The Cypress Hills have been nourishing bodies and souls for centuries.  Native tribes of the plains came to these pine-crested highlands to share the bountiful resources and participate in key spiritual ceremonies.  Today’s visitors play and relax in a striking park that honours its heritage by disregarding the Saskatchewan-Alberta boundary it spans.  Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park is the first and only inter-provincial park in Canada.

Rising up to 600 metres (1,970 ft) above the surrounding prairie, these hills and fescue grasslands represent the highest terrain between Labrador and the Rocky Mountains.  But while geological uplifting formed the Rockies, millions of years of sedimentary build up and erosion created the Cypress uplands.  For visitors, the steep rises, lush valleys and pine-scented breezes lend a mountain air to this prairie island.

Four distinct habitats and a climate more moderate than the prairies make this a park exceptionally rich in plant and animal life.  Eighteen species of orchids are among the more than 700 species of plants that thrive here.  Stately lodgepole pines embrace the higher elevations of the hills and grow nowhere else in Saskatchewan.  The lodgepole pines were mistaken for jack pine or cyprés by early French explorers, who referred to the hills as “Montagne de Cyprés” These mountains of jack pine are now known as the Cypress Hills.

The Oregon junco, yellow-bellied sapsucker and ruby-crowned kinglet are among the more than 220 species of birds that wing and sing their way through this birdwatcher’s paradise.  Moose, elk, Nuttall’s cottontail, white-tailed deer, bobcat, red squirrel and mule deer make their home here and there have been rare sightings of cougar, as well.

Experience a park with no boundaries.  Wake up your senses in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park! 

Cypress Hills is a Reserve-a-Site park.  Click here for more information on the Reserve-a-Site program, or to access the online form to reserve sites on or after Thursday, May 20, 2010.

Rustic to full-service hook-up sites are available in the Centre Block’s 15 campgrounds – all campers have use of hot showers and modern facilities in the park’s service centres.  The West Block wilderness area contains two rustic and one equestrian campground.  Once you’ve settled in, get out and see what’s been drawing people here for ages.

There are 15 campgrounds, with 650 sites ranging from full service to rustic and equestrian:

• Electric Sites:  177 (Near a service centre)
• Full Service Sites:  10
• Electric/Water Sites:  45
• Double Sites:  5
• Non-electric Sites:  137 (near a service centre)
• No service centre:  144 (20 electric and 124 non-electric)
• Group Sites: 95

West Block:

• Non-electric sites:  18
• Equestrian Sites:  12

Cypress Hills offers a variety of group camping areas capable of accommodating small to large groups.  Group camps may be reserved up two years beyond the current year.  Group campgrounds are ideal for family reunions and other gatherings, as they provide a group a secluded spot where the whole group can be together, without other campers nearby.

Depending on size of campground, the minimum number of sites to be booked is 5 or 10.  Most group campgrounds have a picnic shelter.  Most picnic shelters have an electrical outlet.

All group campgrounds are non-electric, with the exception of Hidden Valley, which has 11 electrical sites in addition to a number of non-electric sites.  To guarantee your group site, all bookings require payment of a non-refundable reservation fee and the first night's camping fees based on the site or unit minimum for the group area being booked.  The group camping program is very popular; book as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment.

To inquire about booking, stop in at the park administration office, or call (306) 662-5411.

Sleepy Hollow – Perfect for that special event! Secluded in its own private valley, this campground was once the ski area.  Recently renovated, with a shower, modern bathrooms and kitchenette (with a fridge and stove), the chalet is great for both indoor and outdoor gatherings.  Inside, it has a seating capacity for 40 people, includes chairs and eight tables.  A large barbeque is on site.  Featuring 30 individual campsites, each with its own barbeque pedestal and picnic table, it is 3 km from the main park services and facilities.

Hidden Valley – Features 11 sites with electrical outlets! A very modern campground featuring 12 to 15 campsites, 11 with electrical outlets, one camp kitchen, also with electricity and pail-a-day toilets.  Nestled in the heart of our Lodgepole Pine forest, it is 1.5 km from the main park services and facilities, a five minute drive or 10 minute walk.

Lone Pine – Secluded, private and well treed! Located near Lone Pine Creek and the Highland Trail, in the heart of our Lodgepole Pine forest, this campground features a play area with a playground, 20 individual campsites (small units only), two camp kitchens (with electricity), running water and flush toilets.  A private campground located off the beaten path, away from the hustle and bustle, it’s 1.5 km from the main park services and facilities; or, a five minute drive or 15 minute walk.

Valley Trail – Camp the “Old Fashioned Way!” suitable for tents or small campers.  Located near the north end of Loch Leven, the Main Beach and the Whispering Pines Nature Trail, this small, rustic, cozy campground features 5 individual campsites, a camp kitchen (without electricity) and pail-a-day toilets.  A five minute walk to the main park services and facilities.

Sunset – Great wide-open space for activities! A private, rustic campground featuring 14 individual campsites, a camp kitchen (without electricity) and pail-a-day toilets.  Located along the road to Lookout Point and Bald Butte, near the Tennis Courts, up on top of the Cypress Hills Plateau.  Sunset is graced with Aspen and White spruce trees, and looks out onto the native prairie landscape.  It is 3 km from the main park services and facilities; a 5 minute drive or 15 minute walk.

Please read Equestrian Camping Rules and Regulations document, located at the bottom of the page.  The West Block offers camping for visitors who wish to travel with their horses.  Camping is available through self-registration in a campsite designated for equestrian camping.  This very popular campground is often full, so phone ahead to ensure access.

Riders are allowed to travel through-out the entire 50 square mile wilderness park, which features deep valleys, towering Pine forests and natural fescue prairies.

This equestrian facility provides 32 tie stalls, 5 turnout pens, and a large catch pen (pasture), for more information contact the West Block Ranger Station at (306) 662-5489. NOTE:  separate fees are required for trail riding within Fort Walsh National Historic Site.  All riders must report to the Visitor Reception Centre upon entering Fort Walsh property.  Hitching rails are available at the Visitor Reception Centre.

In-Park Services

Cypress Hills Provincial Park offers most necessary services, including food, gas and a full service convention hotel.  The near-by community of Maple Creek offers a complete slate of services.

Visitor Centre - Park information is available at this location.  Phone:  (306) 662-5437

Cypress Park Resort Inn - Offering a wide range of fixed roof accommodations and services, the Cypress Park Resort Inn is the centre of activity for many of the park's non camping visitors.  As well as the hotel complex, there are rental cabins and condos available.  A restaurant, lounge, and conference rooms make the Cypress Park Resort Inn the ideal location for family getaways or large gatherings.  Phone:  (306) 662-4477.

Cypress Hills General Store - Full service store, with groceries, camping supplies, souvenirs, and confectionary.  Phone:  (306) 662-4336.

Bistro on the Lake - An assortment of light meals with a scenic view of the lake. 
Phone:  (306) 662-4275.

Dar's Little Dipper - Stop by for a quick bite to eat at this fast food outlet.  Phone:  (306) 662-3982.

The Moose Gas Bar - Fill up on your gasoline, diesel and propane needs at this full-service gas bar and snack shop.  Phone:  (306) 662-2134

Loch Leven Marina - Rentals of row boats, canoes, paddleboats and camping and fishing equipment, DVD and VRC equipment and movies are available along with bicycles and aqua bikes.  Phone:  (306) 662-2992.

Lone Pine Pizza - Phone: (306) 662-2500

Pinecrest Baptist Bible Camp - For more information, please call (306) 662-3740.

Camp Shagabec - For more information, please call (306) 662-3721.

Cypress Hills Bible Camp - For more information, please call (306) 662-3956 or email cypress@cssm.ca.

Camp Harding - For more information, please call (306) 662-3723.

Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
Box 850
MAPLE CREEK SK S0N 1N0

Phone: (306) 662-5411
Fax: (306) 662-5482
Email: CypressHills@gov.sk.ca