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Bowness Park

Parks ·Calgary ·Open now
4.77.8K
#3Parks in Calgary
  • Ideal for friends, kids
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About

Bowness Park is a 30-hectare riverside park in northwest Calgary, Canada, between Stoney Trail and 85 St NW.

More photos 11

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Bowness Park — Wooden pavilion standing beside the lagoon and its boardwalk

Bowness Park — Wooden pavilion standing beside the lagoon and its boardwalkBowness Park — Park pavilion and recreation area among trees and pathsBowness Park — Small boats moored beside the lagoon's wooden dockBowness Park — Tree-lined lagoon with a path and grassy banksBowness Park — Quiet stretch of the lagoon bordered by mature treesBowness Park — Green water reflecting trees along the lagoon's wooded bankBowness Park — Shaded lagoon reflecting trees and shrubs along the shoreBowness Park — Paved walking path beneath a row of mature treesBowness Park — Winter view across the lagoon toward a small grassy islandBowness Park — Bare trees reflected in the lagoon on a winter dayBowness Park — Snow-covered lagoon and trees in the winter park

Why go

  • Rent a boat to explore Bowness Lagoon.
  • Launch a boat onto the Bow River.

Opening hours

Today05:00 – 23:00Show all
Monday05:00 – 23:00
Tuesday05:00 – 23:00
Wednesday05:00 – 23:00
Thursday05:00 – 23:00
Friday05:00 – 23:00
Saturday05:00 – 23:00
Sunday05:00 – 23:00

Don't miss

  • Restored lagoon fountainSee the restored fountain in Bowness Lagoon.Bowness Lagoon
  • Lagoon-side tea houseFind the tea house beside Bowness Lagoon.Beside Bowness Lagoon

With kids

  • Ride the seasonal Mini-Train.
  • Children can use the wading pool.
  • Children can use the playground on the park’s east side.

Facilities

  • Washrooms Along park pathways.
  • Firepits Bookable.
  • BBQ stands
  • Picnic sites Bookable for free.

Shorts

History

Hextall donated its land to Calgary in a deal connected to extending streetcar service into Bowness Estates. The land consisted of two Bow River islands; a channel is now dammed to form a lagoon and canal. Early attractions included a swimming pool, boating lagoon, dancing pavilion, merry-go-round, picnic facilities, camping spots, cabins and a scenic railway. Park cottages served as family summer retreats before they were removed.

  1. Before the First World WarJohn Hextall built the park as a weekend retreat for nearby Calgarians.
  2. 1913–1950Streetcars carried visitors directly to the park entrance.
  3. 1920s–1930sSummer weekend streetcars ran every 15 minutes; fine weekends drew up to 25,000 visitors.
  4. Early 1950sThe miniature railway opened.
  5. 1959–1961The swimming pool closed in 1959, dancing ended in 1960, and the park phonograph stopped in 1961.
Show all
  1. June 2013–2016Flooding led to a public safety closure. The west half reopened in November 2014, the east half in 2016, and the miniature railway resumed in July 2016 after repairs.

Sources: Bowness Park, Calgary - Wikipedia · Calgary/Northwest - Wikivoyage (see) · Bowness Park · About Calgary City Council · Our organization · checked 10 Oct 2026

Where
8900 48 Ave NW Along the Bow River between Stoney Tr. and 85 St. N.W., Calgary

Plan from here: Evening walk →

Questions and answers

When is Bowness Park open?

The park is open daily from 05:00 to 23:00.

Can I book a picnic site at Bowness Park?

Yes. Picnic sites can be booked for free.

Where is Bowness Park?

The entrance address is 8900 48 Ave NW, Calgary.

Does a pathway run through Bowness Park?

Yes. The Bow River pathway runs the length of the park.

Why was Bowness Park created?

It was created as a weekend retreat for nearby Calgarians.

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