Red Rock Coulée, Natural area with red rock formations near Medicine Hat, Canada
Red Rock Coulée is a protected natural area in the badlands of southeastern Alberta, southwest of Medicine Hat, known for its large red sandstone spheres that emerge from the ground. The terrain consists of grassy slopes and rocky gullies carved over millions of years into the surrounding plains.
The sandstone spheres formed when minerals hardened around organic cores on an ancient seabed, a process known as concretion, leaving behind the rounded shapes visible today. The area was set aside as a provincial natural area only in the late 20th century.
The red sandstone spheres scattered across the ground can reach over 6 feet (2 meters) across and are among the largest of their kind in Canada. Visitors can find them at various stages of erosion, some still half-buried in the hillside and others fully exposed on open ground.
The area sits off paved roads and requires a personal vehicle to reach, since there is no public transport nearby. Paths are unpaved and uneven, so bring water and sun protection since shade is almost absent across the site.
The site is home to one of the few known populations of the northern scorpion in Canada, living here at the very edge of its range. These small animals are harmless to people and can sometimes be spotted sheltering under rocks.
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