Your Weekend Planner: Beat the Heat at these Beaches Near Calgary (May 6-8, 2016)

2019 update: Note that there have been e-coli advisories on the Elbow River for the past few years, so swim here at your own risk! We have floated the Elbow, but refrain from swimming in it.

We like playing at:

• Edworthy Park across the bridge from Angel’s Cappuccino and Ice Cream. Grab an ice cream or coffee, then hike the forested Douglas Fir Trail to the lookout (2.2 km return) or bike the Bow River Pathway (east to downtown or west to Shouldice Park). There are several picnic areas in the park, but reservations are recommended on the weekend. Dial 311 to reserve (for a fee). Update: The Douglas Fir Trail reopened November 2017.
  

  Edworthy Park

• Mission/Roxboro near 25 Ave SW and Erlton Street. Pick up coffee at Phil & Sebastian on 4th Street or try the amazing pastries at Yann Haute Patisserie at 329 23 Ave SW. There is a lot of great dining on 4th Street and nearby 17th Avenue.
  

  Mission/Roxboro Beach

• Bebo Grove, Fish Creek Provincial Park – head SW from the parking lot for river access. Explore as far as you wish! There is a great network of trails, a picnic area, and plenty of shade. Shannon Terrace also has beach access and a picnic area (see the Fish Creek map here). Try Pattiserie du Soleil Bakery & Cafe in Woodbine for delectable treats, breakfast and lunch! (Thanks Jacqueline H. for the recommendation!)
• Sikome Lake for its public, sandy beach – open June 20-August 30. Bike from Sikome Lake to Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre or go for afternoon tea at Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant! Annie’s Bakery is also a favorite stop. For more info on the Bow Valley Ranch area of Fish Creek Park, please see this post. Note that fees will be in effect from 2016 on.
• River Park/Sandy Beach is fun to explore on a hot day. Nearby Brown’s Socialhouse Brittania is highly recommended for elegant pubfare.
• Stanley Park’s outdoor pool will open mid June. Swim then play at the playground! Stanley Park to Mission is a nice bike ride along the Elbow River Pathway. Brown’s Socialhouse Brittania is highly recommended for elegant pubfare.
• Parks with lagoons:
  • St Patrick’s Island – bike here from East Village, Calgary Curling Club or the Calgary Zoo; visit the Bloom Art Installation and George C. King Bridge; let the kids burn off stome steam at the St Patrick’s Island or East Village playgrounds; dine at the Simmon’s Building (Phil & Sebastian Coffee, Sidewalk Citizen Artisan Bakery, or Charbar boutique eatery). You could also bike to Chinatown for dimsum!
  • Prince’s Island –  Lounge by the lagoon and watch the birds, splash in the spray park (across the bridge, in front of Eau Claire Market (spray park opens mid June), throw a frisbee in the field, or bike the Bow River Pathway. River Cafe, located on the island, is a romantic spot for a meal.
  • Bowness Park will be the place to be this summer! The train ride will be back, paddleboat and canoe rentals will be available starting June 2nd, and its spray park will open mid-summer (check here for updates). Seasons of Bowness Teahouse will also open later this year.  For an unforgettable meal, dine at nearby NOtaBLE.
  • To explore bike routes near these parks, check out 10 Fun Family Bike Rides in Calgary.
  • City spray parks, wading pools, and outdoor pools are scheduled to open in mid-June. For opening dates, please check here.

St Patrick’s Island Lagoon in March

East Village Playground

Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant, Fish Creek Provincial Park

Douglas Fir Trail, Edworthy Park

Yann Haute Patisserie’s Creations

• Quarry Lake, Canmore: This popular spot is packed on the weekend, but there is a small sandy beach for the kids and great mountain views. Nearby hikes include Grassi Lakes and Ha Ling Peak. There’s lots of good mountain biking at Canmore Nordic Centre. After some outdoor fun, get a coffee at Mountain Mercato or dinner at Habitat, Rocky Mountain Flatbread Company, The Trough, or Crazy Weed. Tapas is wonderful too, but not suitable for families with little kids.
• Barrier Lake Day Use (NOT Barrier Dam), Kananaskis: Enjoy the sandy beach! Nearby hikes include Mount Lorette Ponds, Troll Falls, Prairie View, Flowing Waters and several short, interpretive trails in Bow Valley Provincial Park. The closest picnic sites are available at Barrier Dam, Canoe Meadows and Mount Lorette Ponds.
• Johnson Lake, Banff: A local’s favorite! Play, paddle or hike around this picturesque little lake. Search for the old hermit cabin built in 1910 if you have time. No picnic tables, but there are Red Chairs overlooking the lake (north side). Bring a picnic blanket!

Johnson Lake, Banff

Flowing Water Trail, Bow Valley Provincial Park

Barrier Lake, Bow Valley Provincial Park

• While not exactly a beach, Big Hill Springs Provincial Park has shade and a small creek and falls to splash in as well as a 3 km shaded hike. Only 20 minutes from NW Calgary, this is a great option when you want a quick getaway.

• Aspen Beach Provincial Park (180 km north of Calgary) – Alberta’s oldest provincial park, near Lacombe, has a long sandy beach and warm, shallow water in the “swimming” area at Ebeling Day Use (too shallow for swimming but fun for splashing/wading!). The new beach – Sandy Point – is a great alternative and can be less busy. Be sure to checkout nearby Kraay Family Farm and Lacombe Corn Maze while you’re there!

Aspen Beach Provincial Park

• • Sylvan Provincial Park (160 km N of Calgary) – Camp at Jarvis Bay Provincial Park so you can stay longer! Dana has a great writeup on Water Fun in Red Deer here.
  • Little Bow Provincial Park (166 km SE of Calgary) – Camp at the park so you can stay longer! Boating and paddling permitted. See our trip report here.
    

    Little Bow Provincial Park Beach

  • Kinbrook Island Provincial Park (207 km SE of Calgary) – camp at the park so you can stay longer! Kinbrook Island is a nice beach destination or stopping spot on the way to Cypress Hills or Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. Enjoy boating, paddling, and the 4.5 km wetland interpretive trail.

Kinbrook Island Provincial Park

• Elkwater Lake, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park (360 km SE of Calgary) has lovely sandy beaches, warm water, paddling, and free mini golf! There are also hiking and mountain biking trails in the park.

Elkwater Lake, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

For mountain bikers, the best spots right now are West Bragg Creek or Canmore Nordic Centre’s trails, but look out for wet sections at ski trail junctions at CNC).