Cypress Hills, Alberta
Contibuting writer
About half-way between Calgary and Regina, Cypress Hills Inter-provincial Park offers two different access points – from the Alberta side or from the Saskatchewan side. Either way, it’s a short half-hour drive south from the Trans Canada Highway. f you’re arriving from Havre, Montana, Highway 41 north will take you directly into the park on the Alberta side, while Highway 21 will lead you to the Saskatchewan side. Distance from turnoff at Maple Creek Junction, Saskatchewan:
• Calgary, Alberta – 423km
• Medicine Hat, Alberta – 130km
• Regina, Saskatchewan – 380km
• Swift Current, Saskatchewan – 138km
Distance from turnoff at Highway 41 Junction, Alberta:
• Calgary, Alberta – 325km
• Medicine Hat, Alberta – 32km
• Regina, Saskatchewan – 446km
• Swift Current, Saskatchewan – 184km
The Park sports 15 campgrounds (12 campgrounds and 3 group use sites) and over 400 camp sites, including full-services sites, walk- in camping areas, group camping areas, shower houses, day-use areas, beaches, playgrounds, nature trails, interpretive viewpoints, and more.
This high plateau stands above the prairie as an island of cool, moist forest, wetlands and grasslands, and is home to an astonishing diversity of plants and animals: over 220 bird species, 47 mammal species, as well as several reptile and amphibian species.
Fort Walsh features interactive and entertaining tours of the late 1870's period offering a glimpse of the history of European settlement and interaction with the First Nations Peoples of Saskatchewan. Tours are led by knowledgeable guides in full period costume. Special events are commemorated by the firing of a nine-pound canon and 1870's Mountie rifle drills.
Three visitor centres provide entertaining information about the parks. Campgrounds are open year round or you can relax in the resort lodges. Enjoy hiking, fishing or wildlife viewing or traverse over 50 km of trails on foot, mountain bike or cross-country skis (seasonal).
Cypress Hills Inter-provincial Park sits on a rise about 600 meters (1,970 ft) above the vast Great Plains between Saskatchewan and Alberta. Bypassed by retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age, the Cypress Hills are the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. It's the "must see" stop along any cross-Canada tour, with many reasons to return and keep exploring.
Cougar Research Cypress Hills has partnered with a master's student from the University of Alberta to continue previous research on the area's largest predator, the cougar. The program is intended to identify and monitor individual cats and their habits in and around the park. As cougars are top predators, they are good indicators of the health of the ecosystem and prey species such as mule deer. In Cypress Hill Inter- provincial Park - Alberta, the current estimate is that the ecosystem is supporting 15-20 adult cougars, and continued research will work towards determining total numbers. The range of individuals varies from 50 - 200 square kilometres depending on food availability and competition. Though cougars are rarely seen, park staff asks you to be vigilant and take basic precautions such as travelling in groups, making noise, and keeping campsites clean. Should you see a cougar or signs of one, please contact park staff immediately so your information can be used in the monitoring program.