region |alberta south
Cowboy
Activities
FIRST NATIONS
TRADITIONS
The Cowboy Trail
BAR U RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump
BLACKFOOT CROSSING HISTORICAL PARK
Immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of the Siksika people. Learn something new at a
meat-smoking and hide-tanning demonstration, or camp overnight in a tipi. Take a guided tour at
the museum to learn the history of the area, or grab a self-guided tour map and explore the historic
sites. 100 km east of Calgary, 403-734-5171, blackfootcrossing.ca
HEAD-SMASHED-IN BUFFALO JUMP
Travel back in time to an era of buffalo hunting, where Blackfoot peoples hunted buffalo to use
for food, shelter, clothing, and tools. Built at the exact site these buffalo runnings took place, this
UNESCO World Heritage Site has lots of interactive displays and activities. Visit on Mondays and
Fridays in July and August for the Piskun, the Buffalo Jump program. This unique experience lets
you taste dried buffalo meat, throw a spear, keep an arrowhead to take home and participate in a
traditional Blackfoot blessing. 18 km northwest of Fort Macleod, 403-553-2731, headsmashedin.ca
Bar U Ranch was an active, working ranch from
1882 to 1991, and has since been a National
Historic Site for visitors to experience what
the ranching life was like on Alberta’s cattle
lands. Explore historic buildings, take a ride on a
horse-drawn wagon, tour the stables and take
a bite of some fresh baking from the cookhouse.
Longview, 403-395-2212, friendsofthebaru.ca
COWBOY RANCH VACATIONS
Immerse yourself in the cowboy way of life
with an adventure on a working or guest ranch.
Spend the day trying out a horseback trail ride
or cattle drive, then stay overnight in a log
cabin, outfitter tent, cottage or ranch house.
Customize your vacation to try out all the Wild
West experiences you want. 1-866-217-2282,
albertacountryvacation.com
GREAT CANADIAN BARN DANCE
WRITING-ON-STONE PROVINCIAL PARK
View a series of First Nation petroglyphs (rock carvings) and pictographs (rock paintings) and
learn the stories of Alberta’s First Nations peoples. Programming includes interactive plays with
storytelling, games, drumming and dancing, and guided tours. Cool down with a swim in the nearby
Milk River. 44 km east of Milk River, 403-647-2364, albertaparks.ca/writing-on-stone
In pioneer times, traditional barn dances were
highly anticipated social events featuring home-
cooked food, live music, and dancing into the
wee hours of the night. The tradition continues
with this family-run event that takes place in a
more-than-a-century-old barn. Every Saturday
night from May through September, enjoy a
cowboy dinner and a free dance lesson. Then get
ready for the dance and live music. On Friday
nights enjoy dinner and a country music tribute
show — dancing in your seat is encouraged!
Hillspring, 1-866-626-3407, gcbd.ca
THE COWBOY TRAIL
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park
A drive along this 700-km stretch of rural
highway on highways 5, 6, and 22 takes you
past the trail’s Wild West scenery, which
has served as a filming location for many
western movies. Along the way you’ll encounter
authentic western attractions including
horseback trail rides, small-town rodeos,
powwows, farmers’ markets, rustic shops,
art galleries, restaurants and historic sites.
thecowboytrail.com
31