Local tourism sites consist of fishing holes, camping, and historical sites along scenic country roads. Examples include the Murder of Constable Graburn cairn in the Cypress Hills or the First Discovery of Natural Gas wellsite near the former townsite of Alderson, west of Suffield. The County Tourism Brochure contains a map and more detailed information.
Prairie Memories Museum
In Irvine, the 20 Mile Post Historical Society operates the Prairie Memories Museum.
Examples of prairie life in the early 20th century can be seen in a church, one-room school house, local residence, lumber store, and the railway memorabilia collection.
Most of the recreation and cultural activities in Cypress County are provided by local community associations and various volunteer organizations.
Centennial Park
Centennial Park is located directly south of the Hamlet of Irvine on Twp Rd 114A adjacent to Ross Creek.
The park is available to the public for walk in day use. For vehicle access, group use and overnight stays please contact the County office at (403) 526-2888. The Irvine Park Riding Community looks after the upkeep and maintenance of the park.
County operated campgrounds
The County has two parks for outdoor activities.
Cavan Lake Recreational Campground is located 18 km east of Medicine Hat on Highway 1, then 5.5 km south on Range Road 40 (4 km of this is gravel surface).
Cavan Lake is an irrigation reservoir supplied with water from spring runoff out of the Cypress Hills. Pedestrian access to the reservoir is explained in the Alberta Environment & Sustainable Resource Development brochure.
- 78 sites (60 with 30 amp power), about half are seasonal
- Fire pits and free firewood
- Playground, horseshoe pits
- Pit toilets (no sani-dump)
- Non-potable water - NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE
- Day-use area
- Fishing (stocked with Rainbow Trout), Maximum boat speed 12 km/hr
- No reservations (payment accepted at time of check-in
- Caretaker on-site, phone (403) 979-1788
- Both parks are open for camping from May 1 until September 30.
Camping Fees (GST included)
- No Power - $21.00 per night, $105.00 per week
- Power - $31.50 per night, $173.25 per week for a power site
- No water no sewer hook-ups, no sani-dump.
- Pay by using OptionPay here or by cash only at time of self check in, please have exact payment as change is not available.
More information and seasonal camping site inquiries can be obtained by sending a note to camping@cypress.ab.ca or contacting the county office.
Click on photo to see more of Cavan Lake Campground on Flickr.
Click on photo to see more of Sandy Point Park on Flickr.
Sandy Point Park is located approximately 100 km northeast of Medicine Hat, or 27 km north of Hilda, on Highway 41 along the South Saskatchewan River.
- Fire pits with free firewood
- Pull-through sites
- Playground
- Non-potable water
- Pit toilets
- Fishing
- OptionPay may be used to pay nightly camping fees
- Day-use area
Dunmore Equestrian Centre
The Dunmore Equestrian Centre opened in 2016, with events being held during the summer and early fall at the recently constructed outdoor riding arena.
This facility is open to the public, and the surrounding community for horse related use and events.
It is operated by The Dunmore Equestrian Society which is a not for profit organization.
The Society is currently fund raising in order to construct an indoor riding arena for year round use that will further enhance the community and the region’s needs.
The outdoor arena continues to host a variety of events including horse shows, horse clinics, riding lessons, team roping and barrel racing, and many 4-H events.
More information can be obtained by visiting The Dunmore Equestrian Centre website or their Facebook page.