Calgary Nature Abounds Around These 7 Neighbourhoods

Homebuyers have been moving to Calgary by the thousands in recent years, and it's easy to see why. Calgary's economy is booming, and the city offers a diverse dining and entertainment scene, plus affordable housing. But one of the top draws to this gorgeous Alberta city is the access to nature, both around town and right in residents' backyards. Let's explore seven of Calgary's top communities for enjoying nature.

Calgary Neighbourhoods Near Parks & Nature

• Silver Springs: Near Bowmont Park, Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs, and Silver Springs Golf and Country Club
• Edgemont: Home to a series of parks, anchored by Nose Hills Park
• Hidden Valley: Near the popular Country Hill Golf Club and Nose Hills Park; lots of walking paths
• Discovery Ridge: Part of Griffith Woods Park; extensive trail system; waterway access
• Lakeview: Easy access to the Rockies; near the unspoiled river delta of Weaselhead Flats and its nearly 240 acres of hiking and wildlife viewing
• Lake Bonavista: Built around a 52-acre man-made lake; near the amenities of Lake Bonavista Community Centre, including ice rinks
• Sundance: Has a 33-acre man-made Lake Sundance with year-round recreation; access to Fish Creek Provincial Park

Silver Springs

When enjoying nature in Calgary, few choices are better than the idyllic Silver Springs community in Northwest Calgary, located between Crowchild Trail, the Bow River, and Nose Hill Drive. There's no more prominent attraction in the area than Bowmont Park, a sprawling green space along the Bow River covering more than 160 hectares. Residents can enjoy hiking trails, sports facilities, a playground, off-leash dog areas, Bow River access, and amazing views of the Rocky Mountains in the distance.

Meanwhile, the Botanical Gardens of Silver Springs provides an opportunity to stroll through gorgeous landscaped gardens filled with native and non-native plants. Golfers can also enjoy nature with a round at the Silver Springs Golf & Country Club. These are just a few of Silver Springs' many outdoor destinations, with convenient amenities nearby, including shopping, dining, and major highways.

Homes in the community are primarily single-family detached properties, supplemented by several townhouse communities. The former start under half a million, but homes for sale in Silver Springs can reach the $800,000 range, while townhomes usually sell between $300,000 and $500,000.

Edgemont

Those wanting to take advantage of one of Canada's largest urban parks should consider living in Edgemont, on the city's northwestern side. This community of rolling hills and ravines is adjacent to Nose Hill Park, which covers more than 11 square kilometres and offers hiking and biking trails, off-leash dog parks, and extensive wildlife viewing opportunities. Green corridors stretching from the park weave through Edgemont's smaller parks, often steps from residential streets.

But Edgemont isn't all greenery, homes, and schools. The northwestern tip of the community, near the intersection of Sarcee Trail and Country Hills Boulevard, is home to a grocery store, several restaurants, and various local businesses.

Edgemont's residential areas were developed as part of a master-planned community between the late 1970s and mid-2000s. The result is a mix of condos, townhouses, and single-family detached homes. Condos are the most affordable, selling in the mid-$200,000s, while townhouses are in the mid-$300,000s. Detached Edgemont homes for sale range from the mid-$500s to more than $1.25 million.

Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley is another nature-friendly community tucked away between Stoney Trail and Country Hills Boulevard in northern Calgary. Walking paths weave through this green subdivision, connecting to Calgary parks and nearby areas. An active community association supports local amenities and hosts events.

Hidden Valley isn't far from Nose Hill Park, just a short trip to the south. Additionally, golfers will find one of the area's best courses nearby at Country Hill Golf Club. It's also simple to escape the city to the beautiful rural areas to the north with just a few minutes of biking or driving on Symons Valley Road. This stretch offers convenient shopping, restaurants, and even nightlife spots like Scotsman's Well.

Hidden Valley homes are single-family detached properties, ranging from three to six bedrooms and 1.5 to 3.5 bathrooms. They often have large garages and, in some cases, front porches, along with other desirable features such as finished basements, media rooms, and spacious yards. Homes generally start in the low $400,000s but can reach the $800,000 range.

Discovery Ridge

The Discovery Ridge neighbourhood is located in West Calgary, south of Stoney Trail and north of the Elbow River. Its location provides easy access to the waterway and a quick, direct drive to the city and nearby Westhills shopping and services. The community's southern boundary is part of Griffith Woods Park, an unspoiled piece of Alberta nature spanning over 90 hectares. Residents can explore the park's extensive trail system to see the region's native flora and fauna, or enjoy the basketball courts and soccer fields at the nearby Discovery Ridge Rec facility.

This planned community offers would-be buyers condos, townhomes, and detached houses at various price points. Those on a budget can find one- or two-bedroom condos from the mid-$200,000s to the low- to mid-$400,000s. On the flip side, the area's high-end, spacious single-family homes start at around $900,000 and top out at over $1.5 million. Townhouses split these price ranges, selling in the half-million range.

Lakeview

Lakeview takes its name from its location above Glenmore Reservoir, just south of the community. The green areas surrounding this lake are among the best in Calgary, most notably North Glenmore Park. With walking trails, sports facilities, canoe launches, picnic areas, and more, the region's water views are hard to beat.

Further west, Weaselhead Flats offers nearly 240 acres of hiking and wildlife viewing in an unspoiled river delta, a unique feature within a city the size of Calgary. As if all of this isn't enough, nature lovers can quickly escape the city to the Rockies in the west, thanks to the location next to Glenmore Trail/Highway 8.

Homebuyers shopping in the Lakeview community will primarily find single-family detached houses, including some luxury homes closer to the reservoir. Homes typically start in the $600,000 to $800,000 range. However, it's not uncommon for them to reach $2 to $3 million or more, especially south of 66th Avenue. Condos are available just north, offering more affordable options in the $200,000 to $300,000 range.

Lake Bonavista

Lake Bonavista is a well-established neighbourhood in southeast Calgary, built around a 52-acre man-made lake that gives it a unique “lake-community” feel within the city. It’s bordered by green space and Fish Creek Provincial Park to the south, offering extensive trails, biking, wildlife viewing, and nature access right at your doorstep.

Year-round outdoor activities are a highlight of living in Lake Bonavista, including swimming, boating, fishing, and paddleboarding in summer, and ice skating, tobogganing, and cross-country skiing in winter, all right on the lake. There are also tennis courts, community soccer fields, and park areas.

Indoor and community-centred amenities include the Lake Bonavista Community Centre, with ice rinks, a gym, and multipurpose rooms as well as local shopping and dining at Lake Bonavista Promenade and nearby Southcentre Mall.

Housing consists mainly of single-family homes, with a mix of original and renovated properties, many on generous lots and tree-lined streets, with lake access. It’s about a 20-minute drive to downtown with transit options nearby, providing a good balance of suburban calm and city convenience. Homes for sale in Lake Bonavista range from about $200,000 on the low end (often condos or small units) to $2.7M+ for large/luxury/lakefront properties. The average/list price is just over $700,000 in the current market.

Sundance

Sundance is a scenic neighbourhood in southeast Calgary, best known for its 33-acre man-made Lake Sundance at the community’s heart. The lake provides year-round recreation: swimming, fishing, and beach time in summer, and ice skating, tobogganing, and winter play when it freezes over.

Nature lovers also enjoy easy access to Fish Creek Provincial Park, one of North America’s largest urban parks, with extensive trails for walking, biking, jogging, and birdwatching, plus nearby Sikome Lake for more outdoor fun.

The location strikes a balance between peaceful residential living and convenience. Major roads and Calgary Transit provide solid access to downtown and other parts of the city, and the nearby Shawnessy commercial area offers groceries, shops, restaurants, and entertainment.

Community amenities include playgrounds, sports courts, picnic areas, walking paths, and programs through the local association, making Sundance a welcoming choice for outdoor activity and everyday living.

Housing in Sundance primarily consists of detached single-family homes, with some townhouses and condos. Many properties feature leafy streets and quiet suburban charm, while a few enjoy lake or park views. Most homes in Sundance currently list roughly between ~$520,000 and $1,299,000. The average sale/list price is approximately $640,000–$670,000.

Big-City Convenience & Natural Beauty Await in Calgary

Those looking to enjoy Alberta's gorgeous natural environments don't have to sacrifice their closeness to jobs, entertainment, and other perks of city life. Calgary offers the best of both worlds for would-be homebuyers, with a diverse selection of communities, each with extensive park access and other chances to enjoy nature. These delightful communities offer high-quality homes for all budgets and space needs, but residents might prefer spending most of their time in the great outdoors anyway!