This town is the western-most town on Saskatchewan’s stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway. The town is in the heart of Saskatchewan’s ranching country, and the town has preserved many heritage storefronts from its early cattle days. South of the town are the beautiful Cypress Hills, the highest point of land between Labrador and the Rocky Mountains. Northeast of town are the Great Sand Hills, a 1900 square kilometres area with desert-like sand dunes and grasses. They mark the eastern end of the Palliser triangle, which includes the badlands around Drumheller, Alberta, and extend 70 kilometres east of the town, along the north side of Highway 1.
Annual events include the annual Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Art Show in mid September.
Attractions
Jasper Cultural and Historical Centre
Jasper St
306-662-2434
This museum, which includes an art gallery, also has a classroom, cowtown rodeo, a general store, early medical equipment, NWMP displays, railway station, ranching memorabilia, and the 1900 Maple Creek boardwalk. Open summers: Mondays – Wednesdays 10 am – 4 pm, Thursday & Friday 10 am – 7 pm, and Sunday 1 pm – 4pm; winters: weekdays 10 am – 4 pm. Admission $4 adults, $2 students, $1 children 6 -12 years.
SW Saskatchewan Oldtimer’s Museum
218 Jasper Place
306-662-2474
This is Saskatchewan’s oldest museum and houses one of the best collections of [photos and artifacts of the natives, the NWMP, and early settlers. Open May to September: Tuesday to Saturday 9 am – 5:30 pm, and Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 5 pm (Other times by appointment). Admission $3 adults and seniors, $1 students under 18 years’ preschoolers free.
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
52 km southwest of Maple Creek on highway 271
306-662-4411
The Cypress Hills are the highest points in Saskatchewan, reaching 1392 metres above sea level and 610 metres above the surrounding plains. The 18,400 hectare park straddles the Saskatchewan-Alberta border, and is the easternmost forest of lodgepole pine, usually found in the wet BC Interior. Unusual natural features include the Conglomerate Cliffs and Bald Butte. Recreation in the park includes a beach, outdoor pool, golf, mini-golf, riding stables, tennis courts, nature trails, hiking trails, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling.
Fort Walsh Historical Site
55 km southwest of Maple Creek on highway 271
306-662-3590
This museum and visitor reception centre retells the story of the RCMP Remount (horse) Ranch on the site from 1943 to 1968 and includes reconstructions of the original 1875 0- 1883 NWMP structures. There is also a reconstructed 1972 American whiskey trading post, which led to the formation of the NWMP, at the site of the 1873 Cypress Hill Massacre.