Things to Do

Recreational Parks, Facilities & Clubs

Bow River

The Bow River provides a fun escape for water enthusiasts, or just anyone looking to cool off during the warm summer months. The boat launch and river access are located underneath the north side of the Highway 22 bridge. View the Bow River Map.

Bow River

Clubs & Associations

Cochrane has a wide variety of teams, clubs and associations for all ages and interests.

Clubs and Associations

Cochrane Ranche Historic Site

The Cochrane Ranche Historic site is the original site of Senator Matthew Henry Cochrane’s ranch, established in 1881. The public park is approximately 55 hectares and has a washroom facility, picnic tables, outdoor stage and two fire pits. Groups can book areas for family picnics, weddings and other events.

Cochrane Ranche Historic Site

Cochrane Toyota Community room

Cochrane Toyota's community room, the Cochrane Toyota Community Centre, is available to Cochrane residents, free of charge. The space is over 800 square feet, and comes furnished with couches, lounge chairs and a 60" HD flat screen TV.

Cowboy Trail

The Cowboy Trail links Waterton Lakes National Park to Mayerthorpe. Alberta's high country is home to ranches, spectacular scenery and friendly small towns like Cochrane. Take in a trail ride, cowboy festival or pow-wow. Two-step the night away at the local dance hall or watch native dancers.

Cowboy Trail

Farmers' Market

The Cochrane Farmers' Market runs Saturday from the beginning of June until the end of September. 

Farmers Market

Fire pits and picnic facilities

The Cochrane Ranche Historic Site offers picnic tables, fire pits (please bring your own firewood), washroom facilities and plenty of open space to explore or play games. View the Fire Pits and Picnic Facilities Map.

Fire Pits and Picnic Facilities

Golf

Cochrane is home to two golf clubs: The Links of GlenEagles and the Cochrane Golf Club.

Horseshoe pits

The Cochrane horseshoe pits are located in Glenbow, on the north side of the Rodeo Grounds and ball diamonds. View the horseshoe pits map.

Mitford Park

Mitford Park is a 43-hectare regional park located along the north bank of the Bow River in Cochrane. The park is designed for recreational use and includes a pedestrian/cycling pathway along the Bow River, ball diamonds, soccer field, skateboard park, ponds and a washroom building. Learn more about Cochrane's parks and facilities.

Mitford Park

Mitford Pond

During the summer, Mitford Pond is stocked with trout for fishing in partnership with Trout Unlimited, Jumping Pound Chapter. Children under 14 can keep what they catch; everyone else must catch and release. 

In winter, the pond is maintained for ice skating. Ice fishing is prohibited. For information on the status of the ice please call our 24-hour line at 403-851-2552. 

Mitford Pond

Off-Leash Dog Areas

There are four off-leash areas in Cochrane (view map):

Dedicated dog parks (fully enclosed):

  • West of Hwy 22 between Quigley Drive and West Rock Rd (all dogs). 
  • South of West Rock Rd along Hwy 22 (puppies and small dogs). 
  • West of Hwy 22, north of George Fox Trail. Dogs must be on leash along the pathway to get to the site (go under the Hwy 22 bridge and north on the red shale pathway), but can run in the 2.3 acre fenced site in the northwest corner of the tree nursery.

Multi-use pathway:

  • Dogs can be off leash on the pathway along the river between the bridge at the south end of River Avenue all the way to the east end of Griffin Road, opposite SLS Centre. 
Off-Leash Dog Parks

Outdoor rink

The Tim Bannister Memorial outdoor rink in the East End is maintained by Town parks staff so it can be used all winter. The rink is kept accessible to hockey players and pleasure skaters of all ages by following one simple rule: hockey at one end and skating at the other.

Novice skaters don’t want to be in the way of your game-winning breakaway, and hockey players don’t want to trip over kids just learning how to stay upright. And when you’re using the rink, please remember to close the rink door to protect onlookers from flying pucks.

You can find out about skating conditions on the 24-hour information line at 403-851-2552. View the Outdoor Rink Map.

Outdoor Rink

Parks and Playgrounds

The Town has 24 playgrounds and four off-leash parks. View the location of all local parks.

Baby on Swing at the Playground

Pathways

Residents and visitors alike can enjoy over 70 kilometres of paved or red shale pathway, including a scenic stretch that runs along the north side of the Bow River. Locate your favourite path, or discover a new one, on the Town’s Pathways Interactive Map. The map includes layers to see current and future paths, as well as pathway surfaces (asphalt, gravel, etc.), to help you determine how accessible the path is for your mobility. 

Rodeo

The Cochrane Lions Rodeo Grounds plays a huge role in Cochrane's Labour Day Festivities by hosting the annual Labour Day Rodeo. Contact the Lions Club for more information.

Rodeo

Sports fields and tennis courts

The Town of Cochrane has 11 soccer pitches, 8 ball diamonds and 2 tennis courts. Call the facility status line at 403-851-2552 for an updated sports facility status, or view the Recreation Locations Map for their locations. Book a location online.

Spray Lake Sawmills (SLS) Centre 

The SLS Centre facility is home to Cochrane's Jayman BUILT Aquatic Centre, Fireside of Cochrane Fitnes Centre, curling rinks, hockey rinks, indoor turf, full gym and a running track. Activities on site include swimming, hockey, figure skating, ringette, inline and floor hockey, soccer, lacrosse, football, basketball, badminton, volleyball, running/walking, gymnastics and a fitness centre. Drop-in activities in the pool, gym, on the turf, and on the ice.

Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre

Zero Gravity Skate Park

Cochrane’s Zero Gravity Skate Park features a 427 square meter plaza and modern bowl unit set into a pristine hillside setting overlooking the river valley. The park’s unique shape, concrete feature detailing, rock work and informal seating areas have made it a highlight on the western Canadian skate park network.

The park is located at the intersection of Westrock Road and Highway 22 and is open year-round for bikes and skateboards. From April 1 to October 31, the park is lit from dusk to 10 pm. 

Zero Gravity Skate Park