Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
4.5
About
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park protects spectacular natural landscapes and historical resources along the Bow River, between Calgary and Cochrane. To ensure Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park's sensitive and significant natural and historical features are protected, a detailed biophysical inventory and an archaeological assessment were conducted. An interim park management plan was developed to provide a framework for initial development of facilities and services in the park. Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is a day-use only park. Camping is NOT allowed.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles131 reviews
Excellent
85
Very good
39
Average
7
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Ben B
Calgary, Canada14,103 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
This park has so much. Great views and vistas of Rockies to the west, excellent trails, fascinating history, lots of wildlife and wildflowers, and good facilities in terms of pit toilets, picnic tables etc. It's quite a gem, and relatively unknown to many Calgarians. Although it is open all year, it's at its best during the spring, summer and fall. There's even remnants of a ghost town in the park.
Written May 14, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

yycyycyyc
Calgary, AB673 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021
We had a wonderful, warm and windy walk on a busy Friday afternoon using both the paved and unpaved trails, around 11km in all.

Our favourite part was across the railway down by the river. Here it was quite boggy in places with the fast-melting snow, and we had this part almost to ourselves.

We had not known anything about the history, and were well informed by the panels throughout.
Written March 20, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MJH048
British Columbia, Canada198 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Couples
We made an afternoon visit. We hiked the Tiger Lily trail. We enjoyed it and the views of the Bow River valley. The trail is steep at both ends so take your time and wear suitable foot wear.
Written July 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Joe_Blow_RD
Calgary, Canada54 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2021
Trailheads could use some better marking. Very busy carpark on a Saturday afternoon with cars lining both sides of the roadway to get in. Well maintained paved trails and good views of the grasslands and mountains in the distance. They are currently doing improvements to the buildings and visitor booth.
Written March 15, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hamelia
Columbus, Ohio73 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Couples
My husband and I travel each summer to the Canadian Rockies from our midwestern U.S. home, and each time we go we discover something new. One of our favorite new experiences this trip was a visit to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park as we drove back to Calgary at the end of our mountain stay.

I’d never heard of this place and encountered it serendipitously before we left home while reading online about something else. Glenbow Ranch has been a park open to the public for only a few years (since 2011, I believe), and it originally was a large ranch along the Bow River, between Cochrane and Calgary. There are still ranching activities taking place on the property, mostly livestock grazing in various locations in different seasons. The dramatic, high-relief topography was formed by outwash from a large, prehistoric glacial lake, so there are bluffs, coulees, and a number of varied micro-environments tucked away here and there. At 3,300 acres in size, the park has plenty of space for its nearly 20 miles of hiking and cycling trails, some asphalt and some gravel, and these include a portion of the Trans Canada Trail.

There’s great beauty here, with flowers, birds (Cedar Waxwings, Mountain Bluebirds and Bald Eagles were highlights for us), and striking views - sweeping down to the river and railroad or far away to the mountains.

This is a day-use park meant primarily for hiking and bicycling, and activity programs are scheduled from time to time (check the website). There are a few picnic tables in scattered locations (all the ones I saw were in full sun), outhouses at the parking lot and along a couple of the trails, and no drinking water - bring plenty of your own.

Along the various trails are interpretive plaques about the geology and history, both human and natural, of the place. The Visitor Centre is open as often as budget and volunteers allow, and as more people discover and use this park, the Centre's hours will surely increase. Given the ever-expanding residential development of both Calgary and Cochrane, this tract of land was protected none too soon. Developers must have been licking their chops at the prospect of building hundreds of houses and condos on the river bluffs, but had they done so, the flavor and history of the place would have faded to obscurity. Alberta is extremely fortunate to have this as parkland, as are the wild things that inhabit it.

We had just a few hours at Glenbow, which allowed us to explore only a few trails, and we tore ourselves away with reluctance. I can see this becoming a regular stop for us in future years as we drive from the mountains to the airport hotel.
Written August 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Canadian Mum
Calgary, Canada1,993 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2012 • Family
Amazing mountain and foothill vista's showcase this new provincial park. Trails are both paved and shale. Maps at the park entrance show trail distance, with more maps scattered throughout the path system, so you don't need to worry about getting lost. Along with walking or hiking, there is an abundance of trails to bike. Be prepared for the steep ascent to the parking lot when you are finished! Pack your water bottle, a few snacks and a hat (limited locations to get out of the sun) if you are venturing out for a period of time. After a trip here you'll feel like you've been out in the country, even though you are right next to the city!
Written September 23, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JY_Globetrotter
Calgary, Canada1,495 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2021
On a whim, I took my toddler out to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park on a stroll and was pleasantly surprised at how quiet and uncongested this park is. Many of the trails are paved and are bicycle, stroller and pet friendly. The park is scenic with rolling hills and working farms and my son was happy to spot cattle and deer.

We did the Yodel Loop which was a bit ambitious for a two year old but the lookout was breathtakingly beautiful. Keep in mind that there isn't much signage around the park except for a few map panels strategically placed. None of the trails are labelled and you will have to rely on the map to determine where you are going.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ryan M
Cochrane, Canada88 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019 • Family
Highly recommended for the family, dog walk or if you just want to enjoy the great outdoors! Option of all paved paths or gravel, some steep sections so wear proper footwear in the winter!
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

es355lucille
Cochrane, Canada25 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Friends
The Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is a great place to walk, hike and enjoy nature. The trail leads to the Glen Eagles area in Cochrane. Lots of long and shorter trails for everyone to enjoy. In some of the higher elevations there are great views over the foothills. Its a 10 min drive from out outskirts of Calgary. (12 mile coulee road)

Ps we walked the trail from Cochrane to the park and I want to say it was approx 7 kms. If you drive to the Park along 1A and go into the entrance there are many trails from the main kiosk. Go have fun! We seen lots of deer and birds along the trail.
Written April 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Brian L
Calgary, Canada7 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2017
Just minutes west of Calgary on Highway 1A and a stone's throw east of the town of Cochrane lies the
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.

Except for the large easily visible sign on the highway which directs you to the park entrance there is no indication of the vast beauty that awaits the visitor. As you descend the steep bluff by road you reach the visitor parking lot. From there you walk along a paved path to the valley floor. (The path is wheel chair accessible). The view from the path is one of unrivalled beauty. Hundreds os acres of wild prairie grasses spread out like a carpet interrupted only by the majestic Bow River which cuts a meandering path through it.

The majority of the park is located on the north bank of the Bow River. Portions of the eastern and western extremities of the park are located within the City of Calgary and the Town of Cochrane respectively. Plans to establish Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park began in 2006 when the children of Alberta rancher Neil Harvie sold 3246acre of land to the Government of Alberta for less than market value to conserve the land and protect it from development. Appraised at $67 million in 2005 and with an estimated value of $80 million in 2006, the land was sold to the province for $40 million and a $27 million charitable tax receipt. Under the deal, the Harvie family also established a $6 million foundation to promote and develop the park and Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park near Edmonton.Glenbow Ranch was officially designated as a provincial park by an order in council on April 17, 2008. The designation involved an additional 51acre of land for a total of 3297acre. The park officially opened to visitors on August 9, 2011.
Written September 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2025)

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