Elk Island National Park (Beaver Hills)

About half an hour's drive east of Edmonton, the Yellowhead Highway 16 traverses the park-like landscape of the Beaver Hills, an area once teeming with game. Today this oasis of unspoilt countryside is Elk Island National Park with its sparsely wooded hills, hidden lakes, beaver dams, grassland and moose.

The Beaver Hills area was originally the tribal home of the Sarcee Indians.

Must-see attractions nearby:

Fort Edmonton Park

West Edmonton Mall

Shaw Convention Centre

Muttart Conservatory

Provincial Museum of Alberta

Ukrainian Canadian Archives & Museum of Alberta

University of Alberta

They were driven out by the Crees who came hunting beaver and buffalo pelts for sale to the large fur-trading companies. By the close of the 19th c. these animals had been hunted virtually to extinction in the region. The Cree Indians were followed by white settlers who had to toil hard to survive here. In 1913 Elk Island was declared a Dominion Park, and later - after being extended several times - acquired National Park status as Elk Island National Park.

The main attraction of Elk Island National Park is the large herd of buffalo (bison) which graze over a special enclosure.