Luxury Living Calgary August 8, 2025

Exploring Calgary’s Lake Communities: A Guide for Homebuyers

Calgary is home to stunning lake communities that offer a unique blend of urban convenience and waterfront living. Whether you’re looking for a serene retreat or an active lifestyle filled with year-round outdoor recreation, these communities provide an exceptional quality of life. In this guide, we’ll explore the lake communities in Calgary and the surrounding areas, their amenities and important considerations for prospective buyers. 

Benefits of Living in a Lake Community

  • Exclusive access to private lakes and beaches
  • Four-season recreational opportunities
  • Scenic views and a peaceful atmosphere
  • Strong sense of community with events and activities
  • Higher property value retention 

Amenities in a Lake Community

  • Clubhouses with availability to rent spaces for various occasions 
  • In the winter time lake communities offer skating rinks and ice fishing
  • In the summer months take advantage of splash parks, swimming, fishing, and non-motorized activities like stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking 
  • Throughout the year there are park amenities like playgrounds, walking paths and sport courts to name a few

Calgary Lake Communities

Mahogany

  • Amenities: Mahogany has introduced a Farmers’ Market bringing members the freshest produce, handcrafted goods, and a vibrant community atmosphere. 
  • HOA: Mahogany Homeowners Association

Auburn Bay

  • Amenities: Auburn Bay’s Beach Paw Patrol helps keep the lake clean by reducing birds—applications open mid-March 2025 on a first-come basis!
  • HOA: Auburn Bay Residents Association

Arbour Lake

McKenzie Lake

Lake Bonavista

Lake Sundance

Lake Midnapore

Chaparral

Coral Springs

Harmony

  • Amenity Feature: Adventure awaits in Harmony – a lakefront village! With its very own Adventure Park featuring a climbing wall and the highly anticipated Village Centre on the horizon, this master-planned community is designed for connection and convenience.
  • HOA: Harmony Homeowners Association

Calgary’s Surrounding Lake Communities 

Cochrane Lake (Cochrane)

  • Amenities: A serene natural lake with limited public accessibility and that allows more passive recreational activities, natural green spaces, and in a peaceful rural setting.
  • HOA: Varies by development.

While Cochrane Lake has potential for recreational use, it is important to remember that it is a natural lake and has current water quality issues, including algae growth, which limits activities. Efforts are underway to improve the lake’s condition to enhance its recreational appeal.

Chestermere

  • Amenities: A true four-season lake community with boating, fishing, beaches, and lakeside parks.
  • HOA: Varies by neighborhood.

Lake access in Chestermere depends on where you live. While the lake itself is public and allows boating and recreational use, private beach and dock access are typically reserved for residents of certain communities with designated HOA memberships. Residents owning lakefront homes have direct access to Chestermere Lake from their properties. These homeowners can join the Chestermere Lakefront Owners Association (CLFOA), which represents nearly 400 lakefront homes and over 1,000 residents.

If you’re looking for guaranteed lake access, it’s best to check whether the property you’re considering includes HOA membership with private lake amenities. 

If you want a home that has access to a lake, Chestermere offers public lake access points for all its residents. One notable location is Anniversary Park & Beach, located at 208 West Chestermere Drive. This park features a beautiful sandy beach, a lakeside promenade, rolling grass hills, picnic spaces, and increased green spaces. Seasonal washrooms are also available on-site for visitors’ convenience.

Elbow Valley (West of Calgary)

  • Amenity Feature: The Elbow Valley Residents Club hosts legendary events like the Stampede Breakfast, wine club nights, children’s movie nights, art shows, cookoffs, Christmas parties, Easter egg hunt, guided nature walks, New Years fireworks display, and family beach party, to highlight a few among the myriad of events programmed for the benefit of its community members.
  • HOA: Elbow Valley Residents Club

Heritage Pointe (South of Calgary)

  • Amenities: This lake community offers a large array of equipment to its residents including stand up paddleboards, canoes, single or tandem kayaks, pedal and row boats, life jackets/PFD’s (mandatory use enforced), beach games, fly fishing kits, ice fishing kits and more!
  • HOA: Heritage Pointe Homeowners Association

Church Ranches (NW of Calgary)

  • Amenity Feature: Nestled in vast home spaces this exclusively private lake community (yes, trespassers are reported to RCMP) has frequent woodland visitors and is dedicated to the preservation of upholding natural spaces for all (animal and human) to enjoy.
  • HOA: Church Ranches Homeowners Association

Crystal Shores (Okotoks)

Things to Consider When Buying in a Lake Community

Purchasing a home in a lake community comes with unique factors that buyers should be mindful of. Homeowners’ Association (HOA) fees are common and cover lake maintenance, security, and community amenities. HOA fees range from $200 to $500 annually, with higher fees (up to and around $1,000+) for larger homes on the water. Each community has its own set of recreational rules, including permitted watercraft, fishing guidelines, and ice safety regulations. While most man-made lakes in Calgary are designed for year-round use, seasonal restrictions may apply. Some communities offer equipment rentals for residents, while others require homeowners to have their own gear. Regulations around guest access and nanny privileges also vary, so it’s important to review the HOA rules before purchasing. 

Final Thoughts

Calgary’s lake communities offer an unparalleled cottage lifestyle with a stunning mix of nature, recreation, and luxury. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly neighbourhood, a waterfront retreat, or a community with strong investment potential, these communities provide exceptional options for homebuyers. If you’re considering making the move to a lake community, working with an experienced real estate professional can help you navigate the process and find the perfect home for your needs.

For informational purposes only. Always consult with a licensed real estate professional before proceeding with any real estate transaction.