Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park

• 1931 - Cypress Hills Provincial Park was established in Saskatchewan.
• 1951 - Cypress Hills Provincial Park was established in Alberta.
• 1989 - On August 25, the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan signed an agreement committing themselves to cooperation on ecosystem management, education and park promotion.
• 2000 - Fort Walsh National Historic Site (on the Saskatchewan side of the West Block) joined the collective. Together, these three partner agencies make up the park. The Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial governments signed the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park agreement, establishing the first interprovincial park in Canada.
• 2004 - On September 28, Saskatchewan Parks, Alberta Community Development, Parks Canada and the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada signed an agreement that declared the park a dark-sky preserve.

The Cypress Hills plateau rises up to 200 m (660 ft) above the surrounding prairie, to a maximum elevation of 1,468 m (4,816 ft) at "Head of the Mountain" at the west end in Alberta, making it Canada's highest point between the Canadian Rockies and the Labrador peninsula. Eastward across the boundary is the highest point in Saskatchewan, at 1,392 m (4,567 ft). The "West Block" of the Cypress Hills spans the provincial boundary. Battle Creek runs through the central part of the park. Although the hills seem relatively low, in a larger geographic context the plateau does rise gradually from many kilometres away so that the total elevation gain from Medicine Hat is approximately 600 m (2,000 ft).

The park protects the majority of the Cypress Hills landscape, which consists of three separate elevated blocks of lush forest and fescue grassland surrounded by dry mixed-grass prairie. Approximately 700 species of plants and animals thrive in the park, including 14 species of orchids.

The hills, because of the higher precipitation they receive, support extensive forest and also some rare fescue grassland. Most of the flora is shared with the mountains in states such as Montana and Wyoming rather than with the rest of Canada. The altitude of the hills, which is similar to the altitude of Banff also shares some similar flora and fauna with the Alberta mountain parks. Southern facing slopes tend to support prairie, northern slopes are covered with forest.

The hills host cougars. Cattle graze throughout the Cypress Hills Provincial Park, especially on the prairie on the flat tops of the Hills, though stream bank damage in the spruce/lodgepole pine/aspen forest indicates their presence everywhere in the Hills. There are 5 species of large hoofed mammals found in the park: Wapiti, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, Pronghorn, and Bison.

The climate of the area is generally temperate. Because the Cypress Hills area of the same elevation as the Banff townsite, it receives more precipitation than the surrounding areas.

• 🌍 The Resort at Cypress Hills (Centre Block), ☏ +1-306-662-4477, groups@resortatcypresshills.ca. Hotel rooms, cabins and townhouses. (updated Mar 2019)
• 🌍 Elkwater Lake Lodge, 401 4 St, Elkwater, AB, ☏ +1-403-893-3811, toll-free: +1-888-893-3811, info@elkwaterlakelodge.com. Set within the Alberta Block, this laid-back lodge hotel is a 5-minute walk from Elkwater Lake and a 2.7-km drive from Hidden Valley Ski Resort. (updated Sep 2021)
• 🌍 Historic Reesor Ranch (30 km (19 mi) km S of Walsh, on Graburn Rd to "Historic Reesor Ranch" sign, then 3.7 km (2.3 mi) E to ranch.), ☏ +1-306-662-3498, reesorranch@hotmail.com. Fifth generation (founded in 1904)​ working ranch located in the Cypress Hills. Offers Cypress Hills Adventure Packages with seasonal ranch activities on horseback. Cattle drives, round-ups, touring, hiking and birdwatching. 'Cowboy Comfort with Atmosphere and Western Hospitality.' (updated Mar 2019)

• Alberta, ☏ +1-403-893-3777. Over 400 individual campsites, located near Elkwater, AB (updated Mar 2019)
• Saskatchewan, ☏ +1-306-662-5411, toll-free: +1-855-737-7275, cypresshills@gov.sk.ca. 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. (updated Mar 2019)

• 🌍 West Block Wilderness Area, ☏ +1-306-662-5411, toll-free: +1-800-205-7070. Horse enthusiasts visiting Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park will enjoy the West Block Wilderness Area. This summer equestrian campground features corrals available on a first-come basis. Cubed and processed feed only permitted. Two quiet, rustic campgrounds without power, available on a first-come basis for those wanting to camp with few amenities. (updated Mar 2019)
• Alberta, ☏ +1-403-893-3777. 3 backcountry campgrounds east of Elkwater. (updated Mar 2019)

Check the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park website for trail and road reports. Trails are multi-use. Be prepared, weather can change quickly so bring clothing for all weather conditions.

Take a map and a basic survival kit, pack extra food and water, travel in a group, make noise to let wildlife know you're in the area. Winter conditions can change rapidly in the Cypress Hills. Most backcountry roads in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park are closed in the winter.

Do not approach, harass or attempt to feed wildlife or livestock. Moose, deer and other wildlife may appear docile. However, wildlife can be quite dangerous to humans and pets if they feel threatened. A pet's actions can provoke an attack. Always keep pets on a short leash. Cougars were historically found in the Cypress Hills. Today, occasional sightings of cougars are reported in the region, including in the park. Parks Division staff work to protect this species while minimizing risk to campers and area residents. Leave the area immediately if you see a cougar or evidence of cougar activity. The chance of seeing a cougar in the Cypress Hills is small.