Ultimate Guide to Calgary’s Fish Creek Provincial Park

Fish Creek Provincial Park, located in southern Calgary, Alberta, is the city’s largest urban park and perfect for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. Spanning over 1300 hectares, Fish Creek has over 100kms of trails, both paved, granular, and single track, that are suitable for all ages to explore.

Open year round, this beautiful park offers a variety of activities, including biking, cross country skiing, walking, and swimming and has an abundance of wildlife that can be spotted throughout the seasons.

This ultimate guide of Fish Creek Provincial Park will provide you will all the essentials on making your visit unforgettable. Trails, seasonal activities, access points, wildlife information and facilities will be covered in this comprehensive guide of Calgary’s most tranquil park.

General Information

Fish Creek Provincial Park spans the width of southern Calgary, encompassing a portion of the southwest and southeast regions. This park is free to visit and requires no permits or passes except for the Sikome Lake Aquatic Facility.

The hours of operation depend on the season. Day use areas and facilities are open from 8am-10pm during the spring/summer season (April-September) and 8am-8pm during the fall/winter season (October-March).

There are 14-day use areas in Fish Creek Park, 4 in the southwest region and 10 located in the southeast. Click on each link to view map details.

Southwest Day Use Areas

• Shannon Terrace
• Marshall Springs
• Bebo Grove
• Votier’s Flats

Southeast Day Use Areas

• Glennfield
• Bow Valley Ranch
• Sikome Lake (x3)
• Mallard Point
• Burnsmead
• Hull’s Wood
• Rotary Nature Park
• Bankside
• Boat Launch
• Lafarge Meadows

All day use locations have public toilets (some newly renovated with running water), picnic areas (some with BBQ fire pits), and ample parking space. Marshall Springs is the exception, as there is only a parking lot available at this location and no other facilities.

Some washrooms, including those located at Bankside, Rotary Nature Park, and the Boat Launch are closed during the winter season.

Outside of the official parking areas, there are multiple ways to access Fish Creek via the neighborhoods that surround the perimeter of the park.

Several of these communities include Evergreen, Shawnee Slopes, Parkland, Deer Run, Sundance, Midnapore, and McKenzie Lake.

Facilities in Fish Creek Park

Sikome Lake

Sikome Lake is a man-made lake in the southeast quadrant of Fish Creek. The facility is equipped with washrooms and showers, picnic areas, three playgrounds and a concession.

Beach items such as towels and sunscreen can be purchased as well, but it’d recommended to bring your own, as supplies are limited.

The operating season is weather dependent but is generally open from the end of June until early September. There are three parking areas for Sikome Lake: Sundance, North and South.

Admission Rates for Sikome Lake

• Adults: $5
• Children (6-17): $3
• Children (5 and under): Free
• Family (2 adults + 4 children): $10

Bow Valley Ranche/Annie’s

Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant is rated one of the top 100 restaurants in Canada and is in the heart of Fish Creek Provincial Park. With a rich history spanning over 120 years, Bow Valley Ranche is a top spot to visit while in the park.

The restaurant offers a variety of locally sourced menus including brunch, lunch, dinner, and afternoon tea. The restaurant can also be rented out for weddings, corporate events, and birthdays.

Another popular area in Fish Creek is a short distance from Bow Valley Ranche. Annie’s Café provides a wide range of pastries, salads, coffees/teas, hot meals, and ice cream.

The café is opened 7 days a week during the summer months and can be very busy on the weekends.

Reserved Group Shelters

There are some larger day use areas available to rent at Glennfield Day Use area for $90/day. Access to shelters, power outlets, private washrooms, water, and dedicated parking lots is included in the rate. Fire pits are not located in the area, but portable pits and grills can be brought in.

Reservations can be made by contacting the following email fishcreek@gov.ab.ca. These areas can only be reserved between the months of April to October.

Quadrants to explore

Fish Creek has two distinct regions: the southwest quadrant and the southeast quadrant.

Both areas are uniquely different from each other and depending on your preferences, you may enjoy one better than the other. While Fish Creek is a wonderful place where visitors can bike, hike, or walk, knowing the regions may help determine which quadrant is best suited for your individual needs.

Southeast Quadrant

The southeast section of Fish Creek is significantly larger than the southwest. The trails and pathways are primarily flat, making it perfect for a leisurely bike ride, walk or stroll throughout the park.

Grasslands, groves, and meadows are the common terrain in this area as well, making wildlife viewings more likely to occur. Waterfront walks along the creek and Bow River through thin poplar forests are typical for this quadrant.

There is also another engineered wetland located in the far southeast.

There is an abundance of facilities, including the man-made Sikome Lake and Bow Valley Restaurant, as well as BBQ facilities throughout the southeast quadrant.

Best Suited For:

• Young Families with strollers
• Cyclists
• Elderly
• Runners
• Bird Enthusiasts

Southwest Quadrant

The southwest section of Fish Creek tends to be more rugged and wild, than the southeast quadrant. While smaller in size, the southwest landscape is dramatically different. While meadows and grasslands can still be found, most of the southwest side is covered in a thick wooded area, with dramatic cliffs and embarkments.

These wooded areas are rugged, rooted, and perfect for mountain bikers and hikers. The trails weave deeper into the forest and down into the ravine. At times, it feels like you are deep in Kananaskis Country, instead of an urban park in Calgary.

Here, in the southwest, the wildlife flourishes, as several storm ponds have been overtaken by beavers. Deer, bob cats, coyotes also call the southwest quadrant home.

Best Suited For:

• Adventurous kids and adults
• Mountain Bikers
• Cross Country Runners
• Wildlife Enthusiasts

Seasons in Fish Creek Park

Fish Creek Park can be enjoyed year-round, through rain, shine, or 5 feet of snow. Depending on your preferences and preferred activities, some seasons may be more appealing to visit than others.

Spring

Spring is messy, I’m not going to lie. It’s also not visually appealing in the first few months of spring, as the landscape is often barren, muddy, and brown, especially in the early months. Around June, after the rains, the landscape begins to transform into something more pleasing to the eye.

When snow is partially present on the pathways, the ever-changing temperatures make for icy conditions. This is ever present in the southwest quadrant, where there are significant changes in elevation. The snowpack in the deep wooded areas sometimes lingers until late May.

Seasonal flooding occurs once the snows have melted, causing Fish Creek and the Bow River to surge. These surges can cause major damage to pathways, especially those near low lying areas.

Summer

Lush, green, and full of life, summer is one of the best seasons to visit Fish Creek. The sun doesn’t set until 10pm in Calgary during the summer, allowing for ample daylight time to explore the park.

Pathways are clear of obstructions (except for Canadian Geese) and all facilities are in operation. Water activities are big in Fish Creek, whether that is wading into the creek, fishing, boating down the Bow or swimming at Sikome Lake. There are multiple hidden spots to access the water.

Wildlife viewing is at its best during the summer, especially before dusk. Just make sure to pack the bug spray, as the mosquitos are hungry.

Autumn

Another beautiful time of year to visit, Autumn is fantastic for leisurely strolls and viewing the changing leaves. While Calgary may not have an array of colours during autumn, Fish Creek does have beautiful golden poplar trees.

When Calgary does have an autumn season (sometimes it skips straight to winter), the temperatures are mild, pathways are dry and water levels are low.

Winter

Winter is surprisingly a great time of year to also visit Fish Creek. The main paths are maintained during the winter, making it easily to traverse over the paved paths throughout the park. Certain areas however do get very icy in the winter.

Calgary has an average of 330 days of sunshine a year, making Fish Creek a great place to visit in the dead of winter. The southeast quadrant of Fish Creek is more exposed to the elements, which can be excellent on a beautiful, sunny winter day.

Wildlife in the Park

There is a huge array of wildlife in Fish Creek Provincial Park. Deer, coyotes, bob cats, rabbits, geese, ducks, muskrats, beavers, snakes, squirrels, and owls make their home in this stunning urban park. As with all wildlife, it’s best to not touch or interfere with them.

While beavers can be destructive, they have made their home at two storm water ponds in the southwest regions of Fish Creek. They can be seen at Marshall Springs and Votier’s Flats.

Every few years, the occasional black bear or cougar is spotted in the park. They primarily are spotted in the southwest regions, around Shannon Terrace, Bebo Grove and Votier’s Flats. Warnings are posted on every parking area sign, indicating whether these animals have been spotted in and around the park.

While animal attacks in Fish Creek are rare, it is still possible, so be alert and report any sighting by calling 403-591-7755.

Trail Types in Fish Creek

Fish Creek has three distinct trail types throughout the park: paved, granular and single track.

Paths marked in solid green on the park map indicate paved paths. These paths are wide and are suitable for cyclists, walkers and everyone going through the park including maintenance vehicles. Watch out for trucks along route and people servicing the area. Paved paths are maintained during the winter as well, allowing for easy access all year long.

The green perforated lines on the map are the granular trails. These trails rarely deviate far from the paved paths. Granular trails are suitable for all users, including strollers with off road capabilities. These trails may not always be maintained during the winter months, but see lots of traffic, often matting down the trails.

Single Track trails are not maintained throughout the year and are used at the user’s own risk. These narrow pathways are not marked on the map, making them more challenging, yet fun to navigate.

These trails are not stroller friendly and often veer deep into the wooded areas. The tracks are popular with mountain bikers and those seeking the quieter side of Fish Creek.

Popular Hiking/Biking Routes

One of the most enjoyable things about Fish Creek Park is to go for a walk or bike ride through the many scenic trails. My favourite area to walk or hike is the southwest quadrant of the city. The landscape changes dramatically and it can much quieter than the southeast section. Below are some hidden gems found throughout both quadrants of Fish Creek.

Bebo Grove Stormwater Pond Loop Via Marshall Springs

• Distance: 4 km
• Route Type: Loop
• Trailhead: Marshall Springs Parking Lot
• Suitable For: Hikers and Cyclists

This walk is a great introduction to the beauty Fish Creek’s southwest quadrant can offer. It begins in the Marshall Springs parking lot and proceeds down into the ravine. There are several storm water ponds in this area, a resident beaver and plenty of access spots to wade into the creek during the summertime.

While this route can be done in any season, it can be challenging during the early spring and winter months, as the trailhead begins and ends with a steep incline on a paved path.

Shannon Terrace Loop

• Distance: 3km
• Route Type: Loop
• Trailhead: Shannon Terrace Day Use Area
• Suitable For: Hikers and Mountain Bikers

This wonderful short hike is a perfect blend of paved, granular, and single-track trails through the wooded southwest region. Beginning at Shannon Terrace parking lot and day use area, the trail heads into the forest, weaving over roots, hills, and uneven terrain. There are many routes to choose from, ultimately, they all end up in the same general area.

The trail will head back towards the perimeter of the park, before once again venturing into the forest. This area is icy in the winter. Crossing the bridge, the granular path will lead past the picnic areas and back towards the parking area.

Bow Valley Ranche to Glennfield

• Distance: 9km
• Route Type: Out & Back
• Trailhead: Bow Valley Ranche or Glennfield
• Suitable For: Everyone

This flat route is suitable for all ages and begins just past Annie’s Café in the southeast region. Grab some ice cream and begin your long journey along flat, exposed paved pathways. This route has no shade coverage and strays far from any creeks or rivers.

This is a great area to enjoy the grasslands and meadows, which is home to many animals including deer, coyotes, and various birds.

Mallard Point – Bankside Loop

• Distance: 10km
• Route Type: Loop
• Trailhead: Mallard Point Day Use Area
• Suitable For: Everyone

This peaceful trail walks along the perimeter of Fish Creek Provincial Park in the southeast quadrant. The paved and granular paths, passes through groves, as it ventures alongside both Fish Creek and The Bow River.

The trail is suitable for all ages, as its relatively flat. Two river crossings will be done over pedestrian bridges, as the trail also passes by other parking and day use areas.

For additional trails and routes, head over to AllTrails, as they have a good selection of trails in either quadrant of Fish Creek.

Helpful Tips for Fish Creek

• There is a clothing optional beach located in the southeast side of Fish Creek. This area is quite secluded and has access to shallow water
• Dogs must be kept on leashes at all times
• Cyclists, including those with E-bikes MUST yield to pedestrians. There has been an increase in pedestrian/cyclist injuries within Calgary and the park. There are many blind corners throughout the park and cyclists should be aware of these
• There are many little winding paths, especially single-track trails, that venture deep into the wooded areas. Be sure to know the general direction you are going or use AllTrails to help with navigation
• Make sure to shower or wash off after swimming or wading into the water. While Calgary has excellent water, there is always a risk of infection when partaking in water activities
• Obey the signage and stay off paths that are undergoing restoration
• Storm water ponds are meant to be admired from afar. Please don’t swim or skate on the ponds, as they are dangerous

• Camping and open fires are not allowed in the park. Fires are only permitted in designated the BBQ pits
• If you spot an encampment, stay clear and report it to 3-1-1 (via app or phone). I have encountered a few in the wooded areas and near the perimeter of the park.