Bike Rentals, Cycling Camps & Family Bike Trails in Calgary

June 29, 2022

Feel like you’re spinning your wheels when it comes to figuring out which bike paths to explore? Here are some wonderful family bike trails in Calgary with options all around the city that are family friendly and filled with fun for the kids. For a full rundown of all the pathways and bikeways the city has to offer, check out this handy map. For a few of our favourite family friendly trails, read on!

Our Favourite Family Bike Trails in Calgary

South Glenmore Park: Calgary Southwest

SOUTH GLENMORE PARK: CALGARY SOUTHWEST

Aside from the stunning scenery as you wheel your way around the Glenmore Reservoir, the bike paths in the park are great for kids of all age ranges. There are longer, flat stretches for the little bikers still learning the ropes, and some hilly areas for the more adventurous members of your team. For cyclists in search of more challenging terrain, head to the South Glenmore Bicycle Pump Track to work on your skills on the two custom-designed asphalt tracks. After your ride (or if you need a break in between), the splash pad and playground by the parking lot at the end of 24th Street is a great spot to cool off or just chill out. There are picnic tables in the area as well if you decide to grab a bite. Keep your ears peeled for the train whistle as it travels around nearby Heritage Park—see if your little ones can spy the steam coming out!

Image via rockiesfamilyadventures.com

WINSPORT: CALGARY SOUTHWEST

For the family in search of an adrenaline rush, Season Passes and Day Passes are available to spend a few hours or an entire day hitting the Mountain Bike trails at WinSport. Whether you’re looking for lift-access trails or just want to get a few laps in on the up track “Needatowie”, riders of all ages will have a blast getting their legs pumping on old favourites and newly opened tracks. Cruise through the trees, on open terrain, and over obstacles in the Jump Park!

Fish Creek Provincial Park Image via rockiesgirl.wordpress.com

FISH CREEK PROVINCIAL PARK: CALGARY SOUTHEAST

We love the versatility of Fish Creek Park. Spanning a large chunk of the south end of Calgary, the park is accessible from a range of points, and the trails are endless. Paved with clear markings for bikers, it’s a perfect spot for all levels of riders. The vista includes paths through forested areas, and other paths in the open sunshine. Take a break to paddle in the river at various spots. There are food kiosks and cafes in a couple of different spots (Sikome Lake, Annie’s Café) which are good if you are in need of extra snacks or washrooms. You can even do a bit of BBQing and swimming on your journey. The best part? You can go time and time again to Fish Creek and the adventure will be completely different (read: kids won’t get bored!). Fish Creek truly is one of the best family bike paths in Calgary.

ELLISTON REGIONAL PARK: CALGARY SOUTHEAST

A small park bordering Elliston Lake, the pathways run around the water, making for a nice vista on your 1-3 km ride. There are seasonal washrooms, as well as a playground for your pit stop. Be sure to visit the rose garden on your journey, or stop for a snack in one of the picnic areas.

Image via Hiking with Barry

Memorial Drive: Calgary Central Image via playoutsideguide.com

MEMORIAL DRIVE: CALGARY CENTRAL

Wondering if there’s family bike paths in Calgary downtown? There is! The parking lot on the north side of Memorial Drive just opposite Prince’s Island Park is a perfect spot to start (read: affordable parking for the full day). Take your smallest ones for a cycle through the park, or continue down the paths on Memorial Drive. It’s an easy ride for your newest bikers and you can even follow the path to Riley Park and end your excursion with a paddle in their giant wading pools.

WEST NOSE CREEK PARK/NOSE CREEK PARKWAY: CALGARY NE/NW

Meandering along Beddington Trail, the park trails move around Nose Creek and is one of the quieter family bike paths in Calgary if you’re still on a bike with a baby trailer, or you have a toddler who is still shy on their wheels. Keep your eyes peeled for beaver dams or deer as you go on your ride.

BAKER PARK: CALGARY NORTHWEST

Located just across from Bowness Park (also a great spot for biking), Baker Park is beautifully kept with lots of archways, promenades and more—it’s a fave spot for weddings and one of the best family bike paths in Calgary. Make it your biking destination if you’re looking for a leisurely ride with some scenic spots to take selfies with the kids.

Family Bike Paths in Calgary - Confederation park Image via rockiesfamilyadventures.com

CONFEDERATION PARK: CALGARY NORTHWEST

Another scenic fave, Confederation Park also has a wetland area if you’re looking to do some bird watching. Not as busy as some of the bigger parks, it’s a great destination if you’re looking to make a day of it. With a flower and rock garden, this park offers beautiful trees, manicured lawns, picnic and playgrounds, as well as pathways throughout.

NOSE HILL: CALGARY NORTHWEST

If your bikers are more about dirt than pavement, then head out to Nose Hill Park, Canada’s largest natural park. With moderate to more advanced hills, there are both paved and dirt paths to cycle. It’s also filled with fabulous hiking trails and lots of wildlife. (Rest easy: despite being a ‘natural’ environment, washrooms are available.)

Best Places for Family Cycling Gear:

If you haven’t got wheels of your own to hit the trails, don’t sweat it! Bow Cycle & Sports has all of your bike needs covered – including Mountain Bikes, Fat Bikes, Road Bikes and E-Bikes in their NW location, and E-Bikes in their SE location. The University of Calgary Outdoor Centre has online bike rentals to take you through Bowness Park (for 30 or 60 minute rides), as well as online rentals for adventuring elsewhere. Outlaw Sports offers rentals for adult leisure bikes as well as child trailers and helmets for up to 7 consecutive days. Sports Rent has just about every bike you can imagine – including tandem bikes – as well as helmets available to rent for a week, or longer if you need it!

Looking to Hone Your Bike Skills?

If you’re a go-getter who wants to teach your kid how to ride a bike, but you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got a few tips for you. If you’d rather have someone else do the honours, there are several spots in the city to register your kiddo for bike lessons and camps. WinSport has several options, including two-hour private lessons for folks of all ages, skill-specific mountain bike group lessons, and seven different summer camps for kids aged 4 and up. Pedalheads has taught over 500,000 kids how to hit the ground running on their bikes since 1995 and has biking and trail riding camp opportunities available this summer for kids as young as 2. The University of Calgary has several camp options available for riders as young as grade 2 who want to explore the city’s trails and parks on two wheels. Finally, the YMCA’s Camp Riveredge has Bike Camp options for kids aged 6 and up who are able to ride without training wheels.

What are your favourite family bike trails in Calgary? Did we miss a great spot to rent a bike on our list? Will you be registering your family members for bike lessons or camps this summer? Let us know in the comments!