Sandy Beach Park

Our family loves this place, the dogs love it — lots of active and friendly people. In the summer it is just beautiful by the water, it is like a little get away in the city. Parking isn’t too bad either.

This is one of the best parks in Calgary! It is very central, quiet and on the Elbow River!
Being a regular dog walker, this off leash is a haven for letting your pup go for a big run. There are loads if dogs and lots of room for them to safely chase each other around. By sticking to the ridge, cars are a long way off and the gravel pathways keep cyclists and rollerbladers away, ensuring safety for your dogs.
There are doggie water fountains and lots of trees and smells!
Parking along the park is ample and easy to get to. Overall a mist visit!

All last week, I was totally grumbly as I had to work over my hard-​earned long weekend organizing a bonfire for the youth group I coordinate. I had never been to Sandy Beach, so I pictured some pebbly parking lot space with a few picnic tables and an ironic name.
Sunday morning, I trudged over to the site early with veggie dogs, s’more making things, and blankets in tow. I was pleasantly surprised. Down the hill where the picnic sites are, was a lot quieter than up by the dog park, which is probably due to the weather. It is actually quite beautiful here.
Everyone kept commenting it’d be a great spot for a BBQ «in the summer,» as it’s nestled against the River, but I fucking hate summer. Especially disgusting Calgary. I purposely travel to cold places in the summer where it rains all the time. I think Sandy Beach Park was great even over the February long weekend. I envision this place being really busy on warmer days so will probably avoid it at these time because I also hate people. I am very wrathful today, sorry.
There was ample picnic table space for my group of 30 – 40 people, and our spot was right near the giant hill, where there was just enough snow on the ground for my girls to go tobaganning! I do really like this place, which is positive. I will be back on a slightly grey day, for a nice fire, with a book maybe. Or with friends. I guess.

Once upon a time when I would hear people mention Sandy Beach, I thought it was somewhere outside of the city, mostly because the references I heard were for rafting (the drifting kind, not the white water kind). People said it was one of the best places to hop on the river… it’s none too crowded because most folks get off by this point. (oops, cat’s out of the bag on a primo rafting launch!)
You can find Sandy Beach by following 14^th St pretty much all the way down from downtown. From there, a right on to 38^th Ave, a quick left on to 14A St and then another left on 54 Ave. You’ll see a sign for River Park first. Drive past this and the small parking lot and continue down the dirt road. At the bottom of the hill you’ll find the first parking lot. There’s also a second, larger lot a little farther along.
In August, I found myself at Sandy Beach on three different occasions. Not bad for one month, hey? The first was for a Monday night BBQ. It was delightful, we had Picnic Site #4 with a couple of BBQs, a firepit, picnic tables and plenty of open space to run around and throw/​catch frisbees like us big kids seem to like to do. The second visit was my own BBQ with some friends at Picnic Site #2 on a Friday night. I attempted to book the site through the City of Calgary Rec Department, thinking that Friday was part of the weekend I figured I had until their deadline of Wednesday at noon to book. Alas, Wednesday at 1043, I was on the phone and told I was too late to book. Note: If you’re looking to book any picnic site with the City, Friday counts as a weekday and MUST be booked 3 full business days in advance, no exceptions (believe me, I tried the weekend argument!). However, the nice lady on the phone offered to look up the number of bookings for me, she told me it was relatively unbooked and so the other picnic sites were just on a first come first serve basis.
My third visit was for, can you guess? A BBQ! Haha! Yes, it seems Sandy Beach and I are destined for BBQs. This one was on a Saturday afternoon for a hosted BBQ at Picnic Site #1. It comes with a big shelter for the site as well.
The park has a nice walking/​biking path winding through it. On each visit, there were many people out enjoying the area, some with dogs, some with kids. There’s also a playground to keep the kiddlets amused.
Tip: If you’re thinking of heading down for a picnic with some friends on the weekend, save yourself $ 50 for the booking fee (or more for a big group) and just check the availability on the City’s website. If a site is free, and it’s Wednesday afternoon or later, it’s all just first come, first serve anyway. So be the first one down and you’re a-​ok!
Tip #2: Bring your own firewood and kindling. The park doesn’t provide any.

I’m so glad that Wendy reviewed this on Unilocal!I didn’t realize I could review parks (didn’t think they had a specific address).
I love Sandy Beach! I say this as a cyclist. This park is on the Elbow River Pathway between Stanley Park and the Glenmore Reservoir. When cycling through this park I have a few tips for you.
#1 — Keep to the west side pathway. There are two paths that pass through the park, one of which is closer to the river. The one closer to the river is busiest with pedestrian traffic.
#2 — Dismount on the suspension bridge, especially if there is another cyclist on the bridge. It’s super narrow. There are signs that say to do this.
#3 — When riding Southward there is a large steep hill at the end of the park. Go ahead and put yourself into low gear and challenge it! It’s a toughy, but short and worth it! I always feel like Superman after I hit the top!
I have visited this park a few times to use the outdoor grills. I typically bring charcoal briquettes because I’m cycling or walking in which is light and more compact that bringing firewood. I’d suggest using firewood when possible if you want to cook faster or your food is very raw, like steak. I typically bring hot dogs, marshmallows and quick to heat items. There are bon fire pits as well but you need to get there in the early afternoon in peak times to secure one.
Be sure to bring your bathing suit! The beach is beside the suspension bridge which isn’t particularly sandy, but a nice cool shallow dip in the Elbow River!