Parks and the outdoors in Calgary

65 parks, gardens, beaches and walks in and around Calgary.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 65.

BuyCity Centre
17th Avenue
Calgary's best-known urban business street is home to chains like Best Buy and Pet Planet, and independent businesses like Gravity Pope. If you're dropping from all the shopping, the heart of the strip is little Tomkins Park at 17th Ave near 8th St, filled with nice shade and cozy benches.
SeeSoutheast
Bow Valley Ranche
William Roper Hull Ranche House
Former ranch, now a historical site. Features interpretive walks, art gallery, artisan gardens, and restaurant.
SeeNorthwest
Bowness Park
Bowness Park is along the Bow River between Stoney Trail and 85 St NW. A shallow lagoon runs along the along the park's southern edge, a favourite spot for paddle boating in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Bowness Park is highly used for picnicking and accessing the Bow River.
5AM - 11PMfree
EatNorthwest
Chicken On The Way
This is the original location of one of the longest-running fast food institutions in Calgary (opened 1958). Chicken On The Way delivers wonderful deep-fried chicken, french fries and corn fritters, at a fair price. This is an old-school joint; no frills, nothing fancy, and none of that new-fangled low-fat junk. The dining space here is two picnic tables next to busy 14th St. But it's still hands-down the best fried chicken in the city. A meal runs in the $8-10 range. There are other locations in Mackenzie Towne, Macleod Trail (in Brick Plaza), Forest Lawn, and Temple; these locations have tables so that you can dine in.
Mon-Thu 10:30AM-12:30AM, Fri Sat 10:30AM-1:30AM, Sun 10:30AM-11PM
SeeNorthwest
Crescent Heights Park
This park offers a pleasant walk, along with popular views of Downtown Calgary.
Free
SeeCity Centre
Crescent Road viewpoint
This ridgetop gives a great view of Prince's Island Park and downtown Calgary. Follow the pathway to a staircase going down the hillside for more varied perspectives.
EatSoutheast
Deane House
Refined seasonal Canadian cuisine in a historic riverside home with a garden.
Tue-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat 10AM-10PM, Sun 10AM-9PM$26+
SeeCity Centre
Devonian Gardens
A large indoor urban park in TD Square, above the shopping area.
Free
SeeSoutheast
Elliston Park
A small park located along 17 Ave SE; the site of the annual Globalfest fireworks competition and home of the first BP BirthPlace Forest.
5AM-11PM
SeeCity Centre
Enmax Park
Salisbury Street is in a residential area on the east side of Enmax Park. There are houses on one side of the street and, on the other, a great view of the Saddledome, Stampede Grandstand, Calgary skyline and the Calgary Tower.
DoSoutheast
Harvie Passage
The area around Calgary Bow River Weir was remade into a Class II and III white water park for paddlers. Harvie Passage is meant only for experienced canoe and kayak paddlers; all others should portage around it.
Free
BuySoutheast
Inglewood
Centred on 9 Ave SE, east of the Elbow River, this quirky neighbourhood is almost devoid of chain businesses, leaving a sea of unique businesses. The highlights are the coffee shops, art galleries, trendy clothiers, and upscale furniture shops. Inglewood is an urban shopping area, an historic district, and a downloadable self-guided walking tour is available.
SeeSoutheast
Inglewood Bird Sanctuary & Nature Centre
Registration for tours is recommended. The Nature Centre building, housing washrooms & drinking fountains, is closed until 2021. This 32-hectare wildlife reserve offers more than 2 km² of walking trails throughout the riverine forest. More than 250 species of birds and 300 species of plants, plus several kinds of mammals, have been observed in the area. As it is a bird sanctuary, no bicycles or dogs (except assistance dogs) are allowed.
Trails open sunrise–sunset, Nature Centre Tue-Sun 10AM-4PM, closed Mon and statutory holidays, closed at noon on Dec 24Free
SeeSouthwest
North Glenmore Park
North Glenmore Park borders the north side of the Glenmore Reservoir and has a tennis court, pathways, playgrounds and many picnic areas. It is the area surrounding the north side of the reservoir and is the home to both the Calgary Canoe Club and Calgary Rowing Club.
Daily 5AM-11PM
SeeCity Centre
Nose Hill viewpoint
The views of downtown Calgary from Nose Hill Park can only be accessed on foot or by bicycle. Park your car at one of the parking lots near the top of the hill (opposite Edgemont Blvd NW or Berkely Gate NW) and then head towards the southern edge of the hill.
SeeCity Centre
Olympic Plaza
This public square was built as the site of medal presentations during the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. It continues to host free public events and festivals. During the summer, waders can enjoy the water-filled plaza, while winter visitors can go skating. Also the site of Calgary's "Women are Persons!" sculpture, celebrating a landmark achievement in the status of women in Canada. Calgary's quaint old City Hall is across the street from the north-east corner of Olympic Park.
EatNortheast
Peter's Drive-In
Classic drive-through burger joint. Locally-famous burgers, fries, onion rings, and milkshakes at very affordable prices. Big portions – a large fry is the size of a shoebox, a large onion ring order is the size of a lunch bag. Park in the adjacent lot and walk up to the front windows; you'll get faster service than in the drive-through and you can eat at one of their picnic tables. The finest milkshake in the city; thick and made with real fruit (over 20 flavours!) Some feel that the quality of the hot food has declined, but most agree that the shakes still rock.
Daily 9AM-midnight$10/meal (burger, shake, onion rings)'
SeeNortheast
Prairie Winds Park
16-hectare park in northeast Calgary, hosts the Country Thunder annual country music festival in mid-August.
SeeCity Centre
Prince's Island Park
Calgary's largest inner city park is an island with a number of pleasant trails for walking and relaxing. In the summer, it plays host to Shakespeare by the Bow and it is also the site of one of the city's largest annual festivals: the Calgary Folk Music Festival.
EatCity Centre
River Café
One of Calgary's first locavore restaurants, River Cafe is in the middle of Prince's Island Park (see map). It's right on the lagoon where the Bow River passes through downtown, thus has no parking. Nearest parking lot is not far, but this can cause problems in bad weather or for diners with mobility issues.
Mon-Fri 11AM-10PM, Sat Sun 10AM-10PM; open until 11PM nightly during summer$32-52 per main dish (dinner)
SeeCity Centre
River Park viewpoint
In Calgary's southwest on ridge above Sandy Beach, large designated off-leash area.
5AM-11PM
SeeSouthwest
River Park, Sandy Beach & Britannia Slopes
River Park, Sandy Beach and the Britannia Slopes together form a popular park and recreation area for Calgarians. This regional park is located north of the Glenmore Dam and along the Elbow River in southwest Calgary.
EatSoutheast
Rouge
In the historic A.E. Cross House (1891), Rouge's focus has long been on excellent cuisine with local food, including some grown in their own on-site garden. Tasting menu available. Bistro Rouge is their more casual & affordable restaurant in southwest Calgary.
Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30AM-1:30PM; dinner Mon-Sat 5-10:30PM$38-48 per main dish (dinner)
SeeCity Centre
Scotsman's Hill viewpoint
The top of this very high riverbank overlooks the Stampede Grandstand. It is a good place to watch the fireworks which are scheduled every evening during Stampede week after the chuckwagon races and the stage show (11PM). The parking in the neighbourhood is 'permit only' so you must park elsewhere, walk up the hill and watch the fireworks for free.
SeeSouthwest
South Glenmore Park
South Glenmore Park is the area surrounding the south side of the reservoir which includes the Weaselhead Natural Area. It is also home to the Variety Children's Park, a playground and water park that is accessible to disabled children. South Glenmore Park also houses the Glenmore Sailing School.
Daily 5AM-11PM
SeeCity Centre
Stampede Park
The site of Calgary's world-famous exhibition and rodeo, the Stampede Park is east of the Beltline in Victoria Park. Not only are the grounds the site of the excitement of every July's Calgary Stampede, they also house a conference and exhibition centre (the BMO Centre) and a casino.
SeeSouthwest
Stanley Park
Located along the Elbow River in southwest Calgary, Stanley Park is a favourite destination place for picnicking, swimming, canoeing, tobogganing and lawn bowling.
Daily 5AM-11PM
BuyCity Centre
Stephen Avenue Walk
Stephen Avenue Walk is a pedestrianized section of 8 Ave SW in the heart of Calgary's downtown core. It is home mostly to restaurants and some bars, but you will still find some major retail shops fronting it. Stephen Avenue is also home to most of the downtown mall called the Core. Stephen Avenue is also a Canadian National Historic District. A downloadable self-guided walking tour is available.
EatSoutheast
The Lake House
Upscale, lodge-like dining room with water views and a menu of refined meat & seafood entrees.
Mon-Fri 11:30AM-8:45PM; Sat 5-8:45PM; Sun 10AM-8:45PM
SeeCity Centre
Tom Campbell's Hill Park viewpoint
Views of the confluence of the Bow River and Nose Creek, with the towers of downtown Calgary off to the southwest.
DoNorthwest
WinSport
Canada Olympic Park / Winter Sport Institute at Canada Olympic Park
Take a tour of the site of the 1988 Winter Olympics, which includes going to the top of the ski jump for a fantastic view. Four runs are available for your skiing pleasure during the winter months, and Canada's Sports Hall of Fame museum is open year-round. The halfpipe and rail park are frequented by some very talented skiers and snowboarders, making for interesting viewing. The COP hosts Canada's first bobsleigh track and you can pay to take a bobsleigh ride in winter. There is also a summer "luge" run (Skyline Luge) and a zipline runs from the top of the ski jump tower.
SeeSouthwest Not mapped
Battalion Park
A tribute to local soldiers that trained for the First World War at the former Sarcee Camp, this small park has an interpretive 500-m-long walking trail/staircase up the side of a steep hill. Soldiers of the Canadian Expeditionary Force left enormous battalion numerals spelled out in whitewashed stones on the hillside, which have been restored as a permanent memorial. The trail also includes a monument and a self-guided tour with historical tablets and photographs. Most of the numbers are easily seen from the parking lots of the nearby Signal Hill and West Hills shopping centres.
SeeNortheast Not mapped
Bridgeland
Bridgeland-Riverside
An urban revitalization area northeast of the downtown. Although the community has long been Calgary's "Little Italy" (hence the abundance of Italian restaurants in the area), the demolition of the old General Hospital in 1998 sparked a long-term project redevelop much of the era. The area is expected to be a family oriented Pearl District (see Portland, Oregon) and the initial phases are already done. The area includes posh shops, chic apartments, and beautiful lofts, while maintaining the old charm of the distinct houses. The area is undergoing massive gentrification due to its proximity to downtown and the now cleaned up East Village. It is a great area to walk through for those interested in architecture and planning. The far eastern end of Bridgeland connects with the Calgary Zoo and Telus Spark Science Centre. Tom Campbell's Hill is an excellent viewpoint of downtown.
Do Not mapped
Calaway Park
Western Canada's largest amusement park, roughly 15 minutes west of Calgary. Gate admission pays for all rides; games, food cost extra.
DoNorthwest Not mapped
Calaway Park
Western Canada's largest amusement park, roughly 15 minutes west of Calgary. Gate admission pays for all rides; games, food cost extra.
10AM-7PM, daily (summer), weekends only (spring/fall)$36/person
SeeNortheast Not mapped
Calgary Zoo
The world-class Calgary Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from all over the world, as well as to the Botanical Garden and a Prehistoric Park for dinosaur lovers. It is the second largest zoo in Canada.
9AM-5PM$29.95/adult, $27.95/senior, $19.95/child
Do Not mapped
Carifest
(June, 1 day) Calgary's annual festival celebrating the city's large West Indian population starts with a parade downtown to Shaw Millennium Park for the day's festivities.
Free
SeeCity Centre Not mapped
Central Memorial Park
Memorial Park
Calgary’s oldest park. Completed in 1912 and redeveloped in 2009, the grounds were modeled after a formal Victorian garden featuring geometric pathways, elaborate garden beds, and rows of imported and native trees. The park features monuments for soldiers who fought in the Boer War and World War I.
SeeCity Centre Not mapped
Chinatown
Canada's third largest Chinatown is in the northeast portion of downtown Calgary. It is the heart of Calgary's Asian diaspora, although much of northeast Calgary has a Pacific Rim influence. The area of about a half-dozen blocks is along Centre Street S, from 4 Ave S (on the south) to the Bow River (on the north). Calgary's Chinatown packs in a dense network of Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese and other Asian restaurants, shops, housing and cultural facilities. The area along Centre Street on the north side of the river almost functions as a loosely organized "second Chinatown" with Chinese-oriented businesses stretching for 20 or more blocks.
SeeNorthwest Not mapped
Confederation Park
Confederation Park 160 hectares (400 acres) between the neighbourhoods of Mount Pleasant, Capitol Hill, Collingwood and Highland Park. 10 Street NW bisects the park from north to south. The park has picnic tables, toboggan hills, cycle paths, tennis courts and baseball diamonds. Adjacent to the park is the Confederation Golf Course. In winter the golf course is open for cross-country skiing and the park hosts the Lions Club Christmas Light Display in December and January.
5AM-11PM

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Calgary (CC BY-SA 4.0).