Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park
Updated Dec. 14, 2011
Seasonal Trail Closures
Important Update September 12th, 2011
Temporary signs have been placed along Highway 1A identifying where to turn to access Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. Due to increased congestion caused by construction to the intersection of Hwy 1A and Glenbow Road, we advise all drivers use caution. Construction to this intersection is set to be completed in October 2011.
Important Update August 9th, 2011
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is open to the public TODAY.
- There will be a media event at 2:30pm, after which you are welcomed to explore the new pathways and interpretive areas throughout the park.
- Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is:
- approximately 34 kilometres or a 35-minute drive from downtown Calgary, or
- approximately 4 kilometres or a 5-minute drive from the Town of Cochrane.
- Access to the Park is from Glenbow Road, off of Highway 1A. Upgrades to this intersection are currently underway, so please use caution.
- Drive carefully and slowly on Glenbow Road. Watch for pedestrians and wildlife, and respect the privacy of those living near the park.
- All vehicles must park in designated areas only.
- Park map signage is located at the main parking lot, and trailside locations throughout the park. Use these to locate washroom facilities, picnic areas, emergency contact numbers, and to plan your walking and cycling routes.
- Glenbow Ranch is a day-use park; there is no overnight camping, no camp fires, and the park is open during daylight hours.
- Keep your dogs on leash at all times, and stay on designated pathways.
We are so pleased to welcome you to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park!
- Park Map
- Link to News Release (August 9th, 2011)
Important Update: August 5th, 2011
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park will open to the public on TUESDAY, AUGUST 9TH, 2011 at 2:30PM.
- Construction of pathways within the park is on-going; for your safety please do not visit the park until it officially opens to the public.
- A Park Map and further information will be posted to this website on Tuesday, August 9th, 2011.
- All media inquiries please contact Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation Communications directly at 780-644-5589, or tpr.communications@gov.ab.ca
Background information:
- Public access has been prohibited during construction in order to protect the landscape and its sensitive ecological balance while we complete the transition from private ranch to Provincial Park.
- A number of closure areas will remain throughout the park due to sensitive habitat, significant archaeological features, and working ranching areas. We ask that you respect and obey all posted signage, and stay on designated pathways.
- Until the opening, the only access to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is through "Experience Glenbow" guided tours, presented by the dedicated volunteers and staff of the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation. For more information visit www.grpf.ca. For the safety and comfort of all participants, please leave your dogs at home.
- When open to the public, the park will provide access to a beautiful foothills ranching area that protects important historical sites and grassland, parkland, and riparian habitats. It helps to meet the growing demand for education and recreation programs in parks, and supports the inclusion of new park audiences.
To contact Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, call 403-851-9053.
For more information, please contact the Management Area office at 403-297-5293 (at Fish Creek Provincial Park).
For park tours and programs, please contact the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation at 403-398-3763.
Important Note - July 18, 2011
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is currently closed to public access. The park will open later this year. Guided tours are being offered through Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation. Registration is required.
When entering the park for a guided tour, please park in designated parking areas only. Do not park along roadways. Dogs are not permitted on guided programs. Please stay on designated pathways and obey all posted signs. Stay with your group.
Some areas of the park are closed to public access by Ministerial Order to protect natural or cultural features. Guided tours will not enter these areas. They will remain closed when the park is open to public access. Your cooperation is required to ensure the rich natural and cultural history of the valley is preserved and enjoyed for generations.
For more information contact the park office at 403-851-9053.
About Glenbow Ranch
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is one of Canada's newest Provincial Parks, protecting over 1300 hectares of foothills fescue parkland along the Bow River Valley, between Calgary and Cochrane.
The Park preserves and protects significant natural and cultural features, including examples of endangered ecosystems and rare species, First Nations and early ranching and industrial settlements, and breathtaking landscapes.
The Park is located approximately 34 kms, or a 35 minute drive, from downtown Calgary, and 4 kms, or a 5 minute drive, from Cochrane.
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is currently not open to the public, as facilities and services
are being planned and developed.
When open, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park will provide a natural space for many activities, such as walking and cycling along pathways, enjoying wildlife, participating in guided programs and volunteer activities, and experiencing the rich cultural history of the area.
The Park will open to the public when safe, legal access points are available, and this may take years to establish.
To address growing interest in the Park and to learn more about what programs and services Albertans would like to see in one of Canada's newest and largest provincial parks, guided programs are being offered in the summer of 2010 through the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation.
For park tours and programs, please contact the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation at 403-398-3763
For general Park inquiries, please contact the Fish Creek District Park Office at: 403-297-5293.
Park Announcement:
Glenbow Ranch was established as a Provincial Park in 2006 through the cooperation of the Harvie family and the Government of Alberta to legislatively protect this spectacular and continuously threatened landscape, and to provide Albertans with an incredible park for reflection, learning and recreation.
Honourable Denis Ducharme - Minister of Community Development( 10 kb)
Tim Harvie - On Behalf of the Harvie Family
