9 stunning Calgary parks you need to go to when the leaves start to change
Get your fall foliage fix! 🍁🍂
Falling in love with fall leaves at Prince's Island Park. Right: Golden season vibes at Bowmont Park.
There's a reason fall is called golden season in Calgary. Once the weather starts to cool down, the trees in Calgary's parks burst with gorgeous gold, red and orange leaves.
Fall may only last a few short weeks in Calgary, but many people say it's their favourite season. That's because you don't need to go far to see nature in all its amazing glory. There are so many parks right in the city that transform into a sea of fabulous fall colours.
The only trouble you'll have this fall is deciding which park to hit up for those incredible fall foliage views. To help you out, these are some of the best parks in Calgary to see autumn leaves.
McHugh Bluff
Price: Free
Address: Crescent Rd. NW & Centre Street N, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: If you want to see spectacular fall foliage against a backdrop of Calgary's city skyline, McHugh Bluff is your spot. This hillside park is perched above the Bow River and it has tons of beautiful balsam poplar trees that turn shades of bright yellow in the fall.
Looking for an easy stroll? Meander along Crescent Road NW and stop at one of the many benches along the way. For a leg-burning challenge, climb the McHugh Bluff stairs. You'll have to climb 167 steep stairs, but you'll be rewarded with incredible fall scenery from the viewing platforms.
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Price: Free
Address: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Spanning 1,335 hectares, Fish Creek Provincial Park is simply huge and a stunning spot to spend a few hours immersed in nature. There are over 80 kilometres of trails that take you along waterways and through groves of trees that explode with vivid orange and gold autumn hues.
There are so many things to do in Fish Creek Provincial Park, from hiking to cycling and paddling on a gorgeous lake. There are also picnic areas with fire pits. If you prefer your meals in fancier environs, head to the Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant for elegant fine dining fare.
Confederation Park
Price: Free
Address: 905 30 Ave NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Confederation Park isn't as big as some of the other urban parks in Calgary, but it makes up for it with a plethora of trees. Come fall, the balsam poplars, water birch and willow trees change colors and drop their leaves, creating golden carpets.
The park is also home to the Confederation Park Golf Course, a nine-hole course with rolling fairways and plenty of leafy trees. The course usually stays open until late October or early November, making this a great spot to perfect your swing amongst fall colours.
Bowmont Park
Price: Free
Address: 85 St NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Just north of the Bow River lies Bowmont Park, a beautiful natural area that features a massive escarpment. Explore the park and you'll find groves of balsam poplar trees, wooden staircases, truss train bridges and a hidden waterfall.
One of the easiest ways to access Bowmont Park is from Silver Springs at the top of the escarpment. From there, you can traverse down the stairs and make your way to the waterfall next to the Bow River. There are also several off-leash dog areas along the riverbank.
Prince's Island Park
Price: Free
Address: 698 Eau Claire Ave SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Prince's Island Park is a must-visit attraction in Calgary for visitors and a favorite outdoor spot for locals, especially in the autumn months when the fall leaves are out in full force. This island park is connected to Eau Claire, Kensington and downtown Calgary via several bridges.
Prince's Island Park has it all — peaceful tree-lined pathways, grassy areas, park benches, playgrounds and picnic areas. It's also home to the River Cafe, which has a picturesque patio that's surrounded by trees. Glasses of wine with views of fall foliage? Yes, please.
Nose Hill Park
Price: Free
Address: 6465 14 St NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Nose Hill Park encompasses 11 square kilometres in Calgary's northwest and it's one of the best spots to escape the city crowds. The park consists of large swathes of grassland, as well as groves of aspen, balsam poplar and willow trees.
You could spend hours traversing Nose Hill Park's trails, taking in the fresh air and beautiful fall leaves. Along the way, you'll come across great vantage points of the city and the Rocky Mountains in the distance. Furry friends are also welcome to roam free in the off-leash dog areas.
Glenmore Reservoir
Price: Free
Address: 7305 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Have you ever wondered where Calgary gets its water? If you're in the south of the city, that would be the Glenmore Reservoir. Besides being a source of clean water, the reservoir is also incredibly beautiful and a stellar spot to see fall leaves.
There are several trails around the Glenmore Reservoir, most of which will give you great views of the water and fall foliage. If you want to see some of Alberta's famous golden larch trees, head to the north side of the reservoir where there are several groves of these unique trees with needles that turn gold in the fall.
Edworthy Park
Price: Free
Address: 5050 Spruce Dr SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Edworthy Park is a great hiking spot with wooded trails that will make you feel as though you've left the city. The upper part of the park is particularly lovely in the fall, as you can see a blanket of trees spread out below that sport red, orange and yellow hues.
There's something for everyone in Edworthy Park including picnic areas and playgrounds, off-leash dog areas and hiking trails that wind up hills and through forests. Head to the banks of the Bow River to see those fantastic fall colours reflected in the water.
Bowness Park
Price: Free
Address: 8900 48 Ave NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: With its pretty lagoon surrounded by trees and peaceful riverside trails, Bowness Park gives off major fairy-tale vibes. It's a great spot to do some paddling on the water, have a picnic under the trees or just stroll the pathways and enjoy the autumn leaves.
If you get hungry while you're exploring the park, you can swing by Seasons of Bowness Park for a bite to eat. The restaurant overlooks the lagoon and serves tasty dishes like flatbreads, sandwiches and pasta. The restaurant also has a market where you can purchase grab-and-go eats.