The Cypress Hills plateau rises up to 200 metres above the surrounding prairie, to a maximum elevation of at "Head of the Mountain" at the west end in Alberta, making it Canada's highest point between the Canadian Rockies and the Labrador peninsula. Eastward across the boundary is the highest point in Saskatchewan, at. The "West Block" of the Cypress Hills spans the provincial boundary. Battle Creek runs through the central part of the park. Although the hills seem relatively low, in a larger geographic context the plateau does rise gradually from many kilometres away so that the total elevation gain from Medicine Hat is approximately 600 metres.
Nature
Approximately 700 species of plants and animals thrive in the park, including 14 species of orchids. There are 5 species of large hoofed mammals found in the park: Wapiti, Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer, Pronghorn, and Bison. Other mammals found in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park include: The park protects the majority of the Cypress Hills landscape, which consists of three separate elevated blocks of lush forest and fescue grassland surrounded by dry mixed-grass prairie. The "west block" and "centre block" are protected as provincial parks, and are managed by Alberta Parks and Protected Areas and Saskatchewan Parks, respectively. The "east block" of the Cypress Hills, situated near Eastend, Saskatchewan, is not a park or protected area. The Fort Walsh National Historic Site is also located adjacent to the "west block".
On the Alberta side of the west block, key park features include Head of the Mountain Viewpoint, the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador, the Elkwater townsite, Horseshoe Canyon and Reesor Lake viewpoints, over 50 km of hiking and mountain biking trails, and Hidden Valley Ski Area. Three lakes sit on the Alberta side of the park, with another four in Saskatchewan. All year long, park interpreters present education programs to school and youth groups, adult and seniors groups, and a wide range of park visitors. There are also various rentals to be used in the park in the various months. In summertime, kayak, canoe, bicycle, and stand up paddle boards are available for rental. In the winter, kicksleds, snowshoes, skates and cross country skis may be rented.
History
1951 - The Cypress Hills Provincial Park was established in Alberta.
2000 - Fort Walsh National Historic Site joined the collective. Together, these three partner agencies make up the park. Both Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial governments signed the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park agreement, establishing the first interprovincial park in Canada.
2001 - On August 18, Vance Petriew discovered a comet from Cypress Hills during the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party. The comet was later named 185P/Petriew.
