Western Canada is blessed with a variety of beautiful landscapes. It also has some pretty unique attractions some that are so weird you just have to stop and see them for yourself!
Beginning with the unique natural beauty of BC, Alberta and Saskatchewan there are four naturally formed locations that stand out as amazing places to visit.
- Hoodoos. These are tall thin rocks that are also often called tent rocks, fairy chimneys or earth pyramids. They are striking rock formations usually found in desert-like or badland areas. BC’s Yoho National Park hosts the Leanchoil Hoodoos and you can find these formations all across southern Alberta including Drumheller and Writing-on-Stone provincial park. Saskatchewan also has a number of hoodoos such as those found in the Avonlea Badlands.
- Purple Sand. This can’t be real – or can it? It’s certainly found on many beaches throughout Saskatchewan. A result of retreating glaciers these vibrant beaches are certainly a sight to see. These beaches are found throughout the province’s parks including Prince Albert National Park Candle Lake Hunter Bay and Good Spirit Lake.
3. Another fascinating phenomenon is found at Spotted Lake near Osoyoos BC. This mineral-rich lake largely evaporates in the summer leaving behind coloured patches of various shapes and sizes. The site is also historically and culturally significant as it was exploited during the First World War and remains a revered place of healing for the Okanagan Nation.
4. Close to Spotted Lake is the Nk’Mip Desert – the only true desert in Canada. Between the unique landscape and the brand new cultural centre this is an excellent place to explore.
There are also a few truly unique one-of-a-kind man-made places found throughout Western Canada. From themed museums to out-of-this-world sites to giant roadside attractions… it’s got it all.
- One Alberta town Vulcan has embraced its name wholeheartedly with several Star Trek-themed attractions to visit including a museum and a replica of the Enterprise. There have also been several major Star Trek events held there – so if you’re at all a Trekkie you should definitely check it out.
- Following the space theme, Alberta is also host to the world’s first official UFO Landing Pad. It was installed in St. Paul Alberta in 1967 in celebration of Canada’s 100th anniversary as well as to attract both human and alien tourists.
3. Torrington Alberta boasts one of the most unique museums in Western Canada: the Gopher Hole Museum. While most see gophers as a pest plaguing farmers and ranches this museum has taken them to a whole different level. Stuffed gophers are staged in a variety of scenarios giving their take on life in Alberta.
4. If you’re travelling past Revelstoke BC you might want to stop at the Enchanted Forest. With over 350 carved figurines a giant treehouse and much more all housed in a beautiful old forest setting this place truly is magical!
5. Western Canada also has a knack for creating the world’s biggest roadside attractions. There’s the biggest dinosaur in Drumheller Alberta an enormous hockey stick and puck in Duncan B.C.the largest swing in Langenburg B.C .and many many more.
There is certainly no shortage of unique places to stop in to visit in Western Canada!
