You might not get that ocean breeze and salty water in Alberta, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy some picturesque beach days this summer. The province is home to some beautiful shorelines alongside sparkling lakes and beach towns that give all the coastal charm you are looking for in the warmer months.
From velvety sands to crystal clear waters, here's six different Alberta beaches to check out when the weather starts to heat up.
Ma-Me-O Beach
Set on the shores of Pigeon Lake, this beach is one of the beautiful "summer villages" on the lake. It might be the most dreamy, with soft sand that's perfect to lay out on all day long. You can refuel on snacks and supplies in the village here too, making it that much easier to spend an entire day at the beach.
It's about two and a half hours to get here from Calgary, but worth the day trip to enjoy the lake. If you want an extended trip you can also book one of the campsites here. From mornings out on the lake to afternoons walking around the park – this makes for the ideal summer destination.
Kinosoo Beach
Set in the city of Cold Lake, Kinosoo Beach comes alive in the summer months. There's the sandy beach of course, but also volleyball nets, floating docks, a concession stand, splash park and even a zip-line that floats you above the water (and you can let go and drop in if you want). According to the City of Cold Lake website it was even named "one of Canada's Top 25 Beaches."
This is the spot to go if you're up for some summer fun with loads of activity.
Cold Lake is a long drive from Calgary (almost 6 hours), so it calls for a full-on vacation. The city is beautiful though with lots to do and places to stay.
Sylvan Lake
This is yet another beach town that is especially lively when the weather gets warmer. It's just an hour and a half from Calgary, so makes for an ideal escape from the city with small-town vibes, sandy beach, and a refreshing lake.
It's a popular destination in the summer because there's just a ton to do in the town. The lake means boating, kayaking, paddle boarding, water-skiing, and swimming. The picturesque shoreline is perfect for relaxing and sunbathing. The cute town is full of local shops and businesses that you can explore, striking that perfect balance of relaxation and amenities.
Then you have the Aqua Splash, which is where you can channel your inner-child. The inflatable playground on the water has a 15 foot tower, monkey bars, a trampoline, and a climbing wall.
A perfect day here is enjoying some lake fun, winding down on the beach, heading into town for a meal, and then grabbing a scoop of ice cream to take along the idyllic waterfront promenade as the sun sets.
Devonshire Beach
Devonshire Beach is where you'll find 1.5-kilometers of natural sand. It's on the shore of Lesser Slave Lake, which is the second-largest lake in the province, so you'll almost feel like you're looking out onto a wide open ocean here. If you want coastal summer vibes, this is the spot to go.
The massive lake actually has a total of four kilometres of sandy beach, but Devonshire "is recognized as one of the 10 top beaches in Canada," according to the Slave Lake Region website.
Marten River Campground Beach is nearby the beach if you want to enjoy an outdoor getaway here, especially since it's over five hours away from Calgary.
Aspen Beach Provincial Park
Aspen Beach Provincial Park is a great option for a quick day trip from Calgary, since it's just over an hour and a half away from the city.
The day use area in the park has a sandy beach that you can set up on for a day of swimming, building sand castles, and relaxing. You'll be diving into the waters of Gull Lake here, which is known to be a spot for water sports like water skiing, paddling, and windsurfing.
Two campgrounds are within this park so you can stay close to the beach on a trip.
Alberta Beach
This quaint village is a fun escape from the city, set on the shore of Lac Ste. Anne. The summer months here are all about the lake and enjoying the view from the sandy shore.
Alberta Health Services' has issued public health advisory for blue-green algae blooms in this lake, so make sure to check for advisories before swimming. The advisory said to "not swim or wade or allow your pets to swim or wade in any areas where cyanobacteria is visible."
This spot is a three and a half hour drive from Calgary, but is only an hour outside of Edmonton.
Summer is almost upon us so get out the swim suit, lather on the sunscreen and hit the road – because these dreamy beaches in Alberta are awaiting you.
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.
