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Take your travels to southwestern Alberta this summer!
The town of Pincher Creek is in the perfect spot for offering local summer events, beautiful outdoor recreation spaces, and it has many places to stay or camp.
There are tons of things to do no matter what time in the summer you visit. Pincher Creek is surrounded by natural areas which can be explored on foot, bikes, and even boats.
The town offers beautiful views of the Rocky Mountains and is surrounded by provincial areas with riverside and lakeside camping.
The major highlights of summer in Pincher Creek include two rodeo events. Even if you aren’t a fan of the classic rodeo competitions, these festivals can still include many activities for a variety of interests. The rodeos are the perfect opportunity to try out local food, meet the creators and makers in town, and overall spend a summer day in Pincher Creek.
If you are visiting Waterton Lakes National Park this summer, plan a day or two at Pincher Creek following a scenic drive on the Cowboy Trail.
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village
Visit the heritage village featuring historic buildings and memorabilia with an onsite Country Store and Garden Café.
The summer calendar at Pincher Creek’s Pioneer Village is already filled with events up until October 2023. These include celebrations for national holidays like National Indigenous People’s Day, and Canada Day, and other outdoor events like a Show and Shine, or food events. Plus, you can view the schedule of summer vents to find guided tours of the Village.
When: July-September
Where: 1037 Bev McLachlin Drive
How much: $6-$12 daily admission
Camping
If you want time to explore all of Pincher Creek and the surrounding areas, you can conveniently stay in three nearby Provincial Park campgrounds.
- Oldman Dam Provincial Recreation Area has two first-come-first-served campgrounds with no services, and two campgrounds with reservable sites open May-September.
- There is a variety of year-round camping at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, and reservable sites open from May-September. The lake is suitable for boating and fishing.
- Lundbreck Falls PRA has one campground with walk-in tenting, and power sites available.
Book an Authentic Alberta Trail Ride Experience
The land around Pincher Creek is almost like an Alberta postcard. You get prairies, foothills, farmlands, and the mountain peaks all in one view from certain spots. And you can make a stay in Pincher Creek even more authentically Albertan with these ranch businesses. What do they offer? Unique ranch accommodations, plus ranch activities like horse education and trailrides.
- Thanksgiving Ranch, a short drive south of town, have lodge and cabin rooms, as well as horseback rides.
- Centre Peak High Country Adventures can offer a Pioneer Ranch experience, or that of a Ranchhand. Even if you aren’t planning one of these longer getaways at the ranch, you can still book a trail ride with Centre Peak.
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Visit the Waterfalls near Pincher Creek
Being on the edge of the Rocky Mountains, there are many wonderful natural sites to see around Pincher Creek. If you stay in town, be sure to make time to explore Castle Provincial Park, the Crowsnest River, and their waterfalls. The closest is Lundbreck, where you can also camp.
- Castle Falls is in Castle Provincial Park and requires a hike which starts at the River Campground, 30-minutes from Pincher Creek.
- Lundbreck Falls is beside Highway AB-3 on the Crowsnest River, and requires a short walk from the day use parking lot to view.
- If you continue a bit further past Lundbreck, you can also view Star Creek Falls.
Shopping on Main Street in Pincher Creek
If you’re visiting in the summer, you’ll likely have an opportunity to visit the Farmers’ Market on Main Street Pincher Creek. This is an exceptionally great chance to check out the local shops in town. These stores give you a wide array of products to browse during the day, and will bring you close to the town’s local dining as well.
- You can shop flowers, for sure, from Pincher Creek’s Seeds Flower Shop. Plus, the store has a wide selection of home décor, clothing, and baby products to view.
- Find your next thrifted gem from Pincher Creek’s What Goes around Comes Around
- Find your next new game, your kids’ next cool toy, or any form of tabletop entertainment from Johnny Cache Hobbies. If you’re camping in the area, this is a must-visit for finding new campfire activities.
- Unique Art Antique is located outside of Pincher Creek, but will be worth a stop, nonetheless. They are open by appointment, with additional tea service available too!
Water sports on the Oldman River and Dam
Power boating allows for more sports like waterskiing and tubing. Otherwise, boaters can take it slower in kayaks, sailboats, or canoes. It is a large area to explore by boat, and also allows for prime Alberta fishing. You can meander along the shores in a canoe or kayak while watching for wildlife, use a powerboat to see the entire reservoir, or explore the Oldman River as it enters the reservoir.
When: May-September
Where: boat launches are located at each day use area in the park
Two Summer Rodeos in Pincher Creek
The town of Pincher Creek is gearing up for a busy summer of rodeos and carnival fun. The first takes place in June, while the second is in later August. These give you two separate weekends to visit Pincher Creek (a perfect day trip for those in Calgary and Lethbridge!), and reason to visit in both months. These rodeos include the traditional live events, along with extra games, activities, food, entertainment, or dining events.
- The Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo (August 17-20, 2023) will see events taking place all across Pincher Creek for all ages and interests. In addition to all the live rodeo events taking place over the four day festival, families can enjoy a parade, tons of local food, games, and more.
- The Cowboy Show & Pincher Creek Ranch Rodeo (June 16-18, 2023) recently received all of its registrations with competitors of all ages. Along with those live rodeo events, the Cowboy Show includes activities, entertainment, food, and raffles/prizes.
Summer Markets in Pincher Creek
The best of southern Alberta’s creators, makers, crafters, and cooks, will all gather in Pincher Creek every weekend for a summer farmers’ market. The market sets up on Main Street, and brings you close to the rest of Pincher Creek’s local shops and dining. Plus, the rodeo will make room for even more market vendors.
- The Western Market (August 19 & 20, 2023) will be set up as part of the Pincher Creek Pro Rodeo Weekend. It is a perfect place to get new western wear from local makers, food, accessories, home goods, and more.
- Pincher Creek Farmers’ Market (June 22-September 7) sets up on Main Street in Pincher Creek every summer.
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Museums & Historic Sites around Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek can be a destination for all sorts of vacation reasons: relaxation, romance, recreation, and even education. These exciting learning opportunities around Pincher Creek include outdoor museums, historic buildings, galleries, outdoor sites, and the famous Frank Slide, only 30 minutes west of town on the Crowsnest Highway. Between Pincher Creek and Frank, there are many other places to visit.
- The Town of Frank and the site of the Frank Slide are on the sides of the Crowsnest Highway. You can stop into the Interpretive Centre to learn more, or drive for quite a ways past the rubble of the rock slide.
- Pincher Creek’s Lebel Mansion is a historic house which is now home to the town’s Allied Arts Council. Visit to browse the gallery, catch live music, or plan to visit for the free Community Concert in August.
- September Springs Ranch Museum & Gardens is open by appointment only, and offers antique shopping, as well as a unique tea room experience.
- The Leitch Collieries Historic Site is a quick stop off of the Crowsnest Highway, and is open for the public to explore the large abandoned structure.
Tour the Bellevue Underground Mine
This is the most fun you can possibly have learning about Alberta’s coal mining history. The Bellevue Underground Mine tours take you directly into the abandoned mines, complete with hardhat, lights, and the pitch black dark of the mines. An experience Heritage Guide and Interpreter will lead you through and show you exactly where the miners of the early 1900s put in a day’s work.
When: open for summer
Where: 2531 213 St, Bellevue
