Experience the Beaver Hills
Beaver Hills Retreat is surrounded by the natural beauty of the Beaver Hills, nestled within the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve and just minutes from Elk Island National Park. Spend your days exploring trails, watching wildlife and taking in the landscape, then return to the privacy and comfort of your own retreat.
Whether you come for the stars, the wildlife, the trails or simply the chance to slow down and enjoy somewhere quiet, the best experiences begin just outside your door.
Stargazing Under the Beaver Hills Dark Sky
The night sky is one of the defining experiences of staying at Beaver Hills Retreat.
Located within the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, the retreat is far enough from the glow of Edmonton to make the stars feel remarkably close. On clear nights, look up to find the Milky Way, bright constellations, planets and seasonal meteor showers. During periods of strong solar activity, you may even catch the Northern Lights.
You don’t need a special itinerary. Step outside, gather around the fire, settle into the quiet and let the sky become the evening’s entertainment.
For photographers and astronomy enthusiasts, the combination of dark skies, open views and a peaceful private setting also makes the Beaver Hills an exceptional place for night-sky photography.
Stargazing near Edmonton doesn’t get much more peaceful than this.
Explore Elk Island National Park
Just minutes from Beaver Hills Retreat, Elk Island National Park offers a completely different way to experience the Beaver Hills.
The park is a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve known for its rolling hills, lakes, forests, open landscapes and abundant wildlife. More than 80 km of trails provide opportunities to explore on foot, while the park’s lakes and scenic roads offer other ways to experience the landscape.
Depending on the season and current park conditions, activities include:
- Hiking and nature walks
- Wildlife watching
- Bison and elk viewing
- Canoeing and kayaking
- Cycling and scenic driving
- Photography and picnicking
- Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
- Stargazing
Elk Island is home to free-ranging bison, elk and more than 250 species of birds, making almost any visit an opportunity to see something unexpected. Drive the park’s scenic roads, explore the trails or simply slow down and watch the landscape around you. Depending on season, you may spot bison grazing in the distance, elk moving through the forest or birds gathering around the lakes and wetlands. It’s a place where wildlife encounters are part of the experience, and no two visits are quite the same.
Before visiting, check Parks Canada for current trail, road, water and wildlife advisories.
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Wildlife Watching
The Beaver Hills are a place to slow down and pay attention.
Watch the edges of the forest and open fields for deer, birds and other wildlife around the retreat, or head into Elk Island National Park in search of bison and elk.
Wildlife encounters are never guaranteed—and that’s part of the experience. Bring your camera, take your time and give animals plenty of space.
Parks Canada requires visitors to maintain a safe distance from bison, with specific restrictions around roadside bison viewing.
Walk, Explore & Unwind
You don’t have to fill your stay with activities.
Sometimes the best part of a getaway is a quiet walk, a slow morning outdoors or an afternoon spent simply enjoying the landscape.
At Beaver Hills Retreat, private outdoor spaces, forest, trails and open surroundings give you room to explore at your own pace. After a day outdoors, return to the cabin, light the fire and settle into an evening without schedules or crowds.
The Best Part: Coming Back
A day at Elk Island National Park is wonderful.
Coming back to a private cabin afterward makes it better.
There is no need to rush from one attraction to the next. Spend the morning exploring, return for a relaxed afternoon, then step outside again as the sun goes down and the stars begin to appear.
That combination—nature by day, dark skies by night and a private retreat in between—is what makes Beaver Hills Retreat different.
Plan Your Beaver Hills Getaway
Whether you’re planning a stargazing getaway near Edmonton, a wildlife-filled weekend at Elk Island National Park, a romantic escape or simply a few quiet days in nature, Beaver Hills Retreat gives you an easy place to slow down and experience the Beaver Hills.
Explore by day. Stargaze by night. Stay somewhere private.
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Enjoy a private cabin with modern comforts, a fully equipped kitchen and your own outdoor space — everything you need to relax and enjoy your stay.
About Us
Beaver Hills Retreat is a peaceful cabin getaway near Elk Island National Park, created for guests to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy the quiet.
