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The Cypress Hills are an oasis to be explored every season. There
is no better way to enjoy the Cypress Hills than in the serenity of the
golden aspen leaves in fall, the white blanket of winter, or the fragrant
wildflowers of spring. Any season is a great time for outdoor recreation
in the hills.
Photography
The best way to preserve your visit to Cypress Hills is through photography.
Capture spectacular sunsets, playful wildlife, and budding blossoms onto
film. Panoramic shots of the coulees and valleys are a scenic photographer's
dream.
*take only pictures, leave only footprints*
 Wildlife
Viewing, Flora and Fauna
The natural splendor of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park starts with its incredible setting – high hills covered in pine forests overlooking prairies, dotted with charming lakes.
Look a little deeper and you’ll discover a surprisingly wide array of animals, birds, fish, flowers and even alpine plants – some of which exist nowhere else on the prairies. It’s all about the life here.
The off seasons of spring and fall are often the best time for wildlife
viewing. In the spring you can catch a glimpse of the newborn
Mule deer or Moose. In fall listen to the bugle of the Elk. But
no matter the season, wildlife is always abundant in Cypress Hills.
Please remember that the wildlife are wild and should be viewed from a
safe distance.
The park's varied plant communities provide homes for many animals.  Elk, moose, wild turkeys, deer, pine martens and cougars can found within the Cypress Hills. Birds are numerous in the Cypress Hills; more than 200 species have been sighted. Some of these are found on the prairie surrounding the hills.
Others, such as the Dark-eyed junco and Yellow-rumped warbler, breed primarily in the Rocky Mountains or the forests of northern Canada, but have isolated populations in the park.
Northern saw-whet owls, Red-breasted Nuthatches, and Ruffed grouse live in the coniferous forest. The Calypso Orchid and Yellow Lady's Slipper are just two of 14 orchid species found in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.
Many of these fragile and stunning flowers can be found while out hiking during the spring and early summer seasons. This area is truly an orchid lover's paradise.
At every turn, you will be identifying wildflowers not found anywhere else on the prairies – a result of the park’s position high on a plateau between Saskatchewan and Alberta.The
Cypress Hills are one of Alberta's prime wildlife-viewing sites.
Bird and mammal checklists can be downloaded.
For viewing advice, please contact the Visitor Centre.
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