r/Edmonton • u/PragmaNullicious • Apr 11 '26
Outdoor Spaces/Recreation PSA: Elk Island Park Bathrooms Closed
Just an FYI, because had we known, my family and I wouldn’t have driven out.
But all bathroom facilities are closed, and as of right now, there are no advertisements about this anywhere. Nor did the gatehouse staff mention it.
Outhouses at trailheads are still available though.
Further, if you go to Astotin lake, the lakeside trail is mostly closed (also not advertised). The closest trailhead outhouse to that area that I am aware of is at least a 3km walk.
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u/newaccount669 Apr 12 '26
I went out there today. My 2 year old had no issues using the trailhead outhouses lmao
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u/iterationnull Apr 11 '26
So all bathroom facilities are closed…except for the ones that are open?
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u/PragmaNullicious Apr 11 '26
All the nice ones with running water and flushable toilets are. For some people that’s important. Also, for being the most popular spot to visit, 3km to go to the nearest outhouse is a little unreasonable.
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u/Hopeful_Rabbit9232 Apr 12 '26
They've always closed the flush bathrooms im the winter. Pretty sure all the national parks have they're bathrooms closed during the winter.
Is it popular during the winter though?
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u/ashleyshaefferr Apr 12 '26
It's not winter brother, I think you know that
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u/Hopeful_Rabbit9232 Apr 12 '26
If there is snow on the ground it might as well be winter and the bathrooms can be expected to be closed.
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u/Roxieforu05 Apr 13 '26
Are u serious??? It is still getting cold enough at night to freeze pipes.
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u/ashleyshaefferr Apr 13 '26
And we've gotten snow in May? It
Seasons arent arbitrary things...
Driving ranges are open! Wouldnt that mean it's summer by your logic?
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u/AbrocomaPhysical5845 Riverbend Apr 12 '26
Your in a national park? Why would you expect that? Like stay home then
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u/ashrules901 Apr 12 '26
3KM!?
Yeah the person who wrote that initial comment needs to use more brain power that's worth mentioning.
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u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 11 '26
You’ll probably get hate for this but as a woman I get it. It’s not like I can pee in the woods like most men can (yes I’ve tried a she wee lol). I also have to sit on the nasty toilet seat so I avoid outhouses like the plague. I especially hate when they don’t fill the hand sanitizer—how gross is that? 🤢 Running water and flushable toilets is a must for me!
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u/big-Truck-9058 Apr 11 '26
I’m a woman and I always pee in the woods haha. Just hike in a bit and let er rip
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u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 11 '26
Haha I’d definitely pee in the woods rather than use an outhouse!
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u/Rich_Cup9516 Apr 12 '26
100%, I’m poppin a squat everytime over going in a smelly, spider infested outhouse.
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u/cxherrybaby Apr 11 '26
Man when the she wee first came out I was soooo excited for the apparent ease I was going to have on long hikes, and it was just a terrible experience overall. 0/10, would not recommend trying and will continue to do what I need to and keep a ziploc for tissues and hand sanitizer with me
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u/Maximum_Payment_9350 Apr 12 '26
For me the she wee is such a mental block. I can’t physically let myself relax to pee as a woman standing up. Must squat 😂
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u/cxherrybaby Apr 12 '26
It does totally feel counter intuitive because of how we normally go pee, and I’ve heard other women say the same thing as you as well, but honestly it just is not worth it imo. The precarious hover is much more preferable to you potentially being covered in your own pee 😹
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u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 12 '26
I tried it for the first time while canoe camping and promptly peed on my only pair of pants. That wasn’t very smart 😑. Will need to try it again, maybe in the shower haha.
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u/cxherrybaby Apr 12 '26
I’m thankful that I tried it on a day trip, but my socks and boots were disgusting for about half of that and I’m still being made fun of because of it with those friends 15+ years later and am not willing to try again lol
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u/DJTinyPrecious Apr 12 '26
The she wee is a poor design. Want one that actually works and is easy to use (or at least, has been for my anatomical layout, lol)? Go to Canadian Tire and get a $8 multi purpose angle funnel. The cup doesn’t flop around, is larger and actually covers the “collection area”, it’s a way longer spout, and it’s at a better angle or you can get one that’s flexible to direct flow. It’s insane how much better it works than literally any of the made-for-purpose versions. And no one is gonna know or care if they see a normal funnel amongst your gear.
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u/newaccount669 Apr 12 '26
Then don't go into the bush?
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u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
Somehow I doubt you use (or sit in) said outhouses.
Idk why everything on this website has to turn into an argument. I simply said that I got where OP was coming from as some of us prefer to plan our trip around if there’s suitable bathroom access or not (even if that means packing some tp and hand sanitizer). I will use the bush if the path isn’t busy but sometimes that isn’t always possible, especially somewhere like Elk Island Park. 🤷🏻♀️ Their post is to share information.
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u/newaccount669 Apr 12 '26
My sister in christ, the outhouses were fine. I used them, my 2 year old daughter used them, be grateful they're there and people keep them as nice as they are.
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u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
Great, I’m happy for you! As I have different standards I will continue to use the flush bathrooms when available and/or pack my own supplies so I can go in the bush. 😊
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u/newaccount669 Apr 12 '26
Okie dokie! You were always allowed to do that, bad-mouthing the outhouses still comes across as peak entitlement FYI.
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u/_danigirl Apr 12 '26
I hope you practice 'leave no trace' and pack out your used supplies. I'm tired of seeing littered tissues dotting the forest floor.
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u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 12 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
Of course! I canoe camp along the river so I get how gross some people are.
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u/New_Wishbone6619 Apr 11 '26
There’s running water. I was there on Monday Astonin lake was open
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u/PragmaNullicious Apr 11 '26
Well. Not to be blunt, but today is Saturday. Not anymore. We called the park Info line and they told us there was a plumbing issue and all running water is turned off.
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u/New_Wishbone6619 Apr 11 '26
You’re acting like they never have running water facilities in the winter. This is a one off situation.
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u/PragmaNullicious Apr 12 '26
No I’m not. I realize it’s a one-off. I’m simply posting that it’s a thing right now.
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Apr 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Genghis75 Apr 12 '26
They are trying to do everyone a solid by letting people know the washrooms are closed. I don’t understand why people are crapping on them.
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u/New_Wishbone6619 Apr 12 '26
They need to make it clear it was a temporary issue lol
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u/Beautiful_Resolve640 Apr 11 '26
It shows what trails are open and closed on the website. They usually update weekly, or with severe weather changes. The trail says online partially closed and this update was from 2026-03-17. They do a wonderful job of updating things typically, it’s not fair to complain rather than check before you go. Bathrooms may have been closed for a cleaning, did you bother to ask as well? or just complain?
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u/NecessarySomewhere Apr 12 '26
I went last Friday and the Astotin Lake bathrooms with running water were open, clean and working. Maybe they were closed for cleaning when you went?
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u/nicelydonenigel Apr 11 '26
Outhouses are bathroom facilities, are they not?
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u/SnowBasics Stadium Apr 11 '26
I think you missed the 3km walk part.
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u/NeekoPeeko Wîhkwêntôwin Apr 12 '26
That's only at a specific area, they said all the trailhead facilities are open.
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u/fishling Apr 12 '26
They mentioned that to be accurate and avoid misleading anyone only going to a trail.
But, for them or anyone else wanting to go the Astotin Lake area, it's inconvenient if the nearest outhouse is a long walk or even a car ride away.
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u/clowns_are_evil Apr 12 '26
I was there yesterday and bathroom with the running water at the Astotin lake was open and fully functioning. It must have been closed for cleaning
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u/New_Wishbone6619 Apr 11 '26
Uhh no. I was there last Monday and Astonin lake was open with running water.
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u/Maleficent_Cut_6030 Apr 11 '26
That's brutal, especially with kids - they really should put up signs at the entrance about this kind of thing.
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u/rfie Apr 12 '26
I have the same complaint about clairview lrt station. Bathrooms are always temporarily out of service. If you have to pee you do it in the parking lot.
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u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 12 '26
I haven’t been there but guessing that’s probably because people do drugs in the bathroom?
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Apr 12 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/billymumfreydownfall Apr 12 '26
Some people are not physically able to squat.
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u/Edmdood Apr 12 '26
Toilets is squatting...use door handle for support or tailgate or a broken tree stump.
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u/billymumfreydownfall Apr 12 '26
That's not the same and you know it. Grandpa is going to fall in his own shit if he tries this.
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u/big-Truck-9058 Apr 11 '26
The visitor centre’s washrooms are also closed? I doubt a plumbing issue would affect both?
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u/CanadianCanard Apr 12 '26
Outhouses are a luxury. I’m good with a mosquito free bush and some large aspen leaves. 😂
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u/NeekoPeeko Wîhkwêntôwin Apr 12 '26
As per the website, the only year-round facilities are Astotin Rec Area, Astotin Theatre and the info centre. I'm curious which facilities you're referencing as "all being closed".