When living in Alberta, you know that the winters are going to be tough but at least you can look forward to the short 2 months of summer-like weather! Well, that was not the case this year… like I said in my latest Instagram post, it felt like July and August this year were a combination of rainy Spring or cool Fall weather! This year’s weather was not ideal for a day trip to the beach but it doesn’t hurt to know where the best spots are! So, check out below for the top 3 beaches close to Edmonton, AB!
I was born and partially raised in British Columbia, so my lake standards are pretty high. I can safely say Alberta Beach does not impress me, but thankfully that’s not one of the top beaches close to Edmonton, AB!
Here are my favourite (and clean) beaches close to Edmonton:
Sylvan Lake
Every year Matt and I take our family to Sylvan Lake for family camp. But this year Thaddeus’ due date was too close to the dates we would be away in Sylvan Lake, AB so Matt’s mom took the girls for the week while we were at home in St. Albert waiting for baby boy to arrive.
Sylvan Lake, the town and actual lake, are one of our favourites! I would drive the whole way there just to visit the Big Moo Ice Cream store. The beach is long and there is plenty of (paid) parking.
But like I said, Thaddeus was to be born too close to our annual Sylvan Lake trip so instead I took our big family (without Matt, he was at work) to…
Gull Lake
Gull Lake is great for kids because similarly to Sylvan Lake it can be quite shallow (depending on when you visit) and that is awesome for children that cannot swim yet or are beginners.
There are a few campgrounds around the southern end of Gull Lake, which is right across the Queen Elizabeth 2 Highway from Lacombe, AB. I saw that the Brewers Campground (I believe it is also called Aspen Beach Provincial Park) had a super fun in ground trampoline this year – the same ones you see at the Edmonton Corn Maze – the perfect way to let your kids burn off their energy on cold or hot days.
Another campsite is the Lakeview Campground, adjacent to Brewers Campground.
Insider’s tip: if you’re able to get a spot in the “B” section of the Lakeview Campground, you’ll be closest to the beach. But if you’re closer to the main road in the “B” section, you are closest to the only showers in the campsite. Just a few things I learned while visiting!
Pigeon Lake
The closest out of all 3 beaches close to Edmonton – Ma-Me-O Beach at Pigeon Lake is great for families with young kids! And it is only an hour out of Edmonton, which is doable for parents with toddlers that do not fair well in the car.
You can spend all day outside at the beach or at the park! Ma-Me-O Beach, Alberta offers park programs every morning from 10am-12pm all week long during the summer.
They also have sailing camps and swimming lessons – information available in their Ma-Me-O Beach Days Newsletter each year!
What is your favourite family-friendly beach or lake that is close to Edmonton, AB?
If you like this post, check out my Girl’s Road Trip To Calgary post before you go!
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