Follow the Cowboy Trail south this fall!
Toward the southernmost end of the Trail, you’ll find the new town of Diamond Valley, formed by the amalgamation of Turner Valley and Black Diamond. The two towns are relatively close together and combine to create an epic fall road trip. You can even walk or bike between the two towns in under 45 minutes.
Take a weekend to explore the dining, craft drink scene, and local shopping around each of the two towns, or plan around an annual fall event. In September and October, any town excursion will have a backdrop of the mountains, the bright colours of the foothills, and preserved historic buildings.
The natural areas around both Turner Valley and Black Diamond can be attractive to adventurers any time of year, with tours and guided experiences, the expansive Blue Rock Wildland, and hiking/biking trails galore.
Walk the Friendship Trail
There might be things on this list you’d like to tackle all in one day. If so, you can easily get yourself between Black Diamond and Turner Valley via the towns’ Friendship Trail. The path is especially beautiful during the fall, with warm colours lining the trail the entire way. At around 3km, the trail can be a quick connector for cyclists or an enjoyable 30-minute stroll through the hills for those on foot. Along your way, keep your eyes open for some notable historical sites! Details
Where: Black Diamond – Bob Lochhead Lions memorial Park; Turner Valley – Highway 22 & Main Street
Visit Fahr Brewery
Visit Fahr Brewery Oktoberfest for a celebration of Bavarian culture and food, and local brews. Join the brewery for a day of dancing, cheering, and tasting. Details
When: September 23, 2023
Where: 115 Government Road, Diamond Valley
How much: $12.50
The Most Beautiful Art Tour
Twice a year, galleries and artist studios along Highway 22 (the Cowboy Trail) and Highway 2A, hold an open house to celebrate the creativity of the Alberta’s artists. Go for a tour of these galleries and private studios during the special event, “The Most Beautiful Art Tour in Alberta.” Details
When: September 22 & 23, 2023
Where: Various Galleries, Alberta’s Foothills
How much: Free
Full Circle Adventures
Book yourself a guided hike with Full Circle Adventures before they pause between their winter offerings. But not all of them will teach you about foraging and the edible plant world around you. Full Circle Adventures in Alberta’s south foothills are an adventure guide group that offer educational guided hikes, with the last of their summer programming in September. Details
When: Until mid October, 2023
Where: Various Venues
Breweries, Distilleries, Wineries
Are you a beer, spirits, or wine person? Bonus if you enjoy all three because, between Turney Valley and Black Diamond, you can visit a flower winery, a distillery, and/ or a brewery.
- Fahr, as mentioned above, is Turner Valley’s local brewery.
- The Eau Claire is Turney Valley’s local distillery that makes a variety of craft whiskeys, gins, vodkas, and premixed cocktails.
- Spirit Hills Winery is north of Turney Valley in Millarville and offers tours of their estate.
- Black Diamond has its own local brewery with Hard Knox, whose building is hard to miss and which hosts weekly game or music nights.
Wineries & Meaderies in Alberta
Book a Ranch or Trail Ride Vacation
The land west of Turney Valley is a giant outdoor playground. West of town is the foothills, with the Rockies just another half-hour drive away. AnchorD can help you explore the scenery any time of year, but fall makes for an especially beautiful adventure. AnchorD is a full-service horseback adventure company with a wide array of adventures. Choose from day trips, weekend trips, or full-week excursions. Details
When: year-round
Where: 450001 312 St West, Turner Valley
How much: Varies
Picnic beside a Waterfall
You have until November 30th to plan a picnic at the Sheep River Falls Day Use area. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy the waterfall scenery before the icy weather hits the area. The beautiful picnic area situates you beside the Sheep River Falls with picnic tables, washrooms, firepits, and access to trails for before/after your meal.
When: May 15-November 30
Where: 25 km west of Turner Valley along Hwy. 546
Take a Bike Ride through the Fall Colours
The Sheep River area is a wonderful place to bring a bike, thanks to an extensive trail network through the foothills. The trails extend into other Provincial areas, too, like the Bluerock Wildland, or even further to the Don Getty Wildland. If you want shorter, more manageable bike path loops, good starting points are the Sandy McNabb and Windy Point day-use areas. Fall biking makes your ride a little more comfortable and a lot more scenic.
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
Explore the trails of one of Alberta’s oldest ranches this fall. The Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is located in the hills south of Turner Valley on the Cowboy Trail, and remains open until September 30th to bring you authentic ranch life experiences. Or, just a beautiful place for a fall walk. Details
When: open until September 30th
Where: Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
Township Rd 17B and, Township Rd 17A, Pekisko, AB T0L 1H0
How much: $10.75-$12.50
Book a Luxury Cabin or B&B
Come out to the southwest foothills for adventure, to explore the towns, for a festival, or simply to relax. You can do all of the above with some of the beautiful and luxurious Air BnB cabins and homes around Turner Valley. Additionally, you can book a peaceful Bed & Breakfast stay with the Windflower B&B, west of Turner Valley and Black Diamond.
Fill up on the Local Dining
Exploring the nature around Turner Valley, Black Diamond, and the Foothills, is likely to stir up an appetite. Both towns, and the smaller ones around the foothills, have their own selection of local restaurants from which to choose, including those in some unique or historical buildings.
- Coyote Moon Cantina & Espresso Bar might be where you should stop BEFORE your adventures for breakfast and coffee.
- Granny’s Pizza offers it all: takeout, dine-in, and delivery, and makes some of the best pizza this side of Calgary.
- Watch for the little red barn around town, which is also the Chuckwagon Cafe, which offers all-day breakfast.
- Saigon Moon in Black Diamond is a family-owned Vietnamese restaurant who invites your family to their cozy dining room for a meal.
- Introduce your kids and family to an authentic diner experience with Marv’s Classic Soda Shop and their ice cream treats.
- Soft Rock Bistro works alongside the Cazza Pizzeria in Black Diamond with a separate menu for each.
Shop the Millarville Farmers’ Market
The summer Millarville Farmers’ Market hosts nearly 200 vendors and will remain open until Thanksgiving weekend. Enjoy some fresh air while you shop the craftwork, woodwork, jewelry, clothing, food, produce, and so much more. If you get hungry as you shop for food, as is often the case, you can try out local food trucks that will be on-site too. Details
When: Saturdays until October 7
Where: Millarville Racing & Agricultural Society 306097 192 St W, Millarville
How much: free
Photography: Wildlife & Fall Colours
Now, whether you are a pro, a novice, or a beginner photographer, you will find nature photography in this part of Alberta a breeze. Find any hiking trail which gives you a gain in elevation, and you can look out over the southern foothills and their bright fall colours with the mountains in the background. To find the hikes and colours, follow Highway 546 west of Turner Valley and toward the Sandy McNabb Campground. These trails can also reveal a vast variety of wildlife, especially during dusk or dawn. Watch for over 200 species of birds, including large predatory birds or mammals like deer, moose, elk, or bears. Details
When: best for fall colours before Thanksgiving
Where: Various
How much: free