Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park sits between Calgary and Cochrane, with nearly 28 kilometres of paved and shale pathways winding through its nearly 3,200 acres of grassland. So if you’ve been looking for somewhere to stretch your legs this autumn, the park has plenty of trails to explore, along with views of the Bow River Valley
From short walks to longer routes that take you through different parts of the park, there’s plenty to cover, so here’s what to expect before you go.
What to expect at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
What’s the park’s history?
According to Alberta Parks, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park has a history that stretches back thousands of years, with Indigenous Peoples using the Bow Valley for hunting, travel and community life long before it became a ranching area. In the early 1900s, the land became home to a sandstone quarry that supplied stone for prominent Alberta buildings, including the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton.
The quarry helped create the nearby settlement of Glenbow, where workers and families lived alongside a school, general store, and post office. When the quarry eventually closed, the community was abandoned.
In 2008, the area became Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, protecting more than 3,200 acres of grassland and preserving its natural and cultural history.
What can I do while I’m there?
The park has 28 kilometres of pathways to explore, so you can easily spend a few hours cycling, walking, or looking for birds and wildlife. If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few trails worth checking out.
- Tiger Lily Loop
- Yodel Loop
- Scott Trail
- Bow River Loop
- The Narrows
- Bowbend Trail
- Glenbow Trail
- Bearspaw Trail
- Badger Bowl
- McPherson Trail
What else can I do at the park?
During your time at the park, you can see remnants of the old settlement, including the former general store and post office, as well as the historic corrals.
The park is also a great spot for birdwatching, particularly around The Narrows, which is a wooded landscape where you can spot a variety of species.
Glenbow Ranch is still an active cattle ranch, so you might come across cattle grazing across the grasslands as you explore. Just remember to give them plenty of space and to keep dogs on a leash.
You can also join one of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation’s guided experiences, which include walking tours, birdwatching tours, and golf cart tours that focus on the park’s history and wildlife. You can find more information regarding these events on the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation’s event calendar online.
Where is Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park?
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is located about 35 minutes west of downtown Calgary and just 10 minutes east of Cochrane. The entrance is off Glenbow Road, just south of Highway 1A, with parking available near the main entrance.
If you have yet to make a trip out to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, consider this your sign to check it out!
Where: 255001 Glenbow Rd., Cochrane, Alta.
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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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