Delightful Ways to Spend a Summer Day in Red Deer

Plan a summer road trip to Red Deer to discover some of the delightful parks and attractions the city has to offer! Located just a one-and-a-half-hour drive down Highway 2, Red Deer is the perfect spot for a day trip or weekend getaway from Edmonton. We have come up with 6 unique experiences to experience in the city, including a few that are the only ones of their kind in all of Alberta!

Discovery Canyon

***CLOSED July 26, 2024 until further notice. Please read the statement here.***

Discovery Canyon is the top summer attraction in Red Deer when the temperature spikes! This amazing natural river-fed water park features a small river to ride your tube down, splashing into bubbling pools of water along the way. At the bottom, visitors can enjoy a sandy beach area and wading pool, playground, picnic tables, washrooms, and a concession. Rent a tube on-site, or bring your own to enjoy a FREE day of fun in the sun.

Location: 3800 River Bend Drive, Red Deer County
Website: rbgra.ca

Summer Fun at Canyon Ski Resort

Enjoy year-round fun at Canyon Ski Resort thanks to the addition of the Canyon Coaster, Summer Tubing Slide and all-NEW Canyon Adventure Park! This is the only place in all of Alberta with an alpine coaster, PLUS they also have bragging rights to the longest summer tubing run in the province! Those two reasons right there should be enough to start planning a road trip to Red Deer.

• The Canyon Coaster will take you down a 1.4 km track with speeds of up to 40 km/hr. You can control your own speed as you enjoy spectacular views along the way. Pre-booking is strongly suggested to guarantee your spot.
• The Summer Tubing Slide consists of two tube lanes, each spanning 453 feet! The slippery Neveplast will help you experience all the joy of sliding down the ski hill, without the nuisance of the cold weather and snowsuits. Pre-booking is strongly suggested to guarantee your spot.
• The NEW Canyon Adventure Park is an impressive 40 foot steel climbing structures offering up 3 levels filled with 36 thrilling obstacles! Climbing is open to ages 3+ with obstacles ranging from beginner to advanced as you move up through the course. Thrill seekers will love the  heart-pounding Dual Headrush Free Fall Jump—a 40-foot leap with 3 meters of free fall.
• The NEW Canyon Zipline offers up an incredible view as you glide side by side over the stunning Canyon River Valley. Your ticket includes 2 zipline rides of almost 500 feet there AND back for a grand total of almost 1000 feet of ziplining fun!
• The NEW Net Park is the ultimate playground experience for ages 3+! Explore multiple levels of fun including two large bouncing trampoline nets, a three-story spiral slide, and more in three main structures.

Location: 38433 Range Road 264A, Red Deer County
Website: canyonski.ca

Heritage Ranch

If you like horses, you are going to LOVE Heritage Ranch! Trail rides, and horse-drawn carriage rides are all available for booking, or simply stop in to admire the horses and take a short pony ride (offered 10 am – 4 pm daily). While there have enjoy walking the riverside trails and playing on the on-site playgrounds, or book a capture-the-flag style adventure with the Ranch Tracker option.

Location: 6300 Cronquist Drive, Red Deer
Website: www.heritageranch.ca

Bower Ponds Recreation

Bower Ponds is a series of interconnecting ponds surrounded by nearly 2 km of paved trails. You can rent a paddle boat, kayak, or canoe to enjoy time on the water, or take out a surrey bike to explore the paths in style. There is a playground, wildlife spotting, a pollinator park, fishing dock, natural amphitheater, and and on-site cafe serving up 30 flavours of soft serve!

Location: 4715 Fountain Drive, Red Deer
Website: bowerponds.ca

Rotary Park

Rotary Park was one of my favourite summer spots to visit growing up in Red Deer. The playground has changed over the years, but it is still just as large as impressive as when I was a kid. Bring a picnic or takeout to enjoy at one of the many picnic tables, and be sure to take a short hike through the well maintained pathways and hills in the park.

Location: 4715 Fountain Drive, Red Deer
Website: visitreddeer.com

Collicutt Centre

In case of rain, or if you are wanting a break from the sun, there is no better spot then the Collicutt Recreation Centre! Swimmers of all ages and levels can find something to enjoy in the water park with a large wave pool, lazy river, two water slides, interactive tot pool, two hot tubs, steam room, and more. Other amenities at this large multi-use recreation centre include two climbing walls and a bouldering structure, an NHL-size arena, soccer pavilion and field house, fitness centre, golf and batting cages, and walking/running track.

Location: 3031 – 30 Avenue, Red Deer
Website: visitreddeer.com