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Unlike any other place in Canada, this mountain on the prairies is home to scorpions, rare orchids, petrified figs, and a “wild-west-sort-of” past that actually ignited the formation of the Mounties. Today, Cypress Hills Alberta is an oasis for camping, bird watching, watersports, biking, and so much more.

Cypress Hills Alberta is another one of those beautiful places that just escaped us for many years. I grew up in Alberta and have travelled it more than almost anyone else, but this one little slice in the Southeastern corner of the province was still on my bucket list. That is, until 2021 when I finally made it happen.

Located just 45 minutes from Medicine Hat, Cypress Hills Alberta is this rare oasis on the edge of the Canadian Badlands. From what I could see, it’s basically where the rolling hills of the Alberta badlands meet the forest. In fact, it’s a very unique ecosystem because it’s one of the few places in Western Canada that escaped the glaciation period, which has led to it having some truly unique flora and fauna.

But whether you’re into admiring rare orchids or not, there’s lots of outdoor adventure in Cypress Hills. With lakes, hills, and plenty of trails, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Cypress Hills for all ages. Let’s dive in.