.jpg)
So I know it’s been silent over here lately- but I can’t believe how busy it’s been over the last few weeks. I hate buying into the whole “I’m so busy” attitude, but really, it’s been crazy. I’m extremely grateful that my photography business is doing well, but I’d love to find the time to post on here more- I have so many ideas and places I want to share with you.
Last summer I wrote about our favourite places in Edmonton to hike with kids, and this summer we are heading just out of the city to find new places to explore. We finally had the chance to visit the Clifford E. Natural Area just outside West Edmonton. It’s located just north of Devonian Gardens, right off Highway 60 and then west 2km on Range Road 514/Woodbend Road. There is some small signage to direct you along the highway (if you are looking for them- they can be easy to miss). This Bird Sanctuary is protected by Alberta Parks and maintained by Ducks Unlimited. It is well worth the 20 minute drive out of the city for some easy hiking and great interactive exploring. When hiking with kids it’s great to give them a little more then just a trail- things like boardwalks, bridges, water, stumps to jump off and giant rocks to climb on all keep them them engaged and interested during your walk. At Clifford E. Lee Natural Area my girls loved the displays throughout the path system challenging them to find different animals and foliage. They also loved running along the long boardwalk loop. With the exception of the Woodland Flower trail, the other 4 main pathways all connect so its impossible to get lost. Each route is under 1km, making it possible to explore every trail in a afternoon (and making it perfect for kids).
On our visit we checked out the bulletin board at the entry and found a list of commonly found wildlife in the park- this kept the girls engaged during our walk trying to find each one. We came across many different birds (there’s feeders throughout the park), a garter snake, squirrels, a mouse, wild mushrooms, wild raspberries, strawberry plants and numerous insects. Violet also brought along her animal tracking book and only found the tracks of the elusive domestic canine…but she loves trying to find the different footprints and analyzing every bit of mud she comes across. Her animal tracking book is one of her favourites and definitely a must-have for camping trips and exploring trails.
The board walk trail goes around much of the marshland and is about 3 feet off the ground. There are no railings, so if you have little ones who “need” to run but may walk right off the edge, it might be easier to carry them in a backpack or stroller. The park, with the exception of the Aspen Trail, is stroller friendly. There is lots of boardwalk for walking along with a stroller and then wide dirt paths through the forest and fields. The parks is also leashed dog-friendly but not bike friendly.
I would budget 2 hours for exploring and pack a lunch for the picnic tables at the main gate. It’s beautiful little hidden gem in the Edmonton area that’s worth a visit.
Look forward to
-Several family friendly trails that loop
-Lots of wildlife to search for and built-in binoculars to do so
-Bird viewing platforms that double as a “treehouse” in kids’ eyes
-Peace and quiet just minutes outside the city with no admission costs
But be prepared for
-Mosquitos (it is marshland after all)
-Limited bathroom facilities. In other words, head to the bathroom before heading out (the porta potties on-site were spider invested)
-The boardwalk does not have railings, which could be a hazard for younger kids
Our insider tips
We visited on a weekday and we only saw one other family on the trails. If possible, try to explore during the week. Take a cell phone picture of the map at the gate so you can refer back to it when deciding which paths you’d like to take- a 1km can be the difference between a fun walk and a tantrum with toddlers. Be sure you pack a hat (the boardwalk trails are in full sun). There are no services in the park, so make sure you bring water and anything else you may need. Be sure to read my blog post about hiking with kids for more tips before you head out.
