Attractions and Places To See around Cypress County - Top 5
Best attractions and places to see around Cypress County include a diverse range of natural and cultural sites in southeastern Alberta, Canada. The region features expansive provincial parks, unique geological formations, and historical museums. Its landscape varies from flat shortgrass prairie to the distinct montane ecology of the Cypress Hills, which is also a designated Dark Sky Preserve. This area offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and stargazing.
Best attractions and places to see around Cypress County
- The most popular attractions is View of Horseshoe Canyon, a viewpoint that offers expansive views of the prairie. The view is somewhat obstructed by trees, but walking a bit on the Horseshoe Canyon trail provides a clearer perspective.
- Another must-see spot is Cypress Hills Provincial Park, a forest, lake, and viewpoint area. This park stands out with its forested hills, clear lakes, and a network of trails, offering opportunities for hiking, cycling, and wildlife spotting.
- Visitors also love Trans Canada Trail, a trail section within Cypress Hills Provincial Park. This small section operates independently as a spur and is not connected to the main Trans Canada Trail.
- Cypress County is known for its provincial parks, observatories, and museums. Visitors can explore natural landmarks, engage in outdoor recreation, and discover local heritage.
- The attractions around Cypress County are appreciated by the komoot community, with 4 highlights, 5 photos, and 1 upvote.
Last updated: October 3, 2026
Cypress Hills Provincial Park
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Beaver Creek Trail
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View of Horseshoe Canyon
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Kin Coulee Park
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South Saskatchewan River
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Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park Entrance
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Trans Canada Trail
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Popular around Cypress County
Tips from the Community
Beaver Creek Trail in Cypress Hills Provincial Park sits on the Alberta side, and is pretty much all in the forest. It's a singletrack route that connects the Beaver Creek Campground near Elkwater to the Nichol Springs Campground near the plateau trail. This trail is a mix of classic packed dirt with roots and slightly more rugged sections, as well as smoother bench cuts. It's open to hiking, trail running, and mountain biking, rated a blue trail for those taking the route on two wheels.
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Kin Coulee Park is Medicine Hat’s largest and most popular park, set among the city’s distinctive coulees and bluffs along Seven Persons Creek. There are expansive lawns, picnic shelters, barbecues, playgrounds, beach volleyball courts, baseball diamonds, and one of Canada’s largest outdoor skateboard parks, making it a favourite destination for recreation year-round. In the winter months, the park’s large toboggan hill becomes a busy place for family fun in the snow.
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The South Saskatchewan River is one of Alberta's major rivers that flows through Medicine Hat, making a dramatic bend around Police Point. There are multiple trails along the river in town and is a popular place to visit for locals and tourists alike.
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Cypress Hills Provincial Park stands out from the prairies with its forested hills, clear lakes, and wide network of trails. It’s one of the highest points between the Rockies and Labrador, which gives it a unique mix of lodgepole pine, wetlands, and grassy valleys. Whether you’re hiking, cycling, or paddling, the park offers plenty of quiet routes, scenic viewpoints, and good chances to spot wildlife. Cypress Hills Provincial Park is a great place to slow down and enjoy a different side of Saskatchewan.
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A small section of the 28,000 km Trans Canada Trail runs through Cypress Hills Provincial Park. However, this section is not connected to the main trail and operates as its own spur independent of the rest of the trail.
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The view is somewhat obstructed by the trees. If you walk a bit on the Horseshoe canyon trail, you‘ll find a better view of the prairie.
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Signs marking the border between Alberta and Saskatchewan. Nothing to really see or do, besides take in the beautiful nature, enjoy the quiet, and appreciate the sense of passing a milestone.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural features and viewpoints can I explore in Cypress County?
Cypress County offers diverse natural landscapes. A prominent feature is Cypress Hills Provincial Park, known for its forested hills, clear lakes, and unique montane ecology within the prairie. You can also visit the View of Horseshoe Canyon for expansive prairie vistas. The region also features the South Saskatchewan and Milk Rivers, which have carved extensive coulees and badlands terrain.
Are there opportunities for hiking and walking in Cypress County?
Yes, Cypress County provides numerous hiking and walking opportunities, particularly within Cypress Hills Provincial Park. The park has a wide network of trails suitable for various skill levels. A section of the Trans Canada Trail also runs through the park. For more detailed routes, you can explore the available hiking guides around Cypress County.
What cycling routes are available in the area?
Cyclists can find various routes around Cypress County. Cypress Hills Provincial Park offers trails suitable for cycling, including mountain biking. For specific routes and their difficulties, check out the cycling guides around Cypress County, which include options like the Cactus with Flowers loop.
What is the best time of year to visit Cypress County?
Cypress County offers activities year-round. Summer is ideal for hiking, water sports on Elkwater Lake, wildlife viewing, and mountain biking. Winter transforms the area into a haven for ice skating, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, snowshoeing, and skiing/snowboarding at Hidden Valley Ski Resort. The region is also excellent for stargazing due to its high elevation and lack of light pollution, especially as Cypress Hills Provincial Park is a designated Dark Sky Preserve.
Are there any family-friendly attractions or activities in Cypress County?
Yes, Cypress County has several family-friendly options. Cypress Hills Provincial Park offers activities like hiking, nature viewing, and water sports on Elkwater Lake. For indoor and outdoor entertainment, the Dunmore Dugout provides laser tag, a climbing wall, trampolines, go-karts, mini-golf, and a bounce world, catering to various ages.
Where can I learn about the history and culture of Cypress County?
To delve into the region's past, visit the Prairie Memories Museum in Dunmore. This museum showcases early 20th-century life with a reconstructed town setting, including a church, a one-room schoolhouse, and a railway memorabilia collection. The county also features the Dunmore Equestrian Centre, which hosts various equestrian events.
Can I go stargazing in Cypress County?
Cypress County is an excellent location for stargazing. Cypress Hills Provincial Park is recognized as the first designated Dark Sky Preserve in Alberta. The county's high elevation and minimal urban light pollution create ideal conditions for observing the night sky, and under the right circumstances, you might even see the aurora borealis. The Eagle Butte Observatory and Sunridge Observatory also contribute to astronomical interests in the area.
What unique geological formations can be found in Cypress County?
Beyond the coulees and badlands formed by the South Saskatchewan and Milk Rivers, Cypress County is home to the 'Badlands Guardian' near Walsh. This distinctive geological formation resembles a head wearing a feathered headdress, approximately 300 meters wide and 25 meters deep, offering a unique natural landmark.
What are some popular outdoor activities in Cypress Hills Provincial Park?
In Cypress Hills Provincial Park, summer activities include hiking, water sports on Elkwater Lake, nature and wildlife viewing, horseback riding, mountain biking, golfing, geocaching, and fishing. During winter, visitors can enjoy ice skating, cross-country skiing, ice fishing, winter camping, fat biking, snowshoeing, snow luge, and skiing/snowboarding at Hidden Valley Ski Resort.
Are there any running trails available in Cypress County?
Yes, there are several running trails in and around Cypress County. You can find various routes, including loops of different distances and difficulties. For detailed information and route maps, refer to the running trails guide around Cypress County.
What makes Cypress Hills Provincial Park unique?
Cypress Hills Provincial Park is unique for its montane ecology situated within the prairie landscape, making it one of the highest points between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. It features a distinct mix of lodgepole pine, wetlands, and grassy valleys. It's also recognized as the first designated Dark Sky Preserve in Alberta, offering exceptional stargazing opportunities.
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