The Best Calgary Picnic Spots for Families

Calgary Picnic Spots - SavvyMom

Nothing beats spreading out a blanket and enjoying a picnic outdoors on a warm weather day. For our family, the perfect picnic location comes with a view and something to do, and fortunately, there are lots of Calgary picnic spots that fit the bill. Here’s a list of some of our favourite picnic spots in YYC!

Best Calgary Picnic Spots for Families

Picnic Sites You Can Reserve Ahead of Time

Many of Calgary’s city parks come with picnic sites that can be reserved in advance. Reserving helps to guarantee your spot on busy park days, since folks with reservations take priority over those without them. Picnic sites come with amenities like picnic tables, barbecues, and firepits, and sometimes even have shelters and electricity. Since 2021, some public parks also allow alcohol consumption. Sites are reserved in 6-hour time slots from 8:45 am to 2:45 pm and 3:15 to 9:15 pm on a first come, first served basis and can be booked online or by calling 403-268-3800. These sites must be booked 5 days in advance, so plan early! Rental rates are dependent on the number of participants attending and start at $72.35 for up to 25 people.


Bowness Park | calgary.ca
8900 48 Ave NW

Edworthy Park | calgary.ca
5050 Spruce Dr. SW

Sandy Beach | calgary.ca
4500 14A St. S.W.

Whether you’re docking your raft after a relaxing float on the river, walking down from nearby Marda Loop, or have driven to your destination, Sandy Beach is a tried and true picnic spot for many Calgarians. We love hanging out on the rocks on the bank of the Elbow River before heading to one of the two playgrounds to slide, climb and swing. There are plenty of shady spots to put out a picnic blanket, as well as tables, shelters, bbq stands and fire pits.

South Glenmore Park | calgary.ca
90 Ave SW & 24 St. SW

South Glenmore Park is one place our family heads out to all the time, thanks to the large spray park, and fun and engaging playgrounds. Nearby, there are also lots of places to bike, hike and play sports like tennis and polo. Weaselhead Natural Area and Glenmore Sailing School are close by – why not take a walk on the trails and then rent a boat for some time on the water before finishing off the day with a perfect picnic?

Photo by @angelkcreative on Instagram

North Glenmore Park | calgary.ca
7305 Crowchild Trail SW

Stanley Park | calgary.ca
4011 1A St. SW

If a place to splash in the water is a must on your picnic list, Stanley Park is a great place to check out. Throw on your swimsuit and jump into the Stanley Park Pool, which offers both a deep pool and a spray park and wading pool (admission fee applies). After you’re done at the pool, visit the playgrounds or sports fields and courts before setting up for your picnic with views of the Bow River!

Located near the buzzing community of Inglewood, Pearce Estate Park is another picnic spot that always tops our family’s list of favourites. There are so many fun things to do, from walking along the paths in the 15-hectare wetland area, to watching body surfers and kayakers at Harvie Passage and feeding the fish at the Bow Habitat Station. Of course, the playgrounds are always a blast, too!

Fish Creek Provincial Park | albertaparks.ca

Considering it’s the second largest urban park in Canada, covering almost 15 square kilometres, it’s safe to say that there are many great places to set up a picnic in Fish Creek Provincial Park! The amenities can vary depending which entrance you come from, but it’s typical to find picnic tables, fire pits, barbecue stands and washrooms. Our family loves to take a picnic down to the rocky banks of Fish Creek so we can jump into the water between bites. While the Shannon Terrace area is the one we frequent most often, we also love the Bow Valley Ranch area (it’s a great spot to grab an ice cream cone from Annie’s Café) and of course, Sikome Lake is always a favourite. 

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