My favourite local places to visit
Close to town with a lovely lake for fishing or paddling. There are several short to moderate hikes in the park that lead to beautiful views. Wildlife is plentiful in the park (including bears) so make sure you are prepared and bring bear spray.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beauvais Lake Provincial Park
Close to town with a lovely lake for fishing or paddling. There are several short to moderate hikes in the park that lead to beautiful views. Wildlife is plentiful in the park (including bears) so make sure you are prepared and bring bear spray.
This park is a local gem. There is a beautiful lake that is excellent for swimming, fishing, and paddling. The views of the nearby Table Mountain are breathtaking.
Access to Table Mountain hiking trail is in this park. If you are a hiker, I highly recommend this trail. The view from the summit is second to none. Please make sure you are prepared for mountain hiking with appropriate gear and bear spray.
Beaver Mines Lake Campground
This park is a local gem. There is a beautiful lake that is excellent for swimming, fishing, and paddling. The views of the nearby Table Mountain are breathtaking.
Access to Table Mountain hiking trail is in this park. If you are a hiker, I highly recommend this trail. The view from the summit is second to none. Please make sure you are prepared for mountain hiking with appropriate gear and bear spray.
This is a favourite local swimming place. On hot summer days, you will find local families playing and swimming in the creek behind the Community Hall. There are some nice easy hiking paths here as well.
Park at the Community Hall on Main St/ Canyon Dr and walk around the west side of the building. You will see a little shed and a chain link gate. Go through the gate and follow the path down to the green bridge. There is a great swimming hole just on the other side of the bridge, or you can continue down the hiking paths for a lovely quiet walk.
Pincher Creek Agriculture Grounds
209 Canyon DriveThis is a favourite local swimming place. On hot summer days, you will find local families playing and swimming in the creek behind the Community Hall. There are some nice easy hiking paths here as well.
Park at the Community Hall on Main St/ Canyon Dr and walk around the west side of the building. You will see a little shed and a chain link gate. Go through the gate and follow the path down to the green bridge. There is a great swimming hole just on the other side of the bridge, or you can continue down the hiking paths for a lovely quiet walk.
This is another favourite place to visit in the summertime. There is a lovely easy hiking path around the entire lake suitable for all ages and excellent fishing opportunities. The lake is stocked with trout.
Hot summer days will often see the tiny beach area full of swimmers (brave souls...the water is cold!) and paddlers out on the lake. There are stunning views of Crowsnest Mountain from here.
17 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chinook Lake
This is another favourite place to visit in the summertime. There is a lovely easy hiking path around the entire lake suitable for all ages and excellent fishing opportunities. The lake is stocked with trout.
Hot summer days will often see the tiny beach area full of swimmers (brave souls...the water is cold!) and paddlers out on the lake. There are stunning views of Crowsnest Mountain from here.
This is a lovely area that is becoming more well known. The waterfall is beautiful and families often play in the river.
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Castle Falls
This is a lovely area that is becoming more well known. The waterfall is beautiful and families often play in the river.
A beautiful waterfall and a lovely place for a picnic. It is located near the highway and the Hamlet of Lundbreck.
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Amathunjwa aseLundbreck
Range Road 24BA beautiful waterfall and a lovely place for a picnic. It is located near the highway and the Hamlet of Lundbreck.
If you haven't heard of this national park, it is the best kept secret in the rocky mountains. There is a lovely town with plenty of shops and restaurants, and many natural sights to take in. Be sure to check out Red Rock Canyon, Cameron Falls, and Cameron Lake.
The town offers bike, kayak, and paddle board rentals if you feel like adventuring. For more laid-back sightseeing, take in a beautiful cruise on the lake.
Plan to spend the whole day here, you won't get bored!
109 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iparke yaseWaterton Lakes
Alberta 5If you haven't heard of this national park, it is the best kept secret in the rocky mountains. There is a lovely town with plenty of shops and restaurants, and many natural sights to take in. Be sure to check out Red Rock Canyon, Cameron Falls, and Cameron Lake.
The town offers bike, kayak, and paddle board rentals if you feel like adventuring. For more laid-back sightseeing, take in a beautiful cruise on the lake.
Plan to spend the whole day here, you won't get bored!
This is an easy, kid-friendly 1.9km trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall.
10 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Miners´ Path
2305 76 StThis is an easy, kid-friendly 1.9km trail that leads to a beautiful waterfall.
This heritage site on the edge of the prairie provides an immersive experience with our indigenous Blackfoot culture. The centre has many exhibits and some beautiful walking paths along the buffalo jump. Well worth the visit!
While you're there, check out the nearby town of Fort Macleod. This town has been the set of many big movies such as Interstellar and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
55 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump World Heritage Site
This heritage site on the edge of the prairie provides an immersive experience with our indigenous Blackfoot culture. The centre has many exhibits and some beautiful walking paths along the buffalo jump. Well worth the visit!
While you're there, check out the nearby town of Fort Macleod. This town has been the set of many big movies such as Interstellar and Ghostbusters: Afterlife.
Fort Macleod was the home of the Northwest Mounted Police barracks. The museum is fun for the whole family, with a Musical Ride (a military horse riding demonstration set to music) that runs daily in July and August.
The Fort Museum
219 25 StFort Macleod was the home of the Northwest Mounted Police barracks. The museum is fun for the whole family, with a Musical Ride (a military horse riding demonstration set to music) that runs daily in July and August.
A fun place to visit with the family to learn about Alberta's agricultural history. There are several events occurring throughout the summer, check out their Facebook page.
Heritage Acres Farm Museum
7316 Range Road 293A fun place to visit with the family to learn about Alberta's agricultural history. There are several events occurring throughout the summer, check out their Facebook page.
My favourite places to eat
This general store and cafe is known locally as the Beaver Mines Store. It is conveniently located in the hamlet of Beaver Mines, near Beauvais Lake and on the way to Castle Provincial Park. It is my favourite place to stop for ice cream or a coffee.
They sell a variety of supplies including alcohol, basic groceries, souvenirs, and snacks.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beaver Mines General Store
This general store and cafe is known locally as the Beaver Mines Store. It is conveniently located in the hamlet of Beaver Mines, near Beauvais Lake and on the way to Castle Provincial Park. It is my favourite place to stop for ice cream or a coffee.
They sell a variety of supplies including alcohol, basic groceries, souvenirs, and snacks.
This is our favourite place to eat in Pincher Creek. The staff are friendly, the decor is nice, and the full japanese menu is excellent.
Soo Sushi
1303 Veterans StThis is our favourite place to eat in Pincher Creek. The staff are friendly, the decor is nice, and the full japanese menu is excellent.
Do you like baby goats? If so, this is a place you must stop on your way to Waterton. Located in the Hamlet of Twin Butte, this little ice cream shop offers the opportunity to eat your ice cream among some adorable baby goats. Depending on the time of year, you may even be able to bottle feed one of the babies.
The Grumpy goat
1 HWY 6Do you like baby goats? If so, this is a place you must stop on your way to Waterton. Located in the Hamlet of Twin Butte, this little ice cream shop offers the opportunity to eat your ice cream among some adorable baby goats. Depending on the time of year, you may even be able to bottle feed one of the babies.
This charming general store and restaurant is home to the best Mexican food in southwest Alberta. It's a small restaurant, but it's jam packed with fun. In the summer, the restaurant often hosts live music. Check them out on Facebook to see their weekend lineup.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Twin Butte Country General Store
This charming general store and restaurant is home to the best Mexican food in southwest Alberta. It's a small restaurant, but it's jam packed with fun. In the summer, the restaurant often hosts live music. Check them out on Facebook to see their weekend lineup.
This craft brewery is a great place to stop for a refreshment on our way back from fishing or hiking. My favourite beer here is the St. Joe's abbey style brown
16 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Oldman River Brewing
101 Breckenridge AveThis craft brewery is a great place to stop for a refreshment on our way back from fishing or hiking. My favourite beer here is the St. Joe's abbey style brown
This is my #1 favourite place to stop for a meal after hiking or fishing in the Crowsnest Pass. It's a historic pub, evident in the decor displaying the rum running and coal mining past of the local area.
Local's tip: every burger on their menu can be made as a chicken burger!
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Rumrunner The
7902 20 AvenueThis is my #1 favourite place to stop for a meal after hiking or fishing in the Crowsnest Pass. It's a historic pub, evident in the decor displaying the rum running and coal mining past of the local area.
Local's tip: every burger on their menu can be made as a chicken burger!
This tiny cafe in Crowsnest Pass has what I believe is the best cinnamon buns in the world. It's located right on the side of the highway and is the perfect place to stop for a coffee and treat.
27 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cinnamon Bear Cafe
8342 20 AveThis tiny cafe in Crowsnest Pass has what I believe is the best cinnamon buns in the world. It's located right on the side of the highway and is the perfect place to stop for a coffee and treat.
A local favourite for coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Family friendly with options for those with dietary restrictions.
The Hut Café (Resto Bar & Patio)
A local favourite for coffee, breakfast, and lunch. Family friendly with options for those with dietary restrictions.
Sightseeing
Uplift Adventures is the local guiding company. They have incredible guided hikes and rock climbing lessons for all skill levels. Their tours run in the Pincher Creek, Waterton, and Crowsnest Pass areas. They have a social media page and a website that can be found by searching "Uplift Adventures" online.
Uplift Adventures
Crowsnest HighwayUplift Adventures is the local guiding company. They have incredible guided hikes and rock climbing lessons for all skill levels. Their tours run in the Pincher Creek, Waterton, and Crowsnest Pass areas. They have a social media page and a website that can be found by searching "Uplift Adventures" online.
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Ukuhamba-hamba
There is no public transportation
Pincher Creek is a small rural town. As such, there is no public transportation system. Luckily, everything is within a reasonable walking or cycling distance once you get here.
There is a small taxi service, but it isn't entirely reliable. You can reach them by calling fourzerothree6326436.
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Bring good walking or hiking shoes
Pincher Creek is an area known for its endless hiking opportunities. Even if you're not a hardcore hiker, there are some lovely walking paths in town along the creek and most of the sightseeing locations in my guidebook require at least some walking on dirt paths.
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Bring a windbreaker jacket
The area is one of the windiest in Canada. Although we do get lots of calm days in the summer, I highly recommend you keep the wind in mind when selecting your wardrobe
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Bring bear spray if you plan to hike
The area is home to grizzly bears, black bears, and cougars. Make sure you are prepared and bring bear spray. If you don't have any, it can be purchased from Tamarack Outdoor Outlet on Main St.
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Spray park
There is a free spray park for children located behind the Pincher Creek Community Centre. The Community Centre is also home to the public pool (with a water slide) and the public library.
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Play groups for young children
The Pincher Creek Family Centre is home to wonderful play rooms and groups for younger children. They have regular play times on weekdays and are a great way to entertain your kids while meeting local families.
The Family Centre is located in the Ranchland Mall.