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Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park straddles the border between Saskatchewan and Alberta, protecting a raised plateau that rises above the surrounding prairie. Because the hills escaped the last glaciation at their highest points, they host lodgepole pine forests, wildflowers and wildlife more typical of the Rockies. The park is also a designated dark sky preserve.
On the Alberta side, Elkwater Lake and townsite serve as the main hub, with beaches, boating and trails, and viewpoints at Horseshoe Canyon and Reesor Lake look out over the plains. The Head of the Mountain Viewpoint offers one of the broadest panoramas in the hills. In Saskatchewan, the Centre Block centers on Loch Leven, a small lake with cabins and campgrounds, and roads lead to Hidden Valley and the forested West Block wilderness. Fort Walsh National Historic Site, beside the West Block, recalls the early North-West Mounted Police and the history of the region. Wildlife along the trails includes elk, moose and many bird species, and the Cypress Hills Observatory hosts stargazing programs.
Campers and families come for cool, forested terrain that feels far removed from the surrounding plains. Maple Creek, a small ranching town to the north, has a historic main street, and the nearby Cypress Hills Winery adds a relaxed stop.
WiserMap travel guideCypress Hills Saskatchewan Fort Walsh Lakes and Dark SkiesPlan Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park: Fort Walsh, Elkwater Lake, Loch Leven, dark skies, forest trails and winter skiing across Alberta and Saskatchewan.Read the guide
Head of the Mountain is a high viewpoint on the Alberta side of the park, east of Elkwater, looking south over the plains toward the Sweet Grass Hills in Montana. It is one of the highest points in the Canadian prairies. Drive up on a clear evening for sunset, and watch for deer on the road.
The Horseshoe Canyon viewpoint on the Alberta side looks down into a curved, forested canyon cut into the edge of the Cypress Hills plateau, with the plains stretching away below. It is a short stop off the Reesor Lake road. Combine it with Head of the Mountain and Reesor Lake in one drive.
Bald Butte is a grassy high point in the Centre Block on the Saskatchewan side, reached by a short gravel road from the park center. The lookout gives wide views over lodgepole pine forest and the prairie to the north. It is a good place for sunset; the road may be closed in wet weather.
Elkwater Lake is the heart of the Alberta side of the park, with the small Elkwater townsite, a visitor center, beach, marina and campgrounds along its shore. Rent a canoe or kayak, walk the lakeshore trail, or cycle the paths around town. It gets busy on summer long weekends.
Reesor Lake is a quiet lake in the eastern part of the Alberta side of the park, surrounded by grassland and aspen. It is known for trout fishing and has a campground and picnic area. Moose, elk and deer are often seen along the road at dawn and dusk, so drive slowly.
Loch Leven is a small lake in the Centre Block on the Saskatchewan side, close to the park's main services, cabins and campgrounds. It is popular for paddling, fishing and short walks, and the nearby resort area has a pool and places to eat. Rentals are available in summer.
The Conglomerate Cliffs in the West Block are rocky outcrops made of cobbles cemented together, rising above the forest with views across the hills. They are reached by gravel roads from Fort Walsh. The roads are rough and slippery when wet, so check conditions at the visitor center first.
Fort Walsh was a North West Mounted Police post built in 1875 in a valley of the West Block. The reconstructed fort has costumed interpreters, period buildings and exhibits on the police, Indigenous peoples and the fur trade. It is open in summer; allow half a day including the drive.
Farwell's Trading Post is a reconstructed whisky trading post near Fort Walsh, close to the site of the 1873 Cypress Hills Massacre. Guides tell the story of the event that led to the creation of the North West Mounted Police. It is visited as part of a tour from Fort Walsh in summer.
The park is a designated dark-sky preserve, and the observatory in the Centre Block runs astronomy programs on summer evenings, with telescopes for viewing planets, star clusters and the Milky Way. Check the program schedule in advance, bring a warm jacket, and avoid nights near the full moon.
Hidden Valley is a small family ski hill on the Alberta side of the park, near Elkwater, with runs for beginners and intermediate skiers, a lodge and rentals. It is one of the few downhill ski areas on the prairies. It usually opens on weekends and holidays in winter, so check the schedule first.
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