Brian JonesWe Edmontonians love to complain about winter, but let’s be honest: when summer hits, we are not ready. Case in point: my first hot day out at one of Edmonton’s beaches last year. No sunscreen. Zero shade. I came home looking like a tomato that lost a fight.
But here’s the good news: we’ve actually got a surprising number of spots where you can lounge by the water, take a dip, and—if you’ve learned from my mistakes—stay cool and burn-free.
If you’re hunting for a quick getaway without the long drive, these are best beaches in and around Edmonton to check out.
Accidental Beach
Media from cdnbacon24
Location: 98 Avenue NW
Contact:
- City of Edmonton Info Line: 311 (within Edmonton)
- (780) 442-5311 (outside Edmonton)
Operating hours:
- no official operating hours — it’s a public, unfenced space and open year-round
Accidental Beach is one of those spots you wouldn’t expect to find in the middle of the city, but it’s perfect for a chill day. The sandy area by the North Saskatchewan River is great for swimming, especially when the weather’s warm.
I’ve spent a few afternoons here, and it’s a super relaxing place to just hang out or dip into the water.
What I like most is how quiet it feels, even though it’s not far from downtown. The vibe is laid-back, and it’s also pet-friendly, so you can bring your dog along to cool off.
It’s one of those places you can enjoy without the usual crowd and still feel like you’re getting a bit of a beach escape in Edmonton.
Pro tip:
Stay informed about water quality before you go. Since regular testing isn’t done at Accidental Beach, it’s best to avoid swallowing river water and rinse off after swimming to stay safe from potential contaminants.
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park
Media from shy_resultay
Location: Township Road 531A
Distance from Edmonton: 50-55 minutes away
Contact: (780) 892-2702
Operating hours:
- Day Use Area: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Campground Season: April 25 to October 31
- Campsite Reservations: Can be made up to 90 days in advance
Wabamun Lake Provincial Park is a great spot for a relaxed day trip from Edmonton.
The lake is nice and calm for swimming, and the wide beach makes it easy to grab a little space for yourself. That’s actually why I’ve come back a few times—just to relax and cool off in the lake.
The park provides several facilities to make your stay comfortable. There are flush toilets, picnic shelters, and playgrounds for families.
If you’re into boating, the park has boat launches for both powerboats and non-motorized crafts like kayaks and canoes. There are also change rooms and life jacket loaner stations that are handy if you’re planning to get in the water.
Pro tip:
Arrive early, especially on sunny weekends, to snag a good spot on the beach or near the picnic areas — it fills up fast!
Wolf Willow Beach
Media from journeywithmejoy
Location: 78 Avenue NW, near 156 Street NW
Contact: 311 (City of Edmonton)
Operating hours:
- Open seasonally; access varies based on river levels (unsupervised)
Wolf Willow Beach is one of my favorite spots in Edmonton when I just want a quiet swim without dealing with a busy crowd. It’s right along the North Saskatchewan River and is a great place to cool off when the water’s calm.
I’ve gone a few times with friends, and we usually bring a blanket to stretch out on the sand and just hang out between swims.
I think the best part is how low-key the place is. You won’t find a bunch of amenities, so we usually pack our snacks and drinks, but that’s part of the fun. It’s also nice that there’s enough shade around when you need to cool down.
Pro tip:
Wear sturdy shoes for the walk down, as the trail to the beach can be steep and a bit uneven — it’s worth it for the view at the bottom!
Summerside Beach Club
Media from lakesummerside
Location: 1720 88 St SW
Contact: +1 780-497-7558
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Summerside Beach Club is one of those spots that feels like a mini vacation. The water is great for swimming, and it’s always clean and calm when I go.
A couple of times, I went with friends who lived in the area, and we spent hours just swimming and floating around.
What I like about it is how much there is to do besides swimming. We’ve rented pedal boats before, and there’s also beach volleyball if you’re up to it.
The clubhouse has changing rooms and a patio, which makes it easy to stay for the afternoon. It’s only open to residents and their guests, so it never feels packed, and that’s part of what makes it such a good place to spend a summer day.
Pro tip:
Bring your membership card or guest pass —access is restricted, and you’ll need it to enjoy the beach, paddle boards, and other amenities.
Terwillegar Park River
Media from hannah_serena
Location: 10 Rabbit Hill Road NW
Contact: 311 (City of Edmonton)
Operating hours:
- Open daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Terwillegar Park River in Edmonton is a great spot for a quick getaway without leaving the city.
I’ve spent a few afternoons there with friends, and it’s always been a chill experience. The river itself isn’t too big, but that’s part of what I like about it. It’s easy to find a good spot to relax, and there’s not too much going on.
We usually bring snacks and drinks and hang out for a while. The walking trails are a nice way to stretch your legs if you want to mix things up.
Pro tip:
Watch the river current, especially near the water’s edge. It can be stronger than it looks, so keep a close eye on kids and anyone unfamiliar with river currents.
Ma-Me-O Beach
Media from curiocityedmonton
Location: 605 2nd Avenue
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hour and 20 minutes away
Contact:
- Phone: (780) 586-2494
- Fax: (780) 586-3567
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (noon)
- Afternoons: By appointment only
For a perfect summer day, Ma-Me-O Beach is where I’d head. It’s located on the southeast shore of Pigeon Lake, and I love how it’s got that classic beach vibe with white sand and shallow water.
It’s super family-friendly, so it’s perfect for a low-key day out.
Whenever we go here, we always end up swimming, lounging on the beach, or playing some beach volleyball. They have picnic tables and fire pits, so it’s easy to spend the day there and even have a little barbecue or bonfire.
If you enjoy water sports, you can put canoes, kayaks, or even sailboats into the water from the beach. I’ve spotted powerboats on the lake as well.
Pro tip:
Bring a cooler with snacks and drinks! There aren’t many food options nearby, so having your own supplies will keep you fueled for a fun day in the sun.
Half Moon Lake Resort
Media from resortathalfmoon
Location: 21524 Township Road 520
Distance from Edmonton: 30 minutes away
Contact: (780) 922-3045
Operating hours:
- Check-in Time: 2:00 PM
- Check-out Time: 11:00 AM
- Day Use Hours: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Half Moon Lake Resort is one of those places that feels like a hidden gem. The lake has the perfect temperature to keep you there for hours. I’ve gone a few times with family members, and it’s always been a blast just to hang around in the water.
One thing that I absolutely adore is that it’s small but not so much that it is overcrowded, yet it has everything necessary for a decent time. We stayed in one of the cottages last summer, and it was so nice to have a little spot to relax after a day by the water.
Plus, they’ve got kayaks and paddleboards you can rent if you feel like exploring the lake. If you want a peaceful, low-key weekend by the water, this place is solid.
Pro tip:
Bring bug repellent, especially in the evening. The lakeside area can attract mosquitoes, so a little prep will keep you comfortable while enjoying the beautiful scenery.
Sylvan Lake
Media from leeroj05
Location: 5012 – 48 Avenue
Distance from Edmonton: a maximum of 2 hours away
Contact: (403) 887-2141
Operating hours:
- Open to the public year-round
While Sylvan Lake isn’t exactly near Edmonton, trust me when I say it’s worth the almost 2-hour drive. It’s clean and family-friendly, with shallow waters perfect for swimming.
We’ve spent a few afternoons there, and one of the best things we loved about the beach is how much there is to do. You can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or even motorized boats from places like SunSport Recreation.
If you enjoy water sports, it’s a great spot to try something new. There are picnic grounds and grassy areas for games, and the Lakeshore Drive area has restaurants and shops for food or beach supplies.
Pro tip:
Get there early to grab a good parking spot, especially on busy summer weekends. The beach can fill up quickly, and parking is limited.
Alberta Beach
Media from ez_4288
Location: Lac Ste. Anne County
Distance from Edmonton: 50-55 minutes away
Contact: 4935 – 50 Avenue, P.O. Box 278
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Closed on Mondays and weekends
Alberta Beach has this chill vibe that my friends and I really like. The sandy beach on Lac Ste. Anne is great for swimming, and the shallow water near the shore makes it easy to just wade in and cool off.
Last summer we spent a whole afternoon there, and it was nice not having to rush—there’s enough space to spread out and do your own thing.
The highlight is that the town is actually just there, so if you need ice cream or have to pick something up, it’s just a block away. And there’s a grassy park section with picnic tables, and plenty of space to throw a ball around, or even host a barbecue.
For something a bit different, you’ll also find a boat launch if you’re into boating or fishing, which adds some variety to the day.
Pro tip:
Bring a picnic and enjoy the scenic views by the water. The beach area has plenty of space for relaxing and enjoying a meal with friends or family.
Aspen Beach
Media from funwiththefriedes
Location: Situated approximately 28 km northwest of Red Deer and 18 km west of Lacombe, the beach is accessible via Highway 12 to Highway 12A
Distance from Edmonton: 1 hour and 30-40 minutes away
Contact:
- Park Information: (403) 748-1123
- Off-Season (Sept–April): (403) 748-3939
Operating hours:
- Season: June 26 – September 2
- Day Use Hours: Typically open during daylight hours
Aspen Beach at Gull Lake is a go-to spot when you want to mix swimming with a bit of everything else.
The beach has a long stretch of shallow, warm water that’s great for families, and the sandy shore is perfect for relaxing or building sandcastles. What I like is that there’s room to spread out, so it never feels too packed.
There’s a big day-use area with picnic tables and fire pits, plus playgrounds nearby if you’re bringing kids along.
If you’re into water sports, you can launch a boat or paddleboard from the marina. We’ve gone a couple of times with my family, and it’s been a fun way to spend the day, especially when we bring along snacks for a picnic or set up a game by the beach.
Pro tip:
Pack some water shoes — the lake bottom can be a bit rocky near the shore, and they’ll make wading and swimming much more comfortable.
