Kick back and relax with a picnic in Calgary at one of these popular parks in the city. Pack your picnic basket with treats for the whole family, plan a romantic date night, or enjoy the paths, wading pools, playgrounds, barbeque stands, and picnic tables in these great Calgary picnic spots.
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Located along the Bow River, Bowness Park is a popular picnic location with a shallow lagoon that runs along the park’s southern edge. Walking paths, wading pool, playgrounds, and dedicated picnic and barbeque areas make this a popular family-friendly escape in the city. Rent paddle boats, operated by the University of Calgary Outdoor Centre, or pop into the Seasons of Bowness tea house for a quick snack to supplement your picnic basket. Picnic sites are available for rent with fire pits and barbeque stands available in some locations.
Location: 8900 48 Ave NW
Calaway Park is all about family-friendly fun and welcomes picnics at the park. Take a break from rides and games and enjoy a picnic lunch with a great view of the midway. Picnic areas at Calaway Park are indicated by a picnic table icon on the park map, making them easy to find and plan your day of amusement park fun. There are also 21 food locations across the park in case you forgot to pack something or need a sweet treat for dessert.
Location: 245033 Range Rd 33
Access to the Bow River alongside three man-made ponds make Carburn Park a natural wildlife habitat perfect for a picnic. Several picnic areas are located throughout the park with one main gazebo area. Six wheelchair accessible picnic tables are also available west of the main parking lot. Walking paths throughout the park are a great way to explore over 135 hectares of wildlife, waterfowl, and wildflowers before or after your picnic. No motorized boats are permitted on the water but canoes, dinghies, and paddle boats are welcome to explore this beautiful natural area in the city.
Location: 67 Riverview Dr. SE
Explore nature in the city with a walk through the incredible natural areas of Edworthy Park. Nine dedicated picnic areas and five gazebos, along with playgrounds, pathways, and off-leash areas, make Edworthy Park a Calgary favourite. Take a walk through the Douglas Fir Trail, weaving through a forest of Douglas-fir trees with great views of the Bow River Valley. Lawrey Gardens includes an off-leash area as well as a lush collection of plant life and wildlife, making it a perfect place to bring your four legged friends for a picnic. Picnic sites are available for rent with fire pits and barbeque stands available in some locations.
Location: 5050 Spruce Dr. SW
Did you know you can bring a picnic lunch to Heritage Park? Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink to the park for a family friendly lunch at Canada’s largest living historical village. Picnic tables are marked on the park map or you can find a nice grassy area to lay out a picnic blanket. Authentic concession stands, like the Alberta Bakery and Vulcan Ice Cream Parlour, serve historically inspired treats for a nice addition to any picnic basket.
Location: 1900 Heritage Dr. SW
Heritage Park
North Glenmore Park is full of activities to complement a day out for a picnic. Tennis courts, playgrounds, walking paths, and both the Calgary Canoe Club and Calgary Rowing Club call the park home. Bordering the north side of the Glenmore Reservoir, picnic sites are available for rent with fire pits and barbeque stands available in some locations. Picnic sites in North Glenmore Park are easy to identify with a series of bird related names like Snowy Owl Picnic Site, Chickadee Picnic Site, and Golden Eagle Picnic Site.
Location: 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
Olympic Plaza
From weekday lunch hours to weekend picnic lounging, Olympic Plaza is a must-experience downtown destination and popular picnic spot in Calgary. Built in 1988 for the Olympic Winter Games, Olympic Plaza features a shallow wading pool, main stage with seasonal entertainment, and large seating areas. Pull up a chair at one of the bistro tables, lay down a picnic blanket on the tiered lawn, or grab a seat on the concrete steps overlooking the main water feature for a great views of City Hall and the Calgary Tower. Olympic Plaza is also steps from the arts & culture hub of Calgary at Arts Commons, as well as the historic Stephen Avenue Walk for some after-picnic entertainment and shopping.
Location: 228 8 Ave SE
Prairie Winds Park often plays host to popular festivals and events like Country Thunder, but is also one of the most unique picnic spots in Calgary. Basketball courts, a cricket pitch, fitness stations, soccer field, tennis courts, wading pool, spray park, and a play area that includes a zipline, running bowl and concrete wave, make this a great place to picnic and play in the city. Picnic areas are available to book along with a dedicated picnic shelter that includes a tandoori oven for a unique grilling experience.
Location: 223 Castleridge Blvd. NE
Prince’s Island Park
Prince’s Island Park is at the heart of the city and a popular downtown picnic spot. Picnic areas, flower gardens, and playgrounds make this a great place to lay down a blanket and enjoy a family picnic or a romantic date in the park. The popular River Café, located on Prince’s Island Park, offers picnic baskets that include seasonal dishes, fruit, drinks, and desert. Prince’s Island Park is also a large festival park, hosting both the Calgary Folk Music Festival and Canada Day celebrations in Calgary.
Location: 4 St. SW and 1 Ave SW
Walking distance from the neighbourhood of Kensington, Riley Park is a beautiful backdrop for a picnic in the city. Lay out your picnic spread at one of the many picnic tables and enjoy the cricket pitch, playground, and free wading pool. The nearby Senator Patrick Burns Memorial Rock Gardens are a beautiful flower and rock garden on the northern hillside of the park including more than 20,000 pieces of flagstone from the late senator Patrick Burns demolished mansion. The park is also home to the Calgary Cricket League. Not interested in packing your own picnic? Get a boxed lunch from nearby Oxbow at Hotel Arts Kensington and enjoy a picnic in the park in style.
Location: 800 12 St. NW
Sports fans will love a picnic in Shouldice Park. Soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts surround this cozy neighbourhood park with bookable picnic sites, fire pits, and barbeque stands. With the Shouldice Aquatic Centre, Shouldice Arena, and batting cages nearby, there is always an activity to do before or after your next family picnic in the park. Check the Shouldice Park Athletic map and plan your next picnic and playtime in the park.
Location: 4900 Monserrat Dr. NW
Bordering the south side of the Glenmore Reservoir, South Glenmore Park is a great picnic location with activities for nature lovers and sports enthusiasts alike. Home to the Weaselhead Natural Area, biking and hiking trails, pathways, tennis courts, polo field, playgrounds, and spray park, it’s easy to see why this is a great place for a family picnic. The nearby Glenmore Sailing School also offers boat rentals for a great day on the water. Picnic sites are available for rent with fire pits and barbeque stands available in some locations.
Location: 90 Ave SW & 24 St. SW
Stanley Park is a favourite destination in Calgary for picnicking in the park along with a host of other activities. Sports fields, tennis courts, playgrounds areas, and an outdoor swimming and wading pool make this the perfect place to splash around for a family picnic. There is an admission fee for use of the Stanley Park Outdoor Swimming Pool. Home to the Stanley Park Lawn Bowling Club, this park is a great place to try out a game of lawn bowling and enjoy a family picnic. Picnic sites are available to book.
Location: 4011 1A St. SW
St. Patrick’s Island Park
St. Patrick’s Island Park
St. Patrick’s Island is one of Calgary’s oldest parks that has become a natural oasis in the middle of the city. Updates to this classic picnic location have made it one of the most popular play and picnic destinations in the city with dedicated picnic and grilling stations throughout the park. Located on the Bow River between the East Village and community of Bridgeland, St. Patrick’s Island has everything from hiking and biking trails to a public plaza, kids play area, natural wading pool, and amphitheatre area for intimate performances. Family picnics and romantic date nights are a great way to explore the park, including views of the Bloom Sculpture overlooking the downtown skyline.
Location: 1300 Zoo Rd. NE
City of Calgary parks are open daily from 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Check the Calgary Parks page for hours, maps, and a complete list of amenities available at each picnic location.
If you are interested in booking a picnic site, consult the City of Calgary for details on the amenities, capacities, fees, power outlets, and washroom accessibility, available at each picnic location. Amenities, hours, and accessibility may vary by picnic location.
