River Valley Area

The River Valley Area encompasses over 7,300 hectares of diverse landscapes including river canyons, grasslands, and forested sections that support numerous wildlife species throughout the North Saskatchewan River corridor.

Indigenous peoples inhabited and utilized this river valley for thousands of years before formal park development began in 1907 with landscape architect Frederick Todd's proposals to create public recreational spaces along the natural waterway.

The area serves as a vital cultural corridor where Indigenous traditions of resource gathering and settlement activities continue to influence modern conservation practices and community engagement programs throughout the Edmonton metropolitan region.

The reserve operates daily from 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM and provides access to over 160 kilometers of maintained trails connecting more than 30 provincial and municipal parks via an extensive network of pathways.

This protected area represents Canada's largest continuous expanse of urban parkland, featuring unique geological formations created by post-glacial processes and offering both ecological services and recreational opportunities within a major metropolitan area.

Location: Greater Strathcona

Address: 11037 97 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 2W3, Canada T5K 2W3 Edmonton

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 05:00-23:00

Website: https://edmonton.ca/activities_parks_recreation/parks_rivervalley/river-valley-parks

GPS coordinates: 53.50723,-113.51952

Latest update: September 29, 2025 13:40