Rick and Pat welcome you to Elk Island Retreat...a place to enjoy nature, culture and quiet.

Our mission is to provide our visitors with a peaceful environment for rest, relaxation and reflection. We want our visitors to enjoy the outdoors in this beautiful natural setting while experiencing Canada's Aboriginal culture.

Whether you're simply looking for a unique camping experience with family and friends or for a taste of our country's native history you will find it here at Elk Island Retreat Ltd.

Elk Island Retreat is a private campground situated in the Heartland of Strathcona County. The land at the Retreat has been assessed by Strathcona County as being in a High Priority Wildlife Habitant Unit.

We are only 3 km from the West gate of Elk Island National Park. We encourage our visitors to take in the Park during their stay here at the Retreat.

Elk Island Retreat Brochure

TIPI CAMPING

Elk Island Retreat has 5 tipis that are situated in secluded areas on this beautiful wooded property.  Whether it's with your family,  friends, special group or organization  this makes for a unique camping experience.

Please click on READ MORE for more information about staying in a tipi and what is included.

Dogs are not allowed in the tipi / trapper cabin / tenting areas.

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL PROGRAMS

Aboriginal Resource persons provide Aboriginal Cultural programs here at the Retreat. Enhance your tipi camping experience by learning more about the Aboriginal Culture through programs and crafts provided right at your site.

DAY USE

If you're not looking for an overnight adventure you are welcome to come and spend a day here at the Retreat. Come breathe in the fresh outdoor air. Take in the natural beauty as you walk the trails or relax by a campfire. Or, rent a tipi for a day. This makes for a unique birthday party idea. Plan a group outing for a cultural experience.  Bring a picnic lunch or try our bannock and mint tea. Please see our Day Use rates. Reservations are required.

TRAPPER CABINS

Situated in the valley that runs through the property are two 14x24 ft. trapper cabins. These rustic cabins are constructed of a log frame and fitted with a custom made canvas covering. Each cabin has 12 wooden built-in bunks, a wooden floor and a wood burning stove providing comfortable, year round camping.

Next to each of the cabins is a picnic shelter with a propane barbeque and picnic tables.

Each cabin has its own firepit. Firewood is included in the Large Group rate only. Otherwise it is available for purchase at the campground office.

Dogs are not allowed at the Trapper Cabin area.

TENTING

Our tenting sites are treed giving you the seclusion you desire for your camping experience. Outhouses are close by and there is potable water available at the shower building. There is no electricity in the tenting area.

We want our visitors to enjoy the nature and quiet here at Elk Island Retreat. Therefore, partying or offensive behavior is not allowed.  After 11:00 pm no music or noise is allowed.

Firewood is available for purchase at the campground office.

Dogs are not allowed in the tenting area.

FULL SERVICE RV SITES

We have 36 fully serviced RV sites with water, sewer and 30 amp power. Nine of the sites are pull-through sites. Each site has a firepit and picnic table.  Daily, weekly, monthly, and seasonal rates are available. All rates include GST. 

RV site 28 is our most secluded full-service site. The rate for site 28 is $4 more per night than the regular rate. (See Rates) 

Coin-operated showers and a laundry room are on site. 

Firewood is available for purchase at the campground office.

If you are looking for peace and quiet you will find it here at the Retreat.

Dogs are allowed in the RV site area.

There are a number of golf courses in the area, Elk Island National Park being the closest one.

Other campground information

...to make your stay at Elk Island Retreat even more enjoyable.

Located near the entrance of the campground is a shower and laundry facility. The showers and laundry machines are coin-operated. (Showers: $1 - six minutes) (Laundry machines - $2 each)

 A washroom/changeroom facility is located in the valley where two of the tipis and the trapper cabins are located. The outhouses have lino flooring and are equipped with hand sanitizer dispensers.

Picnic shelters are provided near the tipis and cabins for cooking purposes and for protection against unfavourable weather conditions. Under the shelter you'll find barbeques and picnic tables.

Nature trails meander through the wooded valley and are a delight to bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike.

There is a clearing that can be used for games, team work-outs, or just tossing a frisbee.

 We want our visitors to enjoy the nature and quiet here at Elk Island Retreat. Therefore, partying or offensive behavior is not allowed.  After 11:00 pm no music or noise is allowed.

Our friendly camp dog, Buddy, may greet you on arrival or elsewhere on site. Usually he just tags along with us, the owners. Where we go, he goes.

Dogs are allowed in the RV area only. They are not allowed in the Tipi /  Cabin / Tenting areas so that our visitors may enjoy the peace and quiet offered here.

There are a number of golf courses in the area. The closest one is at Elk Island National park. (See Actvities - Off Site for list of Golf courses)

 For your shopping needs and other amenites, Bruderheim is 10 minutes north of Elk Island Retreat and the City of Fort Saskatchewan  is only 20 minutes west. If you can't find what you need there, Sherwood Park and Edmonton are approximately 35 minutes away and are sure to have what you're looking for.