7 Calgary Parks You Can Visit To Witness A Kaleidoscope Of Fall Colours
All the fall feels!
Couple in Prince's Island Park. Right: Fish Creek Provincial Park.
Autumn is officially underway, which means the fall colours are out in full force. For just a few weeks in September and October, Calgary becomes a fall wonderland with brilliant displays of yellow, orange and red leaves.
While many people plan fall hikes near Calgary to take in the fall foliage, you don’t actually have to leave the city to see spectacular autumn scenery.
With plenty of parks, green spaces and tree-lined streets, Calgary has a ton of places where you can take in all those amazing autumn hues. These are some of the top spots in the city where you can get your foliage fix.
Prince's Island Park
Price: Free to visit
Address: 4th St. and 1st Ave. SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Located on an island in the Bow River, Prince’s Island Park is just minutes from downtown and a gorgeous spot to immerse yourself in nature. Fall is a particularly lovely time to visit the park thanks to the multitudes of trees that burst with yellow and orange hues.
The park spans 20 hectares and is home to numerous walking paths, as well as picnic areas and flower gardens. On the east side, there is a wetland where you can see native plants and wildlife like mallard ducks and beavers. The park is also home to a fine dining restaurant called the River Cafe.
You can access the park via three footbridges on the south side that connect to downtown and the Eau Claire neighborhood. The Bow River Pathway Bridge is on the north side and connects to Memorial Drive.
Bowness Park
Price: Free to visit
Address: 8900 48th Ave. NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: This beautiful park on the Bow River was once a popular summer retreat for Calgarians looking to escape the city. Today it is still a sought-after spot for boating, cycling and taking in the fall leaves.
One of the best places to see foliage in Bowness Park is at the lagoon. You can rent a kayak or canoe and paddle across the lagoon to see the bright yellow and orange leaves on the shore and reflected in the water.
There are several trails and picnic spots in the park where you can immerse yourself in the autumn scenery. BBQ stands and fire pits are also available if you feel like grilling up something to eat.
Confederation Park
Price: Free admission
Address: From 24th Ave. and 14th St. NW to 30th Ave. and 10th St. NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: With over 160 hectares covered in multiple species of trees including poplar, birch and willow, Confederation Park is a prime spot to see fall leaves in all their glory.
This multi-use park has something for everyone including walking and cycling paths, picnic areas, tennis courts, playgrounds and a golf course. For a few weeks in the fall, nearly every corner of the park provides views of brilliant red, yellow and orange leaves.
The wetland area in the park is super scenic and a great place to spot wildlife. Stroll along the river and marshes and you might see mallard ducks, Canada geese and muskrats hanging out among the aquatic plants.
Fish Creek Provincial Park
Price: Free to visit
Address: 15979 Bow Bottom Trail SE, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Stretching 19 kilometres from east to west, Fish Creek Provincial Park is the second largest urban park in Canada after Rouge National Urban Park. There are over 100 kilometres of trails to explore where you can admire stunning fall foliage.
Many of the trails in the park run parallel to Fish Creek, which flows into the Bow River at the eastern edge of the park. Along the trails you can see poplar, aspen and red-osier dogwood trees that burst into a riot of colours when the temperatures start to cool.
Besides hiking, Fish Creek Provincial Park offers an array of activities including fishing, swimming, mountain biking and bird-watching. There are also several picnic areas where you can relax and have a bite.
Nose Hill Park
Price: Free to visit
Address: 6465 14th St NW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: This sprawling park is located in the northwest of Calgary in an area that used to be ancient bison hunting grounds. The grasslands and forests within the park are especially beautiful in the fall when the leaves turn shades of vermillion and gold.
Although the park is easily accessible from the city, it was officially designated a protected area, so the natural environment has been preserved. Hike along the trails and you may come across deer, porcupine and ground squirrels.
Climb to the top of Nose Hill and you’ll be rewarded with views of downtown Calgary and the Bow River Valley. On a clear day, you may be able to see all the way to the Rocky Mountains and across the eastern plains.
Glenmore Reservoir
Price: Free to visit
Address: 7305 Crowchild Trail SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Located on the Elbow River, the Glenmore Reservoir is a scenic spot to see magnificent fall colours. The reservoir is surrounded by a variety of trees including a grove of larch trees on the northern side.
The Glenmore Reservoir Loop is a spectacular trail that runs along the water’s edge. The entire loop is about 15 kilometres and will take you past plenty of trees sporting autumn leaves.
You can also rent a boat to take out on the reservoir from the Glenmore Sailing School. This is a great way to see the fall scenery from a different vantage point. Boat rentals are only available until the end of October though, so get there fast before they're gone!
Edworthy Park
Price: Free to visit
Address: 5050 Spruce Dr SW, Calgary, AB
Why You Need To Go: Stroll the trails in Edworthy Park and you’ll find yourself amidst aspen, maple and willow trees that turn vivid shades of red, yellow and orange in the fall months. The leaves look even more impressive contrasted against the deep greens of the spruce and Douglas fir trees.
Located in a valley next to the Bow River in the southwestern part of Calgary, Edworthy Park has a number of trails that take you along the river and through wooded areas. It also has some off-leash dog areas where you can let your pup run free.
The Douglas Fir Trail is a must if you’re up for a bit of a workout. The trail takes you up steps and over bridges and offers some great lookout points with views over the river. Just be sure to wear sturdy shoes, as the trail can get slippery in parts.