Canada's Charming Town Near The Montana Border Has Western Flair, A Historic Downtown, And Mountain Views

Canada is known for many things, from maple syrup and Mounties to hockey. But fewer people may know that Canada has a wild side: Wild West, that is. The western provinces of the Great White North actually have a rich cowboy culture, and the heart and soul of this scene can be found in the prairie-covered province of Alberta, where travelers can immerse themselves in this unique side of Canadian culture. One of the most underrated places to do so is in a quaint town near the U.S.-Canada border called Cardston.

Located just 15 minutes from the Carway border crossing into Montana, Cardston sits at the southern edge of Alberta. Prairies and plains, dotted with rivers and lakes, surround it on all sides, while the snow-capped peaks of Waterton Lakes National Park loom up from the horizon to the southwest. A 2.5-hour drive south of Calgary and Calgary International Airport (YYC), Cardston is a bit on the remote side. Most people coming to the area have their attention focused on Waterton Lakes or its sister park across the border, Glacier National Park. But this charming town is worth a stop not only for its lovely views of the plains and Canadian Rockies, but also because it boasts a fascinating backstory.

Cardston sits at the crossroads of two scenic routes that show off different sides of the area's heritage: the Cowboy Trail and the Mormon Trail. Yes, Canada has a Mormon community, dating back to its founding. Along these trails, in the historic downtown, and across the surrounding countryside, visitors get to discover this melting pot history, which also includes the First Nations who first called this land home.

Downtown is the best place to start for discovering Cardston's unique history. The town was settled by Mormons who came to the area in the late 1880s (via Canadian Encylopedia). The official founder was Charles Ora Card, who established Cardston as the nation's first permanent Mormon community. Evidence of the town's Mormon roots can be found in the downtown-located Cardston Alberta Temple. Crafted from gleaming white granite, it's an eye-catching landmark. While not open to the public, it's still worth a visit to admire the facade and because its elevated position affords picturesque views of the town. 

To learn more about Cardston's Western history, there's the Remington Carriage Museum, which features a massive collection of over 330 carriages, wagons, and other forms of horse-drawn vehicles. Touring the museum, visitors can learn about life in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and even go on carriage rides. A short walk away sits The Cobblestone Manor. Constructed out of river rocks and wood, the grand house dates back to 1889 and today serves as a bed-and-breakfast and restaurant. Travelers can also visit the Card Pioneer Home, a log cabin dating back to 1887 that was one of the very first homes built in Cardston, along with the Courthouse & Heritage Museum, which is housed in a sandstone building from the early 1900s. Both of these landmarks contain fascinating exhibits chronicling the area's history, such as tales from local First Nations groups and their artifacts.

Since Cardston is a compact community, most of these attractions are within a few blocks of each other, making it easy to get around on foot. In between seeing the sites and touring these historic landmarks, there's dining and shopping to be found along Main Street.

After exploring Cardston's pioneer homes and monuments, it's time to branch out into the countryside. Cardston is on the small side, so you can be out among the plains in a matter of minutes. You'll get the best views of the Canadian Rockies in Waterton Lakes National Park, which loom along the horizon. Driving southwest along Highway 5 brings you closer to the park and its towering peaks, which, depending on the time of year, may have a dusting of snow. About half an hour by car from Cardston, the Maskinonge Overlook has one of the best vistas of the park's rugged peaks and glassy lakes. Alternatively, you can also drive south from Cardston along Highway 2 and detour to Police Outpost Provincial Park near the Montana Border, which offers a stunning view of Chief Mountain, a towering column of rock that's sacred to the Blackfeet Nation.

Getting out of town will help you to further connect with the area's Western heritage and landscapes. Driving through the wide-open plains, where cows roam, haybales dot fields, and the horizon seems to stretch forever, it's easy to feel like a pioneer or cowboy out on the open range. Alberta is even called the Texas of Canada, and with the ranching culture and sweeping landscapes covered in farms, it's easy to see why. Cardston is at the southern end of Alberta's Cowboy Trail, a driving route connecting communities, attractions, and landmarks tied to the cowboy history of Alberta, aka Canada's Prairie Province. Using Cardston as the start of your cowboy adventure, follow the route to visit historic ranches or take part in Western outdoor activities like horseback rides. You can even head all the way to Calgary for more Western fun in the form of country music and the Calgary Stampede Rodeo.