The ULTIMATE Information For Visiting Fish Creek Provincial Park

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 town to expertise close by points of interest but in addition gives a dose of nature for these seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of town. Inside shut proximity to town middle, Fish Creek Provincial Park is just like Edmonton’s River Valley Park; offering urbanites with quick access to an expansive out of doors park that includes miles of mountain 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 search 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 out of doors actions, together with, mountain 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 data and interpretive packages. Understand that 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 through Macleod Path, because it goes straight by 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 through 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 sort of straightforward because it’s inside the metropolis of Calgary! If driving your self shouldn’t be an choice, town’s fast transit system has a cease very near the park. In actual fact, the station is within the title: 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 Highway. 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 preferrred for guests in wheelchairs or utilizing strollers, in addition to paved parking tons. Bow Valley Ranch Customer Centre homes an data kiosk manned by Alberta Parks staff offering data and main instructional packages and occasions. Moreover, the customer centre has a theatre and exhibit space, washrooms with flush bathrooms, a water fountain, and a pay telephone.

Fish Creek Environmental Studying Centre

The Fish Creek Environmental Studying Centre is an onsite facility for college students and personal teams to have interaction with Alberta Parks workers 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 training 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 shows and occasions or accessible to hire when the house is accessible.

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 dwelling 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, ensure you additionally grow to be acquainted with Alberta Parks wildlife security ideas beforehand.

Mountain 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 limitless! This map is a good useful resource to search 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 few of the hottest spots embrace:

Shannon Terrace

Shannon Terrace Mountain 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 bushes that create a fascinating forest cover. This woodsy panorama is ideal for mountain 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 plentiful wildlife, from sleek deer to playful squirrels and a wide range of hen species. This path is a perfect alternative for these searching 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 Mountain 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 mountain climbing expertise, with well-marked paths winding by the forested space. It caters to a spread of talent ranges, making certain 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 like a leisurely stroll or an invigorating hike, Hulls Wooden gives a harmonious escape into the guts of the woods.

Mallard Level

Mallard Level Mountain 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 dwelling to a various vary of avian life. Whereas exploring the well-marked pathways, guests can soak within the serene great thing about the Bow River hall.

Nevertheless, it’s necessary 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 making certain security. Mallard Level gives a balanced out of doors expertise, combining angling, birdwatching, and scenic walks by the river.

For a enjoyable choice: attempt 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 seashore space to arrange your towel spot and wade into the waters on a scorching summer time day! With a water therapy plant onsite that assessments the water commonly to guarantee water high quality, you’ll be able to 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 units and maintain 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 totally different gates to enter from and likewise three parking tons for parking with an overflow lot on the South entrance. There’s a charge to enter and admissions are processed on a first-come, first-served foundation with no group charges or reservations accessible.

Admission charges for 2023 are as follows:

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

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

Picnics

The picnicking alternatives in Fish Creek Park are plentiful! 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. Try the day use listings for particulars on particular places.

Fishing

There are two incredible 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.

Test Alberta Information to Sportfishing Laws for bait restrictions and catch limits.

Boating

Boating on the Bow River is an effective 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 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 underneath the identical hours as day-use amenities all through the park (similar because the parking zone). Be certain to verify the facility schedule and plan accordingly.

Birding

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

Greater than 200 hen species have been noticed (here’s a enjoyable guidelines of the totally different sorts you might even see!) from Nice Blue Herons, bald eagles, owls, and numerous songbirds. Keep 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 trip 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 abilities park is positioned subsequent to the Burnsmead Day Use 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 positive 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 in-built 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 a watch out as a result of this location commonly hosts Foodies In The Park – a artistic pop-up restaurant the place individuals 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, understand 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 straightforward entry however don’t anticipate it all through. For instance, on the five-minute stroll by the forest from the customer centre, snow shouldn’t be faraway from the pathway within the winter.

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

However don’t let that deter you! Different in style winter actions embrace: winter hen watching, using the fireplace 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.