Road map Lethbridge city surrounding area (Alberta, Canada)

Sandwiched between the Rocky Mountains to the west and Cypress  Hills farther east, the dry, chinook-swept region of southwestern  Alberta is a land of coulees (dry gullies) and eerie hoodoos (rock  pillars) that change colors with the sun, a land of reservoirs and long  lines of wheeled sprinklers. Nearly half of all of Canada's irrigation  systems are here, necessary to grow canola and the area's major crop,  sugar beets. Oil wells are also a common sight in this resource-rich  region, as are the marks of a history entwined in Plains Indian hunts,  sacred native cliffs, and whiskey trading.

Cardston [D3]

Cardston's Mormon beginnings in 1887 can be seen in the  stunning Alberta Temple, a white granite landmark that was the first  temple built by the Mormon Church outside of the U.S. The  Remington-Alberta Carriage Centre features North America's largest (more  than 200) collection of horse-drawn vehicles, including carriages used  by Queen Elizabeth II. Don't miss Fay Wray Fountain, which pays tribute  to this Cardston's most-famous citizen.

Fort Macleod [B3] At the edge of southwestern Alberta's oldest  town is a replica of the first western post established in 1874 by the  North West Mounted Police, today the RCMP Visitors can view native,  pioneer, and police history exhibits or participate in vignettes. A law  office, blacksmith's shop, and medical-dental center complete with  foot-operated drill and primitive X-ray machine are all on display.

Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump Provincial Historic Site [B2] At  this UNESCO world heritage site, members of the Blackfoot Nation  interpret the hunting technique of herding buffalo over cliffs,  practiced by their predecessors for 6,000 years. The interpretive  center, built into the cliffside, has 11 m of ancient stone and tool  beds, making it one of North America's largest native archaeological  sites. Seven levels of exhibits, films, trails, and dioramas tell the  history and culture of the Blackfoot Nation.

Lethbridge [B5] Overlooking the wide Oldman River, Alberta's  third largest city was founded as a coal-mining town in 1870 and now is a  major agriculture and oil and gas center. Fort Whoop-Up in Indian  Battle Park re-creates a notorious American-run fort where ingredients  in illegally sold liquor included anything from chewing tobacco and  Jamaican ginger to red pepper. High Level Bridge spans the Oldman River  valley, at one point reaching 95.7 m above the river. The Nikka Yuko  Japanese Garden, opened in 1967 as a symbol of Japanese-Canadian  friendship, offers paths through intricate and serene landscapes and a  replica of a cypress wood Japanese pavilion. In nearby Coaldale, the  28-hectare Alberta Birds of Prey Centre provides a tour, including  flying demonstrations, of captive breeding and rehabilitation facilities  for falcons, owls, hawks, and bald eagles.

Waterton Lakes National Park [E1]

Joined with Montana's Glacier National Park in 1931 as the  world's first international peace park, Waterton Lakes holds a  magnificent setting in southern Alberta, filled with cobalt lakes,  snowcapped mountains, and prairie grasslands. Cruises on Waterton Lake  or canoe and paddleboat rentals on gorgeous Cameron Lake (a subalpine  cirque) are popular visitor choices. There are 200 km of hiking trails  to choose from; the 2.8 km Bear's Hump trail is ideal for active  families, and leads to a lofty viewpoint over Upper Waterton Lake. The  park is home to bighorn sheep, grizzly bear, and the grey-crowned rosy  finch. Red Rock Canyon features 20-m-high canyon walls streaked with  red, purple, green, and yellow.

Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park [E8]

In a natural setting among the hoodoos and grasslands flanking  Milk River, this park holds North America's largest group of native  petro-glyphs and pictographs. A restored North West Mounted Police  outpost tells tales of late 1800s whiskey smugglers.

SPECIAL INTEREST

The Cowboy Trail

The Cowboy Trail-no horse required-is a 700 km driving route  that follows highways 5, 6, and 22 through prime Alberta ranching  country along the foothills of the Rockies from Cardston through Pincher  Creek as far north as Rocky Mountain House. Relive the Old West through  rodeos, powwows, horseback riding, and trail rides. To rest your tired  spurs, you can stay at Bloomin' Inn Guest Ranch, The Great Canadian Barn  Dance, Lyndon Creek Cottage, or many other working ranches. For more  information, call 1-800-661-1678.

Dinosaur Heritage

In Warner, at the Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum  [D6], visitors can see the world's largest dinosaur nesting site,  discovered in 1987. A guided hike leads walkers to the nesting site,  which contains an intact embryo. The museum's displays include full  casts of a Hypacrosaurus embryo and nest, as well as a brachylophosaur  skull, an ankylosaur tail club, and dinosaur footprints.