Best Sandy Beaches in Northeastern Alberta

Build castles with the kids while they splash in and out of the water. Tuck under a shady spot and start a consuming beach read. Glide off on a paddleboard or kayak or launch a boat to head out for tubing, skiing or even flyboarding on some of the best beaches in northeastern Alberta the Lakeland. Beach time means different things to different people, and these beaches make it easy to choose a place so you can do whatever your travel companions—friends, family or partners—like to do.

Kinosoo Beach, Cold Lake

Make your way to the town of Cold Lake, on the shores of Cold Lake, a lake so massive—373 square kms—it straddles both Alberta and Saskatchewan and is Alberta’s seventh largest. Not only is it big but it is deep, at 120 metres. Surprisingly, perhaps, Cold Lake’s depth creates a thermal basin delaying ice formation until December. Cold Lake boasts a few beaches but these are two of the best.

Voted one of Canada’s Top 25 Beaches by Canadian Geographic, Kinosoo Beach’s splendidly broad three block stretch has silky sand and a gentle descent into the water, great for everyone, but perfect for younger children and those with mobility challenges.

Zinnia laden pots and benches line the promenade that lead to a children’s playground, concession stand, washrooms, and colourful tent sails that provide shade to picnickers. A zipline lets kids drop into the water and a splash park delights younger ones.

For bigger kids and adults, volleyball and basketball courts are further down the beach. At the “far” end, Wicked Watersport Rentals rents kayaks, SUPs, pedal boats, pontoon boats, with or without a flyboard experience.

Hotels, BnBs and cabins abound. Campers will want to know about the shady campground at Cold Lake Municipal Campground within easy walking distance from the beach.

Lund’s Point Beach, Cold Lake Provincial Park

Just another beach on Cold Lake? Not so. Of the four beaches in the park, Lund’s Point Beach’s white sand and clear waters hold huge appeal on hot beach days.

Lund’s Point Beach is in Cold Lake Provincial Park, three kilometres northeast of the town of Cold Lake, on a narrow piece of land between the lake and a lagoon. Beach goers needing a beach break can walk to viewpoints over the lagoon and look out for pelicans, cormorants and other species in this parkland boreal area.

Campsites are plentiful, at more than 100, including a dozen walk in tent sites for more privacy. Cold Lake Provincial Park has a number of different units, including the North Shore and Medley River at two other spots on Cold Lake. Lund’s Point Beach is at the tip of Lund’s Point, three kilometres northeast of the town of Cold Lake.

Big Island Beaches, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park, Lac La Biche

Alberta’s only park of islands, Sir Winston Churchill Provincial Park consists of eight islands, but the campground and cabins sit on Big Island and Long Island. Both are accessible by a 2.5 kilometre long causeway over the lake, 11 kilometres northeast of the town of Lac La Biche.

Camper’s Beach has a broad sandy beach plus a playground and is closest to the campground.

Just off of Boardwalk Trail is a beach, best for stunning sunsets from the shoreline or from out on the water on a stand up paddleboard. Boardwalk Trail goes through 300 year old boreal forest, untouched—because of its island setting—by forest fires that have occurred elsewhere in the area.

Besides sandy beaches, this park boasts more than 13 kilometres of trails, including one accessible trail, and one out to a point. A store has kayak, paddleboard and canoe rentals.

Campers can stay in one of the 72 powered sites in the campground but there are also 15 comfort cabins or two tipis on Long Island for those looking for something different.

Check for current algae levels before heading out.

Ross Lake Beach, Whitney Lakes Provincial Park

Whitney Lakes Provincial Park has four lakes, one of which will be ideal whether you motor, paddle, frolic or fish. But, Ross Lake has the best sandy beach. Kids will have a blast in the water and smaller tykes can also check out the playground. Both Ross and Whitney lakes have excellent boat launches to set up for waterskiing or tubing.

The beach is small but clean with beautiful sand and the water is relatively warm.

Ross Lake has 149 sites and Whitney Lake has 53, the majority of which have power. People rave about the large private campsites and the forested areas here.

With hundreds of lakes in Alberta’s the Lakeland, there are certainly more great sandy beaches in northeastern Alberta than the ones mentioned. Beaches listed have a combination of factors including great views, sandy beaches, activities and nearby amenities.