Need a peaceful spot for curious little explorers? Reader Rock Garden feels like stepping into a secret storybook corner of Calgary.
Stroll the winding trails, listen to the trickle of ponds, and watch your kids lead the way through flowers and stone stepsβitβs peaceful, playful, and pure joy.
A true hidden gem, I canβt believe I didnβt know about it for years.
In this blog post, I share with you:
- Our experience visiting Reader Rock Garden
- What we liked and didnβt like in Griffith Woods
- Quick summary & tips
- 5 Cool facts about Reader Rock Garden
Reader Rock Garden is situated right in the heart of the city, next to the Stampede grounds.
We chose to visit in the spring, when many flowers were already blooming. Both kids enjoyed exploring the bridges and stone pathways with a few steep stone steps, which turned out to be the absolute favourite for our curious toddler.
The highlight was the gazebo surrounded by flowers right by the Readerβs Garden CafΓ©.
Many grassy areas offer a nice escape for a picnic or chill. That is, if you actually have kids who can chill. Let me know how that feels. Iβm just gonna dream about a day I can chill at one of our outings in the meantime. Anywayβ¦
The main walking path is wide and gravel, and can be easily used for strollers, up until the Readerβs Garden CafΓ©. All other areas are accessible through narrow, uneven stone pathways.
The more you walk, the more beautiful flowers you can discover.
Itβs a gorgeous place where I can totally see myself going for a sweet treat in the cafΓ© and read a book on the bench afterwards. But Iβm also excited to visit with the kids again. They always find cool things I would totally miss out on.
What we liked in Reader Rock Garden
- Endless amount of colourful flowers
- Not crowded
- Lots of little pathways to discover
- Plenty of shaded spots for a picnic
- Cool features for kids β bridge, pond, little paths through the garden terraces
- CafΓ© on site in case you didnβt bring enough snacks, or just want a treat for yourself
What we didnβt like in Reader Rock Garden
- That we didnβt make it in time to check out the Readerβs Garden CafΓ©, their menu looks absolutely amazing
Everything You Need for the Perfect Nature Walk
- Kids' adventure sandals for the happy feet
- Jan & Jul Sun HatsΒ with UV protection without chemicals (ourΒ full review)
- Lifestraw bottleΒ so you can safely drink directly from the creek or river
- Snackle boxΒ for the little snackers and family picnics
- Kid's Safe Sunscreen SPF 50+Β with kid-safe ingredients orΒ a sunscreen stickΒ for easier application
- Water repellent blanketΒ so no moisture, sand, or dirt stays on
- Buckets & shovels, a magnifying glass, or binoculars for the exploration
Quick summary & tips
- Reader Rock Garden is in the Erlton neighborhood, SE Calgary
- Whether you visit for 10 minutes or 2 hours, you can enjoy beautiful and fragrant gardens
- Parking is free and itβs accessible by public transport
- The main trail leading to the Readerβs Garden CafΓ© with several flower terraces is wheelchair & stroller-friendly although itβs not a smooth ride
- Washrooms are located at the Readerβs Garden CafΓ©
5 Cool facts about Reader Rock Garden:
πΏ It all began as one manβs backyard experiment
More than a century ago, William ReaderβCalgaryβs first Parks Superintendentβlooked at a bare, rocky hillside and saw potential. In 1913, he started planting everything he could get his hands on to prove that beautiful gardens could bloom even in Calgaryβs harsh prairie climate. His hillside experiment grew into a living masterpiece that still thrives today.
πΈ Over 4,000 plant species once grew here
Reader collected seeds from around the worldβAsia, Europe, and South Americaβand planted thousands of them on this slope. Some grew beautifully, others didnβt stand a chance, but every trial helped shape what Calgarians now enjoy in their gardens. Today, youβll still find a colourful mix of native and exotic plants tucked between the rocks.
π¦ Bees, birds, and butterflies love it here
Reader Rock Garden isnβt just prettyβitβs buzzing with life! The variety of flowers attracts pollinators from spring through fall, so itβs easy to spot butterflies fluttering by or bees busy at work. Kids love exploring the little paths while trying to count how many winged friends they can find.
β The cozy Readerβs Garden CafΓ© is inside a historic house
Right next to the garden sits Readerβs restored 1912 home, now turned into the charming Reader CafΓ©. Itβs a perfect spot for parents to grab coffee or lunch after a garden stroll. With big windows overlooking the flowers and ponds, it feels like dining right inside the garden itself.
𧱠Itβs a National Historic Site with a living legacy
In 2018, Reader Rock Garden was named a National Historic Site of Canada for its incredible role in prairie gardening history. Itβs one of only a handful in Calgary! Every stone path, bridge, and bloom tells the story of how one manβs vision turned a patch of rock into a garden that still inspires nature lovers a century later.
We hope you enjoy Reader Rock Garden, where the city melts away and nature takes over.
