Water adventures around Calgary are easy to find.
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. They don’t have shuttles but can take your equipment from you at 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 pick up 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.
When: May-September 17
Where: Float starts at West Baker Park boat launch; Float ends at Footbridge near Prince’s Island Park
How much: BowYaks $39; BowYak and Shuttle $46.5
Navigate Harvie Passage
If you plan a little bit more adventure, then 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. Your guide brings you from the scenic Pumphouse Theatre area, around Prince’s Island Park, past downtown and the Calgary Zoo, with a finish in Pearce Estates Park. You can also call ahead to add custom stops or dining experiences to your boat ride.
When: April-October
Where: depart from Pearce Estates Park
How much: $39-$59 per person
Learn to Sail on the Glenmore Reservoir
The Glenmore Sailing Club offers summer lessons for adults in search of a fun new skill/activity. Starting in June, you can catch sailboat races and social events every Wednesday night at the club- no membership is required to spectate or socialize!
When: June-October 2022
Where: 8601 24 St SW, Calgary
How much: $325 for adult sailing lessons
Light up Bow River with an LED Kayak
Calgary Kayaks offer a unique opportunity for exploring Carburn Lagoon or Carburn Lake for adventure in the city. Their double- and single-seat kayaks are clear, and light up with colourful LEDs, providing you with a glow around your boat during an evening paddle.
When: June-October
Where: 50 Riverview Landing, Calgary
How much: Double Seat $60/hr., Single Seat $35/hr.
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 S.S. Moyie, a historic sternwheeler that was used to ferry Kootenay Lake to ferry passengers from the Canadian Pacific Railway rail terminal at Kootenay Landing to Nelson, B.C.
When: Until ~ Thanksgiving Weekend
Where: Heritage Park, Calgary
How Much: Heritage Park Admission
Book a Fly-Fishing Adventure
Learn to catch your own fish from the Bow with the Bow River Hookers! These experienced fly fishers can bring you on full-day trips which include a stop with a hearty lunch, equipment and supplies, and the knowledge of your guides. The half-day trips are similar but do not include lunch.
When: May to October
Where: Fishing along 50 mile stretch between Calgary and Carseland
How much: $490-$600 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.
When: Sikome Aquatic Facility – Friday, June 24, 2022 to Labour Day Weekend.
Book a Week-long Tour with Paddle A Board
These extreme adventures with Paddle A Board take you on an epic Rocky Mountain journey by first, shuttle, and then by paddle board along Alberta’s prettiest lakes. The package includes a SUP rental, 6-nights of accommodation, breakfast every morning, one day’s lunch, and one day’s dinner. The remaining lunch and dinners will be up to you, but from restaurants of your choosing.
When: departure dates are June 12, July 24, August 7, or September 4
Where: depart from downtown Calgary
How much: $2,280-$2,499
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.
When: Fridays & Saturdays
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.
SUP Yoga
Wild Spirit SUP Yoga specializes in helping you find calm and true balance. Their 2022 summer registration is now open for several types of sessions near Calgary at Lower Kananaskis Lake, Chaparral Lake and Chestermere Lake. All three locations provide a pristine setting for a morning or an evening of yoga on the water.
When: June-August 2022
Where: Lower Kananaskis Lake, Chaparral Lake, and Chestermere Lake
How much: $25-$35 per person
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.
When: May-September 2022
Where: provided upon booking
How much: $145-$265 per person
More Water Adventures Including Whitewater Rafting:
- 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