About Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
What's New
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park - Saskatchewan
New Visitor Centre/Cafe
Cypress Hills- Saskatchewan obtained special 'greening initiatives' funding to renovate and upgrade the existing cafe building into a Visitor Centre/Cafe. This new facility will be the focal point for visitor services in the park and will be designed with energy efficient technology such as low flush toilets, solar assist heating and lighting, energy efficient lighting, lighting sensors, low flow nozzles and fixtures, and high efficiency glazed windows.
The facility will open in summer 2009 with new educational displays, visitor information and reception area and a new eating establishment. An enticing feature to the facility is the deck patio which overlooks Loch Leven for a scenic and inspiring view.
RV Campground Renovations
We're keeping up with the times and renovating existing campgrounds and sites to meet the needs of the today's RV users! Sites will be larger, some pull through, more power amperage, and better services provided. Join us and watch us while we grow!
Cougar Research
Cypress Hills has partnered with a master's student from the University of Alberta to continue previous research on the area's largest predator, the cougar. The cougar, also called the mountain lion, puma, or panther, is native to parts of North, Central and South America. The program is intended to identify and monitor individual cats and their habits in and around the park.
As cougars are top predators, they are good indicators of the health of the ecosystem and prey species such as mule deer. In Cypress Hill Interprovincial Park - Alberta, the current estimate is that the ecosystem is supporting 15-20 adult cougars, and continued research in Cypress Hill Interprovincial Park - Saskatchewan will work towards determining total numbers. The range of individuals varies from 50 - 200 square kilometers depending on food availability and competition.
Though cougars are rarely seen, park staff asks you to be vigilant and take basic precautions such as traveling in groups, making noise, and keeping campsites clean. Should you see a cougar or signs of one, please contact park staff immediately so your information can be used in the monitoring program.
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park- Alberta
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park - Alberta Visitor Centre
2008 saw the opening of our new Visitor Centre located next to the Elkwater Landing Restaurant and Grocery Store in Elkwater, Alberta. The building was built to the Canada Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification program standards. This means that not only does the building operate in an environmentally friendly way but the construction was monitored to ensure minimal waste.
LEED certifications are granted on a basis of points obtained in five different categories; sustainable site, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, material and resources, indoor environmental quality. This building has been submitted with the expectation of a LEED Silver Certification.
The Visitor Centre is open year round. Hours of operation throughout the spring and summer (May long weekend to Sept. long weekend) are 7 days a week, 9:00am-7:00pm. Fall and Winter hours are Thursday- Sunday (and holiday Momdays) 9am-4pm.
Trail Care
The Friends of Cypress Hills offers a Volunteer Trail Care Program. The purpose of the group is to maintain and improve the quality of the park's trails through rerouting and reconstructing parts of trails where necessary. All types of trail users are encouraged to join the group for one of the monthly Trail Care sessions to have their say heard. Trail Care sessions occur the last Saturday of the month in the spring and summer.
