Touring Edmonton's River Valley by Land & Water

The earliest travelers came by canoe to Edmonton when the town began as a fur-trading depot for the Hudson’s Bay Company. The water still draws tourists to the city, many of whom come to experience Edmonton’s river valley as it once was.

At Fort Edmonton Park, visitors can experience life through the eyes of four historical time periods between the years of 1846 and 1929. A steam train and antique midway round out the step back in time.

For those seeking a unique way to experience the river, the Edmonton Queen Riverboat is a genuine paddle wheeler that sails four days per week from May to October. Special event, leisure and dinner cruises are all available.

For a speedier trip, Black Gold River Tours provides river jet boat tours on the North Saskatchewan River. Tour add-ons can include ziplining and gold panning among other activities, during which information on local geology, history, and culture are imparted by knowledgeable tour guides.

The River Valley Adventure Company outfits adventurers year-round with snowshoe rentals in the winter and mountain bikes in the summer. They even offer a Segway Tour to zip visitors swiftly up and down the River Valley Parks System.