Buffalo Adventures
…the real Canadian West as you’ve never experienced it before!
Experience history on the ground, not in a book
Forget dull museums and static roadside cairns – no other prairie experience can top our unique combination of living history and live hospitality.
Aboriginal buffalo hunters, intrepid explorers, scheming railway builders, dedicated wildlife conservationists, long-suffering homesteaders, maverick oilmen and moonshine-swilling prisoners of war – these are just a few of the true western characters whose stories will captivate you as you enjoy this one-of-a-kind tour of the historical and cultural treasures of east-central Alberta.
Each Adventure is led by a local resident who is either still actively working in or newly retired from the field that their Adventure covers. These are not summer students who have memorized a set speech; these are true westerners with a genuine passion for their work and their way of life. They’ll make you feel welcome from the moment you arrive and leave you wanting more on the day you have to depart for home.
Our current Buffalo Adventures include:
- Let’s Get Started! – tour the Former Buffalo National Park and the German officer Prisoner of War (POW) camp in Wainwright, now operating as one of Canada’s most advanced military training bases. A herd of buffalo at the entry gate reflects the origins of the base, the former Buffalo National Park. Orientation for your remaining Buffalo Adventures continues at the old train station beside the main trans-Canada CNR line.
- Dig in at Bodo – uncover the true Aboriginal culture of the plains at one of the richest archaeological dig sites in western Canada.
- Buffalo Past and Present – examine an operating plains buffalo ranch, find out how today’s buffalo wranglers go about their work, see buffalo up close, and learn about their history and habitat from experts in the field. Also sample bison cuisine and see some buffalo leather products.
- Kemah Ranch Ruins – step back into the past and experience life as it was on the western Canadian prairies a century ago.
- Food from the Land – the modern agriculture industry in harmony with nature. Tour farm land and learn how grain crops and grasses, through methods of rotational grazing, are used, in today’s food production. Also visit a working cattle feedlot.
- Rails across the West – discover the origins of Wainwright and countless other prairie towns by visiting a railway interpretive park featuring authentic equipment from the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian National railways.
- Up Close and Personal with Buffalo – see grazing wood buffalo, eat bison burgers, explore the differences between plains and wood bison and learn about the story of their conservation here in Wainwright.
- Jewel of the Prairies – tour Alberta’s largest rural neo-Gothic church and cemetery, and hear stories about the German settlers who built it by hand in 1922.
- Antique tractors – climb on (count ’em) 85 historical John Deere tractors at Glen Rock Farm and learn all about life on prairie farms in the years after the horse.
Here’s what you’ll do on a typical day
In order for you to really experience what our region has to offer, our Buffalo Adventures are organized as full days and are are all pre-packaged and pre-arranged for you. You simply make one convenient payment and all arrangements, except for your vehicle, are included.
On a typical day, you’ll experience two three-hour Adventures. At most, twelve guests will enjoy an Adventure at one time, which makes the experience truly personal and even more special. Each Adventure will be led by a resident expert who knows this country like the back of his (or her) hand and guides you every step of the way. You’ll have a hard time stumping these folks with your questions!
In addition to detailed interpretive maps of the area (which you can keep), you’ll also have a choice of locations for meals. Select your pre-arranged accommodation in the 'Registration' section of this website. All you have to do is show up at each Adventure site and participate as much, or as little, as you wish.
There’s nothing else like this in all of western Canada.
Who should come?
Anyone with a desire to see the unspoiled Canadian West and learn about its people and history in an in-depth, hands-on way.
Our current Buffalo Adventures are designed for mature visitors and children who are at least 14 years of age.
Discover the unknown West while there’s still room.
What are guests saying about Buffalo Adventures?
"The area posses a degree of peace and tranquility that immediately set the stage for a rejuvenating educational journey. Additionally, the people I encountered were truly some of the most endearing personalities I have ever had the joy of crossing paths with."
