1955-1956 Red squirrels introduced. The Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park has several areas in which you can enjoy the water. Bike Rentals and service stations are available at some locations. The province established the forest reserve in Centre Block as Cypress Hills Provincial Park. I enjoyed the drive. 1917 The Royal NWMP detachment at Eagle Butte closed on March 1. When you live in the mountains the contrast is what I find amazing and always found something new on those monthly (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? It's a really family friendly camping destination! Located in the townsite of Elkwater, along the lake. Do I need to pay an entry fee to visit the Canadian Rocky Mountain national parks? marina). We drove across the park on Battle Creek Road. Elkwater Lake, Cypress Hills Provincial Park: Using Firerock Campground on Elkwater Lake as our home base, we enjoyed a variety of free family-friendly activities. There is RV Camping with power and water, Tent Sites, Group Sites, Back Country Huts and Equestrian Camping. Saskatchewan users have the West Block to explore and includes the Trans Canada Trail. 1906 Creation of Cypress Hills Forest Reserve comprising 18 sections (18 square miles) under the Federal Forest Reserve Act. Below is the boardwalk long Elkwater Lake. We were in Cypress Hills back in 2013 and I'm trying to recall the road system. Trying to figure out what kinds of condition it might be in. Graburn road runs south from #1 at Walsh to the park. There are even opportunities for swimming lessons. The prairie dog towns are fun too. For region specific information please click below. In the end all were acquitted because of … Bring your boat or sea-doo, where they are permitted, and enjoy the fresh water lakes. 1913 Elkwater subdivision was surveyed and construction of roads was completed. The town has lakes, a beach, good places to eat, camp or hotel. Always just drove past on the monthly trips to Calgary. Hi, I'm Karen. Trying to figure out how many days we might need in the Cypress Hill - Grasslands (Sask) areas. Dining ranges from Pizza to Gourmet Cuisine and there is something for all taste buds. ( Log Out / Up north of Reesor's there's a huge farm and they had the most photogenic grain plantings I've seen anywhere...one type of crop completely surrounded by a different type so that the patterns were fabulous. Accept Read More, Summer Fun in Cypress Hills Provincial Park (Elkwater, AB Area), Do you dare to visit the Heart Creek Bunker on The, Marble Canyon is a scenic snowshoe trail in Kooten, Have you ever been to Kananaskis Nordic Spa at nig, Life is good.♥️ (Captured with permission from, So happy we got to enjoy these fall colors before, Firerock Campground, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Snowshoeing at Marble Canyon, Kootenay National Park. In Alberta there are over 140km of trails and a new Equestrian Campsite at Spring Creek. 1910 The first telephone line from Medicine Hat reached the Elkwater Lake area. Wheelchair and stroller friendly. There is a road that connects Elkwater to Fort Walsh as seen on this google map labelled Graburn Road. Cycling Castle Junction to Johnston Canyon, Looking for a Weekend Getaway from Calgary. 1877 Chief Joseph and his Nez Perce people tried to seek refuge from the U.S. Army in the Cypress Hills, but were captured near the Bear Paw Mountains en route. (Download a brochure for more information on the Métis). ( Log Out / 1890-1925 Much of the large game became extirpated, and populations of smaller mammals and birds were greatly reduced. Three wolves were killed a short distance from the west end of the Forest Reserve. From Hwy #1 at Elkwater Alberta to Fort Walsh Saskatchewan 43 km. We saw these turkey vultures on the back road to Fort Walsh. 1876-82 Sitting Bull and 3,000-5,000 Lakota Sioux took refuge at Wood Mountain after defeating the U.S Army led by Colonel George Custer in the battle of the Little Big Horn. Photo Credit: Tyler Dixon. Elkwater Tourism: Tripadvisor has 475 reviews of Elkwater Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Elkwater travel resource. I didn’t take any photos of the town for some reason…. Really nice folks and good spot to stay if you need a break from camping/rv. There are nice campgrounds in both the west and east blocks of Grasslands NP. 1968 Mr. Bob Townsend was hired as Cypress Hills Provincial Park’s first naturalist- also the first naturalist within Alberta Provincial Parks. Only met one other vehicle the whole way there. and with the magic of bookmarks I found it again . Stayed first night at Elk Water Lake Lodge (really awful do not recommend!) (Download a brochure for more information on the Métis). My backroads mapbook labels it as Fox Lake road. Steeped in history and culture Fort Walsh gives a hands on experience that takes you back to a time when: “Fort Walsh would quickly become the most important, largest and most heavily armed fort the North West Mounted Police garrisoned during their early years in the West." One of the landmarks along … Hopefully the skies are clear for you. 1917 The first store was opened in Elkwater. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. It is a great place to relax, discover the outdoors or have an adventure. Welcome to Fort Walsh. Most services are situated in Maple Creek or Elkwater but you will find some great places in between too. Beautiful for fishing or canoeing/kayaking. 1930 Transfer of natural resources control from Dominion Government to the provinces. Here is the Saskatchewan border on the backroad from Reesor Lake to Fort Walsh. 1949 The second Elkwater School was moved from the #34 Air Force Training Statioin in Medicine Hat. Camping comes in all shapes and forms and all seasons. For region specific information please click below. Related: What are the most popular tours in Alberta? They moved back into the area a few years ago, after being absent for some time. They have a shuttle to take people from the parking lot to the fort, but most people chose to walk. Early 1880s Bison disappear from the Cypress Hills. A few were a bit rough so not sure how RV would do. We drive a full size SUV so had no problems with any of the roads in the park. You can drive right to them, no hiking necessary. Major upgrading of Elkwater facilities underway (i.e. A number of outposts remained active in the Cypress Hills. Change ), You are commenting using your Google account. If you go to Fort Walsh, take the short detour to the conglomerate cliffs lookout. With over 40km of groomed track you won’t get bored. 1877 Tribes of the Blackfoot Confederacy signed Treaty No. Elkwater is a great vacation destination if you want a rental with a pool, as 100% of the vacation rentals there include one.Interestingly, our data shows that more lodge offer a pool than hotel rooms.Also, they can host 3 people, on average, while hotel rooms with pools can welcome an average of 0 people. . There is a coin operated laundry and small general store to pick up those must have items. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-107635572', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Canada visitor centre building? The Cypress Hills has a variety of trails available for biking ranging from paved to technical single track. Edmonton and surrounds - things to do / daytrips? 1919 Three stock associations began grazing cattle in Alberta's Cypress Hills. There is a variety of types of accommodation and dining available in the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. Trying to figure out what kinds of condition it might be in. I have travel often between Calgary and Regina so looking at exploring off the Trans Canada. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Canada. 1987 Forest Management Program implemented. 2004 Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park designated a Dark-Sky Preserve. Visitor Centre: Open Wednesday - Sunday 9:30am - 5:00pm; Closed Monday & Tuesday. Lockdown? 1883 The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) reached the newly established community of Maple Creek. Police Point slump occurred along the north escarpment of the Cypress Hills plateau. Enjoy your road trip... it's a great park. It was along hwy 724 as we drove that way from Fort Walsh back to Reesor's. Cypress has lots to do as well. Domestic grazing allowed to continue. Park Office (year round) (306) 662-5411; fax (306) 662-5482 Campground Online Reservations - www.saskparks.net/Reserve-A-site Toll-freeCampground Reservasion Line: 1-855-737-7275, Visitor Centre open Victoria Day weekend to September 30, Hours of Operation; 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM Victoria Day Weekend to June 30, Tuesday to Saturday July 01 to September 01, open daily September 02 to September 30, Tuesday to Saturday. 1859 John Palliser led an expedition from Fort Edmonton across the plains to Cypress Hills. A far cry from the TransCanada Highway! @tenfords thank you for the information about the different options and clarifying the road names/numbers. Johnston Canyon road closure - alternate parking?? With zip-lining in the Saskatchewan side, downhill skiing on the Alberta side and hiking trails into the back woods of the forest, there is as much adventure as you want there to be. You may have heard her summer Alberta Road Trips column (2017-2019) or seen her on CBC's Gem streaming TV! J > I love the simple landscape, the space … For my ‘one day …’ list? West has non-potable water, East has no water, so come prepared. Moving to Alberta from Ontario...Dive or fly (pets and kids), Medicine Hat Lodge, Trademark Collection by Wyndham. Cypress Hills Skier Association moved to its present location. Cool birds! Cougars are the “comeback kids” of the Cypress Hills. The road from Elkwater to Fort Walsh highlighted on your map runs south of the park. Graburn road runs south from #1 at Walsh to the park. ( Log Out / and we weren't too impressed by the lake itself either but we loved Spruce Coulee reservoir. The west block of Cypress Hills is very scenic and I would suggest going this way if you decide to camp on the (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Of this, 80 square miles was in Alberta and was known as the Elkwater Block, which coincides with the present Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park- Alberta. White Tail Deer, Moose, Wild Turkey, Elk are commonly spotted so make sure you have a camera ready! You will also find the “Cypress Hills Riding Academy” located in the Centre Block which offers guided tours and lessons. Visitor Centre approximately 2.0km from Hwy #41 turnoff, beside Camp Cookhouse and General Store, just past the marina and beach. Early 1980s An infestation of mountain pine beetles affect the park’s lodgepole pine. 2007 New Visitor Centre in Cypress Hills – Alberta opens for year-round visitor services. Among these vacation rentals, 100 of them are located within 2 kilometres of water. We are set up to camp for about 3 days with own water/power if needed. I think you want Battle Creek road, which connects Elkwater to Fort Walsh IN the park. With its mix of forests, wetlands and grasslands, it is home to an astonishing diversity of plants and animals: over 220 bird species, 47 mammal species, as well as several species each of reptiles and amphibians. I suspect that the Sask side will give us a good idea about the Cypress Hills with much less driving. Read about the Cypress Hills Massacre and other interesting stories of the history of Fort Walsh. The court house. There are classes on learning cross country skiing, winter survival and a full winter season of school programs.