Riding Alberta’s Cowboy Trail: A Guide to Highway 22
Turner Valley. Photo by Jeff Bartlett/Travel Alberta
What is the Cowboy Trail?
Alberta’s Cowboy Trail is a 700-kilometre scenic driving route that follows Highway 22 from Mayerthorpe in the north to Cardston near the Montana border. This legendary roadway traces the eastern slopes of the Canadian Rockies, winding through working ranch country, historic towns, and some of Western Canada’s most stunning foothills landscapes.
The route earned its name honestly. Along Highway 22, cattle still outnumber people, ranching heritage runs deep, and the views shift from prairie grasslands to mountain peaks. The trail continues south of Highway 22 on connecting roads, eventually reaching the community of Cardston, the gateway to Waterton Lakes National Park.
Whether you’re looking for a multi-day road trip or a scenic afternoon drive from Calgary, the Cowboy Trail delivers authentic Alberta character without the crowds.
Photo by Rebecca Bollwitt
When to Drive the Cowboy Trail
Best Time to Visit: May through October offers the most reliable weather and full access to attractions. Summer (June–August) brings warm days perfect for hiking and ranch activities, while autumn (September–October) rewards drivers with golden aspen groves and fewer visitors.
Winter Driving: Highway 22 remains open year-round, but snow and ice require winter tires and caution. Some attractions like Bar U Ranch close seasonally (October–April).
Planning Your Trip: The full route takes 8–10 hours of driving without stops. Most travellers break the journey into 2–3 days to explore towns and trails along the way.
Things to see and do on Alberta’s Cowboy Trail
The thrill and beauty of driving along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains is reason enough to head out on the Cowboy Trail.
But if you’re looking to get off the road and experience ranch life for yourself or just explore the beauty of the area, we’ve rounded up a list of cool stops along the route.
Bragg Creek. Photo by Neil Zeller/Travel Alberta
Bragg Creek: Gateway to Kananaskis Country
Located just 30 minutes west of Calgary, Bragg Creek serves as the perfect introduction to Alberta’s foothills. This charming hamlet blends outdoor access with local shops and cafés, including the historic Bragg Creek Trading Post which has been a fixture in the community for decades.
For those looking to stretch their legs, Bragg Creek Provincial Park offers easy hiking along the Elbow River, with trails suitable for families and casual walkers. The park’s mixed forests and riverside meadows provide a peaceful contrast to the open ranchlands found further south.
What to Do:
- Browse locally owned shops and galleries in the village centre
- Hike the Elbow River trail system in Bragg Creek Provincial Park
- Stop for lunch at one of several farm-to-table restaurants
Distance from Calgary: 40 km (30 minutes)
Photo by Rebecca Bollwitt
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site: Living Ranch History
One hundred kilometres south of Calgary near Longview, the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site offers one of Canada’s most authentic windows into ranching life. This 148-hectare property, operated by Parks Canada, preserves more than 35 historic buildings and tells the story of the Canadian cattle industry from the 1880s onward.
Visitors can watch working ranch demonstrations, ride in a wagon pulled by Percheron draft horses, learn to rope a steer, or simply explore the original ranch headquarters along Pekisko Creek. Interpreters in period costume share stories of ranch hands, Indigenous connections to the land, and the evolution of cattle ranching in Southern Alberta.
The site operates seasonally from May through September, with special events throughout the summer including cowboy poetry readings and traditional skills workshops.
What to Do:
- Tour 35+ preserved ranch buildings and historic structures
- Watch ranch demonstrations and try roping techniques
- Ride in a horse-drawn wagon across the property
- Sit around the campfire and taste cowboy coffee
- Learn about Indigenous relationships with the land
Hours: May–September (check Parks Canada website for current hours)
Distance from Calgary: 100 km (1 hour 15 minutes)
Black Diamond. Photo by Roth and Ramberg
Black Diamond & Turner Valley
Drive 35 minutes southwest of Calgary and you’ll find these neighbouring communities, where the pace slows and Western hospitality takes over. Black Diamond and Turner Valley share a history rooted in early oil exploration and ranching and a heritage still visible in their well-preserved main streets.
The two towns sit just three kilometres apart, connected by the Friendship Trail, a paved walking and cycling path that winds through riverside forest. In Black Diamond, Marv’s Classic Soda Shop serves old-fashioned shakes and burgers in a 1950s-style diner. Turner Valley claims Eau Claire Distillery, Alberta’s first craft distillery, where visitors can tour the production facility and sample spirits made with Rocky Mountain water.
What to Do:
- Walk or cycle the 3 km Friendship Trail between towns
- Visit Eau Claire Distillery for tours and tastings (Turner Valley)
- Grab a milkshake at Marv’s Classic Soda Shop (Black Diamond)
- Explore the Turner Valley Gas Plant National Historic Site
Distance from Calgary: 60 km (35 minutes)
Lundbreck Falls. Photo by Chris Amat/Travel Alberta
Lundbreck Falls
Near the southern terminus of Highway 22, roughly two hours from Calgary, Lundbreck Falls tumbles 12 metres over limestone cliffs into a gorge carved by Crowsnest River. The falls are easily accessible from the parking area, with viewing platforms at both top and bottom.
A short trail leads down to the base of the falls, where mist rises from the churning water and the surrounding canyon walls shelter moss and wildflowers. The area also serves as a popular picnic spot, with tables and facilities available during summer months.
Lundbreck Falls makes an ideal staging point for exploring nearby Waterton Lakes National Park or the town of Pincher Creek, both of which lie within 30 minutes.
What to Do:
- View the falls from multiple lookout platforms
- Hike down to the base for close-up views and photography
- Picnic in the day-use area
- Use as a base for exploring Waterton Lakes National Park
Distance from Calgary: 240 km (2 hours 30 minutes)
Rocky Mountain House. Photo c/o Indigenous Tourism Alberta/Roam Creative
Planning Your Cowboy Trail Road Trip
Driving Distances and Times
- Mayerthorpe to Calgary: 160 km (2 hours)
- Calgary to Bragg Creek: 40 km (30 minutes)
- Calgary to Black Diamond/Turner Valley: 60 km (35 minutes)
- Calgary to Bar U Ranch (Longview): 100 km (1 hour 15 minutes)
- Calgary to Lundbreck Falls: 240 km (2 hours 30 minutes)
- Calgary to Cardston: 300 km (3 hours)
Where to Stay Along the Cowboy Trail
Calgary: Many travellers use Calgary as a base, especially when exploring the northern sections of the trail. The city offers full services and easy highway access.
Kananaskis Country: Several lodges and campgrounds near Bragg Creek provide mountain accommodation without Banff’s crowds or prices.
Waterton Lakes National Park: Those driving the full southern route often stay in Waterton village or nearby Pincher Creek.
Connecting to Other Alberta Road Trips
The Cowboy Trail pairs naturally with other Alberta drives:
- Continue west into Kananaskis Country or Banff National Park
- Head south to Waterton Lakes and the Canada-U.S. border
- Combine with the Icefields Parkway for a complete Rockies circuit
If you’re planning a Western Canada vacation, explore Landsby’s Alberta experiences to discover how the Cowboy Trail can be integrated into a broader itinerary exploring the Canadian Rockies and beyond.
Practical Tips for Driving Highway 22
Fuel Up: Gas stations can be sparse along rural sections. Fill up in larger towns like Black Diamond or Pincher Creek.
Road Conditions: Highway 22 is paved and well-maintained, but watch for wildlife, especially at dawn and dusk. Deer and elk crossings are common.
Cell Service: Coverage is reliable near towns but can be spotty in remote areas. Download offline maps before departing.
Weather: Mountain weather changes quickly. Pack layers and rain gear even in summer.
Respect Private Land: Much of the land along Highway 22 is working ranch property. Stay on designated trails and roads.
Why the Cowboy Trail Matters
The Cowboy Trail isn’t packaged or polished for tourists, it’s a genuine slice of Alberta’s ranching culture and foothill landscape. Travelling this route supports small communities that depend on agriculture and quiet tourism. Stops at local cafés, craft distilleries, and historic sites contribute directly to the people who keep these towns alive.
For those seeking an alternative to Banff’s busy corridors, Highway 22 offers equally stunning mountain views with a fraction of the traffic. The route celebrates working landscapes and the people who care for them, aligning with regenerative travel principles that value connection over consumption.
Explore More of Western Canada
The Cowboy Trail is just one way to experience Alberta’s authentic character. For more road trip inspiration, visit Landsby’s Alberta experiences.
*This blog was originally published on May 9, 2022. It has been updated to ensure accuracy and consistency*
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