First Nations, RCMP, and Wild Wild West Tour
Many people think of Alberta as being a new society or having little history. This is not true. The oldest inhabited sites in Alberta are more than twice as old as the oldest Egyptian pyramid and nearly five times as old as the Parthenon, the most famous temple of ancient Greek culture. This means that Alberta's First Nations have a very long and rich history in this area. Most archaeologists and historians would probably agree that a history of 12,000 years or more is much the same thing as having always been here. In 1871 the First Nations of Western Canada began to sign Treaties with the government. The exact legal meaning of these treaties remains an important issue. However, these treaties allowed settlement of non-Aboriginal Canadians on lands in western Canada in return for specified annual payments and other benefits. More and more Europeans and Americans started trickling into Southern Alberta to participate in the rapidly expanding fur trade. Some brought guns, whiskey and a lawless lifestyle that thrived until the arrival of the North West Mounted Police in 1874.
American cowboys such as John Ware brought the first cattle into the province in 1876. American style open range dry land ranching began to dominate southern Alberta by the 1880's, where cattle today out number people in the province. The nearby city of Calgary became the center of the Canadian cattle industry, earning the nickname "Cow-town". Do you ever wonder what life was like in the Wild West, when cowboys roamed the land looking for adventure and outlaws wandered the streets looking for trouble? This was a time when the North West Mounted Police force was created to restore order to the untamed territory of southern Alberta. A hard day's work started with getting up before dawn to work cattle and ended with beef stew, a roaring fire and a guitar. You don't need a horse and a time-machine to relive the heyday of the Wild, Wild West. Just follow Alberta's Cowboy Trail throughout southern Alberta to experience life in the saddle.
Tour Highlights
- Sightseeing and informative driving through Southern Alberta, alongside the Rocky Mountain foothills
- Short, sightseeing and informative stops at:
- Fort Macleod's North West Mounted Police Museum
- Frank Slide and the Frank Slide Interpretive Centre (admission not included)
- Bar U Ranch
- Drive along the historic Cowboy Trail
- Key stops at:
- The duration of the tour is between 12 and 12.5 hours
Want a more detailed overview? See this tour's Details & Itinerary
Cost, Payment, and What's Included
- Cost: $168.00 per person
- Amount does not include applicable taxes & fees
- Tour Includes:
- Driver & Tour Guide
- Comfortable and air-conditioned, 7 or 15 passenger ground transportation
- Full day of Sightseeing and guiding to all the above attractions
- Admission to the following:
- Head Smashed-In Buffalo Jump Interpretive Center
- Fort MacLoad North West Mounted Police Museum
- Bar U Ranch
- Acceptable forms of payment:
- Online - PayPal or Interac e-Transfer
- Driver gratuities or tipping may be provided at your own discretion and will be happily accepted
Please visit our Terms & Conditions page for our cancellation policy, and other important information
Quick Tour Facts
- This tour operates between May and late October, and is confirmed based on the following criteria:
- Operator Availability
- At least 4 persons must be reserved, and paid for, in full
- Traveling alone or in a small group? Reserve now to pre-confirm your seats, as tours fill up quickly
- For groups larger than 4 persons, this Tour can be privately booked upon request, and for a nominal fee
- Tour Commences at 07:00 in the morning
- Service includes pick-up from the Calgary Tower, HI Youth Hostel and at major hotels in downtown Calgary.
- Tour returns to Calgary 19:00 - 19:30
- All Drop-offs take place at the Calgary Tower
Have a question about the tour? Visit this tour's Frequently Asked Questions
Discounts
- HI & Backpackers Hostel Members, International Student Members, and Senior Citizens (65+)
- $10.00 Discount
- Chilrden (6-11)
- $25.00 Discount
- Children 5 and under
- Free
- One discount per person