Top Spots to Picnic in Greater Calgary

Lifestyle & Design

North Calgary: Nose Hill Park

Grab a backpack and set off to explore this spectacular park that offers sweeping views of the Canadian Rockies and city skyline. You’ll find both paved and unpaved hiking and biking trails, as well as dedicated off-leash dog areas. Draw up a scavenger hunt and keep your kids occupied looking for wildflowers, butterflies and even deer.

The House of Yoga Main Image Nose Hill Nose Hill 34

South Calgary: Fish Creek Park

Head to this sprawling picturesque urban park for hiking, biking and bird watching. Pack your own provisions or grab a bite at Annie’s Bakery and Café. Warmer days call for a swim at the park’s Sikome Lake Aquatic Facility, followed by a lakeside picnic on the beach.

Fish Creek Fishcreek

Downtown Calgary: St Patrick’s Island:

Walk or bike ride along the Bow River to St. Patrick’s Island. Splash around in the cool waters of the Seasonal Breach. Barbeque your lunch at the picnic grove. Run up and roll down the nine metre high grassy knoll, and then watch the kiddos play around on the playground.

St. Patrick's Island Stpatricksisland

Airdrie: Chinook Winds

Spend an afternoon at Chinook Winds in Airdrie. Grab a picnic table or set up your blanket by the spray park and playground. Older kids will love the skate park and volleyball courts. You’ll also find two seasonal concessions for tasty treats and refreshments.

Chinook Winds Spray Park Chinook Winds Spray Park

Cochrane Mitford Park & Pond:

Enjoy a bike ride along along the bow river and stop for a picnic by the pond at Mitford Park. This 43-hectare regional park features ball diamonds, a soccer field, skate park and even trout fishing. If your kiddo catches a big one, he or she can even take it home – for everyone else (ages 14 and up) it’s catch and release only.

Mitford Pond Mitfordpark

Okotoks: Sheep River Valley:

Explore the many riverside trails and parks in Sheep River Valley. Picnic by the playground, beneath a grove of mature trees or alongside the riverbank. You’ll find plenty of picnic tables and shaded spots to set out your blanket.

Okotoks Okotokssheepriver