Paddling Guide
Where to Paddle on The North Saskatchewan River | Edmonton
Author: AQ Staff | Photos: Vibhor Nair
The North Saskatchewan River, an absolute gem of a waterway, starts its journey from the beautiful Jasper Area in Western Alberta. It meanders its way through the province until it reaches Saskatchewan, where it meets up with the South Saskatchewan River. Together, they make a grand entrance into Lake Winnipeg.
But hey, let's not forget the real star of the show: Edmonton! This lively city sits right smack in the middle of it all, giving boat lovers and paddling enthusiasts a boatload of opportunities to dive into some awesome river paddling action in the heart of Alberta's capital city.
The North Saskatchewan is a cruisy Class 1 river that makes for a simple paddle. You still need to look out for the typical river hazards like rocks, branches hanging offshore, or high water levels during spring, but it is a fun and relaxing river. Be sure you still bring the required safety gear, which are outlined at the end of this article.
The North Saskatchewan through Edmonton is great for all type of craft including kayaks, canoes, rafts, and stand up paddleboards.
Below you will find access points from west to east starting in Devon and ending in Fort Saskatchewan. Remember, you can access the river anywhere that you have permission and deem accessible and safe. The following is a list of the more common put in and take out spots on the river in the Edmonton area. Remember to dress properly for conditions, be safe, and paddle with a buddy.
You can expect the same on-water experience from any of the sections below, so pick the one that best suits the amount of time you have and where you are in the city. Most of these locations can be either put-ins or take-outs, so pick the stretch of water you want to do and have fun!
NORTH SASKATCHEWAN RIVER ACCESS POINTS
- Access Points in Devon
- Access Points in Edmonton
- Terwillegar Park
- Whitemud Park & Creek
- Laurier Park Boat Launch
- Emily Murphy Park
- Rafter’s Landing
- Dawson Park
- Capilano Park / 50th St. Boat Launch
- Hermitage Park
- Fort Saskatchewan
- Transport Canada Boating Guidelines
Do you have some fantastic paddling spots not listed on Paddling Maps? We'd love for you to add them to our collection!
Important Note: All these points are listed on the "Devon to Edmonton" paddling trip on your go-to site for river trips around the world: Paddling Maps. The individual locations in this article do not have their own separate entries in paddling maps.
To use Paddling Maps and this article, simply to go the Devon to Edmonton Trip Page and treat it as the single place to find river information about the North Saskatchewan, then use the "Map" tab to see the access points.
RIVER INFORMATIONGrade: Flatwater
Timeline: A couple of hours
Suggested Craft: Canoe, Whitewater Kayak, Recreational Kayak, Crossover Kayak
Access Points in Devon
Devon Bridge
Easily accessible, motor boat launch, lots of parking, and washroom available. Also makes for a great picnic spot.
[Devon Bridge on Paddling Maps]
[Devon Bridge on Google Maps]
RIVER VALLEY LIONS CAMPGROUND
Park outside the gate, then the launch is a 1km walk in. Park staff recommend the Devon bridge launch, as it's an easily accessible alternative.
[RIVER VALLEY LIONS CAMPGROUND on Paddling Maps]
[RIVER VALLEY LIONS CAMPGROUND on Google Maps]
Access Points in Edmonton
TERWILLEGAR PARK
Hand launch. The walk to the river is long and a portage cart may help. Portage carts easily attach to any canoe, kayak, or SUP, enabling you to roll them to the river, instead of carrying them. This saves a lot of energy and potential injury. Many of these carts collapse to make them easier to store in your boat or on your SUP.
[TERWILLEGAR PARK on Paddling Maps]
[TERWILLEGAR PARK on Google Maps]
WHITEMUD PARK & CREEK
Park in the small lot, then it's a short carry to the river. There's sometimes a seasonal floating dock upstream of confluence with Whitemud Creek. For a launch on the opposite side of the river near the same location, check out the Laurier Boat Launch below.
[WHITEMUD PARK & CREEK on Paddling Maps]
[WHITEMUD PARK & CREEK on Google Maps]
LAURIER PARK BOAT LAUNCH
This is a motorboat launch. Washrooms are available and it's a great picnic spot. There's also a seasonal floating dock. This is just downstream of the Whitemud Park access listed above.
[WHITEMUD PARK & CREEK on Paddling Maps]
[WHITEMUD PARK & CREEK on Google Maps]
EMILY MURPHY PARK
Launch under the bridge at the west end of the park. The north side of the parking lot doesn't have restrictions and has free washrooms available.
[WHITEMUD PARK & CREEK on Paddling Maps]
[WHITEMUD PARK & CREEK on Google Maps]
RAFTER’S LANDING
Just 1 to 1.5 hours from Calgary, Chain Lakes Reservoir offers a long, narrow lake teeming with birdlife and wildlife. The area can get windy, so pick a calm day for a peaceful outing unless you're seeking a more adventurous experience!
Grade: Flatwater
Timeline: Half Day or Less
Suggested Craft: Recreational Kayak, Inflatable Kayak, Inflatable SUP Board, Fishing Kayak or Canoe
[Chain Lakes Reservoir on Paddling Maps]
DAWSON PARK
This 15km-long, relatively narrow reservoir in prairie country south of Calgary is one of Alberta's newest. You'll find an abundance of birds, fish, and other wildlife, all set against fascinating hoodoo-esque landscapes.
Grade: Flatwater
Timeline: Full Day
Suggested Craft: Recreational Kayak, Inflatable Kayak, Inflatable SUP Board, Fishing Kayak or Canoe
[Twin Valley Reservoir on Paddling Maps]
CAPILANO PARK/50TH ST. BOAT LAUNCH
This 15km-long, relatively narrow reservoir in prairie country south of Calgary is one of Alberta's newest. You'll find an abundance of birds, fish, and other wildlife, all set against fascinating hoodoo-esque landscapes.
Grade: Flatwater
Timeline: Full Day
Suggested Craft: Recreational Kayak, Inflatable Kayak, Inflatable SUP Board, Fishing Kayak or Canoe
[Twin Valley Reservoir on Paddling Maps]
HERMITAGE PARK
Harvie Passage offers fun Class II (Right Side) and challenging Class IV (Left Side) sections.
The Right Channel
Discover this man-made river course in the center of Calgary! The Right Channel features a smooth concrete bottom, great eddy lines, small waves, and a good runout making it a great spot for beginner and early-level intermediate paddlers.
Grade: Class II - River Running
Timeline: 1-2 hours
Suggested Craft: River SUP, Whitewater Kayak, Canoe, Pack Raft, River Surfboard
[Harvie Passage | Right Channel on Paddling Maps]
The Left Channel
The Left Channel features class IV whitewater features and should only be paddled by advanced paddlers. If you want some exciting kayaking in Calgary, this is the place to be!
Safety Tips:
- Approaching from Upstream: Exit beside the railway bridge and assess the rapids before proceeding.
- Rafting Caution: The river naturally directs you towards the challenging left channel. If in a raft, consider either walking around the section or carrying your raft downstream to launch into the right channel.
Grade: Class IV - River Running / Freestyle
Timeline: Half Day or Less
Suggested Craft: Whitewater Kayak
[CLASS IV Left Channel on Paddling Maps]
TWP. 540/C.R. SEWAGE PLANT
Embark on a 20km trip featuring primarily fast-moving water and a few small Class II rapids. This amazing day trip takes you through a stunning prairie river valley. For an extended adventure, consider turning it into an overnight trip by camping on Wildcat Island.
If you're looking to develop your paddling skills close to home yet outside the city, this is your best bet.
Grade: Class I - Float Trip | Class I (II) - River Running
Timeline: Half Day to 2 Days
Suggested Craft: Canoe, SUP, Raft, Whitewater Kayak, Rec Kayak, Crossover Kayak
[Ghost Dam to Gas Plant on Paddling Maps]
[Gas Plant to Cochrane on Paddling Maps]
Note: There's lots more paddling further west. To check out those locations follow the links below.
Where to Paddle in Kananaskis Country >
Where to Kayak in Banff National Park >
RED COAT LANDING / RIVERS EDGE PARK
Upstream of Bragg Creek, you'll find numerous sections of whitewater ranging from Class II to V. These runs require river paddling experience and safety knowledge. This section of the Elbow River is incredibly beautiful, with many picnic areas and hiking trails nearby.
The Class IV section demands advanced skills and features:
- Elbow Falls: A small waterfall.
- The Notch: A technical bedrock channel with an undercut at low flows.
- The Slide: A two-stage extended slide over exposed bedrock.
All these drops can be walked or seal-launched around, with easier Class III water in between.
Grade: Class II (III) | Class IV - Creeking
Timeline: Half Day to Full Day
Suggested Craft: Whitewater Kayaks, River Canoes
[Elbow River Class II Information on Paddling Maps]
[Elbow River Class III - IV Information on Paddling Maps]
Paddling Maps
This is just a small sampling of the incredible paddling spots in and around Calgary. For more options and details, simply visit Paddling Maps and browse the region. We hope this will provide loads of paddling inspiration for this season and beyond!
If you're interested in upgrading your skills or gaining more experience on the water, we offer a full range of paddling instructional programs.
And don't forget to check out Paddling Maps to plan your next adventure!
Browse All Paddling Courses Here >
TRANSPORT CANADA BOATING GUIDELINES
No matter which of these paddling spots you choose (or any other ones in Canada) you'll need to meet Transport Canada's boating guidelines. These guidelines require you to have the following 5 items:
For an all-in-one solution, consider the North Water 4 Bailer, which includes a throwbag, rope, whistle, and bailer all in one! Just add a PFD and paddle and you're ready to hit the water!
[Check out this North Water 4 Bailer video review]
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