Alberta Highway 22, otherwise known as the Cowboy Trail, is one of the most scenic highways in Canada. This 363-mile highway moseys straight through the heart of Alberta’s cowboy country.
We’ll explore some of the key places and experiences you won’t want to miss, starting in Lundbreck, Alberta, and heading north.
RVing Alberta’s Cowboy Trail
The Cowboy Trail stretches from Lundbreck (on Alberta Highway 3) all the way to Mayerthorpe, with plenty of places to stop along the way. Every inch of it is surrounded by ranches, farms, and forests, with a backdrop of the Canadian Rockies. The views range from stunning to spectacular. Those headed north to Alaska should definitely include the Cowboy Trail on the route.
The Cowboy Trail isn’t the fastest north-to-south route through Alberta, but it’s well worth driving a few extra hours if you get the chance. And not only because of the spectacular scenery. The relatively quiet Cowboy Trail is a well-maintained two-lane highway. It’s an easy drive no matter how big your RV is, and you won’t have to contend with busier routes or rush hour traffic.
Highlights Along the Cowboy Trail
All along the way, there are lots of great places to stop, including parks, campgrounds, and a few quaint little towns, where you can fill up with gas, grab a bite to eat, and maybe even check out a rodeo.
Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreation Area
Lundbreck Falls Provincial Recreation Area is located on the Crowsnest River, home to the spectacular Lundbreck Falls. The two waterfalls that comprise Lundbreck Falls plunge 39 feet into a deep pool in the canyon below. There are calm spots along the river where you can cast a line to catch cutthroat trout or take a refreshing dip. This park is a great stop for travelers to stretch their legs or camp for the night at the rustic campground.
Lundbreck Falls Campground is open seasonally and accepts reservations approximately three months in advance.
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is a must-see stop on the Cowboy Trail. Located south of the village of Longview, Bar U Ranch National Historic Site sits on one of Canada’s oldest ranches. The site preserves old-time cowboy culture with interactive activities for visitors.
Ever wanted to learn how to toss a lasso? Bar U Ranch is where you can find a bona fide cowboy teaching the skill to aspiring cowpokes. If sipping cowboy coffee and listening to cowboys swap tales around a campfire is more your vibe, you’ll enjoy the Roundup Camp. Visitors can also tour some of the 160,000-acre ranch in a wagon pulled by two massive Percherons.
Turner Valley Gas Plant
History buffs won’t want to miss the Turner Valley Gas Plant. The Turner Valley Gas Plant National and Provincial Historic Site is located where Albertans first discovered petroleum in 1914. The find changed Alberta and its economy forever. Until that time, Alberta’s economy had been based mainly on agriculture. Finding a significant petroleum deposit began Alberta’s modern oil and gas processing-based economy. This discovery of petroleum led to the creation of Alberta’s first natural gas plant, starting the modern era of oil and gas exploration and processing.
Bragg Creek
Bragg Creek is just one of the quaint towns located near the Cowboy Trail. It’s worth checking out the bakeries and biking paths here. Area trails attract mountain bikers, so there’s even a bike store where you can rent bikes and e-bikes.
Grey Owl Meadery
If you think of meads as sickly, sweet honey wines, Grey Owl Meadery will change your perception. Much of the mead here is made from historic recipes handed down over centuries, and the Norse mead is delicious and not overly sweet. You’ll find the meadery, decorated with Viking art, absolutely charming.
Drayton Valley
Drayton Valley is a great base camp for outdoor adventures, including tubing and kayaking on the gentle Pembina River, golfing, or mountain biking. Drayton Valley is a good place to fuel up and get groceries, as the town has multiple fuel stations and grocery stores. There are six campgrounds in the area with full-service RV campsites. You’ll also find a free dump station, a huge off-leash dog park, and an RV-friendly parking lot close to the Drayton Valley Museum.
Looking for a place to camp near Drayton Valley? Check out Bear Creek Campground, one of the area’s most popular places to camp.
Pembina River Provincial Park
Pembina River Provincial Park has offers peaceful recreation, including RV camping, wildlife viewing, hiking, and river tubing. It’s a pretty spot, and it’s located close to Evansburg, which offers shopping, an art gallery, and more.
Other Things to Know About the Cowboy Trail
One of the best things about Highway 22 is that you can start your scenic journey from many places along the route. It’s easily accessible from Calgary or just West of Alberta’s capital, Edmonton. And whether you continue along this scenic highway to Mayerthorpe is up to you. However, it’s worth mentioning that Highway 43, which runs through Mayerthorpe, goes directly to Dawson Creek, British Columbia, the start of the Alcan Highway.
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 Lynne is a freelance writer and dog trainer who lives, works, and travels throughout Canada and the U.S. fulltime in her RV with her two dogs, Jolene and Annabelle. Lynne fell in love with the convenience, freedom, and minimalist lifestyle offered by full-time RV living in 2019, hit the road, and never looked back. Want to see what she’s up to? You’ll find her blog at R-Pod Adventure. Lynne has written about all aspects of the RV lifestyle for many magazines, which you’ll find on her author’s portfolio at Lynn Fedorick, Freelance Writer & Storyteller. As a professional dog trainer at Go Dog Go! Dog Training, Lynne offers both in-person and virtual dog training services. She’s a regular contributor on all things related to dog training and behavior for Animal Wellness Magazine and Canadian Dogs Magazine. |
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