For parks in Calgary, Edworthy, Bowness and Confederation offer three distinct city outings: river-valley paths, riverfront recreation and a broad mix of urban green space. All three are in northwest Calgary, and each is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Edworthy Park: a 169-hectare park bordered by the Bow River, with pathways and natural areas.
- Bowness Park: a 30-hectare riverfront park with a lagoon and seasonal activities.
- Confederation Park: a 162-hectare park with paths, sports facilities, gardens and a wetland.
- General park hours: 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., unless otherwise posted.
Choosing a Calgary park outing
Choose Edworthy for natural areas and a trail through Douglas-fir trees, Bowness for lagoon activities, or Confederation for a varied spread of pathways and recreation facilities. These are three different kinds of nature near Calgary, all within the city.
For a walk focused on the river valley, Edworthy has the clearest trail option. Bowness combines pathways with a shallow lagoon used for paddle boating in summer and skating in winter. Confederation has the broadest mix of facilities, including tennis courts, baseball diamonds, a flower and rock garden, and a wetland.
The City of Calgary advises you to stay on designated trails and keep animals leashed except in designated off-leash areas. Park hours can vary where signs say otherwise, so check the official site before you go. Before setting out, you can use those general rules to plan for all three outings.
Edworthy Park for river-valley paths
Edworthy Park is a 169-hectare park bordered by the Bow River and the Wildwood neighbourhood, with pathways, picnic sites, shelters, playgrounds, a gazebo, off-leash areas and parking lots. Its natural areas include Douglas Fir Trail and Lawrey Gardens.
The Douglas Fir Trail runs 2.5 km from Edworthy Park to Cedar Crescent S.W. Its gravel and dirt paths pass large Douglas-fir trees and lookout points. The trail closes in winter and early spring because of extremely icy conditions, so plan your walk for another time if it is closed.
Edworthy has a longer history than its parkland setting might suggest: Thomas Edworthy purchased the land in 1883, and The City bought it in 1962 for development as a park. Find the park at 5050 Spruce Dr. S.W., at Bow Tr. and Spruce Dr.; it is open daily from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
If you want to plan your route and parking, this guide to Edworthy Park trails, access and parking covers those details.
Bowness Park for riverfront recreation
Bowness Park pairs pathways and riverside surroundings with a shallow lagoon for seasonal recreation. Paddle boating takes place on the lagoon in summer, while it is used for skating in winter.
The park also has a wading pool, boat rentals and a children’s train ride. Bookable fire pits and BBQ stands are among its facilities. At 30 hectares, Bowness is smaller than Edworthy and Confederation, and parking is limited, so keep that in mind when planning your arrival.
John Hextall, a local land developer, built Bowness Park before the First World War as a weekend retreat for nearby Calgarians. Today, the park is at 8900 48 Ave. N.W. and is open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
To plan around the park’s activities and access, use this Bowness Park visitor guide.
Confederation Park for urban green space
Confederation Park is a 162-hectare urban park with pathways, tennis courts, baseball diamonds, playgrounds, picnic areas and parking. Its other features include a flower and rock garden, a wetland, cross-country skiing and tobogganing.
The park was created in 1967 to mark the centennial of Canadian Confederation. The City also credits its creation to the vision of Parks Superintendent Harry Boothman. The park extends from 24 Ave. and 14 St. N.W. to 30 Ave. and 10 St. N.W.
Washrooms are available year-round, approximately from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., weather permitting. The Lions Festival of Lights runs annually in December and early January, daily from 7 p.m. to midnight.
If you’re deciding what to fit into your visit, this Confederation Park guide covers its paths and facilities.
How do you get to these parks from northwest Calgary?
Edworthy Park is about a 12-minute drive from Red Carpet Inn & Suites, while Bowness Park is about a 10-minute drive from the motel. You can choose from motel rooms in northwest Calgary when planning a visit to the area.
Calgary Transit bus route 1 connects downtown with Edworthy Park. The City recommends cycling or walking; the one-way distances are 5.5 km from downtown to Lawrey Gardens and 7 km from downtown to Edworthy Park. If you take a path, stay on official trails and follow posted signs.
Across all three parks, keep animals leashed except in designated off-leash areas and stay on designated trails. Check signs at your destination for any park-specific instructions before you head out.
FAQs
Which Calgary park has the Douglas Fir Trail?
Edworthy Park has the 2.5 km Douglas Fir Trail, which runs to Cedar Crescent S.W. and includes gravel and dirt paths, lookout points and large Douglas-fir trees.
What can you do at Bowness Park?
Bowness Park has pathways, a shallow lagoon, a wading pool, boat rentals and a children’s train ride. The lagoon is used for paddle boating in summer and skating in winter.
Does Confederation Park have washrooms?
Yes. Washrooms are available year-round, approximately from 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., weather permitting.
What are the usual hours for Calgary parks?
The City’s general guidance gives park hours as 5 a.m. to 11 p.m., unless otherwise posted. Check the signs at your destination for any different hours.