Tourism and Recreation abound in the Palliser region. Major attractions are highlighted in this section and in our Interactive Recreation Map. Visit our Community Profiles for countless local attractions or explore our Heritage and Culture section for cultural attractions, performing arts, museums, festivals and more.
Tourism
The Palliser region tempts people to participate in activities year-round, whether to suit the curious, the playful or the adventurous. Some of our more notable attractions include:
Major Parks
- The Canadian Badlands reveals a striking landscape of sculpted formations juxtaposed against rolling prairies, coulees and deep river valleys. There are countless tourism sites within the Badlands including Dinosaur Provincial Park – a United Nations World Heritage Site and home to the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Red Rock Coulee Natural Area, and Pakowki Lake Bird Sanctuary.
- Cypress Hills Provincial Park is Alberta’s second largest Provincial Park and part of Canada’s – first and only – Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.
- Kinbrook Island Provincial Park, situated on Lake Newell, is a unique location for fishing, swimming, hiking, camping, picnics, boating, and more.
- 40-Mile Park is a recreation area on 40 Mile Reservoir that offers 7 miles of fishing, boating, and camping opportunities.
Driving Tours
Any visitor to the region would be missing out on the area’s natural beauty with its varied landscape and unique bird and wildlife if a driving tour was not on the itinerary. There are a variety of driving tours that are recommended by Canadian Badlands and Travel Alberta – Scenic Routes.
Accommodation
The Palliser region offers a variety of accommodation types, from hotels and motels to bed and breakfasts, cabins, ranches and camping. Information on lodging in Alberta South can also be accessed through the Alberta’s South Lodging guide. The Alberta Hotel and Lodging Association also has up-to-date listings of accommodations.
Explore more things to do and places to see at Travel Alberta South, Visit Newell, Travel Special Areas or Tourism Medicine Hat.
Recreation
The Palliser region has plenty of recreational opportunities year-round. From skiing, curling, hockey and skating in the winter to camping, boating, canoeing, hunting, hiking and golfing in the summer, these are just a few of the possibilities for active families and individuals.
In addition to the tourism attractions mentioned above, these local recreational areas are waiting to be explored by you:
- Acadia Valley Recreational Dam is fished year round for its seemingly easy-to-catch, stocked trout.
- Bassano Dam offers scenic views of the river valley, complete with a picnic area, group tours and excellent fishing.
- Brooks Aqueduct National and Provincial Historic Site
- Blood Indian Park, 30 km south of Youngstown, offers water recreation, camping and day use facilities.
- Fox Lake and Lake Newell offer great camping and water recreation options including boating, fishing, and sailing. Lake Newell is next to Kinbrook Island Provincial Park.
- The Calgary Stampede Ranch
- Medicine Hat Parks and Recreation showcases the many trails, local parks and recreation areas to explore in and around the City.
The Palliser region is well-known for its Sporting Teams and Events:
- The Canalta Centre in Medicine Hat is a state-of-the-art facility with a seating capacity of 6,600 for residents and visitors to enjoy concerts, and sporting and cultural events.
- Major Junior (WHL) Hockey Team – Medicine Hat Tigers
- Pro rodeos – spring indoor and summer outdoor
- Skiing in Hidden Valley
- Western Major Baseball Team – Medicine Hat Mavericks (2014 league champions)
- World Professional Chuckwagon Races
- Local speedways
