Elk Island National Park of Canada

Sandy Beach Group Camping Area User Guide & Agreement

Site Description

The Sandy Beach Group Camping Area is located in the Astotin Lake Area on the east shore of Astotin Lake in an area mixed with grass and gravel and is surrounded by trees.  This site is intended for large groups (minimum of 10) who wish to camp together and is comprised of approximately 24 sites suitable for tenting, trailers, campers and R.V.'s  (no hook-ups are available).  Some picnic tables, a fire pit and unsplit wood are available for your use.  Covered cook shelters and indoor washrooms with potable water are a short distance away and can only be accessed by foot (some stairs and steep pathways involved).  Free showers and more washrooms are also available in the Sandy Beach Campground that can be accessed by foot or vehicle.  The Sandy Beach Group Camping Area is not wheelchair accessible and cannot be reserved for long weekends.
Note:Ask about the Oster Lake Backcountry Group Tenting Area.

Reservation

• Summer
  • (Victoria Day to Labour Day) call the South Gate at 780-922-5833 or fax to 780-922-0079
• Winter:
  • call the Warden Office at 780-992-2950

Mailing address:

• Elk Island National Park of Canada
• R.R. 1, Site 4
• Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta
• T8L 2N7

Fees

Camping:

Per-Night Per-Person  - $5.80
(Children under 6 free)
Fire Permit - $8.80
(Per day per group)

Day Passes:

Day permits (Personal User Fees) are valid until 16:00 the day following purchase.  For example, if you are staying two nights, you will need a two-day permit.
Adult - $7.80/day
Senior(65+) - $6.80/day
Child/Youth (6-16yrs) - $3.90/day
Family Group  - $19.60/day (vehicle with 2 adults & up to 5 children)
Commercial Group - $6.80/person/day (must be on a bus)
School Group - per-student, per-day - $2.90
School Group, with program - per-student, per-day - $3.90

Note: Park entrance fees will be collected from ALL individuals entering the park, even if they are only dropping someone off.  Please ensure that everyone concerned knows this in advance.

Payment: Payment for the Personal User Fee (Day Pass) can made at the South Gate, North Gate, West Gate, Sandy Beach Campground, Visitor Information Centre, and Warden Office, or purchased from the Automatic Payment Machine located at the gates.  Facility hours vary; please call the reservation phone numbers to check hours of operation.  All major credit cards, debit and cash are accepted at the gates; Automated Payment Machines accept credit cards and exact coin only.  Payment for group camping MUST be made at the South Gate, at the Sandy Beach Campground kiosk or mailed in advance to the address above.

Annual Passes:  Available for both Elk Island National Park and 27 of Canada's National Parks.

Interpretation: Interpretative programs can be booked with park personnel and must be made in advance as spaces are limited.  For information on programs and their associated fees call 780-992-2965 during regular office hours.

Regulations

Access: The map of the park will show you how to reach the Astotin Lake Area from any of the three entrance gates.  The group site is located on the Astotin Lake Area map identified as “group camping” and is identified at the site by a sign that reads, “overflow”.  You will need to get the combination for the lock on the access gate from the gate or campground attendants.  If you will be arriving late, ask for the combination at the time of booking.

Boating: Sailing, canoeing and kayaking are permitted on Astotin Lake.  Please minimize disturbance of waterfowl.  Motorboats (including boats with electric motors) are not permitted on the lakes of Elk Island.

Wildlife: Bison and other wild animals roam freely throughout the park.  They are, however, discouraged from entering the Astotin Lake Area.  Please review safety tips in the Visitor Guide, the reverse side of our Trail Map, speak with park personnel, or click here to learn more about wildlife safety.  Dogs must be leashed or contained at all times to help prevent wildlife confrontations.

Quiet time: Quiet hours are in effect between 23:00 and 07:00.  This includes the use of power generators.  Only registered campers are allowed in the campground after 23:00.  No refund will be issued if you are asked to vacate for violation of quiet hours.

Clean up: Please ensure that the area is left clean and that you report any damage to a Gate or Campground Attendant.  “BARE” campground program is in effect.

Check out: 11:00.  Arrangements can be made to extend these hours; a fee may apply.

Emergency: Hospitals are located in Lamont and Fort Saskatchewan.  Please note that the Lamont Hospital closes at 20:00; emergencies must be taken to Fort Saskatchewan.  Payphones are available at the Sandy Beach Campground kiosk and near the washrooms by the beach parking lot.  Cell phone service may be unreliable depending on your service provider.  The Warden 24-hour emergency number is 780-992-6389. Response times may be up to one hour. For immediate emergency response please call 911.

Agreement

I, the undersigned, understand and agree to the above terms and regulations.  Please return signed agreement to Gate or Campground Attendant upon, or prior to arrival.

Renter's Signature

Date