Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is located in the Bow River valley in southern Alberta, Canada, situated northwest of Calgary and just southeast of the town of Cochrane. The park sits on the site of a historic ranch and quarry, preserving native fescue grasslands and archaeological resources. It was officially established as a provincial park in 2008.

Yes, Glenbow Ranch features an extensive network of multi-use trails that are open to mountain biking, hiking, and cross-country skiing in the winter. However, cyclists are required to stay on designated trails to protect the sensitive grasslands and wildlife habitats. Trail maps are available at the trailheads to help visitors navigate the park's varying elevations.

Dogs are permitted in Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park, but they must be kept on a leash at all times to protect the local wildlife, including ground-nesting birds and ungulates. There are strict rules preventing dogs from running off-leash, and owners are expected to clean up after their pets. Certain sensitive areas of the park may have seasonal restrictions.

Before becoming a provincial park in 2008, the area was used extensively for ranching and sandstone quarrying, with some sandstone from the site being used in historic Alberta buildings. The park also holds significant Indigenous archaeological resources, reflecting thousands of years of human history. The creation of the park was heavily supported by the Harvie family, who donated land to protect it from development.