Edmonton Canoe

Contact information.

Take in a full-day or half-day canoe trip down the North Saskatchewan River on a summer Saturday or Sunday with Edmonton Canoe. On weekdays, enjoy a nice evening paddle through downtown Edmonton. They'll meet you in the city, shuttle you upstream and then you paddle at your own leisure back to the meeting point, where your vehicle is parked. They'll supply your booked canoe rental or kayak rental and all equipment you need for the trip, including personal floating devices in every size. Bring together a team of colleagues, a group of friends, or family and paddle your boat down the North Saskatchewan River, looking at the city from a completely different perspective and perhaps seeing some wildlife in an urban environment. No paddling experience is necessary! You quickly learn how to steer your canoe or single kayak and, in addition, the current takes you downstream. Perfect for families with children, groups and individuals who are looking for outdoor things to do on a summer day in Edmonton!

All trips are for beginners and range between three to six hours. If you have your own canoe or kayak and just need a ride for yourself and your boat, they do that too. Edmonton Canoe operates from the beginning of June to end of September.

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Looking for the best places to Canoe in and around Edmonton? Below are some great routes, trips and resources to help you Canoe in and around Edmonton.

Click here to browse this area with our interactive map.

Diverse is how we would best describe the paddling in this mountain/prairie province. In the west of the province runs are characterized by beautiful backdrops, continuous rivers and cold water. Everything from mellow multi day floats in national parks to hairy class V creeking is available in the west. As you move further east the gradient drops but there are still plentiful paddling options for those looking to float mellow rivers in really unique surroundings. It is a huge province so don't neglect to look north and south too. A very worthwhile paddling destination in it's own right.

Area Sponsor

Aquabatics Calgary

canoe trips edmonton

Canoe Trips or Routes

Devon - edmonton, elk island national park, 23 ave to fox drive, chickakoo lake recreation area, allan beach resort, staging area, 50 st nw, edmonton to highway 38 past bruderheim, lake access, pigeon lake provincial park, aq outdoors - aquabatics edmonton.

1-780-463-4892

3825 99th Street, Edmonton, Alberta, T6E 6J1

http://www.aquabaticsedmonton.com

Ceyana Canoe Club

PO Box 4545 Edmonton (South), AB T6E 5G4

https://ceyanacanoeclub.wildapricot.org/

The Paddle Station Edmonton

(888)988-7238

Emily Murphy Park, 11904 Emily Murphy Park Rd NW, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2B6

https://www.paddlestation.ca

Edmonton River Float

780-487-0707

9180 Walterdale Hill NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 2V3

https://edmontonriverfloat.com/

Canoeheads (Rental and Shuttle Service)

780-481-6044

9420 152 St NW office only, Edmonton, AB T5R 1N2

https://www.canoeheads.com/

Edmonton Paddleboarding (Rental and Shuttle Service)

10304 87 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5H 1N6

https://edmontonpaddleboarding.com/

Rundle Park Paddling Centre

780-422-5311

Rundle Park

https://www.travelalberta.com/listings/rundle-park-paddling-centre-11863/

Totem Outdoor Outfitters Rentals

780 432 1223

7430 99 St NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 3R9

https://totemoutfitters.ca/

My Lakehouse

rundle park

https://mylakehouse.ca/

Get Fit Rentals

780-667-0391

11042 160a St NW, Edmonton, AB T5P 3G7

https://getfitrentals.ca/

Ocean Sports

780-432-1904

9833 63 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6E 0G7

https://oceansports.ca/

780-413-4554

4211 106 ST, EDMONTON AB T6J 6L7

https://theeasyrider.com/sup-river-trek-devon-edmonton/

Local Paddling Clubs

Paddle junkies.

whitewater kayaking club focused on bridging the gap for adult beginner, novice and intermediate kayaking in Calgary and surrounding area

canoe trips edmonton

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Our Two Most Popular Canoe Rental Packages.

See twitter feed below for last minute deals, availability, and updates., day trip: devon bridge to edmonton - only $130 total includes gst - saturday, sunday and most holidays 8:00 am.

Scheduled trips every *Saturday and Sunday*, Bus departs from the boat launch at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park - we drive you to Devon, you canoe back to Laurier Park.

skill rating: Novice/beginner, 5-6 hours casual paddling downstream, suited for couples, families, staff parties, Bachelor(ette), team building, and tourism groups up to 20 canoes (40-60ppl).

Includes: Canoe, paddles, safety gear, transport for **two people per canoe**

This canoe day-trip is very scenic and peaceful, ending in the heart of the world class Edmonton river valley.

*WEEKDAYS:  Only available by special appointment, only for large groups.

**Extra person(s) Transportation, includes PFD $30

Overnight Trip: Genesee Bridge to Edmonton - Only $260 Total includes GST - Saturdays 8:00 AM

Scheduled most Saturdays at 8:00 AM, leaving from the boat launch at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park, we transport you to the Genesee Bridge. Set up Camp on crown land (almost anywhere you like) along the river. We do Friday evening departures for those who want the extra time out there. The trip takes about 13 hours on the water, you can camp over for 1 night or 2 nights. Includes: Canoe, paddles, safety gear and certified transport for 2 people*

*Extra person(s) transportation, PFD $40

**Use your own canoe shuttle service, from $140 shuttle 2 people from Laurier Park to Genesee Bridge

All Reservations Require 50% Deposit by Cash, Cheque, or Email Money Transfer.

PLEASE SEE FAQ BELOW for questions about deposits, cancellations, Etc -- More Packages Options Here

Contact Us for Booking Details!

Name (required)

Email (required)

Your Message (required)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. BAD WEATHER, RAIN, ETC. cancellation policy? A. Bookings are RAIN OR SHINE, NON refundable, NON transferrable, however, we will make all attempts to rebook another customer and then refund your deposit, regardless of this policy. *SEVERE weather days will be rescheduled as available. *winds over 50Km, sustained thunderstorms, hail, intense rain, ETC.

Q. How much notice, and what about deposits? A. Bookings are first come, first served, as available. Booking deposit of 50% required paid by cash, cheque, or EMAIL MONEY TRANSFER. Deposits are NON-refundable, NON-transferrable, except for SEVERE weather/wind.

Q. VISA,MC,AMEX, etc? A: We DO NOT accept Credit cards.

Q. Can we bring our DOG? A. NO, you will be sharing transportation with other groups, due to unknown allergies and tolerance levels, it is not fair to the other parties.

Q. How long have you been doing this? A. Since July 1996, After a suggestion from my Dad.

Q. Is the North Saskatchewan River safe as far as water quality is concerned? A. Yes, the river is safe for recreational use. There are many myths regarding the water quality and content of the North Saskatchewan River. The main reason the river may look "dirty" is because of the silt being stirred up by the flowing water. 

Q. Is there an itinery to follow? A. Our trips are unguided, and not supervised. We estimate all times with casual paddling, some paddling is required.

Q. How long does the Devon - Edmonton canoe trip take? A. On average the trip takes approximately 5 - 6 hours. The water flows at different rates depending on melt water, rain, and flow through the Brazeau and Big horn dams. Trip time can vary greatly, with flow rates, wind and paddling effort. We expect you to do some paddling, extra time is not included.

Q. Are there longer trips than one day? A. Yes, we can arrange custom trips specifically suited to the amount of time you have to spend on the river.

Q. Can we put more than two people in a canoe? A. Yes, however, There are space concerns, usually 1 extra adult or two small children is still comfortable.

Q. What days and times do your trips depart? A. We run regular scheduled trips SATURDAY and SUNDAY and most holidays.  Please Contact Us  with scheduling questions.

Q. What equipment and services are provided with your trips? A. We supply 1 way transportation, canoe*, PFDs, paddles, bailing device and 50 foot floating rope (throw bag), included in package prices.

*Shuttle only services available for canoe owners.

Q. What do I need to bring on the canoe trip? A. Drinking water, a hat and sunscreen are essential. Old shoes, bagged lunch, food and beverages. It is a very good idea to bring both warm weather clothing and something a little heavier in case of inclement weather, rain gear is always good to have with you. Swimwear is a good idea, the water upstream of Edmonton is ideal for cooling off. Cell phones, cameras etc. should be stored in a water proof container or zip lock bag, we take no responsibility for your gear.

Q. Can we get lost? A. No way, there are no navigational decisions to make in this part of the North Sask. river. This is a Beginner trip.

Q. What level of canoeing experience is recommended for the trips you run? A. Our regular trips are all on a novice area of the river. We recommend that you be comfortable on water, and always wear PFDs

Q. Is there a limit to how much I can bring with me on the trip? A. Canoes do have weight restrictions (700-1100 lbs plus depending on model), so yes, there is a limit. Also please remember, weight slows you down.

Also Important - Please Note:

Weather POLICY: ALL Bookings are Rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather or wind. (operator discretion)

Deposits Required to book are non-refundable, severe weather bookings rescheduled subject to availability. (operator discretion)

Shuttle Service price does not include the canoe and equipment rental.

PACKAGE prices include transportation for 2 ppl, 1 canoe rental, paddles, PFDs, safety gear.

The samples are of various trips we have available, we can create custom trips based upon the amount of time you wish to spend on the river.

All times given here for trip duration are approximate please allow yourself extra time.

We meet at the boat launch at Sir Wilfrid Laurier Park (Beside the Valley Zoo) unless other arrangements are made for your trip.

In order to provide you with a personalized, flexible service our trips are scheduled by pre-arranged bookings and times available are based on a first come first served basis.

Our prices are based on 2 people in each canoe, if you would like to add an extra person to your canoe, there will be a $30.00 transportation charge for all single day trips for each extra person ($40 for 2 day trips)

PACKING: WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING ON THE TRIP?

Canoe Rental Packages

1 Day Trip - Saturday 8:00 AM

DEVON >> Laurier Park time: approx. 5-7 hours $130 for one canoe with 2 people including shuttle

2 Day Trip - Saturday 8:00 AM

Genesee Bridge >> Laurier Park Duration: approx. 13 - 14 hours on the water* $260 one canoe with 2 people including shuttle *note; many Fridays have dinner time departures available, $20 per canoe custom scheduling fee may apply

2 Day Extended Trip

Starts approximately 1 hour above the Genesee Bridge PRIVATE ACCESS >> Laurier Park CANOEHEADS NEW SECRET SPOT, please ask me about this exciting new drop point, camping, private BEACH opportunity Duration: approx. 13-14 hours on the water $300 total one canoe with 2 people including shuttle (includes daily access fee by the land owner)

*Requires approximately 50 meter portage.

*Overnight camping, add $20 per canoe (land owner fee includes firewood)

3 or 4 Day Trip(s)

- Berrymore bridge- 20+ hrs $350 one canoe with 2 people including shuttle

- Drayton Valley- 25+ hours on the water $400 one canoe with 2 people including shuttle

Shuttle Only Services - Use your own Canoe! Save the Hassle of driving yourself.. 8-)

TRANSPORTATION FOR 2 PEOPLE, FROM LAURIER PARK TO:

DEVON BRIDGE $70 one canoe or 2 Solo kayaks

GENESEE BRIDGE (excellent weekend trip) $140 one canoe

Tomahawk,Drayton Valley,Rocky Mountain House,Nordegg, etc. please inquire for quotes, based on number of canoes, fuel prices and driving time.

1/2 Day LARGE GROUP Trip (12 Canoes) 

Laurier Park >> Goldbar Park (City Tour) time: approx. 3 Hours 12 canoes up to 36 people or 20 canoes up to 60 people includes shuttle

IF YOU DO NOT SEE WHAT YOU WERE LOOKING FOR.. CONTACT US to ask about custom trip plans!

EST. July 1996, Canoeheads has been running this popular canoe rental/shuttle service on the North Saskatchewan River based out of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. We enable a fun, inexpensive and hassle-free adventure for couples, families and tour groups. We are knowledgeable, friendly and reliable. We trust that you will find value and convenience in our service, and hope that you will give us a try next time you think of canoeing.

Canoeheads!

Jason Hayes Owner / Operator CanoeHeads Phone: 780-481-6044 Evenings are best time 4-9pm

5 Days Guided Canoe Trip Mountain River in Alberta

canoe trips edmonton

  • Private transportation
  • All camping and canoe equipment is included.
  • Experienced River Guide
  • Quality Inn West Edmonton, 17803 Stony Plain Rd, Edmonton, AB T5S 1B4, Canada We`ll meet at 8:00am in the lobby of the hotel, prior to the three hour transfer in our van to Hinton.
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

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5 Days Guided Canoe Trip Mountain River in Alberta provided by Timberwolf Tours

  • Shore Events

Upcoming events...

  • cancelled - Intro' to Kayaking - Pool based (session 1 of 4) 07 Apr 2024 4:00 PM MacEwan U Recreation Centre (109 St & 104 Ave)
  • cancelled-Kayak Roll Clinic 1 07 Apr 2024 4:00 PM MacEwan U Recreation Centre (109 St & 104 Ave)
  • cancelled - Intro' to Kayaking - Pool based (session 2 of 4) 21 Apr 2024 4:00 PM MacEwan U Recreation Centre (109 St & 104 Ave)
  • cancelled -Kayak Roll Clinic 2 21 Apr 2024 4:00 PM MacEwan U Recreation Centre (109 St & 104 Ave)
  • Safety and Rescue Series - Part 1 - Canoe and Kayak Rescue Theory Fundamentals 23 Apr 2024 7:00 PM Lendrum Hall

Ceyana thanks our supporters!

canoe trips edmonton

Arctic Canoe Adventure

Upper thelon river.

2024: Aug 7-18 2025: July 30 - Aug 10

193 km (119 miles)

$12,910 CAD + 5% gst

Vessel Type

Skill level.

Novice to Intermediate

Rendezvous Point

Yellowknife, NWT

Thelon River Flat Sheet

Our guided Upper Thelon River canoe adventures offer a breathtaking wilderness experience in Canada!

We’ll be paddling the upper part of the The-lew-dezeth (Thelon River), the largest river in the Barren Lands and easily the most magnificent. The Thelon is, without question, the most remote and the most pristine wilderness river of any considerable size left in North America. Our 120 mile (193km) long route is 80% river paddling. There are eight rapids along our route but no portages at all.

Our entire route is on the tundra, south of the Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary, and is one of the most remote places left in the world.

Big treed sandy eskers are prominent topographical features along our Thelon River canoe route. They stand out many miles away and greatly enrich the landscape. Scattered along these eskers are spike-shaped spruce trees and below their sheltered flanks grow stands of robust spruce and tamarack. Exquisite aquamarine ponds and kettle lakes with beaches all around are almost everywhere you look. The scenery along these eskers is so extraordinary that it seems to belong to a surreal, fairy-tale world.

There’s a good chance of seeing a few tundra wolves on this Thelon River canoe trip. About 80% of tundra wolves are white in colour, so most of them are highly conspicuous against the green summer tundra. Sometimes, they will walk into your campsite with 10 or 20 feet of us, just to check us out! Of course, normal, healthy wolves are completely harmless.

Muskoxen and moose are large animals we can count on seeing on this canoe trip. Most herds consist of 10 – 25 animals. Often a grizzly or two or three is spotted and occasionally, a wolverine or two. This is also a wonderful trip for birds. Birds of note include jaegers, merlins, bald eagles, osprey, many species of ducks, large numbers of moulting Canada geese, and several species of loons.

Archaeological sites are abundant on the Thelon river where ancient hunters waited for the Beverly caribou herd to cross these rivers on their summer migration. It is illegal to remove any of this material, so we will take only photos and leave them as they lay. We’ll look at stone caribou fences (used to funnel caribou to killing sites), tent rings, chipping stones, arrowheads and spear-points.

You just can’t get any more remote than the Thelon, anywhere else in the world north of Antarctica. Not only is the Thelon the largest and most remote river in the Barren Lands, it’s also the easiest and safest to canoe. And nowhere else on the Barren Lands today are you likely to see a greater number or variety of birds and mammals. Arctic summers may be short, but the Thelon enjoys some of the best summer weather in North America, thanks to it’s dry, sunny climate in this deep interior location.

Contact Jackpine Paddle at (867) 445 4512 for more information about our awe-inspiring Thelon River canoe adventures in Canada!

Looking for a canoe trip on the Thelon River with more whitewater? Check out our Clarke/Thelon River trip!

map of the thelon river

Dan exhibited total commitment to the group & really went the extra mile in every aspect.

George g, canada | upper thelon river expedition.

canoe trips edmonton

Very well done.

All aspects of the trip were very well planned & carried out. Food was superb. Emma did an outstanding job as a guide. She & Dan were a terrific leadership team.

Stuart S, USA | Upper Thelon River Expedition

morning on the thelon river

Available Dates

Aug 7 - 18, 2024, july 30 - aug 10, 2025.

We'll start this canoe trip on the Thelon River, where we will land in our float plane on Day 1. We will not likely travel far, if at all, on the first day of this trip. We'll set up camp and begin to take in our beautiful wilderness surroundings. During this evening and others on this trip, participants will have plenty of time to pursue their interests whether they be photography, fishing, hiking, birding, swimming or just taking a nap.

The Thelon is a big, shallow, clear-water river. We'll be canoeing its upper reaches but, even here, it's a big river that is very wide. The upper Thelon is easy to canoe because it's mostly fairly fast river with very few rapids. Most of the lake paddling occurs on the first few days of the trip. After that, it's nearly all swift-flowing river with only the occasional easy rapid.

The topography along our canoe route is hilly in most sections. The landscape is very scenic and is dominated in place by several spectacular sandy eskers, up to 200 feet in height. These are some of the very largest eskers in the Barren Lands. Spruce are most numerous in sandy areas, especially along the eskers, where some trees reach three feet in diameter and may be close to 1,000 years old.

Our float plane arrives around noon to take us back to Yellowknife. We say goodbye to this highly unique place of rich wildlife. Back in Yellowknife, we meet up for a farewell dinner and cold beers (after hot showers)!

Frequently Asked Questions

What's included.

– Charter flight from Yellowknife to the Thelon River, return – Shuttles from the airport when in Yellowknife, NWT – Certified guides with a maximum ratio of 5:1 – Expedition canoes – Paddles, lifejacket, and paddling helmet. – Group gear for each expedition (tarp, kitchen equipment, utensils, water filtration, etc) – Expedition first aid kit and canoe repair kit – Emergency satellite phone, two-way radios for guide staff – Expedition tent (double occupancy – extra fee for solo) – hearty and nutritious meals including snacks while on trip – Group will be limited to 10 participants + 2 guides

What's not included?

– Off-river accommodations – Commercial flights to and from Yellowknife – Personal gear including drybag, sleeping bag, sleeping pad (avaliable for rent) – Meals in Yellowknife before and after the trip (Day 1 Breakfast and Day 12 Dinner) – Gratuity for guides – Wine or spirits – Insurance including evacuation, medical and trip cancellation – Northwest Territories fishing licence available online

What will the food be like?

Really good. We’ve fine-tuned a delicious, nutritious and well-balanced backcountry menu of unique and tasty dishes from years of expedition tripping – and look forward to sharing it with you. Our flexible menu can accommodate vegetarian and gluten-free preferences, and will be tailored in advance for participants on each trip. Guests are always welcome to join guides in cooking and learn to cook our authentic, backcountry recipes.

Breakfast will include fresh fruit and a main course, like eggs and bacon or blueberry pancakes. Lunch features locally-smoked sausages, fruit, hummus, salads, breads and naan with a spread of cheese, jams, and a variety of nut butters. Dinner will offer an hors d’oeuvres, main course, and dessert! Snacking will take place throughout the day.

“Five-star campsites, with gourmet meals included” – Dave S, USA

Will we eat local?

We are proud show off our local fresh fish recipes while on trip. The Thelon River has good fishing for arctic grayling and lake trout.

Jackpine Paddle is excited to offer Barren Ground Coffee on all of our paddling tours. Barren Ground Coffee locally-roasts fair trade and organic speciality coffee, 5 kilos at a time, on a beautiful craft roaster in Old Town, Yellowknife. Thanks to our partners at Barren Ground Coffee, we look forward to serving you the freshest roasted coffee in the Northwest Territories.

“We picked wild blueberries to top of the cheesecake” – Sophia D, Canada.

Do I have the skills for a trip like this?

While paddling experience is an asset, this trip is suitable for whitewater canoe beginners – with the support of our experienced guides. However participants should be good flat-water canoeists, particularly when in the stern. Back-country camping experience is required as this is a remote wilderness trip.

“Our guide was always thinking, keeping the abilities of his clients in the forefront” – Kim M, USA

What do I need to bring?

A detailed personal clothing and gear checklist , specific to your trip, will be emailed to you in a registration email.

Check out the Youtube videos below with our tips and advice for packing your gear and personal clothes:

Essential Gear – Packing Tips for a Canoe or Kayak Trip Clothes & Outwear – Packing Tips for a Canoe or Kayak Trip

What are your booking and cancellation policies?

Before you register for an expedition, please ensure each participant for whom you will be submitting a deposit payment (including yourself) has carefully reviewed the following:

– our Safety & Risk Awareness webpage

– information on your trip webpage (inclusions, exclusions, dates, etc)

– our Liability Waiver

Once you have reviewed the information above and you are comfortable with proceeding, we require a 10% deposit of the trip fee and online booking form completed, done through the “Book Now” button on the trip webpage.

Your trip deposit is fully refundable up to 90 days prior to your expedition start date. On this date, your remaining trip fees are due and all payments become non-refundable.

Once your expedition is within 90 days of departure we are unable to offer a refund for any reason if you cancel your participation.

Please read carefully: Should your expedition departure have to be cancelled, postponed or altered by a force majeure (including but not limited to: weather causing delayed or cancelled charter flights or helicopter journeys, fire, flood, pandemic, highway closures, community evacuations, ongoing or newly introduced travel ban or government statement), Jackpine Paddle and its partner operators are not obligated to provide a refund or offer alternative travel services.

We strongly encourage you to purchase:

1) Emergency Medical/Evacuation Insurance,

2) Trip Interruption Insurance and

3) Trip Cancellation Insurance – so that you are covered in the event of an unexpected change of plans.

To review our complete Terms & Conditions for Booking, Payment, and Cancellation – please click here.

How do I get to Yellowknife?

Yellowknife is served by direct flights from southern hubs such as Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver with Air Canada, Westjet and Canadian North.

Are we too old to go?

Age is a mindset, and canoeing is an activity that is truly for everyone. Age is not important. What counts is your spirit and that you are reasonably fit. We have had people paddle with us in their early nineties.

What kind of birds might I spot?

tundra swan, red-throated loon, common loon, long-tailed jaeger, parasitic jaeger, Arctic tern, herring gull, American Robin, Northern Pintail, long-tailed duck (oldsquaws), scaups, bald eagle, willow ptarmigan, various sandpipers, common raven, rough-legged hawk, merlin, gyrfalcon, peregrine falcon, American golden plover, cliff swallow, northern shrike. white-footed goose, common merganser, white-crowned sparrow, fox sparrow, lapland longspur, golden eagle, semipalmated plover

Can I join this trip by myself?

If you are a single paddler, you are more than welcome to join us on one of our trips.

There are additional fees if you opt for a solo tent, or local accommodations when provided – as these are based on double-occupancy.

Our trips typically have 2-3 guests who are traveling alone, so you will have the opportunity to meet and paddle with other like-minded individuals. Our guides are skilled at organizing paddling partners based on skill level and personality, ensuring that each trip is safe and enjoyable for all.

One of the best parts of our guided trips is the chance to meet and get to know other paddlers. We hope to see you on one of our trips soon.

Where can I find more information?

If you have questions, we are happy to answer them!

You can get in touch with us at the bottom of this page, or at [email protected] .

To check out our detailed Getting Started trip planning resource, click here !

Need more info on this trip?

Please enter your contact details below to request a Trip Information Package, or ask a question!

First and Last Name

Choose Your Region

Northwest Territories

Northwest Territories

Central Arctic

62°52’N  105°31’W

It’s better in the Barrenlands – a remote and otherworldly zone of glacial eskers, rock-ribbed hills, and artifacts from the Chipewyan and Caribou Inuit cultures. You’ll find a treeless expanse legendary for paddling, fishing and wildlife viewing.

nahanni national park reserve

Great Slave Lake

62°09’N  111°52’W

The fabled East Arm is perhaps the most grandiose region of Great Slake Lake, and for good reason. It features clear waters, deep bays with tall, stark red cliffs, and world-class fishing.

nahanni national park reserve

Western Arctic

69°51’N 126°56’W

The Arctic Circle is a line of lore and legend – and the Western Arctic is one of the few places in Canada where you can reach it by river. You can watch the sun spin itself dizzy in the sky, never falling below the horizon. You’ve now crossed into the true polar zone, a mythic region only a fraction of the travellers on Earth have ever entered.

nahanni national park reserve

Mackenzie Mountains

62°59’N  129°01’W

The Mackenzie Mountains may offer the greatest whitewater canoeing left on Earth – an endless oasis of remote, rugged uplands, cut through by glacial rivers and bustling with mountain sheep, caribou, moose and other creatures untouched by the modern age.

nahanni national park reserve

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Crazy Fun Outdoor Adventures

Advice, recipes and review to help you plan your next family or couple adventure.

canoe trips edmonton

Devon to Edmonton Canoe

July 26, 2022 by Chelsea Findling Leave a Comment

Devon to Edmonton canoe with Scott in the back and myself in the front on the North Saskatchewan. It's a gorgeous day with blue skies and trees on the side of the river.

Devon to Edmonton canoe trip is a fun activity to do in the summer! It’s a relaxing adventure to spend quality time with family or your partner and potentially swim along the way. We drove our vehicles at each end for the convenience of choosing our own schedule and departing from Devon when it pleased us. We rented the canoe from Totem Outfitters to have it for the day. It took four hours to canoe down the river while paddling compared to rafting which could have taken five to six hours , depending on the current and how much you’re paddling. It was a gorgeous day to take pictures with my underwater camera . We brought lunch and water to keep us hydrated throughout the sunny day.

Table of Contents

Renting and Driving Options

The map above shows the boat launch at Laurier Park, where you’ll be arriving at the end of the day. You might want to park close to t here, for an efficient transport of your canoe to your vehicle.

There are two options for renting a canoe, depending on if you wa nt to drive two vehicles at both the start and end points or if you prefer to drive your vehicle to Laurier Park and take a shuttle. It’s free to canoe from Devon to Edmonton on the North Saskatchewan River regardless of the option you pick. There is no day use fee.

Vehicle at Both Ends

If you have two vehicles and want to drive them to each end, renting a canoe from Totem for the day is a fantastic option. Totem is open and able to rent canoes from Tuesday to Saturday. One person will need to pick up the canoe and strap it to the vehicle before heading to Laurier Park. It costs either $120 or $130 to rent the canoe on a three-day basis. If you choose to only use it for only the day, the cost remains the same. It’s a personal preference if you want to pay that much or not. We were happy to pay the entire cost for one day. We liked the flexibility of having the canoe available to us on any of the five specified days of the week and not having to take a shuttle (available on Saturday only).

Tip: T he rented canoe co uld also be used to explore lakes or do the river trip again on subsequent days as well to make good use of the total cost.

The second driver can head directly to Laurier Park to park the vehicle for retrieval at the end of the day. The first driver, with the canoe, will pick up the second driver at Laurier Park and make their way together to Devon to start the trip.

Personal Canoe

If you have your own canoe, then the cost will be cheaper as you won’t need to rent, but the initial cost will be pricier if you choose to buy a canoe .

Devon to Edmonton Canoe: Taking a Shuttle

If you are not keen on driving two vehicles, a shuttle for $130/canoe with two people, is another option. Park your vehicle at Laurier park to have it available at the end of the day. The s huttle will depart from there at 9 a.m. with your rented kayak or canoe to take you on a forty-five minutes drive to Devon. This option, as mentioned above, is only available on Saturday. It can be less convenient for some paddlers.

Items to Bring for Safety on the Water

  • MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD
  • Two canoe paddles plus one spare, in case one of them breaks or floats away in the current
  • Throw Bag (costs $26.99, if you don’t have one)
  • Bucket or hand pump to remove potential water that enters the canoe (costs $39.99, if you don’t have one)
  • Sandals or water shoes to easily embark and disembark in water from the canoe
  • Bathing suit and towel if you want to swim

Suggested Food/Drink Items to Bring

  • 6 Easy Snack Ideas for Paddling Trips
  • Baby bel (stays protected in the plastic)
  • Peas (a nice juicy healthy snack)
  • Rice crackers
  • Organic Energy Chews

Time on the Water

If you choose an inflatable like a raft, it’s most likely slow moving (depending on the year) and can take you five to six hours to complete the trip, especially if you are relaxing and aren’t paddling very much. Devon to Edmonton canoe or kayak , will be much faster.

Tip#1: Be sure to leave early as the sun becomes stronger over the course of the day. Try to accomplish half of journey by lunch time.

Tip #2: Totem requires the canoes to be returned to them one hour before closing (4 p.m. Saturdays and 5 p.m. during the week).

Devon to Edmonton Canoe: Best Time

The best time to go is between June and September when the temperature outside is between 20°C and 25°C. If you go when it’s less than 20°C, say at 15°C, the water will be cold and you would have to adjust your clothes layers as needed.

Tip #1: Bring layers whe n the temperature is cooler than 20°C.

Tip #2: If it’s cooler outside, your trip most likely won’t include a swim. If you’re a person who loves to swim like me, that would be a bummer. If that doesn’t concern you, then happily go canoeing or kayaking.

When it’s hotter than 25°C and the sun is brightly shining, I tend to roast like a lobster, even with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. I try to avoid getting sunburnt , by going when it’s in the sweet spot between 20°C to 25°C.

Tip #3: If you choose to go when it’s hot outside, splash water on yourself or take many swims in the water to help cool yourself off. Re-apply sunscreen often, have a light sun shirt to protect your top half from sunburn while keeping cool and continue to drink water and rehydrate to avoid heat exhaustion.

Beautiful Scenery Devon to Edmonton Canoe

Beautiful scenery Devon to Edmonton canoe. The tip of the front of the canoe is seen in the picture with the direction we are headed on the river.

The beautiful green trees made it pleasant to constantly look at the scenery. When we canoed this part of the river, the water was flowing fast in some places and slower in other places. We had to adjust our course a few times but for the most part, it was relaxing to paddle a bit, eat (with few distractions) and enjoy each other’s company.

Fort Edmonton Footbridge

Fort Edmonton footbridge can be seen up ahead on our Devon to Edmonton Canoe trip. The river is wide with trees on both sides and houses on the top of the hills.

Closer to our arrival, we came upon the Fort Edmonton footbridge where many people like to swim off the sandy beach. Many Edmonton hikers use paths near this location to exercise while hiking various distances and walking loops to explore around the city.

Devon to Edmonton canoe is an excellent way to spend a summer day in the nice heat! The water is easy to maneuver without rapids. A paddler can enjoy the day on the water without stress and enjoy a day of relaxation with great company. If you get too hot, splash some water on yourself to cool off or better yet, go for a swim. Renting a canoe and driving at both ends or taking a shuttle offer awesome options to provide convenience for you. Canoeing along the North Saskatchewa n River allows paddlers to experience different landscapes not visible from roads. It’s always great to experience something new and see the beautiful Alberta scenery. This river provides wide spaces for many boaters, so it will never feel crowded! Make the best of your day by bringing a lunch, plenty of water, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.

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  23. Devon to Edmonton Canoe

    Devon to Edmonton canoe or kayak, will be much faster. Tip#1: Be sure to leave early as the sun becomes stronger over the course of the day. Try to accomplish half of journey by lunch time. Tip #2: Totem requires the canoes to be returned to them one hour before closing (4 p.m. Saturdays and 5 p.m. during the week).