Big Hill Springs Provincial Park, about 30 kilometres west-southwest of Airdrie, located 10 kilometres north of Cochrane, has been named one of Canada’s 45 “hidden gem” parks in a new list released by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS).
According to the CPAWS news release, the day-use park is centred around a perennial spring and tiered waterfalls spilling over limestone terraces covered in mosses and shrubs. It features a 1.6-kilometre interpretive loop and the ruins of a historic fish hatchery and one of Alberta’s first commercial creameries. The release notes that it is a year-round spot for picnicking, wildlife viewing, photography and gentle hiking.
On its website, CPAWS says that while free admission and discounted camping at national parks through the Canada Strong Pass may encourage more Canadians to connect with nature this summer, popular destinations such as Banff, Gros Morne and the Bruce Peninsula could see heavy crowds — raising the risk of “loving our parks to death.” The charity says lesser-known parks can offer the same scenery, wildlife and peaceful moments without the crowds, while reducing pressure on ecosystems and infrastructure.
The list, compiled with recommendations from CPAWS’ regional chapters, highlights parks and protected areas that see fewer visitors.
“Everyone else will likely be doing the same thing at the most popular destinations … so it could get crowded,” said Chris Rider, national director of conservation for CPAWS, in the news release. “The good news is that we have a solid 45 parks that most Canadians overlook in favour of more popular destinations, leaving these hidden gems open for exploration.”
CPAWS advises that some parks may be closed due to wildfires and recommends checking local conditions before travelling.
Alberta’s other ‘hidden gems’
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Brown Lowry Provincial Park — Located about 50 km southwest of Calgary; over 12 km of trails through aspen and spruce forest, meadows and creeks, with wildlife including deer, moose, elk, black bears, lynx and cougars.
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Castle Provincial Park — Located west of Pincher Creek; 1,050 km² of Rocky Mountain peaks, forests and meadows, home to grizzly and black bears, wolverines, elk and more than 200 rare or at-risk species.
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Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park (Áísínai’pi) — Located about 100 km southeast of Lethbridge; UNESCO World Heritage Site with sandstone hoodoos and Indigenous rock carvings and paintings.
Other provincial parks named as 'gems'
British Columbia – Nahatlatch Provincial Park and Protected Area; Sx̱ótsaqel / Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park; Duffey Lake Provincial Park; Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area; Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park; Marriott Basin Trail
Manitoba – Assiniboine Forest; Birds Hill Provincial Park; Little Limestone Lake Provincial Park; Duck Mountain Provincial Park; Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park; Camp Morton Provincial Park
New Brunswick – The Anchorage Provincial Park; Cape Jourimain Nature Centre; Sugarloaf Provincial Park
Newfoundland and Labrador – Sandbanks Provincial Park; Pippy Park
Ontario – Boyne Valley Provincial Park; Kawartha Highlands Provincial Park; G2G Rail Trail; Don Valley Ravine; Humber Ravine; Tommy Thompson Park; Guelph Reformatory Heritage Conservation Area; London’s Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs)
Quebec – Provincial Park Network (Québec national parks); Réserves Fauniques Network (wildlife reserves); Regional Parks; Nature Nature (La Mauricie region); Sutton Natural Environment Park
Saskatchewan – Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park; Echo Valley Provincial Park; Last Mountain House Provincial Historic Park; Moose Mountain Provincial Park; Duck Mountain Provincial Park; Eagle Creek Regional Park; Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve; McKell Wascana Conservation Park; Beaver Creek Conservation Area
Yukon – Chasàn Chùa / McIntyre Creek Territorial Park
Founded nearly 60 years ago, CPAWS says in the release that it has helped protect more than 500,000 square kilometres of public land, freshwater and ocean.
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