Inside the Beaver Hills Biosphere: 6 outdoor oases east of Edmonton

This month marks five years sinceBeaver Hills was designated asan international recognized biosphere by UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

The biosphere includes Elk Island National Parkas well as several provincial parks and protected areas east of Edmonton, some of which you might not have heard about.

Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area

"We are seeing an enormous increase in usership," says Alison Cole, visitor experience coordinator withAlberta Environment and Parks.

More people are discovering theCooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area east of Edmonton which contains170 kilometresof trails for cross-country skiing,snowshoeing, mountain biking and horseback riding, Cole says.

'It's a quick easy place to get to'

4 years ago

Duration 2:10

Alison Cole, Visitor Experience Coordinator with Alberta Environment and Parks gives us a tour of Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area east of Edmonton, Alta.

You can see more from the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area on Monday at 11 a.m. on CBC TV and CBC GEM.

"During this COVID pandemic we've seen an incredible growth in visitation," she says.

Visits to therecreation areahave doubled,with an average of 2,600 vehicles entering in August alone, Cole says.

"They're coming out;they're discovering it;they're falling in love with it."

Smith Blackburn Homestead

Located in Lamont County, this 30-hectaresite east of Elk Island National Park is filled with walking trails ina mix of forest and wetlands.

This area opened to the public in the fall of 2020 and is managed by the Edmonton and Area Land Trust (EALT).

The Smith Blackburn Homestead isan important spot for many bird species and, like the rest of the biosphere, holds historic and traditional significant for the Cree, Ojibway, Saulteaux, Nakota SiouxandBlackfoot.

• Our Edmonton: Smith Blackburn Homestead
• Alberta's Beaver Hills, Great Bear Lake in N.W.T., join UNESCO biosphere network

Golden Ranches

Golden RanchesConservation Area includes a mixture of mature aspen forest and open grassland.

This property is managed by several partners, including the Nature Conservancy of Canada,EALT, Alberta Conservation Association, Ducks Unlimited, Alberta Fish and Game,Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve Association andStrathcona County.

The 1,400 acres started as a working ranch in 1950, but about a decade ago the owners decided to sell to the partnership so the area could be open to the public for hiking, geocachingand birding.

For the dos and don't of this space, check outthis map.

Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Cross-country skiers love the Strathcona Wilderness Centre at 52535 Range Road 212 in Ardrossan. Right now the trails,thedisc golf course andequipment rentals are open. You will need to leave the dog and bikes at home.

• Exploring the Strathcona Wilderness Centre

Miquelon Lake Provincial Park

Unlike the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area, a day-use area with no camping, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park has a campground with273 spots for RVs or tents which youneed to book ahead.

Tip: Check the Monday and Tuesday before the weekend for last-minute cancellations.

MiquelonLake is part of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and is a nice spot to watch the stars.

Elk Island National Park

Star gazing is also a part of the programming at this national park.

Of course the bison which are particularly active in July and August are a huge draw, but thereare also elk, deer, and more than 250 bird species.

AtElk Island National Park there's abeach, boardwalk, canoe launch, playground and picnic areas. The campsite has 75 non-serviced sites,15 walk-in sites and five oTENTiks if you're looking for a little glamping.

• Parking, porta-potties and PFDs: Elk Island's new popularity is putting pressure on the park
• Critter candid cameras revealing inhabitants east of Edmonton

'This place is about connection'

7 years ago

Duration 1:52

Learn more about Elk Island National Park, east of Edmonton, from superintendent Dale Kirkland.