6 beautiful Calgary parks that are worth visiting even in the winter

Winter gets a bit of a bad rep, and we think that’s a little unfair. Sure, it can get pretty cold, but there’s still so much to do – especially with so many great Calgary parks to explore! 

If you’re into exploring the great outdoors, there’s no shortage of parks and outdoor spaces to check out in our beautiful city! Bonus points if it’s during a Chinook.

Here are 6 Calgary parks worth visiting – even in the winter – and what you can do while you’re there. 

Bowness Park

If you like leisurely riverside walks, you can’t go wrong with Bowness. There are tons of trees, park benches to sit and catch your breath, and lovely views across the river to Baker Park – which you can get to if you walk across the pedestrian bridge. It’s great for when you’re in the mood for a longer loop!

Bowness is perfect for walking the dog or catching up with a friend while you enjoy a toasty thermos of coffee. There’s also a large area for skating in the winter and fire pits for warming up afterwards. 

Where: 8900 48 Ave NW

Confederation Park 

Confederation is another one of Calgary’s parks that’s pretty iconic. Located just north of Mt Pleasant, it’s a scenic spot packed with trees, beautiful walking lanes, and loads of winter activities! 

When the colder months hit, Confederation Park has a toboggan hill, two outdoor skating rinks and cross-country skiing trails that run through the Golf Course. You can also walk or snowshoe the trails, depending on how deep the snow is when you go!

Where: 905 30 Ave NW

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St. Patrick’s Island

Who doesn’t love a pretty piece of history? St. Patrick’s Island is one of Calgary’s oldest parks, a beauty in the winter. There’s a hilly rise that’s perfect for sledding, winding paths that lend themselves nicely to snowshoes or cross-country skis, and a pedestrian bridge with some beautiful city views.

Where: 300 Zoo Rd NE

Nose Hill Park

Nose Hill Park is where you go when you feel like walking – like a lot. With over 11 km of trails to explore, hills for tobogganing, and stunning views from the top of the hill, it’s the perfect place to explore on a crystal-clear winter day. Make sure to bring your snowshoes if it’s particularly snowy!

Where: 6465 14 St NW

Fish Creek 

It’s a little hard to pinpoint where Fish Creek Park begins since it spans a massive area between suburbs in Southern Calgary. Nonetheless, it’s worth the fight with your GPS because Fish Creek Park has over 80 km of trails to explore – you could spend the whole day hiking!

Spikes are recommended in the winter months if there’s a lot of ice, but otherwise, it’s an easy spot to lose yourself in nature while still being in the middle of the city. There are also tons of picnic areas and fire pits to pitstop at as you go through the park. 

Where: Between 37th Street SW & the Bow River SE

Devonian Gardens 

Calgary may get a lot of Chinooks, but we all know there are days when it’s -30 and windy. Those are the days you want to stay inside.

Never fear because the Devonian Gardens are here! And you can enjoy them while staying nice and toasty. This ‘indoor park’ is located on the 4th floor of the CORE Shopping Centre downtown. There’s a living wall that’s over 200 feet long, tons of trees, a koi pond, and plenty of seating for enjoying a peaceful moment. If you find yourself in need of a little green during the dark and cold winter months – this is the place to go!

Where: 4th Floor of CORE Shopping Centre, 317 7 Ave SW

If you’re looking for more winter activities once you’re done exploring these Calgary parks, check out the link below for more ideas and hidden gems to discover in our city!

TOURISM CALGARY