Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is an interprovincial park straddling the southern Alberta-Saskatchewan border, located southeast of Medicine Hat. The Cypress Hills rises up above the surrounding prairie, to a maximum elevation of 4,816 ft, making it Canada's highest point between the Canadian Rockies and the Labrador peninsula and also the highest point in Saskatchewan (!!!). The transition is somewhat sudden. One minute you're in prairie and the next mile you feel that you're in the mountains! I saw extensive forest, interesting grasslands and flowers, and breathtaking scenery. I'm told that most of the flora here is shared with the mountains in states such as Montana and Wyoming rather than with the rest of Canada. My friend Jim and I decided one day to drive out here after work (from Medicine Hat) and drive around. Jim had previously taken is Boy Scout troup out here for backpacking trips. I wanted to take a look at this beautifull park and also set food in Saskatchewan for the first time. So we drove around admiring the scenery and chatting about work issues and Canadian politics (I'm known in some circles as a closet Canadian). Our plan was to drive into the Saskatchewan section of the park and then back up to the Trans Canada Highway. But soon paved road turned to gravel, then to mud and before we knew it we were stuck in spring mud! We finally got ourselves out and turned around, but not before being caked (head to toe) with mud. Later at a local car wash, it took about 10 dollars worth of quarters to clean the mud from the wheel wells and other parts of the car. As a person who grew up in the Midwest, I should have known better! I would love to come back here and enjoy this jewell of a park again in a more deliberate fashion. I'd hike, I'd swim, and maybe I'd camp. I would also explore some of the history that was made here. For example, The Cypress Hills Massacre, a key event in Canadian History leading to the creation of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) occurred in the Hills when a group of American wolvers from Montana massacred an Assiniboine encampment. Nearby Fort Walsh was established to bring law and order to the Canadian border region. read more

It's a nice, hilly, and forested area in the middle of the flat and desolate prairies. With Elkwater Lake nearby and Fort Walsh for your history comforts, what's not to like about this place? You literally go from the flat, brown prairies to this hilly area with lots of trees and amazing scenery. Definitely a place to check out if you're in the area. read more

Camped here for a night on the September long weekend. What a gorgeous place to stay. The other review provides accurate information about the park, I will add a bit more about it. This place is great for families and is a bit of a "fancier" campground, with an interpretive centre and even events like movies and bingo. There are boats canoe, and bike rentals available - probably even more than that. Shower facilities are available, bring loonies. The water is good for swimming, clear and clean and a nice sandy beach. We arrived in the late afternoon and there were still a few people out in the water. There are something like 700 campsites available here, but the weekend I stayed (September long) I was lucky to secure the very last spot. There are a variety of different campsites, the one I stayed at was called Ferguson Hill and we were at site #6. The campsite has a picnic table, fire pit, and there are some dirt places near by and off the gravel site to pitch a tent. Site #6 is on the east side of the hill, located right across from a washroom (outhouse only) and water spigot, and has access to a small footpath behind it that's fun for exploring. The little footpath actually worked out perfect for stargazing at night, and it should be noted that cypress hills Interprovincial park is known for it bright starry nights (there is an annual star gazing event there as well). We were there the day after the full moon and were able to get a good look at the moon through a pair of binoculars - stunning. There are other places to explore as well, you can continue driving up the hill past Ferguson Hill campground and take in some breath taking views of the Sweet Grass Hills of Montana. The campground was quiet, our neighbours were friendly and it is really a serene place to visit. I highly recommend. read more

Beautiful park still managed by the province and the care they take is clearly seen. The showers were closed this trip but I have used them in previous trips and they were very clean. Lots for adults and children to do; hiking, biking, paddling, bike skills course for the kids, interpretive centre, beach, mini golf, convenience store and restaurants. Nice little beginner golf course nearby too. Camping for everyone from tents to big rigs. read more