Flowing Water Interpretive Trail, located in Bow Valley Provincial Park, has boardwalks, stairs, a marsh with beaver dam, and river all packed into a 2.4 km loop. Go in summer for the wildflowers and camp at nearby Willow Rock campground or Bow Valley campground! There’s great rafting on the Kananaskis River too! For more hikes in Bow Valley Provincial Park, please see this post. I highly recommend going for a picnic at Middle Lake after the hike!
Flowing Water Interpretive Trail At a Glance
Distance: 2.4 km loop (official hike is 1.4 km, access to trailhead is 1 km return)
Elevation Gain: n/a
Time: Allow 1 hour
Time: Allow 1 hour
Nearest Washrooms: Willow Rock Campground
Stroller Friendly? No
Geocaches: No
Trailhead: Located near the shower building. The sign says 0.5 km to Flowing Water Trail.
Trailhead: Located near the shower building. The sign says 0.5 km to Flowing Water Trail.
Distance from Calgary: 78 km
Directions: Head west on the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1), until you get to the Exshaw / Bow Valley Provincial Park exit. From Hwy 1x, take your first right into the Willow Rock Campground. The hike is just under an hour from Calgary!
Parking: Park at Willow Rock Campground (near the showers).
Directions: Head west on the Trans Canada Highway (Hwy 1), until you get to the Exshaw / Bow Valley Provincial Park exit. From Hwy 1x, take your first right into the Willow Rock Campground. The hike is just under an hour from Calgary!
Parking: Park at Willow Rock Campground (near the showers).
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| The moisture makes for lush vegetation! |
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| Wildflowers |
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| Flowing Water Trail |
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| Flowing Water Trail – watch for cow parsnip (white flowers above) – it stings! |
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| Flowing Water Trail |
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| Lookout over the Kananaskis River |
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| Heading down to the river |
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| Rafting the Kananaskis River |
Bring extra clothes and towels if you want to play by the river! There is no official river access, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you can climb down to the water’s edge (from just past the interpretive sign about rusty water). For a big, sandy beach, head to Barrier Lake Day Use!
Other Posts You Might Like
Family Fun in Bow Valley Provincial Park – info on 5 other hikes in the park including Middle Lake!
Camping in Bow Valley Provincial Park
The Best Short Hikes Near Calgary