Calgary 
Diamond Valley is unique in that it is one of Alberta’s newest municipalities. Turner Valley and Black Diamond amalgamated to create one larger town in 2023. Both areas are set in a scenic foothill valley, around the narrow Sheep River and surrounded by lush foothill scenery.
Credit: Keira Morgan/Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed
During a day trip to Diamond Valley, located about an hour from Calgary, there will be time to explore all areas of town, including the surrounding natural areas. Notable areas of town include the shopping and dining areas, the river and trails, and the Turner Valley Gas Plan provincial historic site. The local brewing and distilling scene is a busy one, with many of these breweries or distilleries also offering food menus.
If you are on a scenic road trip on the Cowboy Trail, the town is a great place for a stayover.
Plan ahead and schedule the day trip around their signature annual events: spring’s Discovery Day, Canada Day, and the Winter Light Up Festival.
The Best Trails around Diamond Valley
Exploring the two distinct parts of Diamond Valley is simple on foot or by bike, especially with the connecting trail between the two areas. Plus, there are many other options for foothill and mountain hikes within a half-hour drive (or less) of Diamond Valley.
- The Friendship Trail connects the Turner Valley area to the Black Diamond area with a 3km multi-use trail and pathway. It makes exploring both areas in a day fun and straightforward while offering riverside scenery and quiet natural areas to explore.
- See the natural wonder of the Okotoks erratic. This giant glacial rock stands out easily once on the trail, which is about 0.6km out-and-back.
- Find foothill hiking trails 25 minutes north of Diamond Valley in Brown-Lowrey Provincial Park.
- Sheep River Provincial Park, west of Diamond Valley, has an array of trails for cyclists, hikers, equestrian riders, snowshoers, cross-country skiers, and winter cyclists.
Markets & More Local Shopping in Diamond Valley
Support local during a Diamond Valley day trip with dining and the local shops or boutique stores. These stores contain a variety of goods for all ages and interests.
- Find boutique shopping in Diamond Valley from Marshall’s Country Store, Peak Boutique, or Tender Living Farm.
- The local consignment shops have a variety of clothing, treasures, gifts, and more to browse and include stores like the Cool Hand Luc’s Treasure Shop
- The Millarville Farmers’ Market provides seasonal local shopping for the spring, summer, and Christmas seasons.
Find the Local Food in Diamond Valley
No matter the meal- breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner, there are plenty of local establishments in Diamond Valley for all! These include international restaurants, pizza from many locations, dine-in or takeout, and spots for a light snack or coffee.
- Grab coffees, snacks, or lunch from Coyote Moon Cantina & Espresso Bar or the Chuckwagon Cafe.
- Grab a filling takeout from Foothills Pizza & Pasta or Ogam’s Chicken.
- Eau Claire Distillery thrives in a 1929 building that was once a town hall, dance hall, and community hub, reflecting its rich history.
- Try the international restaurants in the area, like Saigon Moon, Mr. Food (Indian cuisine), or Il Forno for Italian fusion.
- The Westwood and La Cazza Bistro both offer great in-person family dining experiences, filling menus, and takeout menus.
- Visiting in the summer? Take advantage of the summer-only Feed Lot experience. This outdoor area in Diamond Valley is run by locals who put on a dining and entertainment experience for visitors.
Visit Sheep River Provincial Park
When coming from most locations in Alberta, Diamond Valley is on the way to Sheep River Provincial Park. If coming from BC and the west, Diamond Valley will be a stop after the provincial park. Either way, it is a relatively short distance between the two locations, making it easy to visit both in a day!
- Sheep River Falls day use area is only 25 km west of Turner Valley along Hwy. 546 and has the waterfall to see, picnic spots, access to trails, firepits, and chances for wildlife viewing. The area is accessible from May 15 to November 30.
- Sandy McNabb Trailhead day-use area is the closest to town on the highway and is open year-round. There are several winter activities to enjoy, and an extensive set of summer trails. The area gets its name from a Turney Valley local and oil worker who spent many of his days fishing and enjoying these outdoor areas.
- Fishing from the Sheep River is popular during the spring and fall months. Sheep River fishing is available throughout the provincial park, as well as areas closer to Diamond Valley or Cataract Creek.
Explore Turner Valley and Black Diamond History
The Turner Valley Gas Plant is a now-defunct oilfield and processing plant. Plus, it is a provincial historic site as Western Canada’s first oilfield and processing plant! The plant is open for tours from May to September. Tours bring you around the oilfield sites, a handful of historic buildings, and an exhibit hall.
This is the birthplace of Alberta’s biggest industry, with a variety of artifacts telling a variety of stories.
