Riverlot 56 Natural Area is an Alberta Parks natural area in the Central region, just outside the City of St. Albert along the banks of the Sturgeon River. Alberta Parks lists no developed day-use area count.
The official page says the area protects a diverse 108-hectare natural oasis.
Riverlot 56 is a near-urban natural area for hiking, cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, geocaching, and nature education. Alberta Parks describes upland aspen forests, open and large meadows, streambed aquatic plant communities, and willow and cattail patches along the Sturgeon River.
Recreational trail systems exist on both sides of Sturgeon Road. Alberta Parks says these trails are used extensively for hiking, cross-country skiing, and nature observation. There are approximately eight kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails and a self-guided interpretive walking trail.
Wildlife viewing is a strong reason to visit. The official page mentions many bird species plus mammals such as muskrat, beaver, deer, moose, coyote, and snowshoe hare. Hunting is prohibited here, which is an important distinction from many other Alberta natural areas.
Riverlot 56 also has settlement-history context: it was one of the original parcels subdivided during settlement in the 1900s, transferred to the province in 1965, and maintained by local groups since 1973 for outdoor education and nature-based recreation.
Plan around interpretive walking, groomed cross-country skiing, wildlife viewing, geocaching, Sturgeon River habitat observation, meadow and aspen forest walks, and nature education.
Confirm trail conditions, ski grooming, no-hunting rules, maps, weather, wildlife safety, Sturgeon Road access, and Alberta Parks updates before travelling.
