Elk Island National Park

Elk Island National Park is a national park in Alberta, Canada, that played an important part in the conservation of the Plains bison. The park is administered by the Parks Canada Agency. This "island of conservation" is 35 km (22 mi) east of Edmonton, along the Yellowhead Highway, which goes through the park. It is Canada's eighth smallest in area but largest fully enclosed national park, with an area of 194 km2 (75 sq mi).

Not to be confused with Elk Island Provincial Park, Manitoba or Elk Island National Park, Moscow, Russia.

Elk Island National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Bison grazing in Elk Island National Park
Location of Elk Island National Park in Canada
Location of Elk Island National Park in Alberta
LocationAlberta, Canada
Nearest cityEdmonton
Coordinates53°36′52″N 112°51′58″W
Area194 km2 (75 sq mi)
Established1913
Visitors220,758 (in 2012/13)
Governing bodyParks Canada

The park is representative of the northern prairies plateau ecosystem and as such, the knob and kettle landscape is a mix of native fescue grassland that has been converted to forage land dominated by non-native grasses, aspen parkland and boreal forest. As well, Elk Island plays host to both the largest and the smallest terrestrial mammals in North America, the wood bison and pygmy shrew respectively.

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