Sue Higgins Park is Calgary's crown jewel for dog owners, and if you only visit one off-leash park in the city, this is the one.
At 62 hectares, it's Calgary's largest fully fenced off-leash area, combining open fields, wooded trails, Bow River access, and agility equipment in a single park.
Here's everything you need to know before your first visit.
How Do I Get to Sue Higgins Park and Where Do I Park?
The main entrance is off 18 Street SE, with a large paved parking lot right at the gate.
On weekend mornings, especially Saturday between 8 and 11 AM, the lot fills up fast, so arrive before 10 AM if you want a guaranteed spot.
Weekday parking is rarely a problem, even during the after-work rush between 4 and 7 PM.
How Does the Double-Gate Entry System Work?
Sue Higgins uses a double-gated airlock entry at every access point, which is what makes it safe to unleash a dog with an unreliable recall.
Enter the first gate and close it behind you before doing anything else.
Once the outer gate is closed, you can unleash your dog inside the airlock or wait until you're through the second gate.
Open the inner gate to enter the main park, and reverse the process on your way out: leash your dog inside the park, step into the airlock, close the inner gate, then exit through the outer gate.
This two-gate system is the single biggest reason nervous or new off-leash owners feel safe here compared to an unfenced natural-area park like Nose Hill Park.
What Are the Different Zones Inside the Park?
Sue Higgins isn't one uniform field. It's split into distinct zones, and knowing them in advance helps you pick the right spot for your dog's temperament.
The main field near the parking lot is the social hub of the park, where most dogs greet each other and play, and where energy runs highest, especially on weekends.
The wooded trails through the central and north sections are quieter, better suited to dogs who prefer sniffing and exploring over constant social play, and they offer good shade through summer.
The river access area on the east side, where the Bow River borders the park, has a gradual sandy entry point that makes for safe wading and swimming for dogs of most sizes and confidence levels.
The agility area in the south section has jumps, tunnels, and weave poles for dogs who enjoy structured play alongside their off-leash time.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Sue Higgins Park?
Timing your visit matters more here than at most Calgary parks, since crowd levels shift dramatically through the day.
If your dog is still building confidence around other dogs, aim for a weekday midday visit rather than a Saturday morning.
What Should I Bring to Sue Higgins Park?
New to off-leash parks in general? Our first-time dog park tips cover the etiquette that keeps parks like this one welcoming for everyone.
Is Sue Higgins Park Good in Every Season?
Sue Higgins holds up better across seasons than most Calgary parks, mainly because of its mix of open and wooded terrain.
In summer, the wooded trails in the central and north sections stay noticeably cooler than the open main field, so a hot-weather visit is best spent under the tree canopy rather than out in the sun.
The river access area is at its best from late spring through early fall, when water levels are calm enough for safe wading, though currents pick up during spring runoff, so keep a closer eye on strong swimmers in May and June.
In winter, the fenced main field stays usable even on cold days since there's no need to worry about a dog running off after wildlife, and the wooded sections offer real shelter from wind that an exposed park like Nose Hill can't match.
Spring brings mud, especially near the river entry point and along the lower wooded trails, so booties or a post-walk paw rinse are worth having in the car from March through May.
Park Rules and Etiquette Specific to Sue Higgins
Because Sue Higgins draws large weekend crowds, a few etiquette points matter more here than at quieter neighbourhood parks.
Keep the airlock gate area clear once you're through; a cluster of owners and dogs right at the entrance makes it harder and more stressful for the next person coming in.
If your dog is reactive or still building confidence, the wooded trails are a far better starting point than the main field, where dog density and noise are highest.
Watch for off-leash etiquette basics: ask before letting your dog approach another, and don't let a confident dog corner or overwhelm a smaller or more nervous one near the gates.
Our complete off-leash guide covers the city-wide voice-and-sight-control rules that apply here just like every other designated off-leash area in Calgary.
Which Dogs Do Best at Sue Higgins Park?
Sue Higgins suits an unusually wide range of dogs, which is part of why it's so popular.
High-energy breeds get real room to run in the main field and enough distance in the wooded trails to burn off energy without constant social pressure.
Water-loving breeds, retrievers especially, get one of the best swimming setups in the city thanks to the gradual sandy river entry.
Nervous or reactive dogs benefit from the fence itself, since it removes the worst-case scenario of a dog bolting toward a road or a wildlife encounter, letting owners focus on managing social distance instead.
Puppies still building recall are also well suited here, since the airlock system means a failed recall attempt has a hard physical backstop rather than an open field with no boundary.
Nearby Amenities Worth Knowing About
The park itself has waste bag dispensers at the main entrance and near the agility area, though they run out on busy weekends, so bring your own as a backup.
There's no drinking water fountain inside the fence, so pack enough for your dog, particularly on a hot summer visit when the river isn't a substitute for actual hydration.
The 18 Street SE entrance area has enough paved parking for a full car of gear, making it a reasonable spot to pair with a longer outing if you're bringing agility equipment or planning a full morning visit.
The fence is the headline feature, and it genuinely changes the experience: you can relax and actually watch your dog play instead of scanning constantly for the property line.
The variety inside that fence line is the second reason it stands out. Open fields, forest trails, river access, and agility equipment all exist inside one park, so a visit in July can look completely different from a visit in October.
The community here also has a reputation for being welcoming and experienced, which matters if you're new to off-leash parks and want other owners who'll actually help if your dog gets overwhelmed.
For new dog owners, dogs still learning off-leash skills, reactive dogs working on socialization at a manageable distance, or anyone who simply wants the best all-around park experience in Calgary, Sue Higgins is the place to start.
For the full park directory listing, including the map, parking details, and trail-by-trail breakdown, see our complete Sue Higgins Dog Park guide.
If you want to compare it against Calgary's other big destination park, our Nose Hill Park guide covers the unfenced, large natural-area alternative for dogs with rock-solid recall.