Welcome to the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

The Park spans the South East corner of Alberta and the South Wwest corner of Saskatchewan. You will also find the National Heritage Site of Fort Walsh on the South side of the park. It is a great place to relax, discover the outdoors or have an adventure.

Find out more about the Parks’ geography, cultural heritage and history under Visitor Info.



Find an activity to enjoy below

The Cypress Hills are the perfect outdoor setting to enhance classroom learning. Our education programs are designed to meet the outcomes and indicators identified in the new Saskatchewan and Alberta curriculum. Park interpreters use the inquiry-based approach to assist students to connect with the unique systems and cultural diversity of the Cypress Hills.

Take part in guided hikes or paddles, astronomy programs, and stories or pond dipping for aquatic creatures. A great variety of interactive programs introduce adults and children alike to the unique features of each park. The students reward will be understanding, appreciation and greater enjoyment of the environment you are visiting.

May and June are the popular months to take part in conducted group learning, but don't forget that the park is open year round and available for your class to explore. Check out the Education flyer below.

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park - Saskatchewan offers most necessary services, including food, gas and a full service convention hotel. For park specific information, Visitor Centre (306) 662-5437 summer, Administration office (306) 662-5411 year round.

The near-by community of Maple Creek offers a complete array of services. Maple Creek Visitor Centre - Park information is available at this location. Phone: (306) 662-4005.

In the park, the following businesses offer excellent services and amenities:

  • The Resort at Cypress Hills - Offering a wide range of fixed roof accommodations and services, the Resort is the centre of activity for many of the park’s non camping visitors. As well as the hotel complex, there are rental cabins and condos available. A restaurant, lounge, fitness center, and conference rooms make the Resort at Cypress Hills the ideal location for family getaways or large gatherings. The Resort is a great place for a winter stay and offers a hockey pond rink to compliment the parks’ cross-country ski trails and toboggan hill. Phone: (306) 662-4477.
  • Cypress Hills General Store - Full service store, with groceries, camping supplies, souvenirs, and confectionary. Phone: (306) 662-4336.
  • Lodgepole Grill - An assortment of light meals with a scenic view of the lake. Phone: (306) 662-3033 or 662-4381.
  • Dar’s Little Dipper - Stop by for a quick bite to eat at this fast food outlet. Phone: (306) 662-3982.
  • Currah’s Moose Gas Bar - Fill up on your gasoline, diesel and propane needs at this full-service gas bar and snack shop. Phone: (306) 662-2134
  • Loch Leven Marina - Rentals of canoes, paddleboats and bicycles along with camping and fishing equipment, DVD equipment and movies are also available. Phone: (306) 662-2992.
  • Lone Pine Pizza & More – Stop by for a quick bite or take out. Phone: (306) 662-2500.
  • Mini-golf – a fun and challenging course. Phone 9306) 662-2012.
  • Eco-Adventures Ltd. Zipline - Take in a scenic and thrilling view of the hills through the treetops. Phone (306) 662-4466.
  • Riding Academy – Try an adventure on horseback. Hourly trail rides. Phone (306) 662 3512.
  • Cypress Hills Golf Course – Beautiful manicured fairways situated on the high Cypress Hills Plateau. Phone: (306) 662-4422

Winter Activities

Winter is especially exhilarating in the Cypress Hills as the snow nestles in the lush lodgepole pine and white spruce forests. The higher elevation of the hills brings more precipitation and in winter this means fun cross-county skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and wildlife viewing experiences.

Ski trails are groomed regularly providing 17 km of hills, turns and gently rolling tracks for novice to intermediate skiers. Cross-country ski rentals and scheduled lessons are available from the resort. The resort also offers a hockey rink and outdoor fire pits.

A designated snowmobile area is available in the Centre Block and opens when the snow depth reaches a minimum of 12 inches. Call ahead for snow conditions for this and all winter activities. (No snowmobiling permitted in the West Block).

Links:
Resort: http://resortatcypresshills.ca/

Biking

Biking is a great way to get around the Centre Block of the park. Winding roadways, connector trails and mountain bike trails provide easy access to many park amenities. Many of the trail heads are located in the core area of the park in the Centre Block. While some trails are designated for hikers only, bikers can check the park trail map for the mountain bike sections along the 27 kilometres of trail network in the Centre Block and 16 kilometres of trails in the West Block.

The West Block trails are multi-use for hikers, bikers and equestrians and have some amazing views with steep challenging climbs. Be on the lookout for equestrians as they have the right of way. The Centre Block offers a variety of scenery on more moderate level trails. Trails are not recommended for inexperienced riders. Please refer to the Trails brochure for detailed information.

No room for packing the bikes? Don’t worry bike rentals are available in the park 1 306 662-2992.

More Articles ...

  1. Adventurous Activities
  2. Permits
  3. Hiking
  4. Equestrian

.

Accommodation and Dining

Accommodation and Dining

There is a variety of types of accommodation and dining available in the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

Camping is the main attraction but for those who wish a little more luxury there are several places to rest up after a long day exploring what the park has to offer. From Bed and Breakfasts to Resorts, and even Ranch Experiences, there is plenty to choose from. Don’t forget that there are backcountry huts for the more adventurous types.

Dining ranges from Pizza to Gourmet Cuisine and there is something for all taste buds. Most services are situated in Maple Creek or Elkwater but you will find some great places in between too.

For region specific information please click below.

 

Adventurous Activities

Adventurous Activities

If you have a sense of adventure or looking to get off the beaten track then Cypress Hills has something for you.

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. Canoe and Kayak on one of the lakes in the park, travel by car to the viewpoints overlooking the prairies at the highest point between the Rockies and New Labrador or try one of the programs to get you out into nature.

For region specific information please click below.

 

Biking

Biking

The Cypress Hills has a variety of trails available for biking ranging from paved to technical single track.

The casual biker has steady trails leading to some of the viewpoints around the park and around the resort area in Saskatchewan. There is some great road biking to be had in the Park with some challenging climbs for the real enthusiast.

Mountain bikers will find a variety of looped single track around Elkwater and at Fort Walsh the bike is the perfect way to explore the site. Bike Rentals and service stations are available at some locations.

For region specific information please click below.

 

Camping

Camping

Camping comes in all shapes and forms and all seasons. Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park has an abundance of camp grounds to suit your needs.

There is RV Camping with power and water, Tent Sites, Group Sites, Back Country Huts and Equestrian Camping.

Rates vary between provinces as do the booking processes so please be sure to use the links below to ensure you have the correct area.

 

Equestrian

Equestrian

Equestrian users have a great choice of trails and facilities within the park.

Saskatchewan users have the West Block to explore and includes the Trans Canada Trail. You will also find the “Cypress Hills Riding Academy” located in the Centre Block which offers guided tours and lessons.

In Alberta there are over 140km of trails and a new Equestrian Campsite at Spring Creek.

For region specific information please click below.

 

Fishing / Game

Fishing

Fishing is extremely popular within the park and there are many stocked lakes to be had with Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout, Walleye, Arctic Grayling, Northern Pike and Yellow Perch.

Whether you are into Fly or spin fishing you will find something to enjoy in the park. Regional regulations and permits apply.

For region specific information please click below.

 

Hiking

Hiking

The Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is unique in its geography and therefor gives some amazing opportunities to get out and hike the landscape.

The Trans Canada Trail spans Saskatchewan and Alberta and fort Walsh gives to Historical context to your journey. Hiking around the regions is the best way to take in the vistas, fresh air and view some of the wildlife that inhabits the Park. White Tail Deer, Moose, Wild Turkey, Elk are commonly spotted so make sure you have a camera ready!

For region specific information please click below.

 

Summer Activities

Summer Activities

Summer vacation is about camping and having fun.The freedom of no clock watching while the sounds of nature echo all around whether it is a week or a weekend!

There is so much to do in the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park that it is next impossible to do it all: wine tasting, water sports, hiking, biking, cultural and historical sites, tours and learning programs, golf and horseback riding. There is zip-lining and single track mountain biking and a whole bunch more.

For region specific information please click below.

 

Tours and Programs

Tours and Programs

If learning more about your culture, environment and history is your thing, then Fort Walsh is perfect.

It has hands-on experience for everyone and shows you firsthand how it was to live in the area as a settler. Both the Saskatchewan and Alberta regions have their own unique programs and tours to satisfy the inquisitive minds, the active soul and the Adventurer.

For region specific information please click below.

 

Water Activities

Water Activities

Water is a big attraction for most campers so why not make the most of it and go fishing, rent a kayak, try paddle boarding or water skiing?

The Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park has several areas in which you can enjoy the water. Bring your boat or sea-doo, where they are permitted, and enjoy the fresh water lakes. There are even opportunities for swimming lessons. Seasonal opening times vary for regions so please check with the relevant Visitor Centre for more information.

For region specific information please click below.

 

Winter Activities

Winter Activities

When the snow falls the elevation of the park at 1234m means it is a great place to have some winter fun.

There are plenty of cross country trails, both groomed and natural, snow shoeing and fat biking. You will also find a snow luge (big banked snow slide), natural ice rinks, hockey rinks, ice skating trail and rental equipment just in case you didn’t bring yours. You will also find a ski resort with 600ft vertical and a great place to start snow sports. Winter camping and hut rentals are also available.

For region specific information please click below.