Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Cypress Hills Provincial Park is a protected area in southeastern Alberta spanning about 400 square kilometers with diverse landscapes. The park contains fescue grasslands, mixed forests, rolling hills, and several lakes that support varied wildlife and recreational opportunities.

The park was established in 1951 as a provincial protected area in Alberta. In 1989, Alberta and Saskatchewan created a joint management agreement, making it one of Canada's first interprovincial parks with coordinated conservation efforts.

Indigenous peoples have used these lands for hunting, gathering, and ceremonies for thousands of years, and their connection to the place remains visible in the landscape today. Walking through the park, you encounter the same hills and water sources that shaped their way of life.

The park provides camping areas, hiking trails, and water activities on Elkwater Lake including boating and fishing. Winter visitors can enjoy cross-country skiing and snowshoeing throughout the protected landscape.

At elevations reaching 1,468 meters, this park sits at the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. These heights create special conditions that support more than 220 bird species in this unexpected highland prairie setting.

Location: Cypress County

Inception: 1951

Part of: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

Address: 8304 AB-41, Elkwater, AB T0J 1C0, Canada

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 10:00-16:00

Phone: +14038933833

Website: https://albertaparks.ca/parks/south/cypress-hills-pp

GPS coordinates: 49.63333,-110.20833

Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:03