Alberta’s oldest provincial park is a haven with sandy beaches and winding trails

Warm sunny weather is the universal bat-signal that it’s time to get outside to explore. Alberta has an abundance of beautiful provincial parks, but this one is the oldest in the province.

Located in central Alberta, Aspen Beach Provincial Park sits on the sandy shores of Gull Lake. It’s a great place to lounge in the sun, cruise along the lake, or spend a few nights camping beneath the stars.

First established in 1932, this spot was the official beginning of Alberta’s provincial park system. This was quickly followed by the establishment of Gooseberry Lake, Park Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Saskatoon Island, laying the foundation for the sprawling provincial park system Alberta has today.

Here’s what to know before you visit this iconic spot.

What to expect

While Aspen Beach Provincial Park is beautiful year-round, the best time to visit is in the summer, according to Travel Alberta.

Located 40 km northwest of Red Deer, the day-use area at Ebeling Beach is a beloved spot for beach-goers. Relax on sandy (yes, sandy!) beaches or try your hand at water skiing, fishing, paddling, and windsurfing.

If you happen to find yourself there in the winter, you can cross-country ski and snowshoe along 8 km of groomed trails. You can also hang out at the skating rink, complete with lights, fire pits, picnic tables, and benches.

For those who love to pitch a tent, there are two campgrounds, Brewer’s and Lakeview, open from mid-May to September. Use them as your home base as you explore the park and take advantage of amenities like boat launches, showers, laundry facilities and playgrounds.

Pack your sandcastle tools and plan a beach day this summer.

Aspen Beach Provincial Park

Where: Directions here

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