Northeast River Valley Park

A man and a child paddling on the pond at Northeast River Valley Park.

A woman walking a dog next to the water in Northeast River Valley Park

Aerial view of Northeast River Valley Park.

Two people sitting on a bench in Northeast River Valley Park. In the background are a barn bridge and playground with children playing.

A group of people surrounding a campfire.

Nestled along the northeast portion of Edmonton’s North Saskatchewan River at 17 Street NE and 153 Avenue NE, the 190-acre property, previously known as Our Lady Queen of Peace Ranch, joined the River Valley Park system in 2023.

Amenities

On-site amenities include the following:

Drop-in picnic sites

Playground

Internal walking trail and connections to River Valley Trail network

Pond access for non-motorized boating activities

Ski trails (Winter season)

Event Centre and other rental venues

Public washrooms* available at Lakefront Lodge, Lower Lawn, Big Island and the Upper Lawn

* High density external washroom locations at Big Island, Lower Lawn and Upper Lawn are subject to closure during lower park attendance. Signage is posted on each building to indicate if the facilities are open for use.

Park Hours	5am-11pm
Lakefront Lodge Washrooms	9am-9pm

Park Hours

5am-11pm

Lakefront Lodge Washrooms

9am-9pm

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I swim in the pond?

No. Public swimming is not permitted.

Can I use my canoe/kayak/paddleboard at this site?

Yes. We are excited to offer public, non-motorized boating access at this site during the spring/summer seasons. There is a hand launch located on the west side of Big Island, directly northwest of the main parking lot.

Vehicle access is not permitted to the launch: all crafts must be carried from an approved parking space.

Swimming is not permitted and personal flotation devices are required to access the water.
Note: There are no lifeguards on duty.

How large is the park?

The Northeast River Valley Park is 190 acres, or 77 hectares. This makes the park larger than Hawrelak Park’s 168 acres, or 68 hectares, and just smaller than Rundle Park’s 192 acres, or 85 hectares (minus the golf course).

I am a business owner. Can I book out spaces for my business?

Currently, long-term commercial use of park space is not available. Mobile opportunities may be considered starting in 2025.

What activities are available at the park?

Visitors can enjoy many river valley park activities, such as hiking, cycling, picnicking, paddling and bird watching. Ski trails and snowshoeing are available this winter. The lake is available for non-motorized boating in spring/summer. Skating is not permitted on the lake in the winter due to the underwater aeration system. The Event Centre is open for private rental opportunities.

Can I camp at this location?

Public camping is not available at this location.

How can I access this park?

This site can be accessed through the River Valley trail network, the nearest park is Hermitage Park at 6.1km away, or by vehicle access from 153 Avenue and 9 Street.

The park can also be accessed through the 17 Street gate, which acts as both an entry point and the park’s exit*.

No transit directly services the park with the closest route (121) servicing the Fraser, Evergreen and Horsehills communities. The nearest transit centre is Clareview Transit Station. Chartered service through ETS is available for larger events.

*The parkway is one-way past the Lakefront Lodge turn off up until the drop-off loop at the Event Centre. All vehicles must exit the park through the 17 Street gate.

Can I bike or walk there?

Yes! This park is connected to the River Valley trail network. Cycle/pedestrian access is available all the way from west Edmonton to east Edmonton.

How far is this park from downtown Edmonton?

From downtown Edmonton, the drive is approximately 25 minutes. For comparison, it is 25 minutes from downtown Edmonton to Terwillegar Park

Are there washroom facilities in the park?

Public washrooms are available year-round at the Lakefront Lodge building. External washroom buildings located at the Big Island, Upper Lawn and Lower Lawn are available during the summer season approximately mid-May to mid-October. Washroom facility open or closure status is noted on each building signage.

The Event Centre is exclusive to private event rentals and not available for public bathroom access.

External washroom buildings are closed during the winter season. Winter portable washrooms are available at the Event Centre parking lot and Forest Amphitheatre during these times.

Can alcohol be consumed at the park?

This park does not currently have picnic sites designated for alcohol consumption.

Are dogs allowed in the park?

Dogs are only permitted on leash and on a trail.

Are there food services available on site? Food trucks?

There are currently no food services available on site. This is being considered for the future.

Is the park accessible to those with wheelchairs, strollers, walkers?

Some amenities, such as the Event Centre, are accessible. Park pathways and parking areas are currently gravel.

How many kilometres of trails are there?

There are approximately 2.3 kilometres of walking trails, including a 1.5 kilometre lakeside trail loop.

Can I book a picnic site?

The park offers drop-in picnic sites available at the Lower Lawn (south) and Big Island (east) areas.

For those looking to reserve an un-canopied outdoor space, learn more about opportunities to book the Forest Amphitheatre.

Can I film in the park? Are drones permitted?

Personal photos and videos taken with cameras and phones are permitted in the park. Videos and photos intended for commercial use of businesses or by the media require a film permit.

Permits are required for all drone use. Drones cannot be launched or used in the park without a permit in advance of filming.

For more information please see Filming, Drones and Photography.

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