These 7 Stops Are An Absolute Must-Visit On Your Next Edmonton Road Trip
Get out and explore your own backyard.
After a long year of being cooped up inside, many Canadians are yearning to travel and explore. For those lucky enough to call Edmonton home, there's plenty of gorgeous places to see, from sky-high mountain ranges to glacial-fed lakes and some of the country's most stunning views.
If you're suffering from a severe case of wanderlust, the remedy might be hiring a campervan, hitting the open road and seeing all the beautiful nature and fascinating sights that Edmonton has to offer.
Nothing comes close to the kind of freedom you get from travelling in a campervan, an RV or with a kitted-out trailer. When your transport and accommodation are all rolled into one, you can go wherever you want, whenever you want.
You don't have to own your own wheels either; it's easy and affordable to rent a vehicle for your getaway using a service that helps adventurers connect and share their vans, trailers and RVs. Oudoorsy, for example, is the world's largest peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace, where you can find your next home away from home for as little as $65 a night.
Drive a vintage Volkswagen to River Valley and enjoy the view, or rent a fully decked-out RV and take your S/O and pup on a trip to Jasper. Whatever you want to tick off your to-see list this summer, Outdoorsy likely has a rig for it.
Ready to hit the road? Once you've chosen your RV or campervan, check out these seven stops in and around Edmonton to help you plan your ultimate road trip.
Stop For Food At The Farmers' Market
Price: Free
Address: Various
Why You Need To Go: Adventuring in a campervan or RV means that you have the luxury of enjoying a home-cooked meal while you're on the road. Make an occasion of it by visiting Edmonton's exceptional farmers' markets for supplies before you leave.
You can get all the fresh produce you need, as well as some treats like cheesecake bars, macarons and fudge. This is the spot to pick up some fresh-roasted coffee for your journey.
Embrace Nature At North Saskatchewan River Valley
Price: Free
Address: River Valley Rd., Edmonton, AB
Why You Need To Go: With 11 lakes and 22 ravines in an area 22 times larger than Central Park in NYC, the North Saskatchewan River Valley is a must-see on your Edmonton road trip. Over 150 kilometres of hiking trail carve through the River Valley, which is home to hundreds of different animals.
There's so much to do here, but for starters, you can walk the River Valley Riverside Trail Walk or take a stroll to Buena Vista Park — an off-leash dog park with access to the river so your pups can enjoy a dip too.
Snap A Pic At The Neon Sign Museum
Price: Free
Address: 104 St. N.W., Edmonton, AB
Why You Need To Go: To discover a piece of Edmonton's history, park your camper alongside the Neon Sign Museum and take a look.
This outdoor museum started off with eight neon signs from local historic businesses and buildings. Over time, the City of Edmonton has grown the collection, with the goal of getting to 30 signs. This is a great spot to admire the craftsmanship that went into making the signs, and to snap a pic for the 'gram while you're at it.
Encounter Wildlife At Elk Island National Park
Price: $7.90
Address: 54401 Range Rd. 203, Fort Saskatchewan, AB
Why You Need To Go: Park your camper at Elk Island National Park to witness tons of wildlife including bison, birds and elk. Make sure to follow the park's guidelines about staying safe around wildlife.
This is a great campground stop (reservations are essential), where you can stay overnight, stargaze, animal watch, have a picnic and just enjoy the great outdoors. You can also partake in a classic hike, bicycle ride and kayaking here too.
Take A Trip To The Jasper SkyTram
Price: $54.60
Address: Whistlers Rd., Jasper, AB
Why You Need To Go: This is the stuff campervans are made for! Heading out for Jasper from Edmonton, you'll pass some of the province's most beautiful scenery. The trip will take about four hours, with a few stops along the way.
Less crowded than Banff, Jasper is home to the Jasper SkyTram, the longest and highest guided aerial tramway in Canada. Park your campervan at the bottom and take a seven-minute tram ride to an altitude of 2,263 metres where you can marvel at turquoise lakes, mountain ranges, glacial-fed rivers and, of course, the town of Jasper.
Marvel At The Power Of Athabasca Falls
Price: $10
Address: Jasper National Park, AB
Why You Need To Go: Fed by the nearby Athabasca Glacier, Athabasca Falls is one of the most powerful waterfalls in the country.
Jasper National Park also has plenty of camping available (reservations essential) so you can park your RV or campervan and take your sweet time exploring the amazing surroundings. You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to finding activities to do at this action-packed stop.
Catch A Flick At Motor Nights Drive-In Cinema
Price: $55 per car
Address: 24358 Township Rd. 505, Rolly View, AB
Why You Need To Go: Just outside Edmonton's city centre you can pull up in your cozy campervan and enjoy a good movie. Whip up some popcorn in your van's kitchen and sit back knowing you've got the comfiest seats in the house.
Movies are guaranteed to play, rain or shine. There'll also be local food trucks hanging around on sight. You can either drive-thru or order car-side delivery.
Whether you stop off at all of these locations or just one, you're bound to have an awesome time exploring Edmonton and the amazing stops nearby in your campervan or RV.
To rent your own campervan, browse the Outdoorsy website for your perfect rig, send the RV owner a booking request and arrange a pickup time or have it delivered. Plus, with comprehensive insurance policies and 24/7 roadside assistance, you can hit the open road with some peace of mind.
It's time to get exploring!
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Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.