Calgary Lake Communities: 8 Neighbourhoods on Calgary Lakes

From world-class shopping and dining to spectacular provincial parks and pristine lakes, there are a lot of great reasons to move to Calgary. This Alberta city is best known for its rugged natural beauty, with prairie lands to the east and the jaw-dropping Canadian Rockies to the west—all within the third-largest city in Canada. Yet, while it's best recognized for its parks and mountainous backdrop, one of the greatest aspects of living in Calgary is its lakes. With eight lakes within the city limits, many Calgary residents spend a lot of time near the water. As a result, many Calgarians search for homes on or near the city's lakes. Here are some of the best lake communities in the city of Calgary.

Lake Bonavista

Located in southeast Calgary, the Lake Bonavista neighbourhood is one of the most beautiful in southern Calgary. Lake Bonavista is ideally located near three significant bodies of water: the Bow River, Lake Bonaventure, and the 52-acre Lake Bonavista, the neighbourhood's namesake. The neighbourhood is also known for its 25-acre park that has an athletic park, a sports arena, tennis courts, and more.

Lake Bonavista's borders are Anderson Road to the north, Macleod Trail to the west, Canyon Meadows Drive to the south, and Bow Bottom Trail to the east. And at just a 15-minute drive to Calgary's city centre, Lake Bonavista residents have easy access to everything the city offers, along with an easy commute to and from work. Within Lake Bonavista, there's a small community called Bonavista Downs, which is home to the Bonavista Downs Community Disc Golf Course.

Just to the south of Lake Bonavista is the Lake Bonaventure neighbourhood, which contains Lake Bonaventure, picturesque walking paths and convenient access to nearby golf courses, shops, restaurants, and services.

In the southwest region of the neighbourhood, there are two lakes: Lake Bonaventure and Lake Bonavista. In between the two lakes is Frank McCool Athletic Park, which has some of the area's most popular athletic fields for soccer and other sports. Residents can find a variety of home styles in the Lake Bonavista neighbourhood, including condos, townhouses, and single-family homes. Luxury homes for sale in Lake Bonavista list from $700,000 to over $1.5 million, with condos starting at $175,000.

Arbour Lake

Arbour Lake is located in northwest Calgary, a residential neighbourhood just 25 minutes from Downtown Calgary. Arbour Lake is just a short distance from some of Calgary's most popular outdoor attractions, including Bowness Park and Nose Hill Park. Arbour Lake borders Country Hills Boulevard to the north, Crowchild Trail to the south, Nose Hill Drive to the east, and Stoney Trail to the west, making it easily accessible for residents to stay connected to Calgary's intricate network of nature trails and bike paths. At the heart of Arbour Lake is the lake it is named for.

Arbour Lake, at the heart of the neighbourhood, is a pristine lake brimming with rainbow trout, making it ideal for fishing: it's considered one of the best spots for fly fishing in Calgary's Metro area. It's also an excellent lake for kayaking, swimming, boating, stand-up paddle boarding, canoeing, and skating during winter. On top of that, it has beautiful mountain vistas that all residents can enjoy.

Arbour Lake is easily one of the neighbourhood's most popular recreational spaces. Along the shores of the lake, there are concession stands, where residents and guests can get snacks and drinks. Arbour Lake has nearly every type of home style imaginable for those considering buying a home in the neighbourhood, from condos to lakefront homes. Homes for sale in Arbour Lake list from the mid-$200s to more than $1 million.

Mahogany

Nestled in the southeastern corner of Calgary is the Mahogany neighbourhood, a small community founded in 2008 that is often considered one of Calgary's best-kept secrets. Named for Mahogany Lake, Mahogany is located 25 minutes from Downtown Calgary. While it's one of the furthest neighbourhoods from Calgary's downtown core, it is still easily accessible via AB-2. Mahogany neighbours Auburn Bay to the north and is bordered by 52 St SE to the west.

For those living in Mahogany, this community embodies lakeside living, with tons of recreational activities centred around the water. At 63 acres, Mahogany Lake is Calgary's largest lake. It also has many nature trails and over 73 acres of protected wetlands for natural flora and fauna. And with over 21 acres of sandy beaches, Mahogany has the most beachfront of any Calgary community. One of the area's best amenities is Mahogany West Beach, one of two private beaches along Mahogany Lake. Mahogany West Beach has many amenities, including the Mahogany Beach Club, a playground, a picnic area, beach volleyball courts, and more. The community was awarded the Calgary's New Community of the Year Award in 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2014.

From kayaking in the summer to ice skating in the winter, Mahogany Lake contributes greatly to Calgary's wonderful water activities. Prospective residents can find condos, townhouses, and single-family homes in Mahogany, with listings starting in the low $200s and occasionally eclipsing $2 million.

Auburn Bay

Home to Auburn Bay Lake and other surrounding lakes, the southeastern Calgary neighbourhood of Auburn Bay borders Mahogany to the west. Like Mahogany, Auburn Bay is positioned along the southeast edge of the city, with Seton Boulevard to the south, Deerfoot Trail to the west, 52 Street E to the east, and Stoney Trail to the north. Auburn Bay is just a 25-minute drive to Downtown Calgary, giving residents easy access to the downtown area.

With a combination of lakes and parks, Auburn Bay is a lovely community with plenty of amenities for residents. For residents, one of Auburn Bay's most popular destinations is Auburn Bay Beach, a sandy lakefront beach where residents partake in many water activities, such as swimming, kayaking, and SUP. Right next to Auburn Bay Beach is the Auburn House, a 7,000-square-foot community center that hosts many local events and gatherings. For those considering moving to Auburn Bay, there are various home styles, with many lakefront homes that overlook Auburn Bay Lake. Condos in Auburn Bay list from the $200s, while luxury homes in the neighbourhood can list above $2 million.

Coral Springs

Ideally located in the northeast quadrant of Calgary, Coral Springs is just a 20-minute drive to Downtown Calgary, making it one of the city's closest lakeside communities. Coral Springs is located along the eastern edge of the city, with 64 Avenue N to the north, McKnight Boulevard to the south, 68 Street E to the west, and 84 Street E and Rocky View County to the east. At the center of Coral Springs is a 16-acre lake called Coral Springs Lake. Coral Springs Lake is an excellent lake for fishing, brimming with rainbow trout and other native fish species. Other popular activities centred around the lake are swimming, beach volleyball, kayaking, boating, and nearly every beachfront activity under the sun.

Along with Coral Springs Lake, this neighbourhood has many amenities, including the NESS: Don Hartman North East Sportsplex, where locals play hockey. Coral Springs has various real estate options for those considering moving to this lakeside community, including condos, townhouses, and single-family homes in nearly every price range imaginable. Homes for sale in Coral Springs list from $475,000 to $1,700,000.

Sundance

Located in south Calgary, Sundance is a residential neighbourhood that borders Fish Creek Provincial Park. Established in 1982, Sundance is one of Calgary's newer lakeside communities, with the 33-acre man-made Sundance Lake at the center of the neighbourhood. Sundance's borders are east of Macleod Trail, with Midnapore and Fish Creek Provincial Park north and east and Stoney Trail south. Sundance Lake is a popular lake for many recreational activities, particularly boating, kayaking, and canoeing. Sundance Park is located on the western shores of the lake, which has a sandy beach and picnic areas for residents and visitors.

Along with Sundance Lake, Fish Creek Provincial Park is one of the area's biggest draws. During the winter, many residents and visitors go to the Fish Creek Park Ice Caves, a truly spectacular sight during the colder months. Sundance Lake is a popular place to go ice skating for those who go to the lake during the winter months. Sundance has many beautiful homes along the lakefront and near Fish Creek Provincial Park. Sundance homes for sale list from $395,000 to $1,200,000.

Chaparral

Located along the southernmost border of Calgary, the residential neighbourhood of Chaparral is nestled along the Bow River Valley. Much of Chaparral's recreational activities are centred around the 32-acre lake at the heart of this neighbourhood. Along with the lake is a 21-acre park featuring two waterfalls and other well-maintained facilities. Chaparral hosts many local events and festivals in the park throughout the year, making it a bustling area year-round.

Along with Chaparral Lake, Chaparral is also close to Shawnessy Towne Centre, a famous shopping centre in southern Calgary. For those looking for real estate in Chaparral, most homes are single-family homes, yet apartments and condos are available. Real estate prices in Chaparral vary depending on the size and location of the home, but listings can typically be found from $240,000 to $1,700,000.

McKenzie Lake

Located next to McKenzie Towne, McKenzie Lake is a highly sought-after community in southeast Calgary. Located just 17 minutes from Downtown Calgary, the McKenzie Lake neighbourhood is ideally situated for residents who commute to and from the downtown area. It is also ideal for getting to and from Calgary International Airport since it is right along AB-2. McKenzie Lake's borders are Deerfoot Trail on the east, Stoney Trail on the south, Fish Creek Provincial Park on the west, and 130th Ave SE on the north, making it easily accessible to some of Calgary's most popular parks and trails.

Much of this neighbourhood's recreational activities are centred around McKenzie Lake, a private 43-acre lake with an island in the center, sandy beaches, and a shallow-water swimming area. The McKenzie Lake Beach Club and McKenzie Lake School Playground are along the southern shores. McKenzie Lake has many lakefront homes, as well as nearby properties. Homes for sale in McKenzie Lake are priced from $400,000 to over $2,000,000.

Aspen Woods

Originally established in 2001, Aspen Woods is a residential neighbourhood located in Southwest Calgary. It comprises acreages and single-family detached homes that provide privacy and peak luxury living. Residents are surrounded by mountain vistas and a serene atmosphere.

Aspen Woods residents are sure to enjoy many local amenities, such as multiple schools, walking trails, parks, and more. In addition, the Westside Recreation Centre is home ot fitness areas, swimming pools, trails, and even an ice rink. Aspen Woods is part of the SCA Community Association, an active organization that arranges events and takes care of the neighbourhood.

Home prices in Aspen Woods start in the $300s for a cozy townhome, and they can go into the multi-millions for state-of-the-art luxury properties with five or more bedrooms and well over 3,000 square feet of living space.

Finding Serenity in Calgary's Lake Communities

Of the many cities in Canada, very few match Calgary's ability to integrate urban living with the great outdoors. With its immense network of parks and trails, there's a wealth of great outdoor activities in Calgary. Calgary has many options for those who love being on the water. It is one of the few Alberta cities where you can find a lakefront getaway so close to such a bustling city. Calgary has plenty of lakefront communities to choose from, so there's a lakefront neighbourhood for everyone.