Winter days in Calgary may be shorter, but there’s a silver lining to these early evenings: you don’t have to be out late to catch the sunset!
With the sun dipping below the horizon as early as 4:30pm, you can wrap up your workday or afternoon errands, and still have time to enjoy nature’s grand finale. Calgary’s winter sunsets often paint the sky with pinks, oranges and purples, transforming our frosty landscape into a scene out of the movies.
Better yet, catch the sunset from one of our many Calgary parks! Whether you’re looking for panoramic views of downtown, peaceful reflections over a frozen pond or a glimpse of the Rockies, our city has plenty of spots to make the most of winter’s golden hour. So bundle up, grab a hot drink, and let’s explore the best parks to catch a winter sunset in Calgary.
Sunset Parks In North Calgary
Bowness Park
Photos by Kelsey Woods & Carrie Keats.
If you’re looking for a park with winter activities before you catch the sunset, Bowness Park is our go-to! From skating on the lagoon and ice trail, to roaring fires and crokicurl, you can spend hours at this northwest Calgary park. The City even grooms cross-country ski trails here when conditions allow, but they do get walked on pretty quickly.
The University of Calgary Outdoor Centre rents skates and ice bikes on-site if you want to explore the frozen lagoon (helmets are free!). Perhaps one of our favourite features is the tall poplar trees decorated with strings of lights, creating a breathtaking atmosphere around dusk and after dark. So come for the activities, stay for the sunset, and enjoy an evening at this popular outdoor hangout spot.
Want more details? Find them inside our Guide To Exploring Bowness Park In The Winter.
Convergence In Rocky Ridge
Head up to the very north edge of Calgary, and you’ll find this unique artwork perched on a hill in the community of Rocky Ridge. Park in the free YMCA lot, and walk up the hill to catch the sunset from this quiet spot with mountain views.
We visited here in late November and there was hardly another soul around. It’s the perfect spot for a peaceful evening as you take in the view and breathe in that cool winter air.
Nose Hill Park
Photos by Carrie Keats.
Walk through one of Calgary’s largest natural parks, Nose Hill, and you’ll experience a panoramic view of the city, downtown skyline and Rocky Mountains. There’s certainly more than one amazing spot to catch the sunset here, and there’s plenty to see too!
Spend the afternoon wandering through the park, and spot attractions like the Stone Labyrinth, Siksikaitsitapi Medicine Wheel or even a glacial erratic. If you walk into the park from the community of North Haven, you’ll pass through a colourful tunnel that goes underneath 14th Street. This park is fully natural and there’s no lighting, so if you come for the sunset, make sure you bring a headlamp, your phone or some source of light to get back to your car safely.
Bowmont Park
This large cliffside park offers views of the Bow River below, Calgary’s iconic ski jumps at WinSport, and even a Rocky Mountain skyline in the distance. Find one of the many benches or winding trails in Bowmont Park to watch the sun sink behind the mountains, casting a warm glow over the city and snow-capped peaks.
We caught this beautiful pink sunset from the east side of Bowmont, overlooking Dale Hodges Park — one of our favourite spots to walk, bike and enjoy nature all times of year.
What else can you do here? Read our blog for 7 Ways To Spend Time Outside In Bowmont Park.
Edworthy Off-Leash Area
While this park is technically in the southwest, it offers sweeping views of Calgary’s downtown and the northwest side of the Bow River. Find Edworthy Park Off-Leash Area by parking in one of the lots off Sarcee Trail, or on the north side of the park to walk across the tracks and trek up a steep hill to enjoy the sunset from above.
Bring your furry friend along for a stroll through this open space, or wander the many side trails through treed areas along the hill overlooking Calgary. You won’t catch the sunset directly, but you can watch as the sun casts colourful hues over the downtown skyline.
Sunset Parks Near Downtown Calgary
Tom Campbell’s Hill
Photos by Sydney Morley.
This off-leash area might just have the best views in the city — and dogs can roam free! Tom Campbell’s Hill is a must-visit for sunset chasers, with unbeatable views of the downtown skyline. Since you’re up on a hill, you get a panoramic view from the east side of the city, through Calgary’s downtown, and all the way west. Here you’ll find benches, trails and wide-open natural spaces.
McHugh Bluff
Photos by Lori McLellan.
This might be our favourite spot to catch a view of the city skyline! McHugh Bluff stretches along the ridge just north of downtown, with benches to sit, relax and take in your surroundings. We love visiting here all times of year, but it’s particularly beautiful in the winter, looking down on the frozen river and seeing Calgary blanketed in snow as the sun dips below the horizon.
If you want to keep exploring, nearby Crescent Heights Park and Rotary Park offer activities, walking trails, a skating rink and unique artwork for you to check out along this stretch.
Peace Bridge
The iconic Peace Bridge is a local favourite, connecting downtown to northern inner-city communities. This unique architecture stretches across the Bow River and offers a stunning view. Capture the illuminated bridge late in the day with vibrant sunset colours reflected on the water or frozen river below.
Want a better view of the city? Scroll back up to find McHugh Bluff, found only a 15-minute walk from here through neighbourhoods and up a hill.
Scotsman’s Hill
For one of the most popular and classic views of downtown Calgary, head to Scotsman’s Hill. It overlooks the Saddledome and Stampede grounds with views of the Calgary Tower, the city skyline and even the mountains in the distance. We’ve often seen limos stopping here! So you know it’s a good view.
If you’re up for a little walking, take the stairs down to ENMAX Park and wander along the Bow River before sunset. You may even spot wildlife in and around the water.
Sunset Parks In South Calgary
Cranston Escarpment Viewpoint
Photo by Holly Herman.
We don’t venture south very often, but one of our community members captured this gorgeous photo from Cranston Ridge! Find this viewpoint in the deep south community of Cranston, overlooking neighbourhoods, natural areas and even the mountains. Take a moment to enjoy the colours, sights and sounds of a quiet winter evening outdoors. Wanna see this location live? Watch a short video here!
Carburn Park & Sue Higgens Off-Leash Park
Photos by Kelsey Woods & Sydney Morley.
Take a stroll around Carburn Park or along the Bow River before sunset. There’s a good chance you’ll spot some wildlife — we’ve seen deer, coyotes, owls, muskrats and birds here! When the conditions are right, you can skate on the lagoon during the winter, and warm up by the firepits.
If you want an even more unique view, walk south from Carburn Park to find Sue Higgins Off-leash Park. Time it just right, and you can catch the bridge during golden hour for a stunning photograph — it was almost too late when we went! P.S. It gets dark fast here, so be prepared with a light to get back to your care safely.
North Glenmore Park
Popular for its ice trail and nature walks, North Glenmore Park offers stunning sunset views over the Reservoir and nearby Weaselhead Flats. If you’re coming for a walk, there is a 15km pathway that goes all the way around the Reservoir.
Wanna stay longer? Bring your skates and enjoy the magical ice trail that’s lit up at night. Here you’ll also find a shinny rink and crokicurl to entertain yourself in this area of the park. Cozy up by one of the many fire pits as you take in the last light of the day.
South Glenmore Park
Head to the opposite side of the Reservoir, and you’ll find South Glenmore Park. Here you can expect lovely sunset reflections, either off the water or icy surface, as the sun goes down. Want to venture into more natural territory? Head into Weaselhead Flats nearby, where you can explore winding trails and capture the final rays of the day.
There you have it — 13 best spots to catch a winter sunset in Calgary, Alberta! For more parks, attractions, off-leash areas and outdoor activities in the city, use our interactive map, the Adventure Atlas, to plan your next outing!
