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Cypress Hills Provincial Park

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Effective Date: August 19, 2026 - Until Further Notice

Where: Reesor Dock Day Use , Reesor Lake Campground , Reesor Lake Hut ComfortCamping

Details:

Please be advised that Cyanobacterial (Blue-Green Algae) has been identified in the water at this location. Additional information can be found online at AHS Health Advisories

Visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

  • Avoid all contact with cyanobacterial blooms. If contact occurs, wash with tap water as soon as possible.
  • Do not swim or wade or allow your pets to swim or wade in any areas where cyanobacteria is visible.
  • Do not feed whole fish or fish trimmings from this lake to your pets.
  • Consider limiting human consumption of whole fish and fish trimmings from this lake, as it is known that fish may store toxins in their liver. People can safely consume fish fillets from this lake.

As always, visitors and residents are reminded to never drink or cook with untreated water directly from any recreational body of water at any time. Boiling this water will not remove the toxins produced by cyanobacteria. An alternative source of drinking water should also be provided for pets and livestock while this advisory is active.

Weather and wind conditions can cause algae blooms to move from one location in the lake to another. As such, this advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

Please note: Waters in which the cyanobacterial bloom is NOT visible can still be used for recreational purposes, even while this Health Advisory is in place.

Updated: August 19, 2026 

Effective Date: September 2, 2026 - Until Further Notice

Where: Cypress Hills Provincial Park , Information & Facilities

Details:

Winterization of water services for campgrounds, standpipes, flush toilets, and showers will begin September 21, 2026. 

Year-round water, flush toilets, and showers are available at the Lakeview Shower House, located at the entrance to Lakeview Campground.

Water to campgrounds, standpipes, flush toilets, and showers is not guaranteed or charged between September 14, 2026, and June 1, 2027.

Updated: September 2, 2026 
Sunset over Elkwater at Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Milky Way over Battle Creek at Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Skating Loop at Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Marina at Elkwater Townsite at Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Kayaking at Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Information: 403-893-3833 EXT: 5
Directions

Bypassed by retreating glaciers during the last Ice Age, the Cypress Hills are the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. First-time visitors are surprised to find lodgepole pine forests and rugged mountain-like terrain here. The Cypress Hills are the prairie's oasis - cooler in the hot summer and warmer in the cold winter.

More orchids grow in these hills than anywhere else on the prairies. Over 220 bird species, 47 mammal species, and several species of reptiles and amphibians are found here. The natural environment makes the Cypress Hills a wild and wonderful place!

20 km southeast of Medicine Hat on Hwy. 1 & 30 km south on Hwy. 41

Activities

Beach  Beach
Birding  Birding
Camping  Camping
Canoeing/Kayaking  Canoeing/Kayaking (AIS)
Cross Country Skiing  Cross Country Skiing
Fishing  Fishing
Hiking - Front Country  Hiking - Front Country
Equestrian  Equestrian
Horseshoes  Horseshoes
Hunting  Hunting
Ice Fishing  Ice Fishing
Ice Skating  Ice Skating
Mtn. Biking/Cycling  Mtn. Biking/Cycling
Power Boating  Power Boating (AIS)
Sailing  Sailing (AIS)
Snowshoeing  Snowshoeing
Swimming  Swimming
Tobogganing  Tobogganing
Water Skiing  Water Skiing (AIS)
Wildlife Viewing  Wildlife Viewing
Wind Surfing  Wind Surfing (AIS)
Winter Camping  Winter Camping
Golfing  Golfing
Geocaching  Geocaching
Fat Biking  Fat Biking
Hiking - Interpretive  Hiking - Interpretive
Electric Bicycles  Electric Bicycles
  • Permitted activities may vary within a park. Please confirm details with park staff.

Events

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No upcoming events at this time.

Hunting in Cypress Hills Provincial Park

  • Hunters require firearms discharge permits to hunt game species.
  • Target shooting is prohibited.

Hunting is allowed only for individuals drawn in the Cypress Hills special elk license draw or individuals with a cougar hunting license as authorized by the Wildlife Act;

Elk management hunt in Cypress Hills Provincial Park

Firearm Discharge Permit Application
More information:
310-LAND (5263)
Learn about hunting in Alberta's parks system

Alberta Hunting Regulations
Purchase your Hunting License
*To be connected toll-free in Alberta, dial 310-0000 followed by the 10-digit phone number.

Maps & Guides

  • Fall Hunt Map (Nov) Cypress Hills PP Hunt Map, Cypress Hills PP, Hunting Map, Fall Trail map -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Driving Routes Map Cypress Hills PP, Map Battle Creek Campground Beaver Creek Campground Elkwater Campground Ferguson Hill Campground Firerock Campground Lakeview Campground Lodgepole Campground Old Baldy Campground Reesor Dock Campground Reesor Lake Campground Spring Creek Equestrian Campground Spruce Coulee Campground Aspen Ridge Group Use Highway 41 Group Use Main Group Use Nichol Springs Group Use Willow Creek Group Use Elkwater Hut CC Firerock Hut CC Graburn Hut CC Medicine Lodge CC Reesor Lake Hut CC Spruce Coulee Hut CC Tom Trott Hut CC Aspen Ridge Hut CC East End Day Use West End Day Use West-Central Day Use Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Day Use Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Day Use Bull Trail Pullout Day Use Head of the Mountain Day Use Elkwater SF Learning Centre SF -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Elkwater Townsite Map Cypress Hills PP, map, Battle Creek Campground Beaver Creek Campground Elkwater Campground Ferguson Hill Campground Firerock Campground Lakeview Campground Lodgepole Campground Old Baldy Campground Reesor Dock Campground Reesor Lake Campground Spring Creek Equestrian Campground Spruce Coulee Campground Aspen Ridge Group Use Highway 41 Group Use Main Group Use Nichol Springs Group Use Willow Creek Group Use Elkwater Hut CC Firerock Hut CC Graburn Hut CC Medicine Lodge CC Reesor Lake Hut CC Spruce Coulee Hut CC Tom Trott Hut CC Aspen Ridge Hut CC East End Day Use West End Day Use West-Central Day Use Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Day Use Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Day Use Bull Trail Pullout Day Use Head of the Mountain Day Use Elkwater SF Learning Centre SF Cypress Hills Visitor Centre -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Equestrian Park Guide with Map Cypress Hills PP, map, horse riding, Spring Creek Equestrian Campground Battle Creek Campground Beaver Creek Campground Elkwater Campground Ferguson Hill Campground Firerock Campground Lakeview Campground Lodgepole Campground Old Baldy Campground Reesor Dock Campground Reesor Lake Campground Spring Creek Equestrian Campground Spruce Coulee Campground Aspen Ridge Group Use Highway 41 Group Use Main Group Use Nichol Springs Group Use Willow Creek Group Use Elkwater Hut CC Firerock Hut CC Graburn Hut CC Medicine Lodge CC Reesor Lake Hut CC Spruce Coulee Hut CC Tom Trott Hut CC Aspen Ridge Hut CC East End Day Use West End Day Use West-Central Day Use Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Day Use Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Day Use Bull Trail Pullout Day Use Head of the Mountain Day Use Elkwater SF Learning Centre SF -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Geology Fact Sheet Cypress Hills PP, Geology Fact Sheet Battle Creek Campground Beaver Creek Campground Elkwater Campground Ferguson Hill Campground Firerock Campground Lakeview Campground Lodgepole Campground Old Baldy Campground Reesor Dock Campground Reesor Lake Campground Spring Creek Equestrian Campground Spruce Coulee Campground Aspen Ridge Group Use Highway 41 Group Use Main Group Use Nichol Springs Group Use Willow Creek Group Use Elkwater Hut CC Firerock Hut CC Graburn Hut CC Medicine Lodge CC Reesor Lake Hut CC Spruce Coulee Hut CC Tom Trott Hut CC Aspen Ridge Hut CC East End Day Use West End Day Use West-Central Day Use Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Day Use Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Day Use Bull Trail Pullout Day Use Head of the Mountain Day Use Elkwater SF Learning Centre SF -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Interprovincial Park Map Cypress Hills PP, map Battle Creek Campground Beaver Creek Campground Elkwater Campground Ferguson Hill Campground Firerock Campground Lakeview Campground Lodgepole Campground Old Baldy Campground Reesor Dock Campground Reesor Lake Campground Spring Creek Equestrian Campground Spruce Coulee Campground Aspen Ridge Group Use Highway 41 Group Use Main Group Use Nichol Springs Group Use Willow Creek Group Use Elkwater Hut CC Firerock Hut CC Graburn Hut CC Medicine Lodge CC Reesor Lake Hut CC Spruce Coulee Hut CC Tom Trott Hut CC Aspen Ridge Hut CC East End Day Use West End Day Use West-Central Day Use Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Day Use Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Day Use Bull Trail Pullout Day Use Head of the Mountain Day Use Elkwater SF Learning Centre SF Cypress Hills Visitor Centre -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Campgrounds Cypress Hills PP, map, Lakeview Campground, Old Baldy Campground, Beaver Creek Campground, Elkwater Campground, Firerock Campground, Ferguson Hill Campground, Lodgepole Campground Battle Creek Campground Beaver Creek Campground Elkwater Campground Ferguson Hill Campground Firerock Campground Lakeview Campground Lodgepole Campground Old Baldy Campground Reesor Dock Campground Reesor Lake Campground Spring Creek Equestrian Campground Spruce Coulee Campground Aspen Ridge Group Use Highway 41 Group Use Main Group Use Nichol Springs Group Use Willow Creek Group Use Elkwater Hut CC Firerock Hut CC Graburn Hut CC Medicine Lodge CC Reesor Lake Hut CC Spruce Coulee Hut CC Tom Trott Hut CC Aspen Ridge Hut CC East End Day Use West End Day Use West-Central Day Use Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Day Use Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Day Use Bull Trail Pullout Day Use Head of the Mountain Day Use Elkwater SF Learning Centre SF -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Orchids Checklist Cypress Hills PP, orchids, checklist Battle Creek Campground Beaver Creek Campground Elkwater Campground Ferguson Hill Campground Firerock Campground Lakeview Campground Lodgepole Campground Old Baldy Campground Reesor Dock Campground Reesor Lake Campground Spring Creek Equestrian Campground Spruce Coulee Campground Aspen Ridge Group Use Highway 41 Group Use Main Group Use Nichol Springs Group Use Willow Creek Group Use Elkwater Hut CC Firerock Hut CC Graburn Hut CC Medicine Lodge CC Reesor Lake Hut CC Spruce Coulee Hut CC Tom Trott Hut CC Aspen Ridge Hut CC East End Day Use West End Day Use West-Central Day Use Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Day Use Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Day Use Bull Trail Pullout Day Use Head of the Mountain Day Use Elkwater SF Learning Centre SF -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Summer Trails Guide with Maps Cypress Hills PP, Map Trails: Beaver Creek Loop Cobble Miner Cougar Ridge Crocus Loop Ferguson Hill Road Firerock Highline Horseshoe Canyon Lakeside Lower Mystery Mazama Drop Mazma Mitchell Creek Mitchell Creek Connector Murray Hill Road Mystery Old Baldy Plateau Rangers Trail Ridgetop Rodeo Loop Shoreline Soggy Bottom Spring Creek Cross-Country Ski Trail System Sprinkler Spruce Coulee Sunset Tephra Trans Canada Turkey Trott Facilities: Cypress Hills Visitor Centre Battle Creek Beaver Creek Elkwater Ferguson Hill Firerock Lakeview Lodgepole Old Baldy Reesor Dock Reesor Lake Spring Creek Equestrian Spruce Coulee Aspen Ridge Highway 41 Main Nichol Springs Willow Creek Elkwater Cabins Firerock Cabins Graburn Hut Medicine Lodge Reesor Lake Hut Spruce Coulee Hut Tom Trott Hut Aspen Ridge Cabins East End West End West-Central Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Bull Trail Pullout Head of the Mountain Elkwater Learning Centre Hidden Valley Ski Resort -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
  • Winter Trails Guide with Map Cypress Hills PP, Map Trails: Beaver Creek Loop Cobble Miner Cougar Ridge Crocus Loop Ferguson Hill Road Firerock Highline Horseshoe Canyon Lakeside Lower Mystery Mazama Drop Mazma Mitchell Creek Mitchell Creek Connector Murray Hill Road Mystery Old Baldy Plateau Rangers Trail Ridgetop Rodeo Loop Shoreline Soggy Bottom Spring Creek Cross-Country Ski Trail System Sprinkler Spruce Coulee Sunset Tephra Trans Canada Turkey Trott Facilities: Cypress Hills Visitor Centre Battle Creek Beaver Creek Elkwater Ferguson Hill Firerock Lakeview Lodgepole Old Baldy Reesor Dock Reesor Lake Spring Creek Equestrian Spruce Coulee Aspen Ridge Highway 41 Main Nichol Springs Willow Creek Elkwater Cabins Firerock Cabins Graburn Hut Medicine Lodge Reesor Lake Hut Spruce Coulee Hut Tom Trott Hut Aspen Ridge Cabins East End West End West-Central Spring Creek Trail Head and Shelter Spruce Coulee Trail Head / Rodeo Grounds Bull Trail Pullout Head of the Mountain Elkwater Learning Centre Hidden Valley Ski Resort -- 66614cbf-b1d3-4244-a0bc-3cf6d7c60170 True
Updated: Aug 25, 2026
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