Red Rock Coulee

56 kilometers / 35 miles

The many large, red boulders in Red Rock Coulee were formed in prehistoric seas — layers of sand calcite and iron oxide collected around a nucleus, formed by shells, leaves, or bones. These concretions grew larger as the circulating waters deposited more layers. At up to 2.5 metres in diameter, they are among the largest in the world. Along with the exposed rocks, you will also find prairie inhabitants such as deer, coyotes, rabbits, rattlesnakes, and nighthawks. Being a natural area, this park does not have bathrooms or garbage disposal. 

To reach Red Rock Coulee, drive southwest from Medicine Hat on Highway 3. Just before the village of Seven Persons you will turn south on Highway 887, a secondary highway to Manyberries. Continue south on Highway 887 until you reach Red Rock Coulee, which is open year-round.

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Dinosaur Provincial Park

158 kilometers / 98 miles

Discover and experience a unique landscape of haunting formations and rich fossil resources at Dinosaur Provincial Park. You will be amazed when the gently rolling prairie grasslands suddenly drop off, plunging you into a remarkable world of hoodoos, pinnacles, coulees, and buttes. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the largest area of badlands in Canada and one of the richest sites in the world for late Cretaceous fossils.

To book tours and learn more 

dinosaurpark.ca | 403.378.4344

For campground reservations

reserve.albertaparks.ca | 1.877.537.2757

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Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park / Áísínai'pi 

168 kilometres / 105 miles

The hoodoos that sit in this Natural and Cultural Heritage Site, in the heart of Traditional Blackfoot Territory, were formed over 85 million years ago, at the edge of a great inland sea. Take a pamphlet to embark on the hike, where you’ll read stories and, at the end, see carvings from Indigenous peoples from many years ago.

For campground reservations

reserve.albertaparks.ca | 1.877.537.2757

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Etzikom Museum and Historical Windmill Center

87 kilometers / 54 miles

Located on the Red Coat Trail, is the Etzikom Museum and the Canadian National Historic Windmill Centre. The Centre features outdoor restored examples of windmills encompassing over 200 years of Canadian wind power (particularly water pumpers). Indoors at the Museum are many hands-on displays in time-period settings, featuring early pioneer life, native artifacts, fossils, petroglyphs, homesteader tools and a historic church.

Open from Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day weekend

foremostalberta.com  | 403.666.3737

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Prairie Memories Museum, Irvine

35 kilometers / 22 miles

A must-see attraction for anyone interested in rural history, this museum portrays various aspects of pioneer life. They have many artifacts and buildings including an old schoolhouse, church, and lumber store. Be sure to check out Irvine’s 20 Milepost Days held annually on September long weekend. This event features all kinds of events, including a parade, rodeo, gymkhana, bench show, and much more.

 403.834.3923

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Redcliff

8.8 kilometre / 5.5 miles

Being the Greenhouse Capital of the Prairies, there is a hub of seasonal huts with freshly-grown produce and hand-made salsas and sauces in Redcliff. Along with the crisp vegetables, the red rock coulees are a playground for mountain biking, leisure biking, river floating, or taking a stroll along the paved pathway near the South Saskatchewan River. Spot some cactus underneath the summer sun in the town that’s just 10 minutes outside of Medicine Hat.