Devon to Edmonton canoe trip is a fun activity to do in the summer! Spending quality time with family or your partner and potentially swimming along the way is a relaxing adventure. We drove our vehicles to each end for the convenience of making our own schedule and departing from Devon when it suited 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.
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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 nearby for an efficient transport of your canoe to your vehicle.
There are two options for renting a canoe, depending on whether you want to drive two vehicles to both the start and end points or if you prefer to drive your vehicle to Laurier Park and take a shuttle.
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 $100 to rent the canoe on a three-day basis. If you choose to 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 during 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, both of you can take a shuttle for $140/canoe as 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-minute 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 $23.99, 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
- Keen Newport Sandals or water shoes to easily embark and disembark in water from the canoe
- Sunscreen
- Hat
- Sunglasses
- Bathing suit and a towel if you want to swim
Suggested Food & Drink Items to Bring
- 6 Easy Snack Ideas for Paddling Trips
- Babybel (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. Canoeing or kayaking from Devon to Edmonton will be much faster.
Tip#1: Be sure to leave early as the sun becomes stronger throughout the day. Try to accomplish half of the 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. You might require a swimsuit if it’s cool outside. At that point, it might be better to reschedule to a warmer day.
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 sunburned, 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. Reapply 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 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.
Final Thoughts
Devon to Edmonton canoe is an excellent way to spend a summer day in the nice weather! 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 in 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 lunch, plenty of water, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen.
Additional Links
- Awesome Pembina River Rafting
- Guide to Kayaking in Revelstoke
- Lake Isle Kayaking Adventures: Four Directions to Consider when Kayaking
- Kayaking Desolation Sound: 11 Tips for the Best Trip Ever
- How to get Better at Kayaking?
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