Every now and then, journaling starts to feel... stale.
Like I'm trying to squeeze clarity out of a sponge that’s already dry. But more often than not, the problem isn’t what I’m doing, it’s where I’m doing it.
Sometimes, the best way to get unstuck is to change your scenery.
Calgary is full of spots that practically ask you to slow down, reflect, and put pen to paper. Whether you're deep in a feelings dump or just catching up with yourself, these view points offer the kind of stillness and space that journaling thrives in.
Here are 5 of the best spots in Calgary to journal (so far). This list will keep growing as I keep exploring.
You knew it was going to be on the list.
Locals have long called it the “Scotsman’s Grandstand,” since it’s one of the best places to catch Stampede fireworks without buying a ticket.
The hill overlooks Stampede Park and was once part of a vast prairie used by Métis settlers and bison herds. In the early 1900s, families built homes on the ridge to take in the view.
Park near Salisbury Street SE and 17 Ave SE in Ramsay, then walk up to the top of the hill for that classic skyline-meets-stadium view.
A 1907 newspaper called it “a suburb of unusual attraction,” thanks to its sweeping views of the Bow River and Rockies.
Crescent Heights was briefly its own village before being annexed by Calgary in 1911. Many early settlers built homes here to stay close to nature while still connected to the city.
Head to Crescent Road NW between 1 St NW and 7 St NW. There’s a paved pathway and benches perfect for journaling with the skyline stretched out in front of you.
Nose Hill Park is one of the largest urban parks in North America — and it almost didn’t exist. Community members fought hard in the ’70s to save it from being paved over.
Nose Hill holds thousands of years of Indigenous history, including tipi rings and buffalo-hunting tools. Its sandstone helped build old Calgary landmarks, and Blackfoot elders once described it as a place where “you can see the city grow beneath your feet.”
The 14th Street NW entrance or the Berkley Gate NW access points will both take you to ridge trails with stunning west-facing views.
It’s the second-largest urban provincial park in Canada — bigger than Vancouver’s Stanley Park — with more than 80 km of trails.
Fish Creek was where Calgary’s first grain was planted by settlers in the 1870s, and later became a hub for ranching and quiet reflection. It was preserved as a park in 1975, keeping its wild heart intact for future generations.
Access points like Votier’s Flats (at Elbow Drive SW and Canyon Meadows Dr) or Sikome Lake (in the southeast) make it easy to find your own peaceful nook.
This lesser-known gem sits tucked into the community of Radisson Heights and offers a wide-angle view of the downtown skyline, especially beautiful at sunset.
Forest Lawn was once its own town, known for welcoming immigrant families and artists. This spot has long been a quiet gathering place for people watching their city change, evolve, and grow.
Find the lookout just off Radcliffe Drive SE near 26 Street SE. There’s a small greenspace and pathway overlooking the escarpment, ideal for a solo journaling session with a thermos and a fresh page.
Whether you’re processing something heavy or just checking in with yourself, the right location can shift everything. Sometimes, all it takes is a new view to meet yourself differently.
If you want to check these places out but aren’t sure where to start, or you’re looking for some meaningful journal prompts, try these 25 prompts to reconnect with yourself or dive into this 7-day journaling challenge to reduce overwhelm.
Got a favourite spot I should add?
Or an underrated view you think deserves some love?
Let me know! I’m always looking for the next great place to sit with a notebook and a little perspective.
And if you know someone who could use a fresh view or an inspiring place to reflect, share this with them.
For more free content on journaling, mental wellness and/or peer support, check out the website.
Until next time, I’m Jeff.
Take care of yourself, however that looks to you!