The majority of the park is located on the north bank of the Bow River within Rocky View County.

[1] Portions of the eastern and western extremities of the park are located within the City of Calgary and the Town of Cochrane respectively.

[1] Plans to establish Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park began in 2006 when the children of Alberta rancher Neil Harvie sold 3,246 acres (1,314 ha) of land to the Government of Alberta for less than market value to conserve the land and protect it from development.

[2] Under the deal, the Harvie family also established a $6 million foundation to promote and develop the park and Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park near Edmonton.

[2] Glenbow Ranch was officially designated as a provincial park by an order in council on April 17, 2008.