Bow River
4.5
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This feisty waterway is popular for its adjacent walkways used by walkers and bicyclers.
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26 within 10 kms
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
752 reviews
Excellent
515
Very good
196
Average
35
Poor
3
Terrible
3
Terry M
Hamilton, Canada4,897 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
There is something soothing about having a river run through a city. A river can be good photographic subject matter. It can cool things off somewhat. It can wind its way around nice areas like Prince's Island Park. The Bow River does all these things.
Written June 6, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
874CM
Calgary, Canada13 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
A great way to relax and cool down in the summer is to take a float down the "Mighty Bow". Paddle boarding and kayaking is another activity that seems to be growing on the Bow as well.
Written April 3, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mr&MrsAdventure
Huntingdon, UK182 contributions
May 2018 • Couples
We saw the river on a number of occasions throughout out trip. Always rushing by and looking cold. It pops up along the roads. We were that it is the longest river in Canada but changes it's name as it travels across the country.
Written June 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy G
Bellemont, AZ7 contributions
May 2017 • Family
To see the Bow Rive in its spendor, take the Bow Valley Parkway. The Bow Valley Parkway is worth the drive for the splendid scenery. I understand there is wildlife abundant in the area, but we only encountered a couple of elk...which were beautiful. The drive is slower, 50 kph through most of it, but worth it. There are stops along the way including Johnston Canyon which was phenomenal and a relatively easy hike from the parking lot. The drive follows the Bow River through the forested beauty of Alberta. We took it to and from Lake Louise and enjoyed every minute of the quiet. Go early though, as all gets busy as the day progresses.
Written June 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bckingfisher
305 contributions
May 2017 • Solo
Just across the bridge on route to the Nordic trax is a small parking lot in Canmore.
The Bow river snakes thru town and at this lot you can park and access the Bow. Parking is free. Walk under the bridge and fish up river towards the hydro plant.
You will see where the river forks and at this point the fishing is good.
We sat in our chest waders in waist deep water casting fast sinking fly lines.
The most productive attractant for me was a olive wooly bugger with gold head.
This produced large browns
Make sure to look at your feet!
Twice I found trout sitting just meters away from my feet.
Unsure at first, I poked at one with the tip of my fly rod and it scurried off!.
It's was sunny and ppl walking the trail behind you always ask "how's the fishing"?
I'm not used to a lot of traffic but I learnt to just go with the flow.
Great day, friendly locals, beautiful surroundings, clear water.
Pretty dam great day!
The Bow river snakes thru town and at this lot you can park and access the Bow. Parking is free. Walk under the bridge and fish up river towards the hydro plant.
You will see where the river forks and at this point the fishing is good.
We sat in our chest waders in waist deep water casting fast sinking fly lines.
The most productive attractant for me was a olive wooly bugger with gold head.
This produced large browns
Make sure to look at your feet!
Twice I found trout sitting just meters away from my feet.
Unsure at first, I poked at one with the tip of my fly rod and it scurried off!.
It's was sunny and ppl walking the trail behind you always ask "how's the fishing"?
I'm not used to a lot of traffic but I learnt to just go with the flow.
Great day, friendly locals, beautiful surroundings, clear water.
Pretty dam great day!
Written May 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PokerWebfoot
Calgary, Canada5 contributions
Aug 2012
Very good catch and release fly fishing for large trout below the city of Calgary. Numerous fishing guides available for float trips, but also some public access spots available for bank fishermen. Contact local fly shops for details.
Written January 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelSkeptic43
Calgary, AB155 contributions
Dec 2012
TripAdvisor keeps prompting me to rate things. When I saw the Bow River I just couldn't resist. It's a RIVER folks. What is there to rate? Well, OK, it's clean and for the most part doesn't smell. I'll give it two roundels for that. Other than that it's too shallow to do anything useful on, isn't pretty (at least not when passing through Calgary), it floods almost every year, and every year people have boating accidents, fall in, and sometimes drown.
Written December 20, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jim T
Medicine Hat, Canada278 contributions
Aug 2020 • Friends
Kayaked from Bowness to the Peace Bridge in downtown Calgary, had an absolute blast! Some fast water and some calm! Lots of people out but very calming
Written August 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
W0zza
Frankfurt, Germany55 contributions
Jul 2019
If you have time, drive out to the Rockies - about an hour outside of Calgary, where you can see the Bow at it's source.
Written August 17, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jane Doe
49 contributions
Jul 2018
Unless it is coming over it's banks it is gorgeous! Think of all the actives boating, fishing, canoeing, hiking, sightseeing, picnics and swimming. So close to Calgary.
Written June 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Would a visit to Banff be ok in February? We’re going over to Calgary this week but just didn’t know how that location would be due to the weather and I’d have to still check how far the location is from Calgary. Are there any entry fees for the site as well? Thanks.
Written February 11, 2019
Yes there is park fee.
Just check the weather. I went there oct and nov last yr.
Written February 11, 2019
Is the river suitable for paddle boarding? Does it get windy or wavy?
Written June 18, 2018
Hi! I've seen people paddle board on it. The Bow River doesn't wind (but it is a meandering river), but there are places where the current does pick up - I'm thinking it might be very difficult to paddle board its entire length in Calgary. It is also very subject to seasonal variations. It usually runs too fast in the spring to be on it (even in a watercraft) safely. In the fall, it runs much slower, but that means there are more rocks and narrow spots... If you're a visitor, people who rent paddle boards might be able to give you better advice when / where to paddle board. People do raft down it quite a bit in the warm summer, and that might be a good way to scope out good spots... Cheers!
Written June 18, 2018
Hello Im going to be staying in Calgary from 21/5/18 to 24/5/18
Im from Down under
I want to go to the Rocky Mountains (Naturally) then maybe do this tour as well
Where will I get it from ??
Im staying in 28 Ave NW
Many thanks Julie Mudge from Australia
Written March 31, 2018
There are Rocky Mountain centres in many main attraction sites of Alberta for your guidance, Then there are Travel Alberta centres and websites that can help you plan your trip [mimicking if their plan doesn't suite your energy level or idea of vacation ;)]. [Check their website]
You can plan your similar trips if you can gather enough and safe party. Remeber, Alberta Rockies is Cold mountain wilderness, and need a good safe gathering (e.g. 7 people), and some fitness, to make the most of it. You might also want to check Meet up, BnB and Couchsurfing members who would love to share their experiences, give you caution tips, and some might even let you join their group (if their timeline, social limits and safety concerns aren't conflicting). And you might find some life long Canadian friends.
If you trip is short (less than 12 days), and a bit relaxed budget; you might consider buying these trip companies' packages like travel Alberta e.t.c. Few of their experiences would be well-planned, exciting, and worry free. But off course a business needs to make money and save business time.
If you have enough time you can plan a relaxed trip, pick from few commercial tours and do your own tour on public transportation and with travel enthusiasts across the vast Rockies, than can take you minimum of 7 day just stopping by main attractions, (few days of hiking, climbing and relax staying), starting from Banff till Jasper
[Check websites with top attractions of Alberta]
If you're more Canada curious, you can continue hopping to our beautiful neighbour province British Columbia.
[Check websites with top attractions of British Columbia]
Written March 31, 2018
Hello
Just read your review on Tripadvisor about fly fishing the Bow. Any good spot in the winter time? I'm heading there in 2 weeks and I'm debating bringing a travel rod.
Let me know
Thanks
R
Written January 30, 2018
How far is the Bow River from downtown Calgary? And is there public transportation available? Thank you.
Written May 14, 2015
The Bow River starts in the Rockies and goes through the north part of downtown Calgary. In the summer, you'll see many people in the city floating down the river in inner tubes and little rafts.
Written May 14, 2015
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