Calgary Parks with Great Fall Leaves

Calgary may not have the spectacular fall leaves you can find out East but there are still some Calgary parks with great fall leaves.

In the fall I tend to stick a bit closer to home than in the summer and one of my favorite things to do in the fall is to take my kids out to play in the leaves.

If you want to take playing in the leaves to the next level, dress the kids up in Halloween costumes and go for a walk in the park.  The pictures you capture are priceless! Below are some suggestions for where you could go to make your own Fall memories.

Confederation Park

24 Avenue & 14 Street NW to 30 Avenue & 10 Street NW
This is my favorite park in the fall, it’s a gentle walk with lots of great photo opportunities including a wetland pond with ducks, bridges, great climbing trees, a great playground and lots of yellow Poplar leaves.

Edworthy Park

South Access – Bow Trail & Spruce Drive SW. North Access – Shaganappi Trail and 16 Avenue
Edworthy Park is densely forested with trees including aspen, willow and balsam poplar. Although the numerous picnic areas are close together, the trees provide nice separation between them.

The park also features pathways, flat grassy areas and four small playgrounds. Gordie’s favorite feature is the CP Rail line which runs right through the centre of the park, – you can often see a train right up close while you’re there and even get a great shot with the train as a backdrop. 

Prince’s Island Park

4 Street and 1 Avenue SW(just north of Downtown along the Bow River) A trip to Prince’s Island necessitates a bit of a walk as there is no traffic on the island; however, it is well worth the trip. The park has water all around with a wetlands area to the east and a lagoon area with ducks to the south.

There are also plenty of pathways, small rolling hills and a fantastic playground. The trees in Prince’s Island Park are varied and feature red and purple leaves in addition to the yellow leaves more typically found in Calgary.

North Glenmore Park

7305 Crowchild Trail SW
Located on the North side of the Glenmore Reservoir, North Glenmore Park is a fun spot for fall photos. The park features an extensive pathway system, picnic areas, two playgrounds, great views of the reservoir and large mature trees.

South Glenmore Park

South Glenmore Park – 90 Ave & 24 St SW
Located just across the  reservoir is South Glenmore Park.  This park has a lovely pathway system with plenty of large mature trees, two playgrounds, picnic spots and some lovely views of the water.

Carburn Park

67 Riverview Drive SE
Taking a walk along the pathways in Carburn Park, it’s hard to imagine you’re in the middle of the city. In addition to the Balsam Popular trees and colorful shrubbery, Carburn Park features man-made ponds, river access, picnic areas and a playground.

Bowness Park

8900 48 Ave. N.W
Bowness Park is another great option. Bowness park features a few playgrounds, a lagoon, picnic areas and pathways.

Nellie Breen Park

Inglewood – 14 Street & St. Monica Avenue SE
If you are looking for less of a walk and more of a play at the park, Nellie Breen Park would be an excellent choice. It’s a small park that is almost entirely taken up by a sprawling playground. The park is beautiful with large mature trees and a gazebo.

Rundle Ruins Park

632 13 AV SE
I think this park is used more often as a photo backdrop than anything else. The ruins will give a really unique setting and would suit scary costumes extremely well. The leaves from the mature trees will enhance the effect.

Nose Hill Park

5620 14 St NW – Multiple Entrances
Although from a distance Nose Hill Park appears to be mostly prairie grasses, it actually has large groves of trees including trembling aspens and willows that are beautiful in the fall.

Fish Creek Park

Fish Creek Park has multiple entrances across a large area in South West and South East Calgary.
Fish Creek has lovely walking and biking paths and has a variety of different trees and plants across the large park.

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