskatchewan River Valley located in the heart of the city.

If you are looking for wheelchair accessible activities within Edmonton’s city limits, check out this post.

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