River Valley Area, Nature reserve in Greater Strathcona, Edmonton, Canada.
River Valley Area is a protected nature reserve in Greater Strathcona spanning over 7,300 hectares of varied landscapes along the North Saskatchewan River. The space includes river canyons, grasslands, and wooded areas that form a continuous network connected by pathways throughout the valley.
Indigenous peoples inhabited and used this river valley for thousands of years, establishing it as an important region for settlement and resource gathering. Formal development as a public recreation space began in the early 1900s when planners recognized the value of preserving this natural landscape.
This river corridor binds the city together as a shared natural space where people from different neighborhoods gather for daily recreation and outdoor activities. The waterway shapes how residents move through the landscape and connect with their surroundings.
The reserve remains open and accessible year-round with over 160 kilometers of well-maintained trails for walking, biking, and jogging. The pathways link various parks throughout the valley, making it easy to explore different sections of the landscape.
This protected space ranks among Canada's largest continuous urban parklands, with distinctive geological features shaped by ancient glacial processes. Walking through reveals how natural forces continue to sculpt the valley walls and river course.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
