Devon to Edmonton Canoe

Devon to Edmonton canoe trip is a fun activity to do in the summer! It’s a relaxing adventure to spend quality time with family or your partner and potentially swim along the way. We drove our vehicles at each end for the convenience of choosing our own schedule and departing from Devon when it pleased us. We rented the canoe from Totem Outfitters to have it for the day. It took four hours to canoe down the river while paddling compared to rafting which could have taken five to six hours, depending on the current and how much you’re paddling. It was a gorgeous day to take pictures with my underwater camera. We brought lunch and water to keep us hydrated throughout the sunny day.

Renting and Driving Options

The map above shows the boat launch at Laurier Park, where you’ll be arriving at the end of the day. You might want to park close to there, for an efficient transport of your canoe to your vehicle.

There are two options for renting a canoe, depending on if you want to drive two vehicles at both the start and end points or if you prefer to drive your vehicle to Laurier Park and take a shuttle. It’s free to canoe from Devon to Edmonton on the North Saskatchewan River regardless of the option you pick. There is no day use fee.

Vehicle at Both Ends

If you have two vehicles and want to drive them to each end, renting a canoe from Totem for the day is a fantastic option. Totem is open and able to rent canoes from Tuesday to Saturday. One person will need to pick up the canoe and strap it to the vehicle before heading to Laurier Park. It costs either $120 or $130 to rent the canoe on a three-day basis. If you choose to only use it for only the day, the cost remains the same. It’s a personal preference if you want to pay that much or not. We were happy to pay the entire cost for one day. We liked the flexibility of having the canoe available to us on any of the five specified days of the week and not having to take a shuttle (available on Saturday only).

Tip: The rented canoe could also be used to explore lakes or do the river trip again on subsequent days as well to make good use of the total cost.

The second driver can head directly to Laurier Park to park the vehicle for retrieval at the end of the day. The first driver, with the canoe, will pick up the second driver at Laurier Park and make their way together to Devon to start the trip.

Personal Canoe

If you have your own canoe, then the cost will be cheaper as you won’t need to rent, but the initial cost will be pricier if you choose to buy a canoe.

Devon to Edmonton Canoe: Taking a Shuttle

If you are not keen on driving two vehicles, a shuttle for $130/canoe with two people, is another option. Park your vehicle at Laurier park to have it available at the end of the day. The shuttle will depart from there at 9 a.m. with your rented kayak or canoe to take you on a forty-five minutes drive to Devon. This option, as mentioned above, is only available on Saturday. It can be less convenient for some paddlers.

Items to Bring for Safety on the Water

• MEC Fulcrum Guide PFD
• Two canoe paddles plus one spare, in case one of them breaks or floats away in the current
• Throw Bag (costs $26.99, if you don’t have one)
• Bucket or hand pump to remove potential water that enters the canoe (costs $39.99, if you don’t have one)
• Whistle
• Sandals or water shoes to easily embark and disembark in water from the canoe
• Sunscreen
• Hat
• Sunglasses
• Bathing suit and towel if you want to swim

Suggested Food/Drink Items to Bring

• 6 Easy Snack Ideas for Paddling Trips
• Baby bel (stays protected in the plastic)
• Peas (a nice juicy healthy snack)
• Rice crackers
• Organic Energy Chews
• Water
• Gatorade

Time on the Water

If you choose an inflatable like a raft, it’s most likely slow moving (depending on the year) and can take you five to six hours to complete the trip, especially if you are relaxing and aren’t paddling very much. Devon to Edmonton canoe or kayak, will be much faster.

Tip#1: Be sure to leave early as the sun becomes stronger over the course of the day. Try to accomplish half of journey by lunch time.

Tip #2: Totem requires the canoes to be returned to them one hour before closing (4 p.m. Saturdays and 5 p.m. during the week).

Devon to Edmonton Canoe: Best Time

The best time to go is between June and September when the temperature outside is between 20°C and 25°C. If you go when it’s less than 20°C, say at 15°C, the water will be cold and you would have to adjust your clothes layers as needed.

Tip #1: Bring layers when the temperature is cooler than 20°C.

Tip #2: If it’s cooler outside, your trip most likely won’t include a swim. If you’re a person who loves to swim like me, that would be a bummer. If that doesn’t concern you, then happily go canoeing or kayaking.

When it’s hotter than 25°C and the sun is brightly shining, I tend to roast like a lobster, even with sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses. I try to avoid getting sunburnt, by going when it’s in the sweet spot between 20°C to 25°C.

Tip #3: If you choose to go when it’s hot outside, splash water on yourself or take many swims in the water to help cool yourself off. Re-apply sunscreen often, have a light sun shirt to protect your top half from sunburn while keeping cool and continue to drink water and rehydrate to avoid heat exhaustion.

Beautiful Scenery Devon to Edmonton Canoe

The beautiful green trees made it pleasant to constantly look at the scenery. When we canoed this part of the river, the water was flowing fast in some places and slower in other places. We had to adjust our course a few times but for the most part, it was relaxing to paddle a bit, eat (with few distractions) and enjoy each other’s company.

Fort Edmonton Footbridge

Closer to our arrival, we came upon the Fort Edmonton footbridge where many people like to swim off the sandy beach. Many Edmonton hikers use paths near this location to exercise while hiking various distances and walking loops to explore around the city.

Devon to Edmonton canoe is an excellent way to spend a summer day in the nice heat! The water is easy to maneuver without rapids. A paddler can enjoy the day on the water without stress and enjoy a day of relaxation with great company. If you get too hot, splash some water on yourself to cool off or better yet, go for a swim. Renting a canoe and driving at both ends or taking a shuttle offer awesome options to provide convenience for you. Canoeing along the North Saskatchewan River allows paddlers to experience different landscapes not visible from roads. It’s always great to experience something new and see the beautiful Alberta scenery. This river provides wide spaces for many boaters, so it will never feel crowded! Make the best of your day by bringing a lunch, plenty of water, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.