Edmonton is the thriving capital city of Canada’s Alberta province. Located on the North Saskatchewan River, Edmonton offers a city escape with museums, and galleries and nightlife as well as various urban parks and green spaces to enjoy.
From scenic river valleys and dramatic ravines to the Canadian Rockies, Edmonton is blessed with immense natural beauty just a stone’s throw from the city. Outdoor enthusiasts hoping to enjoy this spectacular nature can do so while staying at one of the best eco-lodges in Edmonton.
These unique accommodation options in Edmonton will offer guests the chance to enjoy a stay close to nature while simultaneously respecting and protecting the environment. With more and more options available to environmentally-conscious travellers, we’ve found the best eco-lodges in Edmonton to help you narrow down your options.
In a Hurry? Here’s Where to Stay in Edmonton for One Night
Tiny Vinatarta
Tiny Vinatarta is a tiny house with an airy and bright Scandinavian design and sustainable philosophy. The compact home is well equipped and includes a deck as well as a shared garden and fire pit area.
- Fort Edmonton Park
- Saskatchewan River Valley Trails
- Muttart Conservatory
Is this amazing Edmonton Eco Lodge booked for your dates? We’ve got your back with our other favourite properties below!
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Why Stay in an Eco-lodge in Edmonton?
Photo: WinterE229 (WikiCommons)
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Staying in an eco-lodge in Edmonton will offer you the chance to experience this destination up close and in a more authentic way. Whether you choose an authentic ranch house, an idyllic log cabin, or a mid-city stopover, you’ll enjoy a well-managed stay in a comfortable setting while having a minimal impact on the environment.
Staying in an eco-lodge offers a unique and memorable experience without sacrificing any of the comforts that you’d expect from holiday accommodation. In fact, your stay is only enhanced by the knowledge that you’re contributing positively to the destination and travelling responsibly.
What is an Eco-lodge?
An eco-lodge is any accommodation that takes steps to minimize its impact on the environment and seeks to benefit local communities. There are many ways that a lodge can employ sustainable practices, such as using solar power,water-efficient showers and toilets, harvesting rainwater, or recycling and composting.
In addition to this, these resorts can also emphasize local culture and heritage by providing guests with an insight into the local history and way of life. They can also support local artisans and businesses by using their services or directing visitors to them.
Tiny Vinatarta
- > $
- > 2 guests
- > Scandinavian modern design
- > Low footprint living
Maggie’s Hill Heritage Loghouse
- > $
- > 2 guests
- > Beautifully restored log house
- > One of the oldest homes in the county
Arum Lodge Cottage
- > $$
- > 2 guests
- > Country inn near Banff
- > Self-catering and secluded
Brand New Eco Home
- > $
- > 3 guests
- > Bright and airy duplex
- > Convenient location near downtown
Bluff Creek Cabin
- > $
- > 6 guests
- > Off-grid log cabin
- > Reconnect with nature
Private Basement in SW Edmonton
- > $
- > 2 guests
- > Newly constructed and spacious suite
- > Open-plan and very light
Two Bedroom Loft Apartment
- > $$
- > 4 guests
- > 2-bedroom, self-catering log cabin
- > Plentiful nature, minimal crowds
The Top 7 Eco-lodges in Edmonton
We’ve carefully selected this list of the best eco-lodges in Edmonton to illustrate the variety of options available to suit different tastes, budgets, and needs.
Overall Best Value Eco-lodge in Edmonton – Tiny Vinatarta
With large windows, minimalist design, and simplicity, Tiny Vinatarta is a bright and light tiny home crafted with sustainability in mind. The home has a private deck as well as a shared fire pit and garden.
The full spa-like bathroom is equipped with a waterless composting toilet, and the solid waste from this is later used to nourish the soil. The garden houses a food forest where produce is grown for the hosts and guests.
Tiny Vinatarta is the ideal base from which to explore Edmonton. The surrounding neighbourhood offers bakeries, malls, restaurants, and parks to explore, with public transport easily accessible. During the summer months, there are plenty of music festivals to choose from.
Want to save money on accommodation?
We got you. For reals.
Best Value Eco-lodge in Edmonton – Maggie’s Hill Heritage Loghouse
Maggie’s Hill Heritage Loghouse is our top pick for anyone visiting Canada on a budget. It’s an early pioneer home that’s been lovingly restored to provide a tranquil heritage experience. The home offers modern conveniences while maintaining its original character, including a full kitchen, bathroom, and heated floors.
The home features vintage items and original craftsmanship throughout, and many of its furnishings have been upcycled. Sitting within a wildlife preserve, the log house is surrounded by land that has been kept in its natural state.
During the warmer months, guests will be on a working ranch with access to plentiful trails for walking and running. The area offers many lakes which are great for swimming and bird watching. Wildlife is abundant in the area and guests may see various species including deer, moose, beavers, bobcats, and coyotes.
Budget Tip: Dorms in Edmonton start from $10USD per bed. They’re the cheapest accommodation in the city. Search for hostels in the area!
Best Eco-lodge for Couples – Arum Lodge Cottage
Arum lodge is a quaint timber cottage, providing cosy accommodation near Banff and Jasper National Parks. The studio apartment features a full kitchen and an en suite bathroom and is ideal for couples.
From design, construction, and management, Arum Lodge strives to incorporate environmental thinking. Having received multiple awards and certifications for sustainability, the lodge uses solar power, as well as groundwater that is safe for drinking.
Located near Abraham Lake and surrounded by forests and mountains, Arum Lodge is the perfect retreat for hiking, cycling, climbing, and photography. In summer, you can take guided trail rides and visits to a historical coal mine. In winter, you’ll be in a great area for ice climbing and snowshoeing.
Most Ecological Eco-lodge in Edmonton – Brand New Eco Home
This bright and light duplex is one of the coolest places to stay in Edmonton. It offers no less than three bedrooms, a full kitchen, a dining room, and a small separate workspace.
Built to Net Zero energy specs, the home uses a solar array, triple-glazed windows, and an air source heat pump HVAC system. Materials used in construction are all eco-friendly and mostly recycled.
The central location of the home allows for easy explorations of Edmonton with public transport readily accessible. There are some great walking, hiking, and bike trails nearby that offer great city views and river valley scenery.
Best Eco-lodge for Families Visiting Edmonton – Bluff Creek Cabin
Bluff Creek Cabin is located on the Rancho Relaxo Resort, Alberta’s first eco-tourism destination resort. The quaint cabin has a loft sleeping area, a cosy living area, and a balcony where guests can enjoy awesome sunset views. Additional family-friendly items are provided, including a crib, high chair, safety gates, and various books and toys.
The resort features a renewable energy system, a water harvesting system, and organic food production. There is limited electricity for charging devices and lighting, giving everyone the opportunity to unplug for a while.
Bluff Creek Cabin is the perfect retreat for families looking to immerse themselves in nature and reconnect. Outdoors, you can enjoy walks along the forest trails or on the elevated tree walk. Back at the cabin, there are plenty of board games to get stuck into.
Best Eco-lodge for Solo Travellers – Private Basement in SW Edmonton
The private Edmonton Airbnb is a spacious one-bedroom suite in a safe and quiet neighbourhood. It offers an open-plan layout with a well-equipped modern kitchen.
Large windows allow in plenty of natural light, minimizing the need for additional lighting. In an effort to promote environmental stewardship, guests are asked to recycle their waste and use the eco-friendly cleaning products provided.
The surrounding neighbourhood has plenty of green spaces for guests to explore on walks, runs, or cycles. When not exploring the urban landscape of Edmonton, guests can head out to enjoy river valley walking trails just a short distance away.
Eco-lodge with an Epic Location – Two Bedroom Loft Apartment
Ideal for families or two couples traveling together, the two-bedroom loft apartment at Arum Lodge is perfect for those wishing to escape the pace of daily life and truly relax in nature. The unit has a full kitchen, as well as a fire pit and barbeque area.
A groundwater source provides safe drinking water for the lodge, while solar panels provide energy and heating.
The cabin is ideally located for those wishing to explore the exceptional natural setting at Banff and Jasper National Park. From walking and hiking and climbing to swimming and snowshoeing and wildlife viewing, you’ll have plenty to see and do.
Don’t Forget Your Edmonton Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Eco-lodges in Edmonton
Edmonton is an awesome destination in Canada, offering the best of city living with the benefit of fantastic scenery and nature-filled adventures just minutes away. Anyone seeking incredible outdoor adventures will not leave disappointed as the greater Edmonton area offers everything from rolling hillsides, dramatic ravines, rugged mountains, and lush forests.
As more travelers are choosing sustainable and eco-conscious alternatives in most aspects of their lives, the number of eco-lodges in Edmonton continues to grow to cater to this demand. This means that the variety of unique accommodation in Edmonton is broadening and there’s something to suit almost every taste and budget.
Looking for somewhere a bit cheaper? Check out the Edmonton hostels on offer instead.
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