Cypress Hills Provincial Park is a unique destination and Canada’s only ‘interprovincial park.’ It’s a collaboration between Alberta Parks, Saskatchewan Parks, and Parks Canada, with the Fort Walsh National Historic Site on the Saskatchewan side. The Alberta side features towering hills, tall lodgepole pine forests, and pretty lakes, and it is located around the cozy village of Elkwater in southeast Alberta.

Cypress Hills is like an oasis of rolling hills and lush forests, surrounded by hundreds of kilometres of treeless prairies and grasslands. Interestingly, it is the highest point in Canada between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador! The hills tower above the sea of plains like an island, offering beautiful views and incredible outdoor recreation opportunities.

It’s a stunning destination year-round, but winter transforms this special place into a snowy wonderland filled with outdoor adventures for the whole family.

Elkwater is the direct translation of Ponokiokwe, the Blackfoot name for Elkwater Lake. It is located in Treaty 7 and is the traditional land and home to the Blackfoot (Niitsitapi) people, who have origin stories dating back 11,550 years. The Cypress Hills have a special meaning for First Nations people and have a rich cultural history here. The high plateaus offered a safe haven in the winter, providing medicines and tall lodge pole pines for tipi poles. Read more about the history and changes for Indigenous people in the Cypress Hills.

Winter activities in Cypress Hills Provincial Park, Alberta

Whether you’re looking for good exercise outdoors or peaceful moments in nature, Cypress Hills Provincial Park offers a diverse range of winter experiences.

Downhill Skiing at Hidden Valley Ski Resort

Cypress Hills Provincial Park has a downhill ski area right in the park! Hidden Valley Ski Resort is operated by Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks. It is a sizeable hill, considering it’s located near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, and offers family-friendly terrain for beginners and advanced skiers. Skiers and snowboarders can access its nine runs and terrain park via a quad chairlift, T-bar lift, handle tow and magic carpet.

Hidden Valley offers equipment rentals, as well as ski and snowboard lessons for all ages and abilities. It is open Wednesday through Sunday, with extended hours over the holidays. Learn more about Hidden Valley Ski Resort.

Cross-Country Skiing

Prefer a quieter slide through the picturesque forest? The park boasts 30 km of groomed cross-country ski trails. Check the website for trail conditions and grooming status.

Spring Creek Cross-Country Ski Trail System: This trail system offers over 10 km of groomed trails with excellent variety for beginner skiers. You can warm up at the warm-up shelters at the Willow Creek group use area at the trailhead.

Spruce Coulee Cross-Country Ski Trail System: Located east of Elkwater, this trail system offers beginner and advanced trails. It consists of the Spruce Coulee Trail, Rodeo Loop Trail, Highline Trail, and Ridgetop Trail.  

Half-day and all-day cross-country ski rentals are available at the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre.

Winter Camping and RVing

Winter camping brings you closer to nature and provides opportunities for campfires, stargazing, and exploring Cypress Hills Provincial Park’s snow-covered landscapes.

Powered-Sites – Tent and RV Camping

Winter campers will find powered sites at Elkwater Campground, which is close to Elkwater and within walking distance of the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre, hikes, skating, tobogganing, and other fun activities. While water is shut off for the winter, campers can access flush toilets and hot showers year-round in the Lakeview shower house, also within walking distance from the Elkwater Campground.

Tent Camping

For those looking to rough it a little more, Spruce Coulee Campground is open to tent campers year-round.  This little campground is near a lake and offers nine walk-in tenting sites. There are only pit toilets at this campground, but campers can use the Lakeview shower house.

Backcountry Huts

Cypress Hills Provincial Park also offers hike and ski-in access backcountry huts. These huts provide a wood stove, beds, table and chairs, a sink and a pail. You must bring your sleeping bag and bedding, cooking stove and fuel, towels and toiletries, fire starters, etc. However, firewood is provided at the huts between November 1 – April 30. Huts must be booked in advance. Learn more about huts and comfort camping.

Firewood is available for sale in Elkwater.

Ice Skating

For a magical skating experience, the Old Baldy Campground loop is turned into a 1.5 km-long skating track. This scenic route winds through the campground, providing a fun alternative to skating in a rink.

Flooding and maintaining the skating loop at Old Baldy Campground are weather-dependent. Parking is available at the Lakeview shower house, located across from the campground entrance. Alternatively, an outdoor rink is also available in Elkwater on 7th Avenue.

Tobogganing and Snow Luge

No family winter getaway is complete without tobogganing! Cypress Hills Provincial Park has one of the best toboggan hills across from the Elkwater Marina. When the snow is right, they build a toboggan luge track and offer disc sleds and toboggans, free of charge, at the Learning Centre. Helmets are strongly recommended!

You’ll also find an excellent toboggan hill south of Hidden Valley Ski Resort off Highway 41. This area also has a picnic shelter nearby for warming up, and it is a great place to bring a picnic, zip down the hill, and have a day of winter fun.

Hiking and Snowshoeing

Winter hiking and snowshoeing are popular activities in Cypress Hills. The trails are quiet and beautiful, with some offering sweeping views of the prairies and others tucked into tall pine forests. Here are a few family-friendly favourites:

Old Baldy Trail: This short hike to the top of Old Baldy offers views of the lake and surrounding forest. It is exposed to the sun and dries out earlier than other trails. You can access the trail near the Old Baldy Campground and continue on the Fire-Rock Loop trail if you have the energy!  

Beaver Creek Loop Trail: From the southwest corner of Beaver Creek Campground, this easy trail follows Beaver Creek, winding through spruce and pine forest and offering interesting interpretive signage along the way.

Horseshoe Canyon Trail: Starting at the Old Baldy Campground, this 4 km trail climbs up a grassy hill into the forest. Hikers are rewarded with spectacular views of the Horseshoe Canyon landslide and the rolling prairies beyond it. It links up to the Beaver Creek Trail.

Lakeside Trail: Follow the shoreline of the Spruce Coulee Reservoir and loop back through the snowy forest to the Spruce Coulee Campground on this easy 2 km trail.

You can take these trails on foot or by snowshoe. Remember to stay off groomed cross-country ski trails. Snowshoe rentals are available at the Cypress Hills Visitor Centre.

Ice Fishing

For anglers, the park’s lakes and reservoirs offer a few great spots for ice fishing throughout the winter. Popular spots include:

• Elkwater Lake – Home to pike and perch.
• Reesor Lake – Stocked with rainbow and tiger trout.
• Spruce Coulee Reservoir – Known for brook trout, walleye, and Arctic grayling.

Warning: Alberta Parks does not check ice conditions, and ice is never considered 100% safe. Thin and dangerous conditions can exist at any time in the winter. Always check ice conditions – it should be at least 20 cm thick for group activities.

Check Alberta sportfishing regulations for these specific bodies of water before heading out.

Fat Biking

Fat biking is gaining popularity in the park. It is permitted on all groomed trails except the Spring Creek Ski Trail System. Riders need tires at least 3.7 inches wide and low-pressure for optimal traction, and regular mountain bikes aren’t allowed on these trails in the winter. Remember that cross-country skiers have priority on the trails, so give them lots of space to pass and use your bell if you’re coming down a hill!

Planning your winter adventure to Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Whether you’re an adventure seeker or just looking for a peaceful getaway, the park offers something for everyone. With its diverse activities and amenities, Cypress Hills is a fantastic destination for a family-friendly winter getaway.

Where to stay

If you want to stay in Elkwater during the winter, your best and closest option is Elkwater Lake Lodge and Resort. Visitors can also stay on the Saskatchewan side at the Historic Reesor Ranch, about 30 km east of Elkwater. Otherwise, consider winter camping or staying in one of the cozy backcountry huts!

If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, Medicine Hat offers a wide range of hotel, motel, B&B and guest house accommodations and is about 45 minutes away by car. Find places to stay in Medicine Hat.

Where to eat

Elkwater has two restaurants, and their hours of operation are limited in the winter. There is a small convenience store in the gas station, but be sure to pick up snacks, food and supplies in Calgary or Medicine Hat before arriving in the park.

The 12-34 Café & Pub offers breakfast sandwiches, coffee, pizza, chicken wings, nachos and sandwiches. Call for their winter hours.

The Buglers Dining Room is in the Elkwater Lodge. It offers a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu with handhelds, salads, and hearty dinner entrées.

Getting there

Cypress Hill Provincial Park is located off Highway 41, southeast of Medicine Hat, Alberta. From Calgary, drive southeast on Highway 1 and turn south (right) on Highway 41. Get directions to Cypress Hills Provincial Park.

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