The best walks and hikes around Beaver County

Miquelon Lakes are a system of interconnected water basins, marshes, and wetlands that make up the area. The lakes and wetlands that make up Miquelon Lake Provincial Park expand and contract depending on seasonal water levels. Water levels have dropped significantly since the 1920s. The eastern and southern portions resemble a network of smaller lakes, bogs, and muskeg rather than a single open body of water, but this body of water is one of the larger ones, a clear lake. Keep your eyes peeled for moose, deer, porcupines, and active beaver colonies, as well as some of the 200 bird species that congregate here, making the shoreline a true paradise for birdwatchers who come to spot trumpeter swans, snow geese, and great horned owls.

Deer Loop trail is part of a flat trail system, and is a family-friendly hike through lush grasslands, gentle hills, and old homestead conservation areas. The trails are wide and very well-kept, with informative maps posted at major intersections to help navigate the trails of Miquelon Lake Provincial Park. During the summer months, Deer Loop is perfect for hikers and mountain biking, and in winter it transforms into a snowshoeing and cross-country skiing paradise.

Miquelon Lake Provincial Park sits roughly an hour’s drive south-east of Edmonton. The park is in the Beaver Hills Biosphere, a transition zone between Aspen Parkland and Boreal Forest and has a rich ecosystem. This preserve is open year-round, with a large campground, the Miquelon Lake Campground, with 276 sites, group camping areas, and luxury yurt accommodations, with limited winter camping during the off-season. Come nighttime, the stargazing is fantastic with a little light pollution here in the Hills Dark Sky Preserve.

Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve is a protected UNESCO-recognized site. Wildlife that thrive in these wetlands include beavers, of course; elk; moose; and many bird species. Local efforts have helped to preserve biodiversity, and it stays open to the public for recreation, education.

The Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail creates a loop through the reserve’s protected natural environment. Visitors explore forests, meadows, and wetlands, while signage along the path provides educational outlets.

There are a few ponds scattered around the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve. These small bodies play a large role in the balance of this ecosystem, as they are habitats for amphibians, insects, and birds. Some parts of trails that pass near the ponds' muddy water have boardwalks built to keep hikers' shoes dry.

Moose Trail is a gentle forest route in the Strathcona Wilderness Centre, winding through mixed woodland with occasional openings toward nearby wetlands. The path is well-marked and easy to follow, making it a relaxed option for walking or linking into the wider SWC trail network. Its quiet setting and steady terrain make it a simple, scenic addition to any route in the area.

The Strathcona Wilderness Centre is a quiet, year-round recreation area east of Edmonton, with forest paths, wetlands, and small lakes connected by an easy trail network. The routes here are well-marked and suit short walks, relaxed outings, and winter activities like cross-country skiing. With calm water views, thick tree cover, and quick links to spots like Bennett Lake, it’s a simple and scenic stop within the Beaver Hills Biosphere.