Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park covers protected prairie land with sandstone cliffs, rock formations called hoodoos, and the winding Milk River Valley running through it. The geological shapes have provided a canvas for artistic expression across many centuries.

People have lived in this area for 9000 years, leaving traces in stone that show different cultures and times. The land became a protected park in 1957 and gained recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

The place holds deep spiritual meaning for the Blackfoot people, who named it Áísínaiʼpi because of the rock carvings and paintings found throughout the landscape. These artworks remain central to their connection with the land.

The park has hiking trails, guided tours, and camping facilities for visitors to explore the area. Located about 100 kilometers southeast of Lethbridge, it is most accessible during warmer months.

The rock art at this location spans over 50 sites containing thousands of carvings and paintings. This concentration represents the largest collection of such work on the North American Great Plains and shows continuous artistic tradition across millennia.

Location: County of Warner No. 5

Inception: January 8, 1957

Address: NW 36 TW1 range 13, Milk River, AB T0K 1M0, Canada

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:30-17:00

Phone: +14036472364

Website: http://albertaparks.ca/writing-on-stone

GPS coordinates: 49.08190,-111.61700

Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01