Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, AB

Description

Geography:

The unusual landforms of Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi resulted from the dynamic interaction of geology, climate and time. The sedimentary rocks exposed in the Milk River valley were formed 85 million years ago at the edge of a great inland sea. Huge volumes of meltwater began eroding the soft sandstone after the last ice age. This is how the coulees and hoodoos you see today were formed. The unique habitat created is suitable to many diverse species not typically found in surrounding areas. Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi is located in the heart of Traditional Blackfoot Territory, along the Milk River Valley in Southern Alberta, Canada.

In Blackfoot traditions, the world around us is the work of Náápi who gained his powers from the Creator. Náápi did a wonderful job making the land. Special places like Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi are here for a reason. This is where significant things happened to the ancestors of the Blackfoot. This is where the ancient stories took place.

Prairie settlement has taken place on the lands surrounding Writing-on-Stone over the past 150 years. Today, a rural community sustained by ranching and farming exists. Many local families have close connections to the early settlers of the area, including the North-West Mounted Police. The local community was instrumental in the formation of Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park in 1957. Close working relationships between the park and community members are key to the long term protection of Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi.

Recreation:

Canoeing, kayaking, and tubing on the Milk River from upstream launching points west of the park are great ways to explore the area. A natural beach on the Milk River is accessible from the river or campground. Hiking in the park is supported by 3 trails and a hoodoo exploration area. An accessible trail (0.5km one-way) links the Visitor Centre to a viewpoint of the Sweet Pine (Sweetgrass) Hills. The Visitor Centre Trail (0.5km one-way) connects the Visitor Centre, the campground area, and the hoodoo exploration area. The Matapiiksi (Hoodoo) Interpretive Trail (2.5 km one-way) trail passes different habitats and rock art sites and has a corresponding booklet for a self-guided hike. The backcountry hiking area, accessible by a self-led river crossing, includes the Davis and Humphrey Coulee areas to explore with rolling grasslands, badlands, and narrow sandstone canyons. Interpretive programs are offered through the regular season. Guided tours access the Archeological Preserve, a restricted access area that protects a large concentration of the park's rock art, to share history, stories, and lessons learned from Elders and archaeologists. Viewpoints along the prairie level include information bulletins on the valley, rock art, and the Northwest mounted Police Post in the park. Interactive exhibits in the Visitor Centre take you through Blackfoot, early settler, and Northwest Mounted Police history. Checklist pamphlets of birds, wildflowers, and animals in the park are available for nature explorers.

Facilities:

Visitor Centre Facilities: Interpretive displays, gift shop, information desk, public washrooms. Campground and Day Use Facilities: Camp Store for snacks and beverages, 61 campsites and 3 camping cabins, 2 group camping areas, day use area, 2 shelters, potable water taps, fire pits, picnic tables, vault toilets, shower and washroom building, dump and fill station, beach, playground, interpretive viewpoints, hiking trails.

Nearby Attractions:

Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Heritage Museum, Etzikom Museum and Historic Windmill Centre, Alberta Birds of Prey Centre, Dinosaur Provincial Park, Blackfoot Crossing Historical Park, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Fort Macleod National Historic Site, Fort Whoop-Up National Historic Site, Galt Museum, Head-Smashed-in Buffalo Jump, Medalta Historic Clay District, Raymond Pioneer Museum, Red Rock Coulee Natural Area, Remington Carriage Museum, Waterton Lakes National Park.