Sylvan Lake is a popular tourist destination in Central Alberta, Canada well-known for its swimming, water-skiing and sunbathing. A popular water sport destination, the small town is home to one of the country’s top ten beaches and some of the area’s best recreation activities.

Sylvan Lake Provincial Park

Sylvan Lake Provincial Park boasts a 1.6 kilometer long grass and sand beach and a number of annual special events, including many beach volleyball tournaments. There are boat launches available on the lake as well as seasonal canoeing, fishing, ice skating, sailing, water-skiing and windsurfing.

For a gorgeous look at Sylvan Lake, sign up for one of the several cruises on the lake for a relaxing tour of the surroundings. Great shopping abounds in Sylvan Lake from unique shops to browsing through the varied stalls at the Farmers Market.

Family Activites

There are numerous family activities throughout the city including mini golf, paintball and watching the Sylvan Lake Sailing Club race throughout the summer every Wednesday. For a little exercise, rent a paddleboat and take a spin around the lake or challenge family members to a round of golf at one of the area's many courses or mini golf for the younger ones. 

Additionally, if you want more water entertainment, there is always the Wild Rapids Waterslides waterpark to explore. For the brave, in the winter you can take part in some popular Winterfest activities like the Polar bear Dip.

Sylvan Lake Jazz Festival

Sylvan Lake’s annual jazz festival, taking place in mid-August, features a roster of world class headline artists, as well as homegrown talent from Alberta and beyond. One of the biggest events of its kind in the area, the Sylvan Lake Jazz Festival includes numerous workshops and educational opportunities in addition to its weekend packed with shows on the main stage and through the pubs in the city. 

Sylvan Skatepark

For skateboarding aficionados, the Sylvan Skatepark is a great break from the beach. This unsupervised, free outdoor park features modular obstacles and an asphalt surface for hours of skating entertainment.

Staying in Sylvan Lake

Because the area is a popular tourist destination, there is lodging to fit any style. From bed & breakfasts, to camping, to RV parks, to hotels and motels, to cabin rentals, Sylvan Lake has accommodations for everyone’s personal tastes.

Getting to Sylvan Lake

Sylvan Lake is easily accessible by bus, plane and road. The closest airport is the Red Deer Regional Airport which is about 45 minutes from the city and has numerous car rental services available. Greyhound buses have regularly scheduled service to Sylvan Lake.