Celebrating Summer In Calgary And Beyond

Hello Summer!! It’s roadtrip season! But if you can’t get away, there are a TON of fun things to do in Calgary this weekend.

Important Dates

If heading out of town, please check that your vehicle is road trip ready and note the following important dates:

• Friday, June 24 – Yoho Valley Road Opening Day! Now’s the time to visit Takakkaw Falls Laughing Falls, Iceline Trail, and Twin Falls! 
• Saturday June 25 – Kananaskis 100 Mile Relay Race
• Where: Highway 40 from Longview to Nakiska (affects access to Peter Lougheed Provincial Park and Highwood Area).
• Details: Expect runners on the side of the road, and traffic congestion from 6 am – 4 pm. Please slow down near runners and relay stations and give them space when possible.
• Saturday June 25 – Rundle Mountain Stage Race in Canmore! 200 cyclists will be riding in various events around town. Check the routes posted here to see if your plans will be affected.

Takakkaw Falls, Yoho National Park

Things to Do This Weekend In And Around Calgary

1. Beat the Heat with this roundup of beaches, ponds and lakes in and around Calgary. Details here! Please note that there is a bear closure near Forgetmenot pond, so save this pond for another weekend.
   

   Barrier Lake, Kananaskis

2. Go look for the goats at Confluence Park! Did you know the City of Calgary has started a pilot weed control project using goats? Goats are adorable and effective weed eating critters! For more information on Confluence Park, please see this post. For everyone’s safety, please keep away from the goats and keep dogs on a leash. 
   

   Confluence Park Goats (Natural Weed Eaters!)

3. Sikome Lake Opening Day!
• Details: Have a fun beach day at Sikome Lake! Please note that user fees are in effect at this newly upgraded facility. Details here. 
• When: Open 10 am – 7:30 pm from June 25 – Labour Day.
• Where: Sikome Lake, Fish Creek Provincial Park
• Day Trip Tip: Bike from Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre to Sikome Lake (or  vice versa)! The Visitor Centre has some interesting exhibits and a tipi inside and it’s free! There are also several beautiful sculptures in the adjacent Artisan Gardens, and you can grab a treat or ice cream at Annie’s Cafe. For fancy afternoon tea or lunch, visit Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant. Read more in this post about Fish Creek Provincial Park.
  

  Caballero Sculpture near Bow Valley Ranch Visitor Centre

4. Calgary Mobile Adventure Playground
• Details: Let kids’ creativity flow at a mobile adventure playground. Instead of plastic and metal structures, see what your kids make with cardboard boxes, boards, tires, and tape. Best of all, you don’t have to bring materials or clean up! More information from the city and the summer schedule (the playground will move to different park each weekend) is available here.
• When: June 24 & 25, 10 am – 4 pm
• Where: North Glenmore Park (7305 Crowchild Trail NW) near Snowy Owl Picnic Area
5. Dr. Seuss in the Park
• Details: Enjoy a Dr. Seuss story, games, crafts, and face painting! Free! (Please note children must be accompanied by an adult.) 
• When: Saturdays until August 27th, 11 am – 3:30 pm
• Where: Riley Park Story Tent (between the wading pool and playground). 
• Note: The Riley Park wading pool is temporarily closed. Check here for updates re re-opening from the city. Eau Claire and Rotary Park’s spray parks are nearby options. 
6. Family Day Festival & Pow Wow
• Details: Celebrate Aboriginal Awareness Week Calgary with a free pancake breakfast at 9:30 am, live music, performances, and presentations. 
• When: Saturday, June 25, 9:30 am – 9 pm
• Where: New Indian Village, Enmax Park, Stampede Grounds
7. Calgary Mud Fair
• Details: Get dirty and celebrate everything about mud! Play in mud pits, a mud slide, and mud kitchen. Get a bite to eat from a food truck, enjoy live music, shop at the freen market, and hose off after. Tickets available here. Bring towels and rain boots!
• When: Sunday, June 26, 11 am – 2 pm
• Where: Lloyd Park, Foothills No. 31 (5 minutes west of Spruce Meadows)
8. Horde at the Hive
• Details: This Viking themed festival will have battle re-enactments, Norse style food, honey mead samples, and tours of the apiary and meadery. You can also stock up on amazing honey products at the Country Store! Festival – free. Tours – extra charge.
• When: Saturday, June 25 & Sunday, June 26
• Where: Chinook Honey Company, Okotoks 

Mount Rundle as seen from Vermilion Lakes Drive, Banff

1. There are several bear warnings and advisories throughout the park. Please check advisories and trail reports before you go!
2. For a complete camping and activity guide for Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, please see this writeup on Peter Lougheed Provincial Park. It includes information on hiking, biking, paddling, and camping as well as where to rent equipment.
3. Hike Ptarmigan Cirque, Highwood Pass (but NOT Saturday – race day, remember?). The wildflowers are in full bloom, so now is the best time to go! This is our favorite short hike in Kananaskis – it’s gorgeous, but steep, and only 4 km return! For more information, please see this post.
4. If Peter Lougheed is too far, try the family-friendly trails of Bow Valley Provincial Park or Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
5. More family favorite hikes (5 km or less): Grassi Lakes, West Wind Pass, Black Prince Cirque. 

Ptarmigan Cirque, Kananaskis

1. Book a Burgess Shale Hike in Yoho National Park and see 500 million year old fossils! The Stanley Glacier Hike is the most family friendly of the three options, but not for very young kids unless you can carry them (10 km return, 450 m elevation gain, NOT stroller friendly). The trail itself is beautiful too!
• Other great family-friendly hikes are Emerald Lake (5 km) and Wapta Falls (~4 km). Head up Yoho Valley Road and visit Takakkaw Falls – one of Canada’s tallest waterfalls – and enjoy a picnic at the day use area beside the falls.
2. The Waterton Wildflower Festival is on until June 24 and includes talks, walks and a photo contest. For full details, please see the brochure. Park entrance and session fees in effect.
3. Visit Dinosaur Provincial Park before it gets too hot! The scenery is out of this world! If it is hot, Kinbrook Island’s sandy beach is a worthwhile detour! 
4. The Elkwater area of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park has small sandy beaches, a pleasant lakeside (bikeable) trail, free mini golf, and lots of campgrounds. It’s a fun and relaxing spot to visit.

Dinosaur Provincial Park

What event or location most piqued your interest?

Related Posts

• Check out my Where to Stay in Alberta and British Columbia page!
• Where to Beat the Heat In and Around Calgary (ponds, lakes, beaches, spray parks)
• 10 Banff Road Trips You Must Do This Summer
• Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Camping & Activity Guide
• Top 5 Things to Do in Kananaskis Now
• Vehicle Check: What to look at before heading out on a road trip
• 10 Fun Family Bike Rides in Calgary
• The Best Short Hikes Near Calgary (all 4 km or less and less than an hour away!)