Did you know that Elk Island National Park is one of five national parks in Alberta? Only 30 minutes from Edmonton, Elk Island is a beautiful park full of wildlife, hiking trails, and overnight camping experiences. If you’re looking for an outdoor adventure close to a major urban centre, Elk Island National Park is a great choice. The park is also an important habitat for species at risk, such as the wood bison, which have been successfully reintroduced into their natural environments from this park.
Last Updated: March 31, 2024
A few years ago, back in July 2021, I travelled from Calgary to Edmonton to work for a few days. I brought Bella (my Bernese mountain dog) along and, since I had never been, we took a weekend trip over to Elk Island National Park. It wasn’t long after starting the 16-km Wood Bison Trail that we realized the summer’s heat was too much for a long jaunt (especially for a Berner with a thick coat). Instead, we opted for the shorter Amisk Wuche Trail, one of the easy Elk Island hikes that’s perfect for wildlife viewing and stretching your legs. Keep reading to see what I mean.
This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of the links, I may receive a percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
About Amisk Wuche Trail — Easy Elk Island Hike
Location: Elk Island National Park, near Edmonton, Alberta
Distance: 3.2 km loop
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 50 metre gain
Time: 45 min – 1 hour
Dog-friendly: Yes, but must be kept on a leash.
Family-friendly: Yes, but not stroller-friendly.
Features: The Amisk Wuche Trail is a short and family-friendly loop in Elk Island National Park. Perfect for nature lovers, make your your way around the loop with strong potential spot beavers, waterfowl, and other animals. Amisk Wuche winds through the aspen, birch, and spruce forest across boardwalks and over marshlands and beaver ponds.
Did you know? Amiskwaciy is the Cree word for Beaver Hills. As you’re exploring the Amisk Wuche Trail, see how many beavers you can find in nearby ponds. I spotted four when I visited — fun to watch them from a distance! Don’t miss the massive beaver lodges as you pass by the ponds.
Amisk Wuche Trail Map
Finding the Amisk Wuche Trailhead
The Amisk Wuche Trailhead is very easy to locate along the main stretch in Elk Island National Park. After turning left from the Yellowhead Highway (Hwy 16), continue north on the Elk Island Parkway for about 15 km. Right away, you’ll pass the Elk Island Visitor Centre to your right where you can stop for a washroom break, and then you’ll pass by the Bison Loop Road, Tawayik Lake, and Hayburger Trail. The parking area for Amisk Wuche will be on your right-hand side near the Astotin Lake Recreation Area. Follow the ample signage.
Read next: Biking in Edmonton: The Beautiful River Valley Trails
Amisk Wuche Hike — Family-Friendly Hike Near Edmonton
The Amisk Wuche Trail begins through a birch forest leading to stretches of boardwalk over marshland. As you make your way, there are several benches beside the trail to sit and observe the natural surroundings. Not long after starting our hike, I saw a few American Coots swimming with their babies in the pond. We followed the trail in and out of the forest and wetlands, easily finding our way with the help of yellow trail markers. If you’re looking for a short walk, this 3.2-km loop should take most visitors under an hour. That being said, be prepared to spend more time if you enjoy spotting birds and other wildlife in the marshlands and ponds.
If you’re bringing young children, you should know that the roots in the forest would make this trail difficult for strollers or wagons. However, I think most kids would enjoy exploring this area — especially if you’re lucky enough to spot a beaver… or three… or five! I was thoroughly entertained by a family of beavers swimming back and forth with branches to build their dam. How cool is that? Nature enthusiasts who want a shorter and easier day will love this one, with plenty of benches and lookout points to spot wildlife. You may want to bring binoculars for a closer look!
Read next: Devon River Valley Trail Near Edmonton, Alberta
What To Bring — Easy Elk Island Hike
While Amisk Wuche Trail isn’t a long or difficult trail, it’s still important to bring some hiking essentials along. Bring your day pack with enough water and snacks to get you through. I carried my two-litre water reservoir and an extra water bottle (and dog bowl) for Bella. While the trail passes by some ponds, there’s not much access to water on this route. You should be fine with trail runners unless you prefer extra ankle support. I always carry a rain jacket (just in case) and, if you visit on a hot sunny day, don’t forget your sunscreen, sunglasses, and even a hat (though I rarely wear hats).
Read next: 10 Day Hiking Essentials: What to Bring on a Hike
Know Before You Go
Parks Pass: If you don’t already have a Parks Canada Discovery Pass, you can purchase a season or day pass at an automated machine near the park gates.
Parking: You can find parking at the Amisk Wuche Trailhead in the park.
Toilet: There’s an outhouse in the parking area.
Garbage: If you pack it in, please pack it out. There’s a bear-proof garbage bin next to the parking area.
Pets: If you’re bringing your canine friend along, remember to keep them on a leash to not disturb wildlife or other visitors. Don’t forget to pack out the dog poo, too (here’s a smell-proof bag you may want to bring).
Drinking Water: We visited on a very hot day and needed to bring extra water (no safe drinking water available on the trail). There are at least two taps beside Astotin Lake where you can refill your water (one on the beach and another beside the washrooms).
Navigation: The Amisk Wuche Trail is well-maintained and very easy to follow. Download Amisk Wuche from AllTrails for offline use.
Safety: Bring a small first aid kit to deal with minor injuries on the trail.
Wildlife: Remember to respect wildlife in the area and give them plenty of space. Elk Island is home to a variety of species, including elk, deer, bison, wolves, black bears and more. If you’re hoping to see wild bison in the park, you may have better luck in the morning or evening if you visit on a hot day. Otherwise, you may need to hike Hayburger Trail or Wood Bison Trail to catch a glimpse of these magnificent animals.
Did you know? There are five national parks in Alberta, including Banff, Jasper, Waterton Lakes, part of Wood Buffalo, and of course, Elk Island. How many of these parks have you visited?
Things To Do in Elk Island National Park
Aside from Amisk Wuche, there are many other things to enjoy in Elk Island National Park. My original plan was to hike the Wood Bison Trail, but 16 km was too long for a Bernese mountain dog on a very hot day. There’s also the 12-km Hayburger Trail that might also pique your interest.
We spent some time at the Astotin Lake Recreation Area, with picnic tables, shelters, washrooms, and drinking water accessible to the public. If you want to get out on the water, check out the rentals for canoe, kayak, or SUP for $20-30/hour. I took a little drive through the campground where there are 75 non-serviced campsites (including oTENTiks) located not far from the lake. When I return someday, I’d love to set up a tent here.
Perhaps most of all, Elk Island National Park is known for free-roaming wild bison. At any one time, there are generally around 300 wood bison and 400 plains bison inside of the park. When I visited, I sadly didn’t get a chance to see any bison as they were likely staying cool in the forest’s shade. We drove around the Bison Trail Road but not a bison to be seen. Maybe you will have better luck than I did?
Have you hiked the Amisk Wuche Trail in Elk Island National Park? Were you lucky enough to see wild bison in the park? Let me know below!
Save this for later? Hover over the image to add to Pinterest!
Thomas Coldwell has always been fond of the outdoors. He loves hiking, paddling, and camping, and thoroughly enjoys creating outdoor adventure resources for people like you. Originally from Nova Scotia, Thomas has lived in four Canadian provinces (NS, NB, ON, AB) and has travelled in 20 countries and counting.
