Elk Island National Park

Elk Island National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
Bison grazing in Elk Island National Park
Location of Elk Island National Park in Canada Show map of Canada Location of Elk Island National Park in Alberta Show map of Alberta
Location	Alberta, Canada
Nearest city	Edmonton
Coordinates	53°36′52″N 112°51′58″W / 53.61444°N 112.86611°W / 53.61444; -112.86611
Area	194 km2 (75 sq mi)
Established	1913
Visitors	220,758 (in 2012/13[1])
Governing body	Parks Canada

Elk Island National Park is a national park in Alberta, Canada, that played an important part in the conservation of the Plains bison. The park is administered by the Parks Canada Agency. This "island of conservation" is 35 km (22 mi) east of Edmonton, along the Yellowhead Highway, which goes through the park. It is Canada's eighth smallest in area but largest fully enclosed national park, with an area of 194 km² (75 sq mi).

The park is representative of the northern prairies plateau ecosystem and as such, the knob and kettle landscape is a mix of native fescue grassland that has been converted to forage land dominated by non-native grasses, aspen parkland and boreal forest. As well, Elk Island plays host to both the largest and the smallest terrestrial mammals in North America, the wood bison and pygmy shrew respectively.