Lake communitiesCalgary's lake communities
Seven of the nine Calgary lake communities CREB lists are in the south end — from Lake Bonavista, the first in Canada, to Mahogany, the largest lake in the city. Here's how they compare, and what's for sale in each right now.
Lake Bonavista · 52 acres, plus the 35-acre Lake Bonaventure- The first community in Canada built around a man-made lake — the prototype for the rest
- Beaches, boathouse and rentals, fishing, tennis and pickleball, skating, a toboggan hill and ski track
- Membership comes with homes carrying the association’s encumbrance on title; Bonavista Downs and condos are excluded
Lake Midnapore · 30 acres, up to 10 m deep- Swimming, boating, fishing and winter skating for residents and their guests
- Fish Creek Provincial Park wraps the community on two sides
- Lake Midnapore homes are listed under “Midnapore” on the MLS® System
- Private lake and park for Sundance residents and guests; fees are registered on title
- Beach, swimming, docks, paddling, fishing, skating, tennis and pickleball, disc golf
- Borders Fish Creek Provincial Park
McKenzie Lake · 42 acres, with an island- Non-motorized boating only — no motors of any kind for residents
- Buoyed swimming beach, catch-limited fishing and lake ice rinks
- Fish Creek Provincial Park and the Bow River on the west side
Lake Chaparral · 32 acres, with a 22-acre park- Membership is mandatory and registered on title
- Beach and swimming, docks, fishing and ice fishing, skating; small electric motors only
- Above the Bow River valley, south of Stoney Trail
Auburn Bay lake · About 43 acres, up to about 30 ft deep- Membership is automatic with a home purchase and secured on title
- Auburn House, floating docks, a fishing dock, boathouse and rentals; trout stocked twice a year
- Next door to the South Health Campus
Mahogany lake · About 64 acres — the largest lake in Calgary- Every property carries an annual encumbrance fee for the lake and amenities
- Beach Club, sandy beaches, splash park, fishing pier, non-motorized marina and rentals
- Wetlands and a long pathway network around the lake
Buying in a lake community: what to check
- Is the lake fee on this title? Access comes with the encumbrance, not the postcode. Some homes inside a lake community aren't members.
- What does the fee include this year, and are any increases or capital projects planned? Each association publishes its fees and rules.
- Lake-front, lake-access or neither? Several associations charge more for lake-front and lake-access lots — and the resale market prices them differently too.
- Distance to the beach. In a big lake community, a home a twenty-minute walk from the water is a different product from one across the street.
Common questions
How many lake communities does Calgary have?
CREB lists nine residents’-lake communities in Calgary: Lake Bonavista, Midnapore, Sundance, McKenzie Lake, Chaparral, Auburn Bay and Mahogany in the south, plus Arbour Lake in the northwest and Coral Springs in the northeast. Seven of the nine are in south Calgary.
Does every home in a lake community get lake access?
No. Access usually comes from a residents’ association fee registered on the property’s title. In some communities certain homes are excluded — in Lake Bonavista, for example, Bonavista Downs and condos are not part of the homeowners’ association. Check the title and ask the association before you buy.
What is Calgary’s first lake community, and its largest?
Lake Bonavista, built from 1968, was the first community in Canada built around a man-made lake. Mahogany, at about 64 acres, has the largest lake in Calgary.
Are the lake fees included in property taxes?
No. Lake fees are paid to the residents’ association, separately from City property taxes, and they are adjusted between buyer and seller on the possession date like other annual costs. Each association publishes its current fees.
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Live counts are active MLS® listings, refreshed hourly (asking prices). Lake facts compiled September 2026 from: CREB — Calgary lake communities by the numbers · CREB — Top picks: lake communities (2025) · Wikipedia — Lake Bonavista, Calgary · Sundance Lake Residents Association — Membership fees · McKenzie Lake Residents Association — Rules · Lake Chaparral Residents Association — Summer rules · Auburn Bay Residents Association — Annual fee information · Mahogany Homeowners Association — Encumbrance fees. Fees and rules change — confirm with each association. Data is supplied by Pillar 9™ MLS® System. Pillar 9™ is the owner of the copyright in its MLS® System. Data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by Pillar 9™
