Calgary Picnic Areas

Here are some of the more popular Calgary picnic areas and hiking trails. Please be aware that, unfortunately, open liquor is prohibited in all of Calgary's public parks.

Calgary picnic site bookings can be made in advance by contacting the City of Calgary:

• Their website: www.calgary.ca
  

• email: facilitybooking@calgary.ca
  

• Telephone: Customer Service Center 403-268-3800

• In person: Customer Service Center, 2808 Spiller Road S.E., Calgary, AB

Please note, this also includes bookings for tennis courts, baseball diamonds, beach volleyball court and cricket field.

Baker Park
Baker Park is very popular for outdoor weddings and wedding photographs. The park’s grass amphitheater is often booked throughout the summer and warm months.

Baker park features picnic areas, a gazebo, a river observation point and water fountains.

Address: North of Bowness Park, 9333 Scenic Bow Rd NW, Calgary AB

Beaverdam Flats
True to its name, Beaverdam Flats is home to many beavers who build their dams in the area. It borders the Bow River both north and south of Glenmore Trail, and is also a natural habitat for waterfowl, a variety of birds, mammals, plants and even bald eagles.

Beaverdam Flats features picnic areas, hiking/cycling trails, fire pits and a playground.

Bowness Park
Bowness Park is an ideal Calgary picnic area for families. Open year round, Bowness Park is perfect for both summer and winter picnics. The park includes "Playland" with rides for young children, as well as canoeing and paddle boating.

For a winter's picnic you can skate on the lagoon or enjoy cross-country skiing. Skate rentals are available on-site, as well as a small cafe where you can enjoy a warm drink and snack.

Address: 8900 - 48 Avenue NW, Calgary AB

Carburn Park
This Calgary picnic area is a natural park that is very important to wildlife - specifically waterfowl and predatory birds. It is filled with backwater channels and wetlands (with three manmade ponds) which support birds, mammals and plants. The park features hiking trails, picnic tables with fire pits and a playground. Swimming is not allowed; however small boats and fishing are permitted.

Address: 8925 Riverview Dr. SE, Calgary, AB

Confederation Park

Created in 1967 to mark the centennial of the Canadian Confederation, it was once known at "the North Hill Coulee". Since then it has developed into a well manicured park complete with a wetland and a golf course. Includes pathways, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, playground, picnic areas, flower/rock garden and winter tobogganing.

Address: 10th St. & 24 Ave. N.W., Calgary, AB

Edworthy Park and the Douglas Fir Trail
Edworthy Park is one of Calgary's finest natural parks, and has an interesting history: the area has been used as a bison kill site, a tipi camp, a commercial garden, a brick factory and a sandstone quarry.

This Calgary park is excellent for family picnics (includes a playground and barbeque area), cyclists and rollerbladers (on the extensive concrete trail), and hikers (on trails through the woodland).

Walk the Douglas Fir Trail (about 1 hour, child friendly and paved) which passes through a rare stand of fir trees (some greater than 400 years old). Other indigenous flora includes native grassland, shrubland, mixed coniferous forest and sedge wetland.

Address: 5050 Spruce Dr. S.W. (south of the Bow River between Crowchild and Sarcee Trails), Calgary AB.

Elliston Park
Elliston Park’s central feature is the very large pond used for storm water retention. Features picnic areas, two playgrounds, a rose garden and a water fountain, as well as many pathways. Home to the annual Global Fest Fireworks Competition.

Address: 17th Ave at 60 St. SE, Calgary, AB

Fish Creek Provincial Park
Fish Creek is Canada's largest urban park (1348 hectares). Open for day use only, the park offers a variety of recreational activities including hiking trails and picnic areas. Also features the historic Bow Valley Ranch House, Fish Creek Environmental Learning Centre and Sikome Lake (a man-made lake). Open year round (gates open at 8 a.m.

The following areas have paved parking lots, picnic tables, firepits (bring your own firewood) and washrooms:
Shannon Terrace, Bebo Grove, Votier's Flats, Glennfield and Hull's Wood

Address:
From the North: Take Macleod Trail past Canyon Meadows, or Deerfoot Trail to Bow Bottom Trail SE
From the South: Macleod Trail, north of 146 Ave, Sunvalley Blvd to Sikome Rd SE

Glenmore Park North
Located on the north side of the Glenmore Reservoir, this park features numerous picnic areas, playgrounds, and tennis courts. Outdoor BBQ pits may be prebooked and will come supplied with firewood. Features many pedestrian and bike trails.

Glenmore Park South
South Glenmore Park surrounds the south side of the Glenmore Reservoir. It is perfect for family picnics (with playgrounds), hiking, cycling, as well as tennis. The City of Calgary also provides guided nature walks in this area. Glenmore Park South is also home to the city’s Glenmore Sailing School (boat rentals and sailing lessons available). The Variety Children’s Park, a playground and water park area designed with disabled children in mind, is also available here.

Address: 90 Ave & 24 St. SW, Calgary, AB

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary
The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is a wildlife reserve that is home to hundreds of species of birds and plant life. It is a great place to take the kids for walk, featuring a lagoon, walking paths and an interpretive centre.

Address: 2425-9 Ave. SE, Calgary, AB

Olympic Plaza
Built for the 1988 Olympic Winter Games held in Calgary. With it's city centre location, the plaza is a popular warm weather lunch spot for downtown workers. In summer there is a pond and fountains to enjoy. And if you are up for a winter's picnic, there is free public skating on the pond.

Address: 8th Ave. & Macleod Tr. SE, Calgary, AB

Prairie Winds Park
This is a family friendly picnic area located in Calgary’s northeast. It features playgrounds, numerous picnic sites and shelters, softball and soccer fields, and a wading pool (open during the summer months). For winter picnickers, there is a large hill great for tobogganing.

Prince's Island
Prince's Island is located in the city's core by Eau Claire Market on the Bow River and is one of the more popular parks. There is an extensive trail through the park excellent for joggers, walkers, cyclists and rollerbladers. A children's playground is onsite, as well as a seasonal water park. Lots of grassy areas for picnicking or a game of frisbee.

Address: 2nd Ave & 3rd St. SW, or Memorial Dr & 3rd St NW, Calgary AB

Riley Park
Riley Park is a great place to picnic with your little ones. Located between the neighbourhood of Kingston and SAIT, Riley Park features a playground, an outdoor children's wading pool, gardens, baseball diamonds and cricket fields.

Address: 800-12 Street NW, Calgary AB

Stanley Park
Stanley Park allows you to enjoy activities such as fishing, canoeing and rafting on the Elbow River. This family friendly Calgary picnic area features water fountains, an outdoor swimming pool, picnic tables with BBQ pits, and playground areas for the children. Calgary’s outdoor bowling club is also located here.

Nose Hill Park
Nose Hill Park is a natural area which is literally, a large hill in the middle of Calgary. It is the largest municipal park in Canada. With trails throughout, it is popular with walkers and mountain bikers. The park provides a look at what the land known today as Calgary may have looked like at one time, featuring over 66 native plant species, such as crocus, sage, golden bean and rough rescue, which is considered endangered. Wildlife also thrives; there are approximately 200 identified species.

Address: 7420 Shaganappi Tr. NW, Calgary, AB

Weaselhead Flats
Weaselhead Flats runs along the Elbow River just west of Glenmore Park. Because it is located near the edge of the city, it is the place to go to view wildlife. Deer, moose, birds, beaver dams and even an occasional bear can all be seen here. Hiking trails are throughout the park along with guided nature walks offered by the city.

Address: 66 Ave & 37 St. SW, Calgary, AB