The Best Beaches in Calgary for Families
With the temperatures in Calgary heating up for the summer, there’s a good chance that you’ve been searching for the perfect place to cool off. While the city has some fantastic options for splash pads, wading pools and swimming pools, sometimes you just can’t beat a day at the beach. If you’re lucky to be a community member or have connections to one, Auburn Bay, Arbour Lake, Chaparral, Lake Bonavista, Sundance, Mahogany, Lake Midnapore and McKenzie Lake, and Coral Springs are all lake communities with beach access within city limits. If these options aren’t available to you, don’t sweat it! We’ve rounded up a list of 9 beaches in Calgary and close by to help your family get their fix!
Best Family-Friendly Beaches Near Calgary
Sikome Aquatic Facility | albertaparks.ca
Sikome Circle SE
Head to Fish Creek Provincial Park in south Calgary to lay out your towel at Sikome Aquatic Facility (sometimes referred to as Sikome Lake). This man-made beach is open to the public from June to September from 11 – 5:30 Monday to Thursday and 10 – 6:30 Friday to Sunday and on holidays. Many families head here to enjoy wading in the shallow water or floating and swimming in the middle where the water gets deeper. Amenities include a beach volleyball court, picnic tables, change rooms and showers, 3 playgrounds, a beach shop with items like towels, sunscreen and swim diapers, and a concession. Entry to Sikome Lake includes an admission fee. Families are $10, Adults $5, Seniors $4, and Children are $3. Season passes are also available.
Sandy Beach Park | calgary.ca
4500 14a St SW
Sandy Beach Park is a favourite spot for Calgarians, even though its name is a little bit misleading. While this beach definitely contains more rocks than sand, it’s a great place to dip your toes into the Elbow River since it’s shallow and slow-moving. It’s common to see folks floating by on inflatable rafts or pups splashing with their owners. It’s also close to facilities like washrooms, playgrounds, picnic tables and picnic areas with firepits and barbecues.
Chestermere Lake | chestermere.ca
105 Marina Road, Chestermere Alberta
Chestermere Lake is a quick 30 minute drive from Calgary and a popular spot to swim, boat, tube, wakeboard and waterski. Paddle boarding, kayaking and sail boating are also favourite activities for visitors to Lake Chestermere. There are three lakeside parks to visit: Anniversary Park and Beach, located at 208 West Chestermere Drive, Cove Park and Beach, located at 259 Cove Road, and Sunset Park, located at 421 East Chestermere Drive. Playgrounds, picnic tables, tennis courts, volleyball courts, basketball pads and bathrooms are available.
Quarry Lake | quarrylakecanmore.ca
Spray Lakes Road, Canmore, Alberta
If you’re up for a day trip, a drive to Quarry Lake takes just over an hour from Calgary. Even though the lake is located in Canmore, Quarry Lake is known for its warm water (by mountain water standards, anyway!) There is a sandy beach and shallower waters, as well as deeper parts reaching depths of over 100 feet. Picnic tables, benches, pit toilets, and trails can be found in the area. If you’re a fan of paddle boarding, Quarry Lake is a favourite destination for the sport!
Johnson Lake | travelalberta.ca
Banff, Alberta
Johnson Lake is a little bit further away from Calgary, but is well worth the ninety minute drive west. This lake is the home to Banff’s only beach, but the spectacular mountain views come along with some pretty chilly water, so be prepared! Paddle boarders, canoers and kayakers like this location due to its low wind factor compared to other lakes in the area. There’s plenty of parking available with easy access to the lake from your vehicle.
Newcastle Beach | drumheller.ca
Newcastle Recreation Area, 10 Street West, Drumheller
When you hear the name “Drumheller”, dinosaur fossils may be the first thing that comes to mind, but did you know that they also have a pretty fantastic beach along the Red Deer River? There are lots of shallow spots for younger kiddos to splash and play, as well as deeper water perfect for boating and kayaking. Washrooms, playgrounds, trails and a fenced dog park make it the perfect beach spot for the whole family to enjoy.
Kinbrook Island Provincial Park | albertaparks.ca
Rainier, AB
Kinbrook Island is a favourite destination for beachgoers in Southern Alberta. Located on Lake Newell, Kinbrook Island boasts tons of great amenities including washrooms, boat launches, playgrounds, nets for beach volleyball, and a concession. Bring along an inflatable for floating, or launch your canoe, paddle boat or kayak from the hand launch.
Sylvan Lake | visitsylvanlake.ca
Sylvan Lake, Alberta
Sylvan Lake is a hot spot for tourists and residents alike, and it’s easy to see why. A stroll along the boardwalk is all you need to take in the multitude of land and water activities all around – scale the Sylvan Lake Aqua Splash, rent a paddle boat or sea-doo from Sun Sport Recreation, or go for a spin at Lakeside Go-Karts and Mini Golf . Of course, you can relax on the beach or go for a swim if a slower pace is more your style. Don’t forget to grab an ice cream cone at The Big Moo!
Discovery Canyon in Red Deer | reddeer.ca
3800 River Bend Drive, Red Deer County, AB
Discovery Canyon is one of Alberta’s newest water attractions, located in Red Deer. In addition to the sandy beach area, there’s a man-made lazy river, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. Discovery Canyon is open from June until the September long weekend. The park is free of charge to use, and you can bring along your own tube (it just has to be no larger than 30 to 50 inches round, and cannot have a bottom). Tube rentals are available for $6. There’s also a wading pool, picnic tables, accessible washrooms and showers, a playground and a concession to visit.
With so many beaches near Calgary to visit this summer, the hard part will definitely be deciding where to head first! Which Alberta beaches are your favourites? Let us know in the comments!
