Astotin Lake Campground

Edmonton area · Parks Canada · Elk Island National Park · Updated October 16, 2026

Sunset on Astotin Lake from the beach next to the campground. The photo shows the lake, not the campsites.
Photo: ChadTheHow, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The only campground in Elk Island, close to the beach and trails at Astotin Lake. Sites are unserviced, with showers and a dump station. Good for watching bison, sunsets and dark skies within an hour of Edmonton.

Family-friendly Lake/Beach Wildlife viewing Playground Dark skies

Nearby: “Elk Island is home to the densest population of ungulates (hoofed mammals) in Canada.” (Wikipedia: Elk Island National Park)

Why these tags? (sources)

Family-friendly: “Walking distance to the beach, soccer field, playground and theatre.” Parks Canada page
Lake/Beach: “The campground is walking distance to the beach.” Parks Canada page
Wildlife viewing: “Elk Island is home to the densest population of ungulates (hoofed mammals) in Canada.” Wikipedia: Elk Island National Park
Playground: “Walking distance to the beach, soccer field, playground and theatre.” Parks Canada page
Dark skies: “On September 3, 2006, the Beaver Hills dark-sky preserve, which includes Elk Island National Park within its boundaries, was declared in a ceremony held at Astotin Lake.” Wikipedia: Elk Island National Park

Cost

Typical cost per night: about $32 (approximate average of the listed rates, before extras)

Nightly rates by site type (CAD)
Unserviced (washroom with toilets and showers)	$31.75

Source: official rates page. Rates checked October 2026, confirm before booking.

Extra costs

For this campground:

Parks Canada admission (daily or Discovery Pass) required in addition to camping
Reservation fee $11.50 online / $13.50 by phone (non-refundable)
Firewood bundles sold separately

Parks Canada admission	Daily: adult $12.25, senior $10.75, youth 17 and under free, family/group $24.50. Discovery Pass (one year, all national parks): adult $83.50, senior $71.50, family/group $167.50.
Reservation fee	$11.50 online or $13.50 by phone, non-refundable (reservation.pc.gc.ca). First-come, first-served campgrounds have none.
Fire permit	Not listed on the fee page. Firewood bundles are sold separately; check the park's fee page.
Kananaskis Conservation Pass	Not required here (only for Kananaskis Country and Bow Valley Corridor parks). Details

Fees checked October 2026. Camping rates don't include these extras.

Campground details

Park	Elk Island National Park
Operator	Parks Canada
Location	In the Astotin Lake Recreation Area in the middle of Elk Island National Park, less than an hour east of Edmonton.
Season	Mid-May to Thanksgiving (weather permitting) (2026 dates; they change yearly and with weather)
Site types	Unserviced 75 unserviced reservable sites incl. 15 walk-in tent sites; 5 oTENTiks
RV length	Limited sites for trailers and motorhomes over 27 ft.
Showers	Yes
Sani-dump	Yes
Flush toilets	Not stated
Other amenities	Accessible washrooms with showers, Kitchen shelter, Potable water, RV dump/fill station, Fire pits, Beach & playground nearby
Reservations	Parks Canada Reservation Service (online or 1-877-737-3783) Book or check availability
Official page	parks.canada.ca

Details are from the official/operator pages listed above, checked October 2026. Seasons, rates, closures and rules change; confirm with the operator before you go. Check fire bans and road conditions. Explore: Elk Island National Park.