Calgary 
Visit one of Alberta’s newest Provincial Parks this autumn season.
Glenbow Ranch Foundation
Fall might be the best time to come to this riverside park, as it is in the heart of the foothills, where the fall colours are sure to impress. And even if you live close enough to see the park every day, the Ranch can still make an excellent destination for daily walks, or workouts.
The Glenbow Ranch provides us with excellent opportunities for education, outdoor fun and recreation with the help of Alberta Parks, as well as the Glenbow Ranch Foundation. Between the Ranch’s visitor centre, the interpretive signage, and the restored items around the Ranch, you can learn a lot on your walk or bike ride about the area’s history.
If you plan to come for a long walk or bike ride, pack a picnic too. There are tables, shelters, and washrooms, located in different areas of the park.
Located in Cochrane, about 45 minutes from Calgary, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park makes for a perfect fall colour day trip. After your trip, travel down the Cowboy trail until Highway 8 or 22 for a scenic road trip back to Calgary.
Here are a few activities you can enjoy at Glenbow Ranch:
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- 25 of the Best Parks in Alberta to See Fantastic Fall Colours
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1. Biking
The paved trails and their slow/easy inclines make biking at the Glenbow Ranch a fun way to get fresh air and exercise. There is only a small section of the pathway which does not permit bikes, leaving you with over 20km of bike trails still. From the Ranch’s paths, you can bike into Cochrane and around the GlenEagles Golf Course.
2. Hiking
Just take your pick of trails: each leads to its own views, points of interest, and all have places to rest and picnic, as well as access to washrooms.
- The Bow Bend is the main connector trail and gives you access points for the smaller trails.
- The Bow River Loop takes about an hour at a walking pace and includes beautiful views of the Bow River.
- Follow the Glenbow Trails for a look at the site’s history.
- Head out on the Badger Bowl to the Windmill Lookout to get distant Rocky Mountain views combined with the bright colours of the foothills.
3. Take a Virtual Interpretive Walk
The Tiger Lily Loop is closest to the parking lot and offers a great introduction before you explore more of the park. Use the Glenbow Ranch Foundation’s interactive walking guide to learn all about the Indigenous history of the area, the Ranch’s native plants and animals, and more information as passed down from Stony Nakoda Knowledge Keepers.
4. Birding Golf Cart Tours
The Ranch is big! There are options to go on a guided tour, and they’ll help you cover more ground faster with golf carts. Drive out with an experienced birdwatcher to find the beauties hiding around the Glenbow Ranch. Along with bird education, you can also receive information on the ecology and other wildlife in the area.
5. Photography
Whether you’re an amateur, a professional photographer, or someone scouting locations for their own photos, you can count on the Glenbow Ranch in the fall. Even on a dreary fall day, the backdrop is filled with natural colours. And on a sunny day, your photos can get plenty of contrast and vibrancy. Many wildlife or bird photographers use the Glenbow Ranch for perfect photo ops, too.
Planning your Trip – Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
What: Spanning 3,200 acres of native fescue grassland, Glenbow Ranch is an active cattle ranch.
The Glenbow Ranch currently operates under a partnership between Alberta Parks and the Glenbow Ranch Foundation. The Provincial Park offers maintained pathways and picnic facilities, while the Foundation provides interpretive programs, education, and guided tours of the Ranch.
The Glenbow Ranch is on the north side of the Bow River between Cochrane and Calgary where you can see as far west as the Rockies.
The east side of the park is wide-open ranch lands, while the west side of the park has more forest and foothill views.
Best time to go: open year-round.
How to get there: 255001 Glenbow Rd, Cochrane, AB T4C 0B7
Use Highway 1A between Calgary and Cochrane to access Glenbow Road South
For more information:
