One-day itinerary – 3 attractions in southern Alberta

Posted:

A ZenSeekers' road trip isn't complete unless the destinations include outdoor adventures, and culinary, learning and cultural experiences. Create your #BucketlistAB itinerary in Southern Alberta..

A ZenSeekers Expedition: #BucketlistAB

Getting To Fort McLeod, Head-Smashed-In and Franks Slide

Read these awesome stories:

Drive from Calgary: It’s about a 2-hour drive south on the AB-2 S to Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump on AB-785W, another 20 minutes to Fort MacLeod on AB-2 S and AB-3 E. Head west on AB-3 to Frank for a 1-hour drive.

Get your map here

Drive from Edmonton: It’s about a 5-hour drive south on the AB-2 S to Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump on AB-785W, another 20 minutes to Fort MacLeod on AB-2 S and AB-3 E. Head west on AB-3 to Frank for a 1-hour drive.

Get your map here

Drive from Regina: It’s about a 6-hour drive west on the Trans-Canada Hwy/SK-1 W, Crowsnest Hwy/AB-3 W to Fort MacLeod. Consider visiting The Fort first, Head Smashed In second and finishing in Frank.

Get your map here

Morning – Start the day running like the buffalo

Hidden in the last ridge of the foothills on AB-785 to the west is Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, an archaeological site known around the world as a remarkable testimony of prehistoric life. The Jump bears witness to a custom practiced by native people of the North American plains for nearly 6,000 years. Learn about the hunt, the kill, the nomadic way of life and just exactly what’s behind that name.

Early Afternoon – Watch the Red Coats at Fort MacLeod

Watch The Fort Museum #BucketListAB on YouTube.

Just the rumors of the Red Coated NWMP Patrol riding across the country was enough to scare away some of the rum runners in 1876 and when the fort was established, law and order settled it down for good. Learn about the men and horses at the Fort Museum in Fort Macleod. Watch the famous Musical Ride or participate in a program.

Late afternoon – Visit the mountain that moves in the Crowsnest Pass

Frank Slide Interpretive Centre sits high on the hill, in the rubble of the mountain that swept across the valley wiping out the town of Frank over 100 years ago. The centre is full of excellent displays of how the mountain moved and the impact it had on the community. Include in your journey the self-guided car tour through the rubble or wander the trails. Consider staying over night to sneak in some time to experience the Bellevue Mine Tour to see what it was like being a miner a century ago before heading back to Fort McLeod an hour east on AB -3.

If you go:

Read more about Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump, The Fort in Fort MacLeod and Frank Slide on our ZenSeekers website.

Begin planning your trip to Southwest Alberta via Travel Alberta or the Explore Southwest Alberta website.

Find other experiences in the Crowsnest Pass on our ZenSeekers Southern Alberta website.

Hit the road to explore Alberta's South along Highway 3 this month and be sure to share your discoveries on social media with the hashtag #BucketlistAB and #ExploreAlberta - you could be featured on our social media channels.  Check out www.BucketlistAB.ca for itineraries, stories and lots more video on Southern Albertan experiences.

Like Our Facebook Page