The landscape of Alberta’s southeast corner, where you can find the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, is a unique sight when you consider the rest of the province.
The Provincial Park crosses the border into Saskatchewan and gets its name from the hills which mark the highest point in the stretch of Canada between the Rocky Mountains/Foothills and Labrador.
This is a little wild when you consider just how much space is between those two Canadian locations! But from these large hills, the Provincial Park area and nearby Medicine Hat can offer up exceptional outdoor fun for the summer. You could book a hotel stay in Medicine Hat, and visit Cypress Hills during the, stop by the lake on a road trip, or book a full camping vacation around seeing everything in the park. Central to the park is Elkwater Lake, where many of the campsites are located, and where you can find dining, more lodging, and tons of beach fun.
Get Ready for Unreal Stargazing
Cypress Hills is an official Dark Sky Preserve, under which the night skies and all their beauty are sheltered from light pollution. The area offers some of the most accessible stargazing in Canada, and you can catch great views without leaving your campsite. The Spruce Coulee and Battle Creek campgrounds are even better spots as they are more remote than Elkwater. Details
Go for a Scenic Drive
Being so far above the prairie landscape offers incredible views you don’t even have to leave the car for. The west driving route runs through the Alberta side of the park, including Head of the Mountain – the highest elevation in Cypress Hills, offering glimpses of Montana. Details
Credit: Alberta Parks
Paddle, Kayak, or Canoe the Beautiful Lakes
You can paddle around and explore any of the four lakes in Cypress Hills Provincial Park, with Elkwater being the easiest to access. They are all serene spots, but the other three lakes are a bit more remote than Elkwater, offering a much quieter vibe for your paddle. You may also rent your boats from the Elkwater Boat & Bike Rental if you don’t own one. Details
When: Summer
Where: Elkwater Lake Marina
How much: contact
See Elkwater together on Bikes
The Elkwater Boat & Bike Rental offer a special way to see Elkwater and enjoy an evening or sunset ride: together on tandem bikes! This can make a fun date night, family night, or way to see the town with a group of friends. Details
Mountain Bike 15km of Trails
As the name suggests, Cypress Hills contains many ups and downs which appeal to cyclists if all kinds, but especially mountain bikers. There are 15km of trails for mountain bikers to enjoy, many of which bring you to excellent viewpoints. Cypress Hills’ local 670 Collective work on a volunteer basis to create new trails and maintain the existing ones in the park. The Collective also offers detailed trail maps with difficulty ratings included. Details
Powerboating & Watersports
There are two boat launches on Elkwater Lake which permit powerboats. The small lake might not be the place to speed around, but this does allow you to quickly get to fishing spots, or ensure you see the entire lake and all of its shores. While out on the water you can still reach speeds of up to 12km/hour. Having a powerboat can also help to tow groups of tubers or floaties further out into the lake where you can relax for hours.
Sail or Windsurf
One factor to consider when visiting Cypress Hills is the wind, which can certainly pick up during the summer. You can also take full advantage of the occasional windy weather with sailing or windsurfing on Elkwater Lake, with plenty of room for flying across the water. Details
Beach Day on Elkwater
Cypress Hills’ West End Day Use Area is where you can find Elkwater’s sandy beach and swimming area, along with picnic sites with fire pits, washrooms, a boat launch, and a playground. Many of the campsites are a short walk from these beach areas, along with Elkwater’s Lodge and 12-34 Café. The small lake is easy to explore, too, when the water is calm. Details
Hitch a Tent or RV
Book your spots as soon as you can for summer RV and tent camping in Cypress Hills. There are several spots still available, including some a short walk from Elkwater, the lake, and its beaches. While much of the hills are open, grassy areas, many of the campsites are still sheltered and given privacy by large trees. Each site offers a picnic area and large firepit with grill attached. Details
When: May-September
Where: 12 locations throughout the park
How much: $26-$47 per night
Remote Comfort Camping
You can book one of Cypress Hills’ many comfort camping options for select times during the rest of the summer, with many dates open for the backcountry cabins in both July and August. The park’s huts, or remote rustic cabins, include a queen and one single bed, a sink, wood burning stove for heat, a table, and access to toilets. You will need to bring a cooking stove and bedding. Details
How much: $100 per night
Go on a Wildlife Walk
And see what you can see! These hills are home to a wide variety of animals like moose, elk, and deer. Both the Ski Resort area trails are nice and far enough away from the campsites and people and are easy trails. You can walk along for at least 10km, and quietly watch for the animals, big or small. Details
Plan a Photo & Flower Walk
While it may seem obvious that there are endless photo opportunities within the park, you can find even more when you look in detail at the smaller plants and flowers. There is an abundance of wild orchids in the park, with a guide available for you to check the different flowers off your list of plants to photograph. Details
Hike to the Lake Lookout
This easy and short trail will bring you about 30 minutes through forests until you’re met with a beautiful view of Elkwater Lake at the top. The trail is obvious the whole way up, making it easy to stay on track. You may also encounter animals on this hike, especially smaller animals like squirrels. Details
Sit on the Patio
It can be quite nice to treat yourself to a restaurant or café meal after a hike or breach day, or while camping. Within the park you can choose from the Buglers Dining Room & Lounge at the Lodge, or the 12-34 Café & Pub, who both also have patios to enjoy on the nicer summer days.
Bring the Horses
Cypress Hills has many equestrian use trails running through the park, with special camping areas also available. The riding here is a draw for many horse-owners in Alberta, as there are many of kilometers to travel on horseback between three main areas: Spring Creek Trail, Spruce Coulee Trail, and the Nine Mile Area.
When: May 16-September 30
Where: equestrian camping at the Spring Creek Campground
How much: camping $27 per night
Picnic at East End Day Use
The East End Day Use Area is closer to Elkwater Lodge, and further away from the business of the beaches. You can settle in for a while, with washrooms and a playground nearby, a cook shelter and fire area, and a café just up the road. Liquor is permitted in this picnic area as well, so during certain times you can enjoy a glass of wine or beer with your picnic. Details
When: April 29-October 1
Where: East end of 4th Ave. Elkwater
How much: Free
Stay at the Lake Lodge
Elkwater Lake Lodge is the premiere way to stay at Cypress Hills and provides all the comforts of home in the remote setting of the park and village. The Lodge offers a few ways to stay, like lodge rooms, cabins, and condos. Guests can also use the indoor saltwater pool for a relaxing soak or rent e-bikes to take around the park. Details
Where: 4th Ave, East end of Elkwater
How much: $155 or more a night
Be there for the Battle Creek Showdown
The Battle Creek Showdown is a mountain bike race through the Cypress Hills which also boasts a weekend festival of live music and good food. Registration for adult racing sold out in a day, so it is sure to be an exciting showdown! You can register kids for their own races on the days of the festival. Details
When: August 27, 2022
Where: Elkwater, Cypress Hills PP
How much: festival attendance free
Camp at the Heritage Gather Festival
The Dunmore Equestrian Centre is set to host their Heritage Gather Festival this August, with rodeo fun planned all weekend. You can find a beer gardens on every day of the rodeo, live music the first two nights, and a Kids Rodeo on the final day. You can save on admission by attending as a family and spend the weekend camping at the Equestrian Centre for some added convenience. Details
When: August 5-7, 2022
Where: Dunmore Equestrian Centre
How much: $10-$75