Elk Island National Park

10/26/2026

🌅 Shorter days are a reminder: winter driving is just around the corner.

Before you head out, get in the habit of checking the weather forecast and road conditions. Conditions can change quickly, and roads can become slippery and unpredictable as temperatures drop.

🚗 Before you go:
✔️ Plan ahead and share a trip plan with a trusted family member or friend.
✔️ Give yourself extra time and drive to the conditions.
✔️ Slow down and stay alert, especially around dawn, dusk and at night.
✔️ Watch for wildlife on or near the roadway, bison and elk can be difficult to see in low light.
✔️ Look at the important bulletins page on the website for up-to-date closure information and activity restrictions.👉 https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/elkisland/securite-safety/bulletins
✔️Check the forecast and road conditions using Alberta 511.👉https://511.alberta.ca/ #:Alerts

At Elk Island National Park, help may not be immediately available, and there are no gas stations in the park.

A little preparation before you leave can help make the drive safer for you, other visitors and wildlife.

For more information on winter driving, visit:
👉https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/elkisland/securite-safety/hiver-winter

10/23/2026

⚠️ Please note that the Parks Canada website will be unavailable starting at 12:00 a.m. EDT on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and continuing until Sunday, October 25, 2026, due to maintenance. The Parks Canada Reservation Service and the Parks Canada Shop, will remain available.

If you have any questions or need information about Elk Island National Park, please contact our Visitor Information Centre:
☎️ 780-922-5790
📧[email protected]

Details ➡ parks.canada.ca/maintenance-web

10/22/2026

Today is Take Me Outside Day! The perfect reason for a little fall getaway to nature. You can hop into your car and drive past all the beautiful fall colours, arriving in a park full of life and beauty. 🚙🍂

Take a hike through the changing leaves, sitting on a bench in the cool air, or huddled around a campfire with loved ones. Trade the crowds for a quiet cozy adventure. Make sure to pack extra layers to stay warm, and to never leave garbage or food unattended so you don't attract wildlife. 🔥☕🍂

Plan your getaway:
https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/elkisland/visit

10/20/2026

What does it mean to be ?

For every adventure, remember the 3 T's:

✅ Trip Planning
✅ Training
✅ Taking the essentials

Know before you go!

👉 Know your limits to avoid injury and exhaustion.
👉 Don't rely on your cell phone. Reception isn't always available in Elk Island National Park, and cold weather can drain batteries quickly.
👉 Share your trip plan with a trusted friend or family member before you leave.

A little preparation goes a long way. The 3 T's help you stay safer, respond better to unexpected delays, and make the most of your time in the park.

To learn more, visit https://www.adventuresmart.ca/

10/17/2026

Think you’re not feeding wildlife? Your leftovers might say otherwise.

Feeding wildlife isn’t always intentional. Leaving food behind or littering can lead to inadvertent feeding.

‼️ DO NOT FEED WILDLIFE ‼️

Feeding wildlife:
❌ Is illegal in national parks.
❌ Can change an animal’s natural behaviour.
❌ Can put wildlife and people at risk.

Help keep wildlife wild:
✔️ Dispose of food and garbage properly. Never leave food scraps or garbage behind. Even a small amount of food can attract wildlife.
✔️ Secure your attractants. Food, garbage and scented items should be stored properly when not in use.
✔️ Give wildlife space. Stay at least 100 metres away from wildlife. Never approach or disturb them.

Enjoy wildlife from a safe distance and let them find their own food.

Learn more about wildlife safety ➡️https://parks.canada.ca/pn-np/ab/elkisland/securite-safety/faune-wildlife

10/15/2026

As beautiful as the fall colours are, without a permit, your drone is not welcome here. Drone, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), use is restricted in all national parks to protect wildlife and other visitors. 🍂🛰️

🎈Drones and UAV’s are examples of powered aircrafts designed to fly without a human operator. Other devices that fall into this category are balloon drones, quad-copters or rotocraft and similar devices.

Please leave your drone at home, and enjoy the park from the ground. For more information, check out 🍁▶️

Parks Canada strictly limits the use of drones.

10/15/2026

The prescribed fire season is complete for the season in . Fresh green grass will grow in quickly and renew the Hayburger area. Learn more about habitat rejuvenation in Elk Island National Park: https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/elkisland/nature/feu-fire

🌎🌾International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists
As we recognize the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, today’s prescribed fire activities highlight the role fire plays in grassland renewal and resilience. In , prescribed fire supports healthy grasslands for plants, wildlife, and the bison that call this landscape home.
Learn more about https://www.fao.org/rangelands-pastoralists-2026/about/en

10/12/2026

This Thanksgiving, we're taking a moment to recognize the people behind . 🍂♥️

After a summer of storms, flooding, and long days, our staff continued to show up. Whether working on the front lines or behind the scenes, every team has helped make this season possible. ⛈️🌊

We want to give a special thank you to everyone who stepped up to support Elk Island National Park this year. After the destructive weather we experienced, colleagues from neighbouring national parks, along with others who pitched in, generously gave their time and expertise to help us through a challenging season. Your support meant so much to our team, and we couldn't have done it without you. ♥️🤝♥️

To our students, seasonal employees, and year-round staff: thank you. We're grateful to have you on our team. ♥️👷🧑‍🔧🧑‍💻🧑‍🎓♥️

10/10/2026

Today, we celebrate Migratory Bird Day! This year’s theme, “Every bird counts, your observations matter”, recognizes the work that citizen science has contributed in developing conservation efforts and policy. The work that comes from recording wildlife observations, sharing them with the community, and taking part in land stewardship projects helps protect the native birds! 🕵️🐦‍⬛

Here at , we are privileged to house multiple bird species that use this space as migration routes and nesting sites. As you visit the park and its surrounding areas, we encourage you to take the time to observe and appreciate the roles that waterfowl, birds of prey, songbirds, and shorebirds play in helping our ecosystems flourish! 🦆🐦🪶

Want to take part in citizen science? We encourage you to go on a nature walk and upload your wildlife observations on iNaturalist. Used by scientists, nature enthusiasts, and curious minds, this app is a great place to learn about the wildlife species in your area. 📱🌲🪿 https://ow.ly/1PNC50ZUYwB

For more information on bird watching in Elk Island, visit https://ow.ly/oKBS50ZUYwC

10/08/2026

Welcome to the season of never knowing if you need a jacket or not. As we approach the long weekend, the days get shorter and colder and the only thing on everyone's mind is pumpkin spice. Even if you’re not sure about your jacket, here are some reminders before heading out to the park for the weekend:

🍂Look at the weather periodically - it can change fast.
👚Wear or bring many layers. Even if you don't want to wear that jacket in the beginning, you might still need it later in your trip.
🚙Be aware of road conditions and come with a full tank of gas.
🫂Share your trip plan with a trusted person.
🗺️Do not rely entirely on your cell phone, service is spotty. Have a physical map or download one.
🥾If you are planning to hike, head out early, bring the essentials and check sunset time.

Stay warm, and have a nice weekend!