Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
4.5
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Monday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Tuesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Wednesday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Thursday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Friday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Saturday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
Sunday
12:00 AM - 11:59 PM
About
The official Destination Marketing Organization for the Cypress Hills Destination Area, which includes Cypress Hills, Alberta and Saskatchewan, Grasslands National Park, the Great Sandhills, and the T.Rex Discovery Centre and the Towns of Maple Creek, Leader, Gull Lake and the Village of Val Marie.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
227 reviews
Excellent
135
Very good
68
Average
16
Poor
4
Terrible
4
Don B
1 contribution
Jul 2021 • Couples
Our online reservation agent was located in the USA and knew little about the park or campgrounds. The site we booked was not at all as described to us on the phone. We confirmed a booking for two nights in the Lodgepole campground but upon arrival, our site, and most others, offered no privacy as the sites are very close together. Sites are long but very skinny - not sure how this is a good design unless you are towing a very long, self sufficient RV. We were in a small 14’ trailer.
When we complained, we were only offered a full sun, non-electric overflow zone as an alternative. Not what we planned on. Finally, to add insult to injury, no refund of our two night booking fee was given despite many calls and discussions. While this park may be ideal for families and kids, mature adults seeking a semi-private, quiet may find themselves unhappy. As for customer service, we were not made to feel that we were valued customers at all.
When we complained, we were only offered a full sun, non-electric overflow zone as an alternative. Not what we planned on. Finally, to add insult to injury, no refund of our two night booking fee was given despite many calls and discussions. While this park may be ideal for families and kids, mature adults seeking a semi-private, quiet may find themselves unhappy. As for customer service, we were not made to feel that we were valued customers at all.
Written July 27, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gord&RoxanneFromEdmonton
Edmonton, Canada213 contributions
Aug 2020
Why did I wait 50 years? I did not know that this gem was hidden in the south east corner of our province. We had an amazing time the 3 days that we stayed. We really enjoyed taking all the back roads and thinking about all the history in the area. we will be back
Written September 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Solodam J
Amsterdam, The Netherlands34,927 contributions
May 2019
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is located 31,3 km south of Maple Creek, Take the Hwy SK-21 S and the entrance of the park is on Hwy 221. Park entry is CAD 10 / day pass. It's quite a big park with campground areas. There are some lookout points and trails. We didn't see big animals except a white tail, birds and a lot of prairie flowers. You need to stay a couple days to be able to see the grassland animals. There is a lots things to do especially with kids
Written April 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SaskTraveller55
Saskatoon, Canada35 contributions
Jul 2024 • Family
I had experienced Cypress Hills only once, in the winter, and was pretty excited to finally explore it in the summer. There is so much to do that we couldn't fit much in over our 5 day camping trip.
There is definitely something for everyone! Tons of hiking trails, biking, non-motorized water activities, a beach, pool, mini golf, a couple of restaurants, equestrian area, zip lining, go-carts, observatory, many daily activities, a beautiful 9 hole golf course, multiple campgrounds and sites to choose from, cabins, kids camps, private group camping areas, laundry, gas station with propane, and a few other things I likely missed - all within the park! If you do want to venture into town, Maple Creek is a quaint town with many great little shops, restaurants and a fantastic local brewery. Definitely plan to come back next year and stay for at least 10 days.
There is definitely something for everyone! Tons of hiking trails, biking, non-motorized water activities, a beach, pool, mini golf, a couple of restaurants, equestrian area, zip lining, go-carts, observatory, many daily activities, a beautiful 9 hole golf course, multiple campgrounds and sites to choose from, cabins, kids camps, private group camping areas, laundry, gas station with propane, and a few other things I likely missed - all within the park! If you do want to venture into town, Maple Creek is a quaint town with many great little shops, restaurants and a fantastic local brewery. Definitely plan to come back next year and stay for at least 10 days.
Written July 25, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ian K
Edmonton, Canada795 contributions
Oct 2020
I decided to stop in at Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park on a recent road trip. It has been about 50 years since I was last here with my parents. It is a beautiful spot, the landscape is really quite remarkable, the fall colours were exceptional.
It is a beautiful place to visit.
It is a beautiful place to visit.
Written October 5, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie S
Regina, Canada79 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
Nice Provincial park with good hiking. The paths could use better marking as often we weren’t sure which way we were to go. Drove gap road and was good. Lots of wandering cows which was good for my city kids. Also lots of frogs. Lake was nice to look at but not really a swimming lake.
Written August 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Faye M
1 contribution
Sep 2021 • Couples
Planned our vacation there Sept. 5-7 2021 the 6th being the last Stat holiday of the summer. Most things were closed on that day. Mini golf, treeosix zip line etc., boat/canoe rentals to name a few. Observatory closed totaly with no notices on the web site. Very disappointing.
Written September 6, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
105jimk
Saskatoon, Canada305 contributions
Aug 2022
My wife and I enjoyed a few hours in Cypress Hills on a beautifully sunny day. Our two highlights were the drive up to Bald Butte ( fantastic vista) and our hike on the Whispering Pines trail. The unique forest ecology makes a visit worthwhile. The lodgepole pine are a beautiful, straight, tall tree, but there is much else too. Signage in a few places could be improved.
Written August 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ty&Terri
Regina, Canada741 contributions
We spent the August Long Weekend 2008 at Cypress Hills. It was a spur of the moment trip and so we were unable to reserve a site as we would have preferred to do, but that's not a big problem. If you are planning to go, take a look at what activities are happening during your stay. The Hillbilly Hustle was on while we were there and it looked like a lot of fun, we may have entered had we known about it before hand.
We were tenting and stayed in Site 3 of Deer Hollow (not electric). This was definitely one of the most private sites, it's only real problem was how close to the road it is, some of the trucks are loud but there's not much traffic at night. The ground was quite rocky so we were very happy that we brought our air mattress. The campgrounds are very dark (Cyrpess is a dark sky preserver) so make sure to bring a lantern and a few flashlights. Deer Hollow has 1 washroom with flush toilets and running water, as well as 1 regular outhouse. We went over to the Rainbow Campground to use the showers, very nice and clean, and best of all, they are free.
There is a pool, however we did not use it. The lake is quite small as is the beach, but it is nice. You can rent canoes and paddle boats to use on the lake. 5hp is the maximum motor size permitted so there is no waterskiing or tubing. There is also mini golf, ice cream shops, a general store, and gas station. The lounge at the Cypress Hills Resort shows the Riders games, Go Riders!
We walked the Highland Trail (no biking allowed). Nice, easy little walk along the bottom of a valley with a pond in the middle. There are signs along the way talking about what you're seeing. It took us a little under an hour to walk at a leisurely pace.
We biked the Whispering Pines Trail. I am not an experience biker so I found it fairly difficult because of all the tree roots. Ty is much more experienced and did not find it difficult. I would have preferred to walk it. This is also a nice trail with great views and scenery.
Lookout Point and Bald Butte are definitely worth the short drive. The view is amazing from both. I wish we had gone at sunset, I'm sure it would have been beautiful. According to the activity pamphlet we received they have star gazing at Lookout Point which I'm sure would be great for the star lover.
We also took a trip over to Fort Walsh and the West Block of Cypress Hills. Fort Walsh is an interesting historic site for the RCMP. Kids get to go with a guide and dress up as Mounties, go on a scavenger hunt and then "arrest" some people from the group. Everyone then gets to see the criminals on trial. It's quite fun and you may even get some homemade cinnamon bun, yum!
In the West Block we went to the Conglomerate Cliffs. I thought that we would be standing on one hill looking across at the Cliffs, this is not how it is. You are actually standing on the Cliffs looking at Adams Lake and a valley. It is a very nice view, just a different one than In had expected.
We then decided to go hike the High Vista Trail up to the Hidden Conglomerates. This trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail. We only hiked up to the Hidden Conglomerates and then back to the truck, as the trail does not loop around back to the start. This trail has lots of steep hills to go up. Make sure to take some water. I liked the Hidden Conglomerates much better than the 1st ones we saw, however I'm not sure they were worth the extra effort.
All in all the park is nice and there are a lot of activities for both kids and adults. We felt it wasn't laid out in the most convenient fashion to get around though. In order to get from our campground to one with showers we had to go allllll the way around, even though it was just across the road because the road is "fire exit only". We really enjoy boating, watersports and fishing so for us Cypress wasn't the greatest choice. Because of this we likely won't return to Cypress and will instead continue to go to the lakes in the north. Depending on what you are looking for it may be perfect for you.
We were tenting and stayed in Site 3 of Deer Hollow (not electric). This was definitely one of the most private sites, it's only real problem was how close to the road it is, some of the trucks are loud but there's not much traffic at night. The ground was quite rocky so we were very happy that we brought our air mattress. The campgrounds are very dark (Cyrpess is a dark sky preserver) so make sure to bring a lantern and a few flashlights. Deer Hollow has 1 washroom with flush toilets and running water, as well as 1 regular outhouse. We went over to the Rainbow Campground to use the showers, very nice and clean, and best of all, they are free.
There is a pool, however we did not use it. The lake is quite small as is the beach, but it is nice. You can rent canoes and paddle boats to use on the lake. 5hp is the maximum motor size permitted so there is no waterskiing or tubing. There is also mini golf, ice cream shops, a general store, and gas station. The lounge at the Cypress Hills Resort shows the Riders games, Go Riders!
We walked the Highland Trail (no biking allowed). Nice, easy little walk along the bottom of a valley with a pond in the middle. There are signs along the way talking about what you're seeing. It took us a little under an hour to walk at a leisurely pace.
We biked the Whispering Pines Trail. I am not an experience biker so I found it fairly difficult because of all the tree roots. Ty is much more experienced and did not find it difficult. I would have preferred to walk it. This is also a nice trail with great views and scenery.
Lookout Point and Bald Butte are definitely worth the short drive. The view is amazing from both. I wish we had gone at sunset, I'm sure it would have been beautiful. According to the activity pamphlet we received they have star gazing at Lookout Point which I'm sure would be great for the star lover.
We also took a trip over to Fort Walsh and the West Block of Cypress Hills. Fort Walsh is an interesting historic site for the RCMP. Kids get to go with a guide and dress up as Mounties, go on a scavenger hunt and then "arrest" some people from the group. Everyone then gets to see the criminals on trial. It's quite fun and you may even get some homemade cinnamon bun, yum!
In the West Block we went to the Conglomerate Cliffs. I thought that we would be standing on one hill looking across at the Cliffs, this is not how it is. You are actually standing on the Cliffs looking at Adams Lake and a valley. It is a very nice view, just a different one than In had expected.
We then decided to go hike the High Vista Trail up to the Hidden Conglomerates. This trail is part of the Trans Canada Trail. We only hiked up to the Hidden Conglomerates and then back to the truck, as the trail does not loop around back to the start. This trail has lots of steep hills to go up. Make sure to take some water. I liked the Hidden Conglomerates much better than the 1st ones we saw, however I'm not sure they were worth the extra effort.
All in all the park is nice and there are a lot of activities for both kids and adults. We felt it wasn't laid out in the most convenient fashion to get around though. In order to get from our campground to one with showers we had to go allllll the way around, even though it was just across the road because the road is "fire exit only". We really enjoy boating, watersports and fishing so for us Cypress wasn't the greatest choice. Because of this we likely won't return to Cypress and will instead continue to go to the lakes in the north. Depending on what you are looking for it may be perfect for you.
Written August 4, 2008
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Campingtravellers
Toronto, Canada1 contribution
Oct 2012 • Couples
My wife and I just finished one of our regular cross-country camping trips, visiting relatives on the west coast and enjoying tent camping along the way. As we passed through southern Alberta it brought back memories that are impossible to avoid. Our visit was prior to Oct 2012 but a date was required by this site to offer this rating. No amount of money or assurance could ever persuade us to tent camp in this park again. A few years ago on a similar trip we stayed one night in this park. We should have known something was up when the man who came around selling firewood gave us an "emergency" card with phone numbers to call in case of trouble. We were told that the campground where we were assigned had a very bad reputation and it looked like that night was going to be bad (understatement). As the night dragged on we feared for our safety as did a lot of other "family" campers. Drunken brawls....trees knocked down.....screaming and yelling. Finally the police were able to remove the worst offenders, but there were still many remaining that you would not want to make eye contact with. We are not fearful people. We have tent camped all over the world.....had run-ins with all kinds of wildlife, but none like the human-kind that inhabited this park. We were told this is a common occurance.
Written September 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Venture04687136545
Medicine Hat, Canada
Crossing of upper graburn creek has a bridge that seemed to appear as if by majic. Would appreciate any and all information on this project, as info seems scant...
Written May 26, 2023
We’re going to be in Elkwater and the park in early August 2018 with our puppy. Are there restaurants and attractions that allow a dog (smallish) on leash in their premises? Thanks.
Written July 19, 2018
Hi - Camp Cookhouse allows dogs on their patio.
The only other restaurant in the Area is Buglers in the Elkwater Lake Lodge (which does not allow dogs inside the restaurant), and the 12-34 Cafe, which I do not believe allows dogs on their patio.
Written August 14, 2018
How from Eagle Valley Campground is it to Cypress?
Written June 10, 2018
Sorry, not sure if you still need an answer to this....but it's about 10 min from Maple Creek, and then another 20-25 minutes to the Park from there.
Written July 17, 2018
Taking bikes tomorrow with my daughter any good trails?
Written July 25, 2017
I wasn't biking, but the some of the trails I walked on were suitable for biking. There were bike tracks on others that I thought were maybe less suited for bikes. So, it depends on your level of adventure. Most of the trails in the park were quite easy. There are also the trails used to access that camping areas that are suitable for bikes. Fort Walsh would also be suited for bikes if you are going there (and I recommend it).
Written July 25, 2017
Is cell service available in the park, and surrounding area? We are staying in the Meadows campground, and if it's not available there, how far do we have to travel to pick up cell service? Is internet available in the campgrounds? (Meadows)
Written May 31, 2016
Depends on your service provider. If you're with Rogers, chances are you will have no service. Usually, if you are having problems with service you can usually pick up some bars at look out point or the Park-21 junction. I hope this helps!
Written June 1, 2016
Does anyone have recommendations on good tent camping locations in the park? We're looking for something a little more secluded (a short walk in isn't a problem) close to a lake that we could use our canoe on.
Written April 27, 2016
Valerie one of the Saskatchewan side of the park sent this message, Ian
Deer Hollow is our tenting campground. There are lits of great, quiet sites there.
Written April 28, 2016
If I understand this right, then it is only possible to get to the equestrian campground when the weather is dry? What if it rains when we are there. Can we get out? We are loaded to the max when we go camping with our horses and truck camper. We'd love to go there but we are hesitant about the dirt road in(and out) . We are coming from Alberta. Any suggestions , experiences or helpful advice?
Written August 16, 2015
Hi - the Battle Creek Road in the West Block of the Cypress Hills, is impassable after a heavy rain. That being said, as a road with a clay base, it dries very quickly. Best to call the West Block Park Ranger for up-to-date road conditions at: 306 662 5489. A four-wheel drive vehicle can usually power through, but hauling a horse trailer, it might be a little more challenging. I pulled my camping trailer through with my truck the day after an 8 hr downpour, and it was muddy - but totally doable.
Written January 9, 2016
dkherman68@gmail.com
Medicine Hat, Canada
We are staying at the hotel on the sask side on July 21,22,23.We are going to the musical ride and was wondering what was the entertainment at the campground. We missed the show last year we didn't see the info on it . we don.t want to make the same mistake.
Written June 15, 2015
There are several rustic, but well-equipped cabins situated close to the hotel and central area of the park. I think they are 2 and 3 bedroom cabins and most of them have fire pits outdoors. The hotel has lots of rooms that are clean and most of them have a view. There is a great restaurant and a small bar. The staff was helpful and friendly.
There are some accommodations in Maple Creek (a town about 30 minutes drive from the park). One place that caught my eye just outside Maple Creek was a Bed and Breakfast where you could sleep in a covered wagon or a gypsy caravan. It was so unique and I thought I might try that place next time.
Written April 8, 2015
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