Top 5 Riverside Communities in Calgary You’ll Love, and Why
- February 18, 2025
- By Cody Battershill
Best Riverside Communities Across Calgary
Calgary’s rivers are a highlight of our city, not just for the leisure and recreation they offer but also for residential living. A handful of central communities and a few suburban areas are lucky to be located along the Bow and Elbow Rivers, which provide Calgarians a plethora of fun activities and events to enjoy year-round – especially during the warmer seasons of the year.
That’s because living near a river in Calgary offers convenient access to riverside parks and pathways, some of the best that our city has to offer. Whether it’s the stunning riverside views of the Elbow River or perhaps the urban amenities along RiverWalk, there’s much to enjoy when living in a riverside community in Calgary.
Below, we explore several of the best riverside neighbourhoods that Calgary has to offer and share some more tips that you might find helpful when living near one of our beloved rivers.
Calgary’s River Parks & Pathways
Calgary is well known for its parks and pathways, many of which are found riverside. In fact, our city has one of the most extensive urban pathway/bikeway networks in North America with countless parks and green spaces connected to the river’s embankments in one way or another.
Today, the City of Calgary maintains approximately 1,000 kilometres (km) of regional pathways and an additional 96 km of trails, many of which are riverside, providing Calgarians with a means of leisure, recreation, and transportation no matter the time of year.
Many locals enjoy living in a river community for obvious reasons, one being easy access to work downtown without having to drive. Also see these Top 10 Inner City Parks in Calgary.
#1 - Altadore
Elbow River View
Altadore is a family-oriented riverside community that has it all: quiet streets, convenient access to public transportation and several riverside parks, and even a business improvement area with over 100 restaurants, shops, and services (Marda Loop) ready to serve you!
On the east side of Altadore, you’ll find four large riverside parks with interconnecting pathways, including:
- Altadore Park
- River Park
- Sandy Beach Park
- Riverdale Park
These riverside parks are easily reached by jaunting down any one of the pathways on the southeast/east side of the neighbourhood. These include paved and unpaved pathways which run through the thick of the bush but with wooden stairs to help you along your way.
Stunning luxury infill developments are another reason why Altadore’s popularity as a river community in Calgary continues to grow without bounds. Today, many post-war bungalows originally built in the 1940s and 50s have been replaced with new custom-built homes from some of Calgary’s best builders, revitalizing the streetscapes and attracting families with upscale living in mind.
#2 - East Village
St. Patrick's Bridge
East Village (EV) is Calgary’s nearly complete mixed-use neighbourhood. It is home to strictly condominium towers ranging from “carless” studio apartments like at N3 to luxurious penthouses of the Evolution towers. Today, the area is frequented by many people from all over Calgary for its top-notch eateries and public facilities that are second to none like the New Central Library and National Music Centre.
This once-shanty part of town is now a vibrant and eclectic riverside community in Calgary. The pathway on the Bow River’s south embankment, RiverWalk, has gone through some major renovations over the past several years, making it a hype place to visit during the summer for riverside leisure and recreation.
Part of RiverWalk’s upgrades included the new St. Patrick’s Island and bridge which connects East Village residents with the beautiful park island that includes:
- Fishing cove
- Children’s playgrounds
- Tobogganing hill
- Wooded areas with meandering paved pathways
- Lowland channel with boardwalk over naturalized wetlands
- Confluence plaza with an amphitheatre
- Viewpoints in various locations
- Calgary Zoo
On the far east side of St. Patrick’s Island, a bridge leads south to Inglewood, another vibrant inner city community with endless restaurants, shops and entertainment for you to discover.
The Bow River pathways don’t end there either. You can ride all the way to the southeast end of the city if you’d like. Or, at least to Fish Creek Provincial Park, which is one of the largest urban parks in Canada. Here you’ll find even more pathways (paved and dirt) as well as Sikome Lake, a favourite summer destination of many locals looking for a dip when it gets hot outside.
#3 - Eau Claire
RiverWalk in Eau Claire
Located in the heart of downtown, Eau Claire is another riverside community in downtown Calgary where you’ll find expansive paved pathways and large green spaces and parks to enjoy.
Eau Claire real estate is some of the most expensive in the city; here you’ll find mostly condominiums, but a few unique townhomes spread throughout its high-end luxury developments which include (but are not limited to) Churchill Estates, The Concord, and Prince’s Island Estates.
With that being said, you get what you pay for, like the opportunity to live a fully-fledged walkable lifestyle just steps away from:
- Prince’s Island Park
- Eau Claire Park
- Eau Claire Market
- Chinatown
- East Village
- Patrick’s Island
- Kensington District
… and quite possibly the office in the downtown if you work nearby (like many residents do in Eau Claire), easily accessible via Calgary’s famed +15 Indoor SkyWalk network.
But perhaps the sole highlight of living in this riverside community in Calgary is Prince’s Island Park. It’s the centrepiece of activities and events in the downtown core, where you’ll find get to enjoy:
- Festivals (Folk Music Festival, Afrikadey! + more)
- Picnic areas
- Playgrounds
- Flower gardens
- Seasonal washrooms
- Seasonal restaurant (River Café)
This park is the ultimate reprieve from the concrete jungle of downtown, especially in the spring and summer. It’s located directly in front of Eau Claire Plaza, another amenity hotspot for neighbourhood residents and visitors alike.
#4 - Mission
Roxboro House in Mission
Mission is a high-density residential community that provides many condo options when considering a move to this riverside neighbourhood. Young professionals especially flock to the area for its incredible walkability with the amenities of the 4th Street Business Improvement Area and the paved pathways of the Elbow River just steps away from home.
On the southeast part of the community, there’s a large bed of rocks sticking out of the Elbow River that make for a great lounging/dogwalk area during the spring and summer. It’s not unusual to see people set up lawn chairs here on a sunny day and enjoy the sounds of the river rushing by, while others use it to set their raft adrift southward towards Parkhill/Stanley Park (and eventually the Glenmore Reservoir).
Another huge bonus of living in Mission is quick and easy access to MNP Sport & Community Centre, one of Calgary’s best indoor recreation centres. This massive facility is situated inside Lindsay Park, a beautiful green space with lush trees and meandering pathways great for walking the dog or having a picnic.
Heading south along the Elbow River pathways from Mission, you’ll reach another outstanding inner city park called Stanley Park, home to outdoor sports arenas, a public swimming pool, picnic tables, barbecue areas, and more!
#5 - Parkhill/Stanley Park
Elbow River
Parkhill/Stanley Park is an exclusive community in Calgary but with a surprisingly diverse real estate portfolio. Million-dollar estates and infill homes line the hill ridges while more affordable condominiums and townhomes found just a few minutes’ walk from the river.
Parkhill’s riverfront is all located in the popular Stanley Park. In the spring and summer, the park is a hotbed for friends and families looking to enjoy a picnic, swim in the pool or river, or perhaps play some outdoor games. The wading pool makes it a great destination for families with young children who want to get outside and enjoy the great outdoors.
All that Stanley Park has to offer community residents is reachable on foot within a few short minutes. That includes:
- Sports field
- Tennis courts
- Playground areas
- Paved pathways
- BBQ stands and picnic areas
- Seasonal washrooms/water fountains
- Outdoor swimming pool and wading pool
- Lawn bowling facility
- Toboggan hill
It’s hard to see why anyone wouldn’t enjoy living in this river community in Calgary.
Riverside Living in Calgary: What's Your Goal?
You might be a downtown worker looking to live, work and play closer to home. You might be a river enthusiast who uses Calgary’s river pathways on the daily. You could be looking for a great community for you and your family to grow and making lasting memories. Perhaps you’re another type of buyer altogether.
But if you’re thinking about buying a Calgary home in a riverside community, here are a few more interesting articles that may spark your interest:
- Top 7 Northwest Calgary Luxury Communities
- Top 7 Southwest Calgary Luxury Communities
- 5 Reasons to Live in Calgary’s University District
Questions about River Communities in Calgary?
As a highly experienced team of inner city real estate experts and REALTORS® in Calgary, we guarantee to provide you with some of the best service and advice while making sure all your needs are met every step of the way throughout your next transaction.
Call Cody, Jordan, and the Calgaryism real estate team anytime at 403-370-4180 or send a message for a quick response. We are looking forward to helping you accomplish your real estate goals!