Buffalo National Park

Buffalo National Park was a protected grassland area in central Alberta near the town of Wainwright that covered extensive natural prairie. The site functioned primarily as a reserve for managing and breeding bison herds across its open grazing lands.

The park was established in 1909 to protect plains bison populations after the Canadian government purchased 700 animals from Montana. It operated for 31 years before being converted to military use in 1947.

The first Park Warden, Bud Cotton, managed the park from 1912 to 1940, leading conservation efforts that resulted in the growth of bison herds.

The site is no longer open to the public since it became a military installation in 1947. Visitors interested in its history can explore documentation and nearby museums that cover its conservation legacy.

The park produced tens of thousands of bison during its operating years, making it a critical breeding ground that saved the species from extinction. This remarkable conservation achievement remains part of Canada's environmental legacy.

Location: Alberta

Inception: June 5, 1909

GPS coordinates: 52.83330,-110.90000

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:49