Regions of the Park
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park - Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is divided into two blocks of park area, the Centre Block with full service camping, resort complex, extensive hiking trails, beach, swimming pool, zipline canopy tours, observatory, scenic vistas and educational programs and events, and the West Block wilderness area with rustic camping facilities, an equestrian campground and the Trans Canada Trail. The West Block is also home to Fort Walsh National Historic Site and joins the Alberta side of the interprovincial park.
The Cypress Hills has its own unique weather with it being cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter at the higher elevation. Changing weather patterns are often influenced by the chinook winds that blow in warmer weather and can cause temperatures to warm fast from -20c to +5c in a day. The Cypress Hills climate and its higher elevations plays an important role in the diverse plant and animal life. Over 220 species of birds and 18 species of orchids are found in the mix of montane and prairie habitats. The Cypress Hills landscapes provide for pristine views and scerene escapes for all who venture here.
Centre Block
The main access to the Centre Block is via TransCanada Highway #1 to highway #21 south. Maple Creek is the closest town with Swift Current, SK and Medicine Hat, AB the closest major urban centres, both approximately 120 km away.
The majority of the facilities and services are located in the Centre Block off highway #21 and #221 including the Visitor Centre and Park Administration and Cypress Park Resort Inn. Here you'll find over 600 individual campsites in 5 main camgrounds. Campsite services range from basic to full hookup. Group campgrounds also exist for private functions and family gatherings. The Centre Block also has access to over 27 km of nature and hiking trails, scenic view points and a variety of outdoor pursuits.
West Block Wilderness Area
The West Block wilderness area is accessible off highway #271 and boasts a place of backcountry charm. Campers and equestrians find this area peaceful and tranquil offering hikes or horseback rides from easy to challenging. Two rustic campgrounds and the Equestrain campground are nestled in Battle Creek Valley near the Ranger Station. The Equestrian facilities include tie stalls, pens and paddock area. No other services are available in the West Block however the adventurous will find it very relaxing and suitable for self-contained campers.
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Activities
The Centre Block of the park is open year round so visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor pursuits. The over 27 km of hiking trails become cross-country ski trails in winter with approximately 15 km groomed and track set. From spring through fall activities are endless from swimming at the beach or leisure pool, zipline tours, mini-golf, horseback trail rides, canoe and paddle boating, tennis or mountain biking. The 9-hole golf course with watered fairways offers a challenge and the new Observatory provides great astronomy viewing for the beginner to advanced star gazer.
Spring and fall educational programs are offered to school and youth groups while during the peak summer months park visitors will enjoy the variety of daytime and evening interpretive programs and special events.
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Unique Features
The Cypress Hills landscape has historically drawn people to the hills for hundreds of years. Being the highest point of land between the Rockies and the east coast, at 600 metres above the surrounding prairie this oasis provides a unique habitat for lodgepole pine and white spruce forests mixed with aspen, chokecherry and other bushes. Wildlife are abundant, often seen are moose, elk and deer. The variety of prairie and montane wildflowers create a rainbow of colour from spring till fall. A drive along Bald Butte Road to Lookout Point will provide a showcase of changing plant life. A stroll along a forested trail takes you into a world not found anywhere else in southern Saskatchewan.
