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Compiled by the Highway Journey Alberta crew
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 the town to expertise close by points of interest but in addition supplies a dose of nature for these trying to escape the hustle and bustle of the town. Inside shut proximity to the town middle, Fish Creek Provincial Park is just like Edmonton’s River Valley Park; offering urbanites with easy accessibility to an expansive outside park that includes miles of climbing and biking trails, water, and wildlife.
Fish Creek Provincial Park gives alternatives for leisure actions year-round, all inside 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 normal 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 houses 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 stuffed 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 embrace a customer middle, an environmental studying middle, 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. Remember that the park is a day-use space, so there isn’t any tenting allowed. Moreover, off-highway autos (OHV), horses and equestrian driving are additionally prohibited.
Getting To Fish Creek Provincial Park
By Automotive
There are such a lot of entry factors to Fish Creek Provincial Park within the south finish of Calgary, and every with a spacious car 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 by the center of it and is near extra of the paths and wilderness. Nonetheless, 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 website 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 kind of straightforward because it’s inside the metropolis of Calgary! If driving your self will not be an choice, the town’s fast transit system has a cease very near the park. In reality, 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 the town by the residential neighbourhood of Shawnee Slopes. The station is west of MacLeod Path and simply to the north of James McKevitt Highway. On the south finish of the station, there’s a park-and-ride car 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 every week year-round (closed Saturdays & Sundays).
The constructing itself is wheelchair accessible and surrounded by paved pathways very best 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 workers offering info and main instructional applications and occasions. Moreover, the customer centre has a theatre and exhibit space, washrooms with flush bogs, a water fountain, and a pay telephone.
Fish Creek Environmental Studying Centre
The Fish Creek Environmental Studying Centre is an onsite facility for college kids and personal teams to interact with Alberta Parks workers and be educated in regards to the surrounding pure park. Using 5 lecture rooms, an amphitheatre, and shut entry factors to close by trails and pathways, the character college hosts college students in science training from Calgary and space faculties.
Though there isn’t any public entry whereas teaching programs are occurring, the ability is open to the general public for a wide range of scheduled shows and occasions or out there to lease when the house is out there.
Issues To Do At Fish Creek Provincial Park within the Summer time
Wildlife Watching
A lot of Fish Creek Provincial Park is forested with old-growth timber and is house to a wide range of pure wildlife, together with deer, coyotes, owls, and beavers, in addition to snakes and frogs. Greater than 200 chicken species have been seen within the park, together with nice blue herons which are interested in 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 you additionally turn out to be acquainted with 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 infinite! This map is a superb useful resource to seek out the right route for you. Some areas have been closed to encourage pure vegetation and reclamation, so it’s crucial to remain on the marked trails.
A number of the hottest spots embrace:
Shannon Terrace
Shannon Terrace Climbing Path is a nature lover’s paradise, characterised by a woodsy environment that evokes a deep sense of tranquillity and pure magnificence. The path meanders by an space adorned with massive spruce timber that create a charming forest cover. This woodsy panorama is ideal for climbing fans, providing well-maintained trails that wind by the woods and supply alternatives to immerse oneself in nature’s wonders.
Shannon Terrace additionally boasts considerable wildlife, from swish deer to playful squirrels and a wide range of chicken species. This path is a perfect alternative for these looking for 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 gives a traditional climbing expertise, with well-marked paths winding by the forested space. It caters to a variety of talent 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 supplies 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 world is house 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.
Nonetheless, it’s vital to notice that there aren’t any picnic tables at this website, and fires will not be allowed, underscoring the dedication to preserving the pure atmosphere and guaranteeing security. Mallard Level supplies a balanced outside 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 therapy plant onsite that exams the water frequently to guarantee water high quality, you may splash and play to your coronary heart’s content material! Please have in mind at Sikome Lake, there aren’t any lifeguards, so carry flotation gadgets and maintain an in depth eye on youngsters.
The ability opens for the season in June and often closes in September, relying on the climate. There are three totally 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 at no cost) $2
- Grownup (18-64) $5
- Senior (65+) $4
- Kids + Youth (6-17) $3
- Youngster (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 considerable! There are lots 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. Try the day use listings for particulars on particular places.
Fishing
There are two improbable fishing spots in Fish Creek Provincial Park; Bow River and Fish Creek. The Bow River is understood for being world-class for trout fishing and Fish Creek has rainbow trout, brown trout, and Northern pike.
Verify Alberta Information to Sportfishing Laws 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 manner! The boat launch is positioned off Bow Backside Path S within the boat launch day use space. Notice that there aren’t any picnic tables on this space, and fires will not be permitted. Pit bogs 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 amenities all through the park (identical because the car parking zone). Ensure that to verify the facility schedule and plan accordingly.
Birding
Birding, or chicken watching, is a well-liked exercise in Fish Creek Provincial Park as a result of sheer quantity and number of chicken species that frequent the world. The assorted habitats within the Park provide refuge for all kinds of chicken species. With out this pure space, many of those birds wouldn’t be capable to exist in Calgary.
Greater than 200 chicken species have been noticed (here’s a enjoyable guidelines of the totally different varieties you might even see!) from Nice Blue Herons, bald eagles, owls, and varied songbirds. Bear in mind: don’t feed the birds. They’re wild and get sufficient meals from the pure atmosphere. In reality, it’s illegal to feed all wildlife within the Park.
Biking
The paved bike paths all through the park make a motorbike experience a breeze to discover nature all through. If extra fast-paced bike driving 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 car parking zone.
Notice: 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 superb indoor eating institution and is listed as one of many high locations to eat in Calgary. The restaurant is positioned surrounded by the attractive 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, contemporary components to create their gorgeous plates.
Tip: maintain an eye fixed out as a result of this location frequently 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! In style winter actions embrace cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing, nonetheless, remember that the pathways will not be groomed or maintained for cross-country snowboarding. Some pathways within the park are cleared of snow throughout winter for simple entry however don’t count on it all through. For instance, on the five-minute stroll by the forest from the customer centre, snow will not be faraway from the pathway within the winter.
Ice situations 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 because of pure hazards similar to fallen logs and rocks on the path edges.
However don’t let that deter you! Different standard winter actions embrace: winter chicken watching, using the hearth pits at a picnic shelter for a winter campfire, trying out 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.
There’s lots extra to do in Calgary!
