Calgary 
Water adventures around Calgary are easy to find.
The Paddle Station
Thanks to the Bow and Elbow Rivers, city lakes and parks, and numerous tour companies, boating, and fishing trips are numerous in and around the city. This includes slower, more relaxing outings as well as more thrilling and adrenaline-pumping water adventures.
Rafting & Floating Bow River
Through Calgary’s Paddle Station on the Bow, you can rent rafts big enough for groups of people or couples, kayaks, and SUPs. Take your equipment to the specified endpoints where you’ll need to park a second vehicle, and they can inflate/deflate your inflatables for you.
Riverside Rafting offers similar services, with large rafts and SUPs for rent, and pickup of your equipment.
- The Paddle Station — Types of Rentals: rafts, kayaks, SUPs
- Riverside Rafting — Types of rentals: 4, 6, 8, or 12-person raft, SUPs
River Access Points in Calgary
Guide to River Tubing, Floating and Guided Raft Trips in and Around Calgary
Float the Elbow: Sandy Beach to MNP Community & Sports Centre
This is the section of the Elbow River between the Glenmore Reservoir and where it meets up with the Bow River. The route of Sandy to the Community Centre is a perfect family float, especially with young kids, as this area is calm and shallow, and there is parking on both ends. You won’t need large rafts or kayaks for this either and can make do with inflatables and paddles.
When: Summer
Where: Sandy Beach
How much: free
Try a BowYak
The Lazy Day Raft Rentals can supply you with a few different ways to float the Bow River through Calgary, but this year could be your year to try their signature BowYaks. These are specially designed inflatable kayaks which give you optimal back and shoulder support for a long river float.
Where: Float starts at West Baker Park boat launch; Float ends at the Footbridge near Prince’s Island Park
How much: BowYaks $43; Shuttle $9 to $10
Navigate Harvie Passage
Credit: O2 Planning and Design
If you’re looking for a bit more adventure, head to Harvie Passage in Inglewood. Here, there are two routes for rafters to enjoy, with the eastern (river left) portion listed as a Class 3 and the western (river right) listed as a Class 2.
Where: Harvie Passage, Near Pearce Estates in Inglewood
Guided Sightseeing Tour
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Calgary from your own guided raft tour down the Bow. RiverWatch EcoFloats offers a 2.5-hour guided float starting at Graves Landing and winding through scenic highlights like Carburn Park, Sue Higgins Dog Park, and into the heart of Fish Creek Provincial Park. Spot wildlife, glide under historic bridges, and learn about the Bow River’s vital role in the city. For a special treat, join a Feast and Float Saturday Night, featuring a surprise gourmet picnic at Bankside Day Use Area.
Where: Through Fish Creek Provincial Park
How much:$49 per person/Feast and Float Saturday Nights – $115
Learn to Sail on the Glenmore Reservoir
The Glenmore Sailing Club offers summer lessons for adults and kids in search of a fun new skill/activity. You can also catch sailboat races and social events every Wednesday night at the club- no membership is required to spectate or socialize!
Or, you can experience sailing in Calgary with an expert skipper. Enjoy a unique outdoor adventure on a keelboat for up to four people. Trim sails, steer the boat, or just relax.
Where: 8601 24 St SW, Calgary
How much: Varies
Pedal boats at Bowness Lagoon
Bowness Park is home to a quiet gem in the centre of the city, the park’s own little lagoon, thanks to the Bow River. University of Calgary’s Outdoor Centre offers pedal boat, canoe, and kayak rentals which you can cruise around the lagoon in which you relax and take in the sounds of nature.
When: Until ~ end of September
Where: 8900 48 Ave NW Calgary
How Much: $20 for half an hour for pedal boat
Cruise Aboard S.S. Moyie Paddlewheeler
Explore Glenmore Reservoir on Calgary’s only paddlewheel boat. The boat is a replica of the S.S. Moyie, a historic sternwheeler that was used to ferry passengers from the Canadian Pacific Railway rail terminal at Kootenay Landing to Nelson, B.C.
Heritage Park also hosts asunset dinner cruise aboard the S.S. Moyie. Enjoy craft cocktails, chef-prepared appetizers, and stunning views of the Rockies and city skyline.
Where: Heritage Park, Calgary
How Much: Heritage Park Admission
Captain’s Cruise – Sunset Dinner Cruise – $109.95 plus GST
Book a Fly-Fishing Adventure
Learn to catch your own fish from the Bow with the Bow River Hookers! These experienced fly fishers can take you on full-day trips that include a stop for a hearty lunch, equipment and supplies, and the expertise of your guides. The half-day trips are similar but do not include lunch.
Where: Fishing along 50 50-mile stretch between Calgary and Carseland
How much: $490-$650 per day, per 1-2 anglers
Swimming around the City
Fortunately, you don’t have to go far in Calgary for a swimming adventure. There are public areas along the Bow River, the city’s public outdoor pools, Chestermere Lake, or Sikome Lake in Fish Creek Provincial Park.
10 Beach Day Trips From Calgary to Help You Cool Off This Summer
When: Sikome Aquatic Facility – Until Labour Day Weekend.
Feed Fish at Bow Habitat Station
If you are looking for a fun activity with little kids, then visit Bow Habitat Station for a Fish Hatchery tour. You can feed thousands of trout at the Fish Hatchery which raises over a million trout each year.
Bow Habitat Station
Where: 1440 17a St SE, Calgary
How much: $2.00 +tax per person (children 3 & under free with a paid adult) + Bow Habitat Station admission.
See Waterfalls up close with Bow Valley Canyon Tours
The Bow Valley Canyon Tours not only bring you up close to the waterfalls of the mountain canyons, but also directly in them, under them, and through their surrounding pools. These excursions are offered in a variety of ways with different packages for different skill levels.
Where: Banff & Canmore
More Water Adventures, including Whitewater Rafting:
- Guide to River Tubing, Floating and Guided Raft Trips in and Around Calgary
- Just an hour from Calgary, there are plenty of options for whitewater rafting: Places to Go Guided Whitewater Rafting in Alberta
- Places to go River Tubing & Lazy River Floating in Alberta
- 25 of the Best Paddle Spots in Alberta – Canoe, Kayak, or Paddleboard
- Boat Tours & Scenic Cruises in Alberta
- Beach Getaways in Alberta
