2024's 6 Most Scenic Towns In The Prairies

Beginning where the Rocky Mountains end, the Canadian Prairies are one of the country’s most underrated travel destinations. Spanning the three beautiful provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, the resource-rich region boasts the best soil in the country. For this reason, these provinces hold almost 90% of Canada’s arable farmland, which is why so many associate the region with agriculture instead of travel.

But the charm and allure of the prairies extends far beyond its agriculture. While generally recognized for its flat grasslands, it is also dotted with more rugged prairie towns bordering British Columbia’s breathtaking moutains. Traveling to the northern prairie region is also a treat, featuring some really gorgeous hilly and forested prairie landscapes.

With all that said, if you are looking to experience a different side of Canada—beyond the typical Montreal weekends and Banff ski getaways—consider venturing to these 6 scenic prairie towns for some of the country’s best postcard scenes.

Waterton Park, Alberta

With just 142 locals in 2023, Waterton Park is an underrated small town with a massive backyard. Nestled in southwest Alberta, this charming hamlet stands out as one of Canada’s most remarkable prairie towns thanks to its stunning location. With the rolling Alberta prairies seamlessly converging with the majestic Rocky Mountains, picturesque views surround Waterton Park from every angle.

Waterton Lakes National Park is Waterton’s highlight attraction, welcoming around 500,000 people every year. Famously known as “where the mountains meet the prairies,” visitors can expect a diverse range of landscapes. With 124 miles of trails across the park’s expansive 122,788 acres, hikers can encounter rugged mountains, shimmering alpine lakes, and powerful waterfalls.

While open year-round, spring is a popular time to visit the park for its 36 waterfall paths, like the Bertha Falls and Bertha Lake Trail. Springtime is also when the park’s 900 species of wildflowers and flora take bloom, brightening mountain meadows and prairie landscapes alike. In spring, summer, and fall, driving the Bison Paddock Loop Road is another popular park activity. The scenic prairie scenes and free-roaming bison offer a truly bucket list experience.

Val Marie, Saskatchewan

For more classic prairie scenes, Val Marie is a Saskatchewan village with a gateway to one of Canada’s prettiest parks. Like Waterton, this tiny town is home to well under 200 locals. But with Grasslands National Park right in its backyard, Val Marie proves that big things can come in small packages.

With more than 600 acres of farmland restored to its original native grass landscape, a visit to Grasslands National Park feels like stepping back in time to pre-settled Canada. Ecotour Scenic Drives are among the best ways to take in views of the golden prairie landscape, along with its diverse wildlife. Similar to Waterton Lakes National Park, bison are one of the most sought-after sightings, as well as prairie dog colonies.

For more close-up wildlife viewing, hiking paths like the Top Dogtown Trail and Timbergulch Trail are popular for spotting prairie dogs and bison in their natural element. Backcountry camping is another beloved activity in this prairie park, especially for longer hiking routes like the 70-mile Butte trail. Spending a night under the stars is also an excellent opportunity to witness the wonders of the northern lights. Grasslands National Park is one of the best places to witness this spectacular phenomenon, and it has one of the darkest Dark Sky Preserves in Canada.

Peace River, Alberta

Back in Alberta, Peace River is a charming prairie town anchored by its waters. You can find this northwest Alberta community located on the banks of its namesake tributary where it merges with the beautiful Smoky River. Whether frozen or flowing, these waterways first served as travel routes for Canada's First Nations People. It later served as significant transport routes in Canada’s 18th and 19th century fur trading industry.

These days, given the town’s stunning location, hiking is one of its best pleasures. For sweeping vistas of the area, the Sagitawa Lookout offers a perfect spot for a picnic while you breathe in the scenery. The lookout also provides captivating views of the rivers converging, which is reflected in its name: "Sagitawa" is a Cree word meaning "Where the rivers meet." Alternatively, for a closer view of the Peace River’s racing waters, pedestrians can stroll the Suspended Under-Bridge Walkway. This pedestrian-friendly path runs beneath the main bridge and offers a really fun perspective.

If you are wondering where Peace River’s prairie scenes come in, keep in mind that nearly 95% of Canada’s prairies have been converted into farmland, and this river town is no exception. As a whole, the Peace River region produces around 98% of the province’s canola crop. But even though the area’s vegetation is now saturated with aspen and white spruce forest, you can still find remnant grasslands, especially on the town’s surrounding valley slopes.

Pincher Creek, Alberta

In southern Alberta, Pincher Creek is another laid-back prairie town with agriculture at the heart of its economy and culture. Going as far back as the pioneer era, the town’s sunny climate has allowed livestock and crops to thrive. Today, the area boasts around 2,000 ranches and farms, including a growing number of wind farms. As the “Wind Capital of Canada,” Pincher Creek blends traditional farming with sustainable practices in a really special way.

As for tourist attractions, nature lovers flock here for Pincher Creek’s gateway to scenic parks. Castle Provincial Park and Castle Wildland Provincial Park are two crowd favorites known for their rugged hills and rolling meadows across 260,000 acres. Whether hiking secluded paths like the Prairie Bluff trail or fishing at beautiful Beaver Mines Lake, this Alberta nature haven is an enchanting retreat year-round. For lake lovers, Pincher Creek is also a gateway to the nearby Waterton Lakes National Park.

Maple Creek, Saskatchewan

Described as “the prairie's oasis,” Saskatchewan’s Cypress Hills feature one of Canada’s most unique and beautiful landscapes. Blanketed in pine forests, the mountain-like hills and valleys are home to more orchids than any other region on the prairies, as well as 220 species of birds. This dazzling blend of rugged and delicate beauty is exactly why so many people visit Maple Creek.

Long before this Cypress Hill town was incorporated in 1903, the area was of great importance to the Indigenous peoples who utilized the lodgepole pines. As time pushed on, Maple Creek became an important ranching town, a role it continues to play today. But beyond its ranching, Maple Creek’s economy is also heavily tied to its famous nature attraction: Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

As its name suggests, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park straddles the borders of 2 provinces: Saskatchewan and Alberta. Its elevated terrain supports a unique array of rare flora and fauna, including the only naturally occurring lodgepole pine forest in Canada’s prairies. In addition to hiking, ziplining, swimming, and camping, the park is also one of the largest Dark Sky Preserves in the world, making stargazing another must.

Neepawa, Manitoba

Like other prairie towns on this list, Neepawa is an agricultural center equally known for its stunning natural surroundings. Thanks to the area’s rolling hills, its fields can support a diverse mix of crops and livestock, including an impressive range of lilies. As the self-proclaimed "Lily capital of the world,” this Manitoba town grows over 2,000 varieties of flowers. If you visit in July, the 6-acre Lily Nook brightens with over 1,500 different varieties in bloom.

In winter, Neepawa’s Langford Winter Park transforms into a vibrant hub of snowy recreation. Families and kids-at-heart can enjoy the thrill of the park's toboggan hill, while cross-country skiers can glide along 6 miles of expertly groomed trails. The park also features a scenic snowshoeing trail and a paved walking path, all nestled under a protective canopy of trees. To cap off your outdoor adventure, the inviting warmth of the park’s cabin offers the perfect cozy retreat.

Many of these prairie towns serve as agricultural hubs, yet they also rank among Canada’s most underrated travel destinations. Some act as gateways to stunning natural wonders, such as Waterton Lakes National Park and Grasslands National Park, while others provide more understated yet equally captivating experiences, like the renowned flower blooms in Neepawa. Regardless of the town, each reveals a unique aspect of the prairie landscape. From expansive grasslands to tree-dotted hills, these 6 scenic prairie communities are sure to leave you in awe.