Highwood River Natural Area is an Alberta Parks natural area in Kananaskis Country. The official page places it 20 kilometres southeast of Calgary and lists no developed day-use area count.
Alberta Parks classifies the site as a natural area under the Wilderness Areas, Ecological Reserves, Natural Areas and Heritage Rangelands Act. The listed size is 24.20 acres, or 9.793 hectares.
Highwood River Natural Area protects river-island habitat rather than developed facilities. Alberta Parks says the natural area includes islands in the Bow and Highwood Rivers, and that these islands provide habitat for Canada geese and great blue herons.
The official activity list includes canoeing and kayaking, fishing, and hunting. Those activities require careful confirmation because river access, water levels, boundaries, hunting rules, and safety conditions can change quickly.
The site is in the Grassland - Foothills Fescue natural region and does not list camping, day-use facilities, or a trail network. Visitors should avoid assuming easy land access or conventional park amenities. Planning should start with maps, legal boundaries, and current Alberta Parks guidance.
Because the site is small and island-focused, low-impact behaviour is especially important around bird habitat. Hunters should also check current regulations and licence requirements through the official links.
Plan around paddling, fishing rule checks, hunting where permitted, bird habitat awareness, Bow and Highwood river island context, map review, and boundary confirmation.
Confirm river access, water levels, legal boundaries, fishing and hunting rules, licences, maps, advisories, weather, and Alberta Parks instructions before travelling.
