Calgary 
Some of Alberta’s landscapes seem…alien at times.
The province has such drastic changes in scenery along its highways that these strange scenes often take you by surprise, too. A drive through Alberta’s southern badlands can feel like you are on an alien planet set in an old science fiction movie. And lucky for use, these cool landscapes are often protected as Natural Areas, or Provincial Parks and Recreation Areas.
As you drive south from Medicine Hat, Highway 887 will take you to one of these locations. On the west side of the highway is the Red Rock Coulee Natural Area. It is a relatively small area but offers a place to stop, rest, picnic, and sightsee.
Red Rock Coulee Natural Area
The Red Rock Coulee is a natural formation at the start of Alberta’s desert landscapes. The Red Rock Coulee is in a scenic area where the arid temperatures are not yet entirely in effect. The surrounding hills still have lush green grass before they fade into the badlands.
The red rocks you see at the day use area are sandstone deposits that have eroded to emerge from the soft bedrock over time. They are a unique example of what are known as “spheroid” rock formations in Alberta. The coulee’s red rocks are also thought to be some of the largest spheroid concretions in the world. Giant red concretions up to 3m in diameter are found in Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota, while spheroidal ones up to 9m in diameter are in Egypt’s Faiyum depression, while sandstone concretions at Red Rock Coulee reach 2.5m in diameter.
The red rocks are easy to spot, as the colours create a stark contrast between the green hills. It takes about 10-20 minutes to walk the short path around the site. This is where you might see the alien, or science fiction set, type of landscape. Take your time to view the rocks independently, as each is completely unique from the next.
Keep your eyes open for the wildlife of southern Alberta, which differs significantly from other areas in the province. Around the Coulee, you may encounter the rare but tiny scorpions, hares, short-horned lizards, bull snakes, or Western rattlesnakes.
Keep the Natural Area natural; no climbing, touching, or sitting on the rocks!
There are no services at the Day Use Area. However, there is still a way to plan yourself a picnic at the Coulee. All you need are some camping chairs!
Getting Picnic Food in Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat is only 30 minutes north of Red Rock Coulee. Before you go exploring, stop in the city to stock up on snacks.
- The MT Nest Cafe & Market have premade snacks and sweets to take out, as well as a market of fresh foods and snacks.
- Medicine Hat’s Zucchini Blossom Market & Cafe can cater to your picnic sandwich needs with fresh-made paninis, and also offer vegan or plant-based options.
- The Medicine Hat Farmers’ Market will likely give you the greatest variety for a picnic feast. The market is open every Saturday.
Etzikom and the Windmill Museum
A little further south and close to Orion, the Etzikom Windmill Museum (30-minute drive/50 km from Red Rock Coulee) sits in the town of the same name. The small town’s population had a drastic population decrease at one point. However, one farmer stayed in town with his collection of antique windmills. With those and his purchase of an old schoolhouse in town, he started the Etzikom Museum & Historic Windmill Centre.
The museum is outdoors and open air and has the actual windmills on display in the field. These windmills represent styles from all over the world and were once operational. On top of the windmills are recreated or preserved historical buildings. You can step inside the old schoolhouse, view antique farm equipment, and put yourself back in early 20th century Alberta.
Plan your Trip – Red Rock Coulee Natural Area
What: The Red Rock Coulee Natural Area gets its name from the sandstone sediment collected along the hills. The red rocks are considered concretions. These occur when enough pressure is put on the sediment to have it erode and literally pop up out of the earth (or soft bedrock). From this process, the Coulee becomes spotted with unique spheroid rocks.
If you think about it, spherical rock is quite rare in nature. For this reason, The Red Rock Coulee Natural Area is protected as a place for sightseeing.
The spheroid formations here are considered some of the only ones of its kind in Alberta and some of the largest in the world.
More things to do around the area.
Best time to go is spring to Fall (when there’s no snow on the ground). Open Year Round.
Location and how to get there: end of Range Rd. 72, south of Medicine Hat
Cost: free
For more information
