Stretching across the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park proudly bears the title of "Canada's First and Only Interprovincial Park" (www.cypresshills.com). The park protects the majority of the Cypress Hills landscape, which consists of three separate elevated blocks of lush forest and fescue grassland, and surrounded by dry mixed-grass prairie. The "west block" and "centre block" are protected as Provincial Parks, and are managed by Alberta Parks and Protected Areas (www.albertaparks.ca) and Saskatchewan Parks, respectively. The "east block" of the Cypress Hills is not part of the park, and is situated near Eastend, Saskatchewan.

Did you know that Cypress Hills Inteprovincial Park contains Canada's highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador?

On August 25, 1989, the governments of Alberta and Saskatchewan signed an agreement committing themselves to cooperation on ecosystem management, education and park promotion. And in 1996, Fort Walsh National Historic Site (located on the Saskatchewan side of the West Block) joined the collective. Together, these three partner agencies make up Canada's first Interprovincial Park.

The "West Block" of the Cypress Hills spans the provincial border. On the Alberta side of the west block, key park features include Head of the Mountain (the highest point in the Cypress Hills, at 1466 meters above sea level), the Elkwater townsite (a cottage community sitting at the same elevation as the Banff townsite), Horseshoe Canyon and Reesor Lake viewpoints (offering 100 km views on a clear day), over 50 km of hiking and mountain biking trails, and Hidden Valley Ski Area (Canada's Prairie Sno-asis). Three lakes also sit on the Alberta side of the park. Elkwater Lake is spring-fed, and is gnarly for swimming and fishing. Spruce Coulee Lake and Reesor Lake are further east, and are stocked with Rainbow and Brook trout, respectively.

All year long Park Interpreters present fun education programs to School and youth groups, adult and seniors groups, and a wide range of summer park visitors . All travellers to the park should inquire about the Interpretive program schedule before coming to the park. Plenty is offered... you don't want to miss out! Phone the Elkwater Lake Visitor Centre at 403/893-3833 for information.