Okotoks offers a blend of small-town charm with access to the amenities of a larger city, making it an attractive place for young families. Nestled along the Sheep River Valley in the heart of the Alberta Foothills, the Town of Okotoks is a growing community with deep roots and its own personality.
Okotoks is flanked by the Rocky Mountains to the west and is situated only 18 kms from Calgary's city limits. It’s about a half-hour drive from downtown Calgary, making it well within commuting distance, particularly to work sites in the south of the city.
The average age in Okotoks is 34 (compared to 38 in Calgary), which reflects the number of families with young children who now call the area home. The town hosts many family-friendly local events and festivals throughout the year, and its busy and charming main streets draw visitors all year long. The municipality of about 30,000 residents combines a small-town lifestyle with many amenities, from recreation facilities and boutique shops to restaurants and entertainment.
Okotoks is a great place to live for the outdoorsy, featuring more than 50kms of bike trails and walking paths and good access to parks and riding trails in the foothills and the Rocky Mountains beyond.
Sports & Recreation
Great Things to Do
Independent Schools
Parks, Playgrounds & Green Spaces
Okotoks is home to more than 182 hectares of public parks and open spaces, in addition to 328 hectares of natural areas including the river valley. Residents enjoy 100km of interconnected pathway systems; 110 parks; 72 playgrounds; 36 sports fields; three tennis courts and six pickleball courts.
From the old-time railroad ambiance of Champion Park to the invigorating trails of Laudan Park, the harmony between nature and urban living is exemplified in these breathtaking parks, making them a significant draw for those looking to embrace the natural beauty and recreational opportunities Okotoks offers.
In the winter, there are 14 outdoor skating rinks and six toboggan hills. It is easy to get and stay fit with three locations of outdoor fitness equipment; a multi-use sport court; a BMX track and a pump track.
Keep the kids entertained for hours at the water spray park, skateboard park and community gardens.
Places to Shop
You’ll find everything on your list (and a few extras too!) at Okotoks shops. If you are looking for unique boutiques, markets and hand-made creations, this is the place for you.
Shopping locations include Centennial Village, Cornerstone, D’Arcy Crossing, Drake Landing and North Gateway Centre.
Perhaps the most well-known shopping destination in Okotoks is found in the centre of the town at Downtown Main Street Market. The market is a collective retail store in the heart of Downtown Okotoks that is filled with products from over 150 Alberta-based small businesses. You'll find boutique shopping with handmade products ranging from art, clothing, all-natural soaps and personal care products, shabby chic repurposed furniture, handcrafted foods, snacks, treasures, and everything in between. This cooperative effort and ’meeting of creative minds’ store is something to see.
Tribal Connection Market is a quirky little boutique with personality. Grab a coffee and browse the new-age market and live performance venue with a wide array of imported jewelry, crafts and books.
Family owned and founded in 2009, Monkey Mountain Toys & Games is a local landmark in the centre of downtown Okotoks and a must-see destination for all. No matter what entertains your kiddos, there is something they will love at this iconic store full of treasures.
Don’t forget to swing by the seasonal Okotoks Farmers’ Market on Fridays from 3:30 to 6:30pm at Okotoks Centennial Arenas to grab all your fresh produce and handmade goods.
The Okotoks Art Gallery reflects this wealth of creativity and dynamic energy. Located in the historic 1929 CPR Railway Station, the gallery includes two spaces for exhibitions, a gift shop featuring local and Canadian artisan wares, and serves as the Visitor Information Centre for Okotoks.
Food Scene
Okotoks is home to a surprisingly vibrant culinary scene offering a range of dining experiences. With casual eateries and upscale dining, you can scratch your eating-out itch whether it is a no-cook night with the family or a date night with that special someone.
Heartland Cafe & Restaurant is located inside an old church and serves burgers, sandwiches, pastas and more.
The Social Kabob Indian Curry House is a family-owned restaurant with a rich tradition of over 25 years in delivering top-quality Indian cuisine. The team at The Social Kabob understands the significant impact that the freshness and quality of ingredients can make in the final product.
Hubtown Brewing Co. is a community-driven microbrewery that lives to bring an exciting beer adventure to everyone who walks through its doors. With a selection that includes a golden ale, pink radler, Irish red ale and many more, there is something for every taste. They also host several community events and live performances throughout the year.
Big Dipper Ice Cream Shop is the place to cool off on a hot summer day! The shop is based out of an old 1902 home and sells Righteous Gelato and Foothills Creamery ice cream.
If you are looking to feed your sweet tooth but prefer something baked, stop into Brown Sugar Bake Shop. Fresh breads, buns, cupcakes, cookies, squares, muffins, pies, and more await you in this cozy shop on Milligan Drive.
Things to Consider
Okotoks is really heating up. The neighborhood of Drake Landing, within Okotoks, is one of Canada’s only solar communities. The Drake Landing Solar Community (DLSC) is the first of its kind in North America. DLSC is heated by a district system designed to store abundant solar energy underground during the summer months and distribute the energy to each home for space heating needs during winter months.
The system is unprecedented in the world, fulfilling more than 90 percent of each home’s space heating requirements from solar energy and resulting in less dependency on limited fossil fuels.
In addition to leading the way in solar power, Okotoks is known as a leader in the world of baseball. The Okotoks Dawgs are a Western Canadian Baseball League team that have been in the city to the south since 2007. The Dawgs are seven-time WCBL champions. In 2019, the team attracted an average of 3,937 fans per game, the third highest in all of Summer Collegiate baseball.
The town is home to Canada’s premier baseball academy, Okotoks Dawgs Academy. The Academy is a youth baseball program which plays out of Seaman Stadium and trains out of Duvernay Fieldhouse.
Okotoks is also home to the ‘Big Rock,’ an enormous glacial erratic. The 18,200-ton boulder was transported far from its mountainous place of origin by a rockslide then by a glacial sheet of ice between 10,000 to 30,000 years ago to its present-day location just west of the Town of Okotoks.
In 1978, the Government of Alberta designated Okotoks ‘Big Rock‘ Erratic a Provincial Historic Resource to protect its geological and cultural importance. A quick ten-minute drive will take you from the town to this historic landmark so you can be in awe of its size, snap a few pictures and set up a picnic.
Overall, Okotoks offers a safe, vibrant, and welcoming environment for families, with a strong emphasis on community, education, and recreational opportunities.
New Neighborhoods in Okotoks
Cimarron Estates
Cimarron is a tranquil riverside community in Okotoks, spanning 640 acres along the picturesque Sheep River Escarpment. The area offers stunning mountain and prairie views, combining rural living with modern conveniences. Cimarron provides easy access to schools, churches, daycare centres, health clubs, parks, golf courses, and recreation centres. Residents enjoy nearby shopping options, including Home
Depot, Starbucks, Marks, Sobeys, Wal-Mart, Costco, and Canadian Tire.
D’arcy Ranch
"Our community of D’Arcy in Okotoks, a rapidly growing small town, offers a picturesque backdrop of mountain views and spacious green spaces, perfect for families seeking tranquility and outdoor recreation,” says Kaylee Pilon, Sales Associate at Trico Homes. “With options for triple car garages and a harmonious blend of suburban charm and natural beauty, our neighborhood provides an exceptional living experience for active families.”
Residents enjoy the convenience of nearby amenities such as the new shopping complex, D’Arcy Crossing and The D’Arcy Ranch Golf Course, alongside recreational facilities including rec centres, hockey rinks, baseball diamonds, and golf courses.
Ranchers’ Rise
Ranchers' Rise, located in northeastern Okotoks, is part of the Air Ranch community, known for its aviation-themed lifestyle. The neighborhood features parks, ponds, pathways, and convenient access to schools and the Okotoks Regional Airport. Unique to Ranchers' Rise, some properties offer direct access to taxiways, appealing to aviation enthusiasts. The community boasts 3km of walking paths, stunning mountain views, and the Beatrice Wyndham Bird Sanctuary. Committed to sustainability, it features extensive greenspace and naturalized ponds that support local wildlife.
Wedderburn
Wedderburn is located on the north side of Okotoks, which means residents have the advantage of enjoying the small-town life while being close to Calgary, big city amenities and so much more. D’Arcy Crossing next door is a new retail destination that includes Safeway, Firehouse Subs, Starbucks, Pet Valu and many other popular stores and services.
Soon, Wedderburn will be home to a pump track, playground and green space. Plus, residents will be able to walk to the new Meadow Ridge School. “On top of the many great amenities, the community features award-winning builders and multiple home styles,” says Jenny Cawthorn, Junior Marketing Manager at Anthem Properties Group. “So, whether you’re buying your first condo or your forever home for your growing family, there is a home just right for you.”
These neighborhoods reflect the growth and development within Okotoks, each offering unique features and amenities designed to cater to a diverse population. Whether you are looking for a family-friendly environment, sustainable living options, or scenic views, Okotoks has a neighborhood to meet your needs. CCM
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