Cypress Hills Provincial Park

This protected area spans approximately 400 square kilometers and features diverse landscapes including fescue grasslands, mixed wood forests, rolling hills, and several lakes that support abundant wildlife populations and recreational activities throughout the year.

Established in 1951 as a provincial park, this area became part of Canada's first interprovincial park in 1989 when Alberta and Saskatchewan joined forces to create coordinated management across provincial boundaries for enhanced conservation efforts.

The landscape holds deep significance for Indigenous communities who have utilized these lands for hunting, gathering, and spiritual practices for thousands of years before European settlement brought fur trading and early agricultural development to the region.

The park operates Wednesday through Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, offering camping facilities, hiking trails, boating opportunities on Elkwater Lake, and winter sports activities including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing for visitors.

Located at elevations reaching 1,468 meters above sea level, this area represents the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador, creating distinct microclimates that support over 220 bird species in an unexpected prairie highland environment.

Location: Cypress County

Inception: 1951

Part of: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

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

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: September 29, 2025 13:59