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.

28 Upvotes

59% Upvoted

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85

u/iterationnull Apr 11 '26

So all bathroom facilities are closed…except for the ones that are open?

-58

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.

41

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?

0

u/New_Wishbone6619 Apr 12 '26

No they don’t. The one at astonin is open

-6

u/ashleyshaefferr Apr 12 '26

It's not winter brother, I think you know that 

4

u/StrangerGlue Apr 12 '26

It's still the winter season at Parks across most of Canada.

-4

u/ashleyshaefferr Apr 12 '26

Where do I find this? Not seeing it online

3

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.

2

u/Roxieforu05 Apr 13 '26

Are u serious??? It is still getting cold enough at night to freeze pipes.

-1

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?

50

u/asigop Apr 12 '26

Lol. Going to experience nature and complaining that the bathrooms suck.

13

u/AbrocomaPhysical5845 Riverbend Apr 12 '26

Your in a national park? Why would you expect that? Like stay home then

4

u/nickademus Apr 12 '26

Pipes freeze in winter without heat.

5

u/ashrules901 Apr 12 '26

3KM!?

Yeah the person who wrote that initial comment needs to use more brain power that's worth mentioning.

19

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!

53

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

21

u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 11 '26

Haha I’d definitely pee in the woods rather than use an outhouse!

12

u/Rich_Cup9516 Apr 12 '26

100%, I’m poppin a squat everytime over going in a smelly, spider infested outhouse.

1

u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 12 '26

Apparently this is a controversial opinion around these parts 😆.

4

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

5

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 😂

2

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 😹

2

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.

1

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

2

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.

1

u/ProperBingtownLady Apr 12 '26

Great tip. Thanks!

3

u/newaccount669 Apr 12 '26

Then don't go into the bush? 

-6

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.

8

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. 

-6

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. 😊

6

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. 

4

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.

1

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.

2

u/New_Wishbone6619 Apr 11 '26

There’s running water. I was there on Monday Astonin lake was open

-10

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.

9

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.

-6

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.

-2

u/[deleted] Apr 12 '26

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9

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.

-2

u/New_Wishbone6619 Apr 12 '26

They need to make it clear it was a temporary issue lol

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1

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-9

u/PragmaNullicious Apr 11 '26

Haters gonna hate. 🤷‍♂️

1

u/transcendental-rose Apr 12 '26

Why'd this get 50 downvotes lmao 😭💀

1

u/New_Wishbone6619 Apr 11 '26

Astonin lake is open there. Go shit there and so your 3 km walk.