The ULTIMATE Information For Visiting Fish Creek Provincial Park

Compiled by the Street Journey Alberta staff

Final up to date on October 23, 2023

As one of many largest city parks in North America, Fish Creek Provincial Park stretches 20km on the south finish of Calgary, Alberta. It’s shut sufficient to town to expertise close by sights but in addition gives a dose of nature for these seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of town. Inside shut proximity to town heart, Fish Creek Provincial Park is much like Edmonton’s River Valley Park; offering urbanites with quick access to an expansive out of doors park that includes miles of climbing and biking trails, water, and wildlife.

Fish Creek Provincial Park presents alternatives for leisure actions year-round, all throughout the Calgary metropolis limits! Learn on to seek out out extra about Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that the land that Fish Creek Provincial Park sits on is the standard territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy, together with Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, the Tsuut’ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, the Métis Nation (Area 3), and all individuals who make their properties within the Treaty 7 area of Southern Alberta.

About Fish Creek Provincial Park

Don’t let the city location idiot you, this slice of heaven is an oasis, being the second largest city park in Canada, it’s a spacious park filled with trails and a big artifical lake for swimming. Fish Creek flows all through the size of the park, becoming a member of the Bow River on the east facet. With greater than 100 km of each paved and unpaved trails, the park is a well-liked spot for a plethora of outside actions, together with, climbing and biking, picnicking, swimming, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Amenities on the park embody a customer heart, an environmental studying heart, picnic shelters, group day-use areas, a restaurant, concession stands, Sikome Lake, a ship launch on the Bow River, and a golf course shut is shut by for these . Swimming is permitted at Sikome Lake, and fishing is permitted in Fish Creek and the Bow River.

There’s a customer centre with a wheelchair-accessible entrance onsite offering info and interpretive applications. Needless to say the park is a day-use space, so there isn’t a tenting allowed. Moreover, off-highway automobiles (OHV), horses and equestrian using are additionally prohibited.

Getting To Fish Creek Provincial Park

By Automobile

There are such a lot of entry factors to Fish Creek Provincial Park within the south finish of Calgary, and every with a spacious parking zone to make the most of. Maybe the best entry to the park could be by way of Macleod Path, because it goes straight via the center of it and is near extra of the paths and wilderness. Nevertheless, it doesn’t present entry to facilities just like the customer centre or Sikome Aquatic Facility, which each require entry by way of Bow Backside Path SE.

To get to the customer centre from Macleod Path, exit onto Canyon Meadows Drive SE, which might then lead straight to the favored bird-watching web site of Mallard Level, or flip off onto Bow Backside Path SE and head south till you see indicators for the customer centre on the right-hand facet.

By Public Transit

Entry to Fish Creek Provincial Park is sort of simple because it’s throughout the metropolis of Calgary! If driving your self will not be an choice, town’s speedy transit system has a cease very near the park. In actual fact, the station is within the identify: Fish Creek–Lacombe station (additionally generally known as simply Fish Creek LRT station).

The station is positioned within the southwest quadrant of town by the residential neighbourhood of Shawnee Slopes. The station is west of MacLeod Path and simply to the north of James McKevitt Street. On the south finish of the station, there’s a park-and-ride parking zone in addition to a pedestrian overpass that conveniently connects to Fish Creek Provincial Park.

Fish Creek Provincial Park Customer Centre

Bow Valley Ranche Customer Centre at Fish Creek Provincial Park is open 5 days per week year-round (closed Saturdays & Sundays).

The constructing itself is wheelchair accessible and surrounded by paved pathways excellent for guests in wheelchairs or utilizing strollers, in addition to paved parking heaps. Bow Valley Ranch Customer Centre homes an info kiosk manned by Alberta Parks staff offering info and main instructional applications and occasions. Moreover, the customer centre has a theatre and exhibit space, washrooms with flush bathrooms, a water fountain, and a pay cellphone.

Fish Creek Environmental Studying Centre

The Fish Creek Environmental Studying Centre is an onsite facility for college kids and personal teams to have interaction with Alberta Parks employees and be educated in regards to the surrounding pure park. Using 5 school rooms, an amphitheatre, and shut entry factors to close by trails and pathways, the character college hosts college students in science schooling from Calgary and space colleges. 

Though there isn’t a public entry whereas teaching programs are occurring, the power is open to the general public for a wide range of scheduled displays and occasions or out there to lease when the house is on the market.

Issues To Do At Fish Creek Provincial Park within the Summer season

Wildlife Watching

A lot of Fish Creek Provincial Park is forested with old-growth bushes and is residence to a wide range of pure wildlife, together with deer, coyotes, owls, and beavers, in addition to snakes and frogs. Greater than 200 hen species have been seen within the park, together with nice blue herons which are drawn to the river.

Whilst you plan to take time to meander all through the quite a few paved and unpaved pathways (there actually are so many trails!) within the park, be sure to additionally develop into aware of Alberta Parks wildlife security ideas beforehand.

Climbing Trails

Fish Creek Provincial Park has greater than 80 km of pathways – 30 km paved and 50 km of shale so the exploring alternatives are countless! This map is a good useful resource to seek out the proper route for you. Some areas have been closed to encourage pure vegetation and reclamation, so it’s crucial to remain on the marked trails.

Among the hottest spots embody:

Shannon Terrace

Shannon Terrace Climbing Path is a nature lover’s paradise, characterised by a woodsy ambiance that evokes a deep sense of tranquillity and pure magnificence. The path meanders via an space adorned with giant spruce bushes that create a fascinating forest cover. This woodsy panorama is ideal for climbing fanatics, providing well-maintained trails that wind via the woods and supply alternatives to immerse oneself in nature’s wonders.

Shannon Terrace additionally boasts ample wildlife, from swish deer to playful squirrels and a wide range of hen species. This path is a perfect selection for these in search of a profound reference to a wooded atmosphere, the place the scent of pine needles and the rustling of leaves within the breeze create a fascinating expertise within the coronary heart of the forest.

Hulls Wooden

Hulls Wooden Climbing Path is a conveniently positioned pure retreat close to a Customer Centre, making it simply accessible to all. This path system presents a basic climbing expertise, with well-marked paths winding via the forested space. It caters to a variety of ability ranges, guaranteeing that each novice and skilled hikers can take pleasure in its serene ambiance.

Hulls Wooden stands out for its tranquil and immersive forested atmosphere, permitting guests to reconnect with nature in a peaceable setting. Whether or not you favor a leisurely stroll or an invigorating hike, Hulls Wooden gives a harmonious escape into the center of the woods.

Mallard Level

Mallard Level Climbing Path is a nature fanatic’s haven positioned alongside the picturesque Bow River. This path is famend for its glorious fishing alternatives, with the Bow River providing a wealthy number of fish species. Birdwatching is one other spotlight, as the realm is residence to a various vary of avian life. Whereas exploring the well-marked pathways, guests can soak within the serene fantastic thing about the Bow River hall.

Nevertheless, it’s vital to notice that there are not any picnic tables at this web site, and fires will not be allowed, underscoring the dedication to preserving the pure atmosphere and guaranteeing security. Mallard Level gives a balanced out of doors expertise, combining angling, birdwatching, and scenic walks by the river.

For a enjoyable choice: strive bringing your rollerblades and gliding on the paved pathways!

Swimming

There may be swimming inside Fish Creek Park at Sikome Aquatic Facility. The artifical lake has a sandy seaside space to arrange your towel spot and wade into the waters on a sizzling summer season day! With a water remedy plant onsite that exams the water repeatedly to guarantee water high quality, you’ll be able to splash and play to your coronary heart’s content material! Please bear in mind at Sikome Lake, there are not any lifeguards, so carry flotation gadgets and hold a detailed eye on youngsters.

The ability opens for the season in June and normally closes in September, relying on the climate. There are three completely different gates to enter from and in addition three parking heaps for parking with an overflow lot on the South entrance. There’s a price to enter and admissions are processed on a first-come, first-served foundation with no group charges or reservations out there.

Admission charges for 2023 are as follows:

• Household (max 2 adults and as much as 4 youngsters) $10
• Individuals with disabilities (Aides enter without spending a dime) $2
• Grownup (18-64) $5
• Senior (65+) $4
• Youngsters + Youth (6-17) $3
• Little one (0-5) Free

Entry to the seaside and water closes at 7:00 PM, so be sure that to plan accordingly.

Picnics

The picnicking alternatives in Fish Creek Park are ample! There are a lot of day-use areas with a number of picnic websites, together with picnic shelters, picnic tables and firepits near washrooms to have a soothing picnic lunch surrounded by nature.

Liquor is permitted within the Bankside and Hull’s Wooden Day Use areas solely. Take a look at the day use listings for particulars on particular areas.

Fishing

There are two implausible fishing spots in Fish Creek Provincial Park; Bow River and Fish Creek. The Bow River is thought for being world-class for trout fishing and Fish Creek has rainbow trout, brown trout, and Northern pike.

Verify Alberta Information to Sportfishing Rules for bait restrictions and catch limits.

Boating

Boating on the Bow River is a good way to view the pure panorama of Fish Creek Provincial Park in a brand new means! The boat launch is positioned off Bow Backside Path S within the boat launch day use space. Word that there are not any picnic tables on this space, and fires will not be permitted. Pit bathrooms can be found on-site and are open from April 1 – September 30.

The boat launch space is open from April 1 to October 31 and operates below the identical hours as day-use services all through the park (identical because the parking zone). Ensure to verify the facility schedule and plan accordingly.

Birding

Birding, or hen watching, is a well-liked exercise in Fish Creek Provincial Park because of the sheer quantity and number of hen species that frequent the realm. The assorted habitats within the Park provide refuge for all kinds of hen species. With out this pure space, many of those birds wouldn’t be capable to exist in Calgary.

Greater than 200 hen species have been noticed (here’s a enjoyable guidelines of the completely different varieties you might even see!) from Nice Blue Herons, bald eagles, owls, and numerous songbirds. Bear in mind: don’t feed the birds. They’re wild and get sufficient meals from the pure atmosphere. In actual fact, it’s illegal to feed all wildlife within the Park.

Biking

The paved bike paths all through the park make a motorbike journey a breeze to discover nature all through. If extra fast-paced bike using is up your alley, there’s a handy mountain bike expertise park to leap on! For these , the talents park is positioned subsequent to the Burnsmead Day Use parking zone.

Word: biking is permitted on pathways within the park besides these within the Sikome Aquatic Facility and in entrance of the Bow Valley Ranch customer centre.

Bow Valley Ranche Restaurant

Bow Valley Ranche restaurant is a effective indoor eating institution and is listed as one of many prime locations to eat in Calgary. The restaurant is positioned surrounded by the gorgeous Fish Creek Provincial Park, simply north of Sikome Lake. The sprawling ranch home was inbuilt 1896 and all through its a few years, the home has at all times had a popularity for holding unforgettable events. Now, and since 2014, the restaurant focuses on utilizing sustainably grown, recent substances to create their gorgeous plates.

Tip: hold an eye fixed out as a result of this location repeatedly hosts Foodies In The Park – a artistic pop-up restaurant the place folks take pleasure in their meals inside glass domes.

Issues To Do At Fish Creek Provincial Park within the Winter

Even within the chilly months, many individuals select Fish Creek Park to go to! Well-liked winter actions embody cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing, nonetheless, needless to say the pathways will not be groomed or maintained for cross-country snowboarding. Some pathways within the park are cleared of snow throughout winter for straightforward entry however don’t count on it all through. For instance, on the five-minute stroll via the forest from the customer centre, snow will not be faraway from the pathway within the winter.

Ice circumstances on Fish Creek are probably hazardous all through winter, so actions like ice fishing or strolling on the ice will not be really helpful. Moreover, tobogganing will not be inspired resulting from pure hazards akin to fallen logs and rocks on the path edges.

However don’t let that deter you! Different standard winter actions embody: winter hen watching, using the fireplace pits at a picnic shelter for a winter campfire, testing the ice falls (positioned on the south finish of the park alongside the Stream Loop, close to Bow Backside Path), and heat up with an afternoon tea at Bow Valley Ranche.

Dalene Heck is a co-founder of Street Journey Alberta. She was born in Edmonton, grew up within the Peace Nation, and has ventured to virtually each nook of Alberta and the world (she’s travelled to 60 international locations)! She is a serial blogger, the CEO of HMI Advertising, co-creator of the Journey Chaser card sport, a leukemia-slayer, and cat whisperer.