The best animal experiences to check out in and around Calgary this summer

Calgary is surrounded by farms, wildlife parks, and petting zoos, offering some of the best animal experiences around. You can meet everything from Highland cows and alpacas to sloths and tortoises. Whether you’re looking for a hands-on experience, a chance to learn more about rescued wildlife or just an excuse to spend some time in the sunshine, the city has no shortage of ways to make that happen.

To make it easier, we’ve rounded up some of the best animal experiences that are worth adding to your summer plans.

Let’s jump into it.

Butterfield Acres is all about getting hands-on with some of the cutest farm residents around Calgary. The farm is home to sheep, pigs, ponies, llamas, and more. In addition to meeting the animals, guests can take a tractor ride around the property, enjoy pony rides, and check out seasonal events such as the Harvest Pumpkin Fest.

When: Open Monday to Sunday
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 245077 Rocky Ridge NW. Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $16.49

The Calgary Farmyard is a great spot to visit if you’re looking for a more traditional farm experience. Their interactive petting zoo is home to micro Highland cows, goats, lambs, bunnies, and donkeys, with plenty of chances to get up close with the animals. Once you’ve made your way through the barnyard, you can also check out the farm’s famous pig races or try to navigate the 10-acre corn maze.

When: Open Monday to Sunday
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 284022 Township Rd. 224, Rocky View County, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $16.95

If you’re the adventurous type, skip the usual farm animals and head to Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary for something a little more thrilling. Located in Cochrane, the sanctuary is home to more than 55 wolfdogs and offers visitors the chance to walk through the property, see wolfdogs up close, and even hand-feed them.

When: Open Thursday to Monday
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 263156 Range Rd. 53, Cochrane, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $22 

Think you need to hop on a plane to see a kangaroo or a sloth? Think again. Cobbs Adventure Park is home to a collection of rescued exotic animals, including tortoises, porcupines, iguanas, and so much more. But the animals are only part of the fun; guests can also enjoy rides, games, and plenty of outdoor activities, making it easy to spend a full day there,

When: Open Wednesday to Sunday
Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 1500 84th St. NE, Calgary, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $21.95

You’ll have to venture just outside the city for this one, but Granary Road is worth the short drive. The 36-acre outdoor park is home to interactive exhibits, gardens, play areas and a Farmyard Friends area where visitors can meet goats, alpacas, miniature ponies, sheep, pigs and ducks. Beyond getting up close with the animals, guests can spend the day wandering through the park and checking out all the hands-on activities the space offers.

When: Open Monday to Sunday
Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 226066 112 St. W., Foothills County, Alta.
Cost: Starting at $17.95

A summer day spent with animals is pretty hard to beat. Whether you’re cuddling a sheep, watching a pig race, hand-feeding a wolf, or spotting an animal you never expected to see in the city, Calgary has plenty of options to choose from.

And don’t be surprised if you leave with a camera roll full of adorable animal photos!

Patios are great, but spending the day with adorable animals might just be the ultimate summer activity.

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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