Arbour Lake
Arbour Lake
Northwest · About 10 acres · Fee $254 – $635 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: Lakeshore lot $635.25 / yr vs regular lot $317.63.
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Every private residents' lake in and around Calgary, the public lakes buyers ask about, and the communities along the Bow and Elbow rivers. Filter by type, what you want to do on the water, area or fee. Tap a pin to jump to that place.
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| Lake | Acres | Swim | Boat | Ice-fish | Skate | Club | Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arbour Lake | 10 | – | Northwest | ||||
| Auburn Bay | 43 | – | Southeast | ||||
| Chaparral | 32 | – | South | ||||
| Coral Springs | 16 | – | – | Northeast | |||
| Lake Bonavista | 52 | – | – | South | |||
| Mahogany | 64 | Southeast | |||||
| McKenzie Lake | 42 | Southeast | |||||
| Midnapore | 30 | – | South | ||||
| Sundance | 33 | – | South | ||||
| Harmony | n/p | – | – | – | Rocky View County | ||
| Elbow Valley | n/p | – | Rocky View County | ||||
| Church Ranches | n/p | – | – | – | Rocky View County | ||
| Crystal Shores | n/p | – | Okotoks | ||||
| Glenmore Reservoir | n/p | – | – | – | – | Inside Calgary, southwest | |
| Ghost Lake | n/p | – | – | Rocky View County, west of Cochrane | |||
| Cottage Club at Ghost Lake | n/p | – | – | Rocky View County, west of Cochrane | |||
| Chestermere | n/p | – | – | City of Chestermere, east of Calgary |
Tap a column title to sort. n/p = lake size not published by the association.
Type
Activities
Area
Private residents' lakes (Calgary)
Auburn Bay
Auburn Bay Lake
Southeast · 43 acres, about 30 feet at its deepest · Fee $524 – $1,048 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: Lake shore $1,047.80 / yr vs standard $523.92.
Chaparral
Lake Chaparral
South · 32-acre lake with a 22-acre park · Fee $482 – $1,292 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: Lakeside $690.79 / yr vs general $481.99.
Coral Springs
Coral Springs Lake
Northeast · 16 acres, averaging about 20 feet deep · Fee Not published
Lakefront vs lake access: Ask the association for the lakefront figure.
Lake Bonavista
Lake Bonavista
South · 52-acre lake with a 25-acre park · Fee $409.50 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: Every home pays the same fee, lakefront or not.
Mahogany
Mahogany Lake
Southeast · About 64 acres — Calgary's largest · Fee Not published
Lakefront vs lake access: Fees vary by property type; request an Encumbrance Status for the exact figure.
McKenzie Lake
McKenzie Lake
Southeast · 42 acres · Fee $295 – $788 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: Lake shore $787.50 / yr vs general $393.75.
Midnapore
Lake Midnapore
South · 30 acres, averaging 20 feet deep and 31 feet at its deepest · Fee $329.70 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: One published rate for 2026.
Sundance
Lake Sundance
South · 33-acre lake with a 22-acre park · Fee $333 – $452 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: Lakefront $451.65 / yr vs regular lot $333.24.
Lake communities outside Calgary
Harmony
Harmony Lake
Rocky View County · Not published by the association · Fee About $1,560 – $1,800 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: Plus a one-time $4,000 initiation fee.
Elbow Valley
Elbow Valley Lake, Fisherman's Lake and Clearwater Lake
Rocky View County · About 400 acres of homesites with roughly 600 acres of common recreational and environmental land · Fee Not published
Lakefront vs lake access: Lake lots are a separate, higher fee class.
Church Ranches
Three shared private lakes, plus a fourth private to the lots on it
Rocky View County · 70 acres of private common land in total; individual lake sizes are not published · Fee $1,150 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: A fourth lake is private to the lots on it.
Crystal Shores
Crystal Shores Lake
Okotoks · Not published by the association · Fee About $677 / yr
Lakefront vs lake access: The association does not publish its fee; a current listing on Crystal Shores Landing states $677 a year. I confirm the exact figure for any home.
Public lakes
Glenmore Reservoir
Glenmore Reservoir on the Elbow River
Inside Calgary, southwest · Large public reservoir and City drinking-water source · Fee No residents' lake fee
Good to know: Non-motorized boats only. Communities around the shore include Bayview, Eagle Ridge, Lakeview, Oakridge, Palliser and Pump Hill.
Ghost Lake
Ghost Reservoir on the Bow River
Rocky View County, west of Cochrane · Large public reservoir behind the Ghost Dam · Fee No residents' lake fee
Good to know: Public water: anyone can launch a boat. Lakefront cabins and acreages sell at a premium.
Cottage Club at Ghost Lake
Ghost Lake
Rocky View County, west of Cochrane · Gated cottage community on the lake · Fee Condo-style fees, vary by unit
Good to know: Private resort-style amenities beside a public lake. Ask me for the current fee on a specific cottage.
Chestermere
Chestermere Lake
City of Chestermere, east of Calgary · Public irrigation reservoir · Fee No residents' lake fee
Good to know: Public lake run by the City and the Western Irrigation District. The water level is drawn down each fall.
Riverfront
Elbow Park
On the Elbow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Elbow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Roxboro
On the Elbow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Elbow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Rideau Park
On the Elbow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Elbow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Elboya
On the Elbow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Elbow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Mission
On the Elbow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Elbow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Parkhill
On the Elbow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Elbow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Discovery Ridge
On the Elbow River
West · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Elbow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Bowness
On the Bow River
Northwest · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Bow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Montgomery
On the Bow River
Northwest · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Bow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Parkdale
On the Bow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Bow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Point McKay
On the Bow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Bow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Sunnyside
On the Bow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Bow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Bridgeland/Riverside
On the Bow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Bow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Inglewood
On the Bow River
Centre · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Bow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Riverbend
On the Bow River
Southeast · Riverfront and river-adjacent streets · Fee No lake fee
Riverfront: Only some homes back onto the Bow. I check the City flood map for any riverfront address before you write.
Fees and amenities are from each residents' association's own published material. Fees change every year — I confirm the current figure and the encumbrance on title before you write an offer.
Before you buy
Lake community questions
What is the difference between lake access and lakefront?
Lake access means you live in the community and can use the lake and its facilities — most homes. Lakefront means your lot backs onto the water, often with your own dock. It is a small share of homes and can carry a premium well into six figures, plus a higher annual fee in most communities.
Is the lake fee optional?
No. It is registered on title as an encumbrance. You pay it whether or not you use the lake, and it passes to the next owner.
What does the fee usually cover?
Beach and swimming, non-motorised boating, fishing where the lake is stocked, winter skating, and a clubhouse or lake house. Tennis, pickleball and courts vary by community.
What should I check before I buy?
The current fee in writing, the encumbrance on title, guest rules, whether tenants get access, hours and seasons, and any maintenance the association has deferred. I check all of it before you write an offer.
Are Chestermere Lake and Strathmore lake communities?
No. Chestermere Lake is a public irrigation reservoir with no residents' association or fee, and anyone can launch a boat. Strathmore Lakes Estates is a Town stormwater pond where swimming and paddling are not allowed. Canals and ponds in Airdrie, Cochrane and High River, and Emerson Lake in High River, are public too.
Looking for a lake home?
Lakefront or lake access? Call 403-464-6672 and I will narrow it down with you.
Contact Kelly