10 Best Lakes and Rivers Near Calgary for Summer Fun

Please note: These bodies of water are not lifeguarded facilities. Use a life jacket and check for official safety rules before participating in any of these activities.

Looking to beat the summer heat? These beautiful lakes and rivers in and around Calgary are perfect for all sorts of aquatic summer activities. Summer adventure is waiting for you so dive into these top places for fun in the sun.

You don't have to leave the city to get out on the water. Calgary has some great options for a swim or a paddle.

The Glenmore Reservoir is a large lake-like body of water in southwest Calgary and is a popular spot for canoeing, kayaking, and even sailing. Take advantage of free parking and several accessible boat launch areas that make getting on the water easy.

Features:

• Canoe rentals

• Non-motorized boat launch

• Picnic tables

Local tip: Visit Heritage Park  to sail aboard the S.S. Moyie paddle-wheeler on the Glenmore Reservoir.

Nestled in Bowness Park lives the tranquil oasis of Bowness Lagoon. Great for a family outing, this off-shoot of the Bow River is the perfect spot to enjoy a calm paddle while being surrounded by towering trees that hang over the water.

Features:

• Canoe, kayak, and pedal boat rentals

• Picnic area

• Wading area for kids

Local tip: Visit the Seasons of Bowness  restaurant for casual fine dining with views that look over the lagoon.

Sikome Aquatic Facility  is a man-made beach in south Calgary and is open to the public from June to September each year. The area is great for families with kids, with lots of shallow water to play in while being deep enough in the middle for a float or swim. The sandy beach and surrounding grassy areas create perfect conditions for both relaxing and sandcastle building.

Paid admission is required to access Sikome Aquatic Facility.

Features:

• Beach volleyball court

• Picnic tables

• Sandy beach

• Swimming

Local tip: Visit the nearby Bow Valley Ranch Restaurant  for an amazing meal in a heritage house while surrounded by the nature of Fish Creek Park.

Harvie Passage is not a lake or a river, but it’s one of the best places in Calgary to cool off on a hot day. This channel of the Bow River was designed to provide a playground for river-based recreationists and has become a sort of natural water park. Get carried down the small rapids for a fun ride or set up a chair on the shore to watch floaters and kayakers go by.

Features:

• River surfing lessons

• Small rapids

• Swimming/floating

• Picnic area

Local tip: Harvie Passage is connected by pathway to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary  where you can see a variety of unique birds also enjoying the river.

While technically just outside of Calgary, Chestermere Lake is a beautiful, 4.8 km long lake that offers a range of activities to help you cool down on hot summer days. Motorized boats are allowed on the lake and you can expect to see several wakeboarders skimming across the water on any given day.

Features:

• Boat launch (motorized boating allowed)

• Picnic area

• Sandy beach

• Swimming

Local tip: Buoys are placed near Anniversary Park and John Peake Park to mark shoreline areas where you can enjoy a comfortable swim.

Calgary's location just an hour from the Rocky Mountains has many advantages. One of them is access to incredible mountain lakes that are sure to inspire and invigorate.

Just over an hour drive from Calgary you’ll find Quarry Lake , locally known as the warmest mountain lake in the area. The sandy beach at the shallow end of Quarry Lake is great for kids to play in, while the deeper parts are over 100 feet. The lake is also a popular spot for paddle boarders and you can rent paddle boards from Bow Valley SUP & Surf  and pick up them up in Canmore.

Features:

• Sandy beach

• Picnic area

• Swimming (depending on temperature)

• Nearby walking trails

Local tip: The Canmore Nordic Centre disc golf course  is only a 3 minute drive from Quarry Lake and free to use.

Barrier Lake , glacially fed and man-made, is a wonderful spot for paddling and is large enough that you can spend a whole day exploring out on the water. Bring your portable chairs and barbeques for a beach-side picnic while you enjoy picturesque views of Kananaskis Country. The pebble ridden beach is perfect for skipping stones.

Features:

• Canoe, kayak, and SUP rentals

• Boat launch

• Swimming (depending on temperature)

• Picnic tables

Local tip: Hike the Prairie View Trail  for a great lookout over the lake. From above, the lake takes on a breathtaking turquoise hue.

Drive an hour-and-a-half west of Calgary and you will find Johnson Lake , a pristine and hidden gem that features Banff’s only beach. Take in unbeatable views of some of the largest mountains in Banff as you enjoy a chilly but enjoyable swim. This lake is also a popular spot for SUPs, with lots of parking and easy access to the water from your vehicle. You can rent paddle boards and inflatable kayaks from Bow Valley SUP & Surf .

Features:

• Swimming (depending on temperature)

• Sandy beach

• Picnic area

• Hiking trail around the lake

Local tip: For adventurous travellers, take a plunge into the lake on a rope swing. Look for it on the south side of Johnson Lake.

Lake Minnewanka is the largest lake in Banff National Park and only 90 minutes from Calgary. The lake is one of the best sightseeing spots around, offering stunning vistas all the way down its 21 kilometre long corridor through the mountains. There is an unloading ramp and parking area for boats. Parks Canada  has detailed information about bringing your own boat to Lake Minnewanka.

Features:

• Kayak, canoe, and small open motorboat rentals

• Picnic area

• Boat launch

• Hiking trails

Local tip: Book a tour of Lake Minnewanka on a lake cruise through Pursuit .

Ghost Lake is less than an hour from Calgary and the beach location offers spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. You can access the water from several points off of Bow Valley Trail. Here you will find a marina with a boat launch and several docks which have turned the lake into a watersports playground. Popular activities include wake boarding, sailing, fishing, and all sorts of paddle boating.

Features:

• Boat launch (motorized boating allowed)

• Ghost Lake Campground

Local tip: While you’re in the area check out the nearby Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary , to get an up and close education about these majestic animals.

From the serene shores of Fish Creek Park to the lively waters of Harvie Passage, exploring Calgary's river access points offers unique opportunities to float and swim in the Bow and Elbow Rivers. Here are some of the top spots in Calgary to put in:

• Bowness Park

• Baker Park

• Edworthy Park

• Fish Creek Park

• Harvie Passage

• Sandy Beach

• Stanley Park Public Beach

Visit the official City of Calgary river access webpage for a map of all river access points, notes on river safety, and more resources.

Whether you're looking for a kayak, canoe, SUP, or raft, you're covered with these outfitters.

• University of Calgary Outdoor Centre

• Lazy Day Raft Rentals

• The Paddle Station

• Calgary Canoe Club

• Sports Rent

• SUP & FLOW