When we were thinking about moving to Alberta from Ontario, everyone asked us the same question: “Why would you move to a landlocked province?”. We became convinced that our beach days were over…until we actually got here.
While it’s true that Calgary doesn’t sit by a Great Lake, there is a surprising amount of water to enjoy. In the city of Calgary, some of our favourites include:
The Bow River, where you can swim, paddle and float.
The private lakes in the newer communities. These man-made lakes are reserved for community members and their guests, so make some friends who live by one of these fantastic beaches and enjoy!
Sikome Aquatic Facility, which is a public man-made lake and sandy beach located in Fish Creek Provincial Park, right in the city. There is a very small fee to access this little gem.
If you’re like us, though, you’re coming west for the mountains! We’ve been spending much of our free time at lakes outside of the city, surrounded by the Rockies. It’s true, the water is generally colder than an Ontario lake. On a hot day, they’re refreshing, especially after a hike. On a cooler day, blow up your stand-up paddle board or rent a canoe and enjoy the calm water and stunning views. In the winter, bring your skates and, in some cases, your ice fishing gear (but always check the safety signage before venturing out).
There are loads of incredible, famous lakes in and near Banff. They are absolutely magnificent, but the drive from Calgary is longer, and Banff usually ends up being a full day trip for us. The great news if you’re looking for a quicker outing is that some of our favourite lake discoveries (so far) are only about an hour from Calgary!
Located in Kananaskis Country near Exshaw, what we love about spending the day at Gap Lake are the perfect, private picnic tables scattered around the lake where you can set up for the day and have what feels like your own private lake. The lake is relatively small and always calm and easy to paddle. It’s a very short drive from the Town of Canmore and is just over an hour’s drive from Calgary.
Located right in the Town of Canmore, Quarry Lake is warm enough that you can comfortably swim. It has a small beach area where little ones make sandcastles and lots of grassy space to set up for the day or for a quick picnic. Canmore does charge for parking at Quarry Lake in the summer months, but the chill vibe and swimability of this lake make it worth the price of parking. It is just over an hour’s drive from Calgary.
Located in Kananaskis Country, Barrier Lake is the first lake we visited when we moved to Alberta, and I truly felt like I was in another world. It is absolutely stunning with a sandy beach area. Kananaskis Outfitters is set up with canoe, kayak and SUP rentals all summer, which is a great way to explore Barrier Lake. It is just under an hour’s drive from Calgary.
This is where you want to go if you’re into motorized boating. You’ll see people out skiing and tubing in the summer, and many people begin their Bow River floats from the Ghost Lake area. In the winter, people can be found ice fishing, skating and even driving on the frozen lake. The shoreline isn’t as ideal for children, but if you are a boat owner, this is a perfect spot to come for the day. Ghost Lake also has a marina so this could be a good place to leave your boat all summer long! It is less than an hour’s drive from Calgary.
Note: To visit the lakes in Kananaskis Country you’ll need a pass.
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