Edmonton's North Saskatchewan River Valley offers diverse natural beauty and numerous recreational activities.
Welcome to Your Winter Adventure Hub!
Embrace the season and discover the magic of our River Valley parks this winter. Whether you're an experienced outdoor enthusiast or just stepping out for the first time, our parks offer a full spectrum of unforgettable cold-weather experiences.
Play All Day
Enjoy a smooth, invigorating ski experience on kilometers of meticulously groomed trails. For a truly unique adventure, glide across our expansive, smooth ice surfaces and scenic, winding IceWays. Seek a peaceful connection with nature by snowshoeing through serene, untreaded park spaces, or explore our maintained trail system, which is perfect for year-round activities like walking, hiking, or fat-tire biking.
Comfortable & Supported
To make your winter visit comfortable and convenient, we offer Essential Amenities like warming stations and winter-accessible washrooms in major winter activity hubs.
Embrace the chill and boost your outdoor confidence! Explore the city's parks and trails with our Outdoor Adventure Programs whether you're with family, friends, or going solo. Options are available for all ages, including free drop-in Play Rangers sessions and registered courses where you can learn skills like cross-country skiing.
Nature's Tranquil Beauty
Beyond the activities, take a moment to appreciate the park's natural ecosystem. It plays a vital role as a habitat for fascinating winter wildlife. Enjoy the quiet, tranquil beauty of the River Valley in its most serene season.
Dog Parks
Let your pup roam free and make new friends at Buena Vista Park, a vibrant haven with stunning river valley views.
Other Amenities
- Park benches
- Walking and cycling trails
- Yorath House
Discover adventure with your canine companion in the off-leash area of Dawson Park, a natural escape for urban explorers and their pups.
Other Amenities
- Parking
- Walking and cycling trails
- Washrooms in amenity building
Unleash the fun at Hermitage Park, with diverse terrain for every dog's dream day out.
Other Amenities
- Parking
- Portable toilets throughout the park (not wheelchair accessible)
- Walking and cycling trails
Tobogganing
Enjoy tobogganing at Emily Murphy Park's toboggan hill. City toboggan hills feature safe run-outs, safety signage and reduced hazards.
Other Amenities
- Building with washrooms
- Parking (may be limited during festivals and events)
- Playground
- Walking and cycling trails
Enjoy tobogganing at Gallagher Park's toboggan hill. City toboggan hills feature safe run-outs, safety signage and reduced hazards.
Other Amenities
- Gateway to Gallagher Park metal sculpture
- Playground
- The Dove of Peace sculpture
- Walking and Cycling trails
Enjoy tobogganing at Gallagher Park's toboggan hill. City toboggan hills feature safe run-outs, safety signage and reduced hazards.
Other Amenities
- Alfred H. Savage Centre
- Parking
- Walking and cycling trails
- Washrooms in Alfred H. Savage centre and building at park entrance
Skating
Enjoy Rundle Iceway, a long, scenic ice trail through the park with skate rentals available onsite.
Other Amenities
- Playground
- Toboggan hill
- Walking and cycling trails
Grab your skates and come on down to Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park.
Other Amenities
- Multiple small paved parking lots
- Natural playground
- Walking and cycling trails
- Washrooms in the amenity building
Head out to Victoria park and enjoy a large oval for leisure skating, plus a scenic iceway.
Other Amenities
- Exotic Species art installation
- Trails for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing
- Pavilion with washroom facilities
Winter Walks & Bike Rides
Enjoy the walking and cycling trails at Government House Park, with public viewpoints along the river.
Other Amenities
- Portable toilet in main parking lot
- Public viewpoints along the river
- Parking
Enjoy the walking and cycling trails at Jan Reimer Park, with public viewpoints along the river.
Other Amenities
- Shared use pathway
- Viewpoints along the river, not by maintained trail
Explore the walking, hiking and and mountain biking trails at Terwillegar Park.
Other Amenities
- Off-leash area
- Parking
- Portable toilet
- Terwillegar Park Footbridge
Skiing
Visit Capilano Park for cross-country skiing on Capilano's two trails: Capilano East Loop and Capilano West Link. The latter features a panoramic view of Edmonton from a lookout along the trail.
Other Amenities
- Off-leash area
- Parking
- Walking and cycling trails
- Washrooms in shelter building
Gold Bar Park features four cross-country skiing trails: North Shore, Two-way Lake, Wood Cutters' Loop, and The Hadhirgaan. The various routes contain a mixture of flat and hilly trails.
Other Amenities
- Off-leash area
- Walking and cycling trails
- Washrooms located inside pavilion
Mill Creek Ravine's pathways are perfect for a cross-country skiing adventure.
Other Amenities
- Off-leash area
- Parking at 95A street & 82 Avenue
- Portable toilets
- Walking and cycling trails
Trail and Park Cautions and Closures
View Trail/Park Cautions and Closures to confirm the status of trails before you go.
Experience the River Valley: One Celebration at a Time
Edmonton's River Valley Parks offer year-round nature and recreation. Explore parks, the river and trails through various events, tree-planting initiatives and enhanced drop-in programs.
Get Your Hands Dirty Planting
You can join the City’s award-winning Root for Trees program during the planting season. Look for their special events or drop-in planting opportunities taking place across the River Valley parks. It’s a rewarding way to contribute to our natural ecosystem.
Join in the Festivity
Looking to celebrate, participate, or just enjoy the River Valley ambiance?
Check out the upcoming calendar for civic events happening in some of our most amazing parks. From cultural celebrations to recreational activities, there's always something happening! To easily find park-specific events, use the search feature on the calendar and type the keyword “Park”.
Celebrate the River Valley Year-Round
The River Valley is celebrated throughout the year on various recognized days that highlight its history, nature, and recreation. Use this list to find a day to appreciate its unique appeal, either through events or personal enjoyment.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| World Wildlife Day | March 3 |
| Earth Month | April |
| World Migratory Bird Day | 2nd Saturday of May |
| Bike-to-work Day | 3rd Friday of May |
| Indigenous History Month | June |
| World Environment Day | June 5 |
| International Trails Day | 1st Saturday of June |
| Parks Day | 3rd Saturday of July |
| National Forest Week | 3rd week of September |
| World Clean Up Day | 3rd Saturday of September |
| World Rivers Day | 4th Sunday of September |
Be a River Valley Steward with Neighbouring for Climate
True celebration includes stewardship of these beautiful spaces!
Help protect the important variety of life and plants in the River Valley, especially where our walking and biking paths meet nearby neighbourhoods. The Neighbouring for Climate program gives you tools and easy steps to improve this natural area right where you live.
Start now and find helpful information with Nature and Plants Action Cards.
Contact Us
311 Contact Centre
Phone 311 | Outside Edmonton and Video Relay Service (VRS): 780-442-5311 | TTY 711