Ah, the late summer. The weather is warm, but school and crisp fall leaves are just on the horizon! Make the most of our short transitional season with hikes, farms, and autumn fun to help your family keep active and engaged over the next few weeks.
\n \nGo on a bike ride through Confederation Park
\n24 Avenue and 14 Street NW to 30 Avenue and 10 Street NW
\nAn extensive pathway system runs through Confederation Park, making it a great place for a bike ride. It is easy to adjust your trip to smaller loops for younger riders and the main pathways have gentle slopes. The park also includes several bridges, a fantastic playground, trees great for climbing, and lots of yellow poplar leaves.
\nTake a day trip to Big Hill Springs Provincial Park
\nBig Hill Springs Road, Cochrane, AB
\nThis lovely park has springs and waterfalls that flow all year round. If you have younger kids, you will particularly appreciate the short trails with minimal elevation gain, benches along the trail for snack breaks and washrooms at every parking lot.
\nFind your way through the corn maze at the
\nCalgary Farmyard - 284022 Township Road 224, Rockyview, AB (SE of Calgary)
\nAlthough the Calgary Farmyard is open in the spring and summer, the best time to go is in the fall. Then, you can also enjoy their seasonal activities including a large corn maze and a pumpkin patch. As always, you can also enjoy their petting zoo and fun farm attractions.
\nHave a picnic at Edworthy Park
\nSouth Access – Bow Trail and Spruce Drive SW
\nNorth Access – Shaganappi Trail and 16 Avenue NW
\nEdworthy Park has numerous picnic areas separated by trees, giving you a sense of privacy. If you are planning a larger gathering, you can even book picnic sites.
\nEdworthy Park is one of Calgary’s more densely forested parks and features aspen, willow, and balsam poplar trees. The park has a CP Rail line that runs right through the centre of the park and a new inclusive playground on the south side.
\nGrab your costumes and photoshoot at Rundle Ruins Park
\n632 13 Avenue SE
\nThis park is probably used more often as a photo backdrop than anything else. The ruins provide a
\nreally unique setting and would suit scary costumes extremely well. The leaves from the mature trees will enhance the effect.
\nGo explore Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
\n255001 Glenbow Road, Cochrane
\nThis newer provincial park is only 30 minutes from Calgary. You can go for a self-guided tour, have a picnic, find geocaches, and watch birds.
\nDive into the past at Heritage Park
\n1900 Heritage Drive SW
\nHeritage Park is always a fun place to visit with historic buildings to explore, and old-fashioned amusement park rides and treats to eat. But it is particularly beautiful in the fall. Heritage Park also hosts a special Railway Days weekend in September and Ghoul’s Night Out, a family-friendly Halloween event in October.
\nHave a downtown adventure at Prince’s Island Park
\n4th Street and 1 Avenue SW (just north of downtown along the Bow River)
\nA trip to Prince’s Island Park necessitates a bit of a walk as there is no vehicle traffic on the island. The park is a literal island and includes a wetlands area to the east and a lagoon area frequented by ducks and Canada geese to the south. There is also a nice Calgary-themed playground and great views of downtown. 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 Parks.
\nWhile you are there, walk over and check out the newly developed Eau Claire area across the bridge to the south.
\nStock up on fruits and vegetables at the Fall Harvest Sale
\nBMO Centre - September 14 and 15, 2025
\nIn past years, this event was held at Heritage Park but, starting last year, it was moved to the BMO Centre.
\nYour admission supports local charities and you can go home with fresh and affordable produce.
\nGo boat watching at the Glenmore Reservoir
\nNorth Glenmore Park – 7305 Crowchild Trail SW
\nSouth Glenmore Park – 90 Avenue and 24 Street SW
\nBoth North and South Glenmore Park are fantastic parks with great views of the Glenmore Reservoir, where you can often see kayaks and sailing boats. In addition, they both have large mature trees, pathways, an inclusive playground, and picnic areas.
\nGo pumpkin hunting at Butterfield Acres
\n254077 Rocky Ridge Road NW
\nDuring weekends in October, Butterfield Acres hosts their annual pumpkin hunts. Each child ticket includes one pumpkin and you can also access Butterfield Acres’ regular petting zoo attractions.
\nSurround yourself with nature in Carburn Park
\n67 Riverview Drive SE
\nCarburn Park is truly an urban oasis. Walking along the pathways, it will be hard to believe that you are in the middle of the city. Carburn Park features man-made ponds, river access, picnic areas, balsam poplar trees, and colorful shrubbery.
\nGet lost in the Bowden SunMaze
\nEagle Creek Farms – 34530 Range Road #14, Bowden, Alberta (north of Calgary)
\nA truly unique spot in Southern Alberta and a perfect fall destination. In addition to the beautiful sunflower maze, they also offer u-pick flowers and vegetables.
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Dana spends her free time seeking out the best indoor and outdoor places to play in Calgary with her son and blogging about them. For more information, visit calgaryplaygroundreview.com.
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