Explore Outdoors
Medicine Hat Birding
A quiet place to bird watch.
A quiet place to bird watch.
Ian Langill works in Medicine Hat where there is unkept nature. It’s not groomed. It’s not maintained. It sits in a more natural state, which helps him and many others connect with the outdoors, and all other life living in it.
Police Point Park is where many gather to stroll the paved-trails and learn about the flora and wildlife in the area. Specifically, many birds have chosen the park and Medicine Hat as their habitat or stopping point. With a consistent large number of birds choosing Medicine Hat as their home from spring to spring, ranging from 120 to 140, bird watching or “birding” has become a way for many to slow down in a rushed society.
“It’s such a calming experience,” says Langill, who’s worked with Police Point Park for just over two years. “So many people will do their normal stroll, but with binoculars and cameras. Birding allows you to stop, listen, and take the time to look at everything around you. You become a little closer to nature.”
More comes into focus, growing flowers, dancing branches and leaves, and flying birds from tree to tree. And an urge to endlessly learn inspires a larger understanding of the wildlife and environments surrounding us. Medicine Hat is home to a range of ecosystems, many we don’t usually find in Alberta. A semi-desert climate, with a mix of grassland and prairie ecosystems, and a river valley, a lot of birds have lived in these areas for a long time.
Medicine Hat is also part of a migratory corridor, where birds stop for one or two days, or a whole month, and then continue to fly north.
“We’re in a great spot. Medicine Hat has many natural chokecherry areas. We saw a record number of robins stay this year than in previous years,” says Langill, who’s been birding for over 10 years. “Even 45 minutes from here is Elkwater in Cypress Hills, where there are different ecosystems and a whole bunch of birds can be seen there, too.”
In Southeast Alberta, there are 347 different bird species. Some are rare and some are common, but to have the possibility of seeing a certain species while underneath the sunshine is worthwhile to hold in one hand, while binoculars are in the other.
Recently moving to Medicine Hat, Langill loves to see the sagebrush, pronghorns, and the variety of different wildlife and nature in the area.
“The grasslands are so diverse. My joy is exploring and finding out what everything is. That’s how I got into birding. I like to walk around in nature and hear the sounds, and you become more observant the more curious you are. Everything starts to become more connected,” he says. “There’s always something to be learned, and birding has become a big thing in my life that I do.”
Kin Coulee Park is another spot for prime birding. For those looking to learn with a group, who are newly interested or avid birders, Police Point Park hosts free bird walks. And for those who are curious and have questions, the Nature Centre at Police Point Park is a wonderful resource for information. Specifically for bird counts, the Nature Centre participates in the Spring Bird Count and Christmas Bird Count.
Spotted Towhee
Abundant in Police Point Park as of May 2023
Yellow Warbler
The main warbler that will stay in Medicine Hat through the spring and summer
Lazuli Bunting
Lower numbers, but a very unique looking bird for the area
Brown Thrashers
Only seen in the lower South Eastern Alberta
Grey Catbirds
Has a call that sounds like a cat meowing
Nature Centre at Police Point Park | 403.529.6225
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Mountain bike with Sharp MTB Skills.
In the middle of the prairies, coulees and rolling hills are the perfect playground for any level of mountain biker. In and around Medicine Hat, three mountain biking destinations are found within 45 minutes of each other, and each features an adventurous landscape.
Five-year mountain bike coach Christine Sharp has traveled throughout Canada, teaching avid and beginner mountain bikers’ skills to experience the thrilling sport. And she finds herself in Medicine Hat during the spring and fall, offering courses to anyone interested in seeing the Medicine Hat region from a new point of view.
“Every trail network here has distinctive characteristics,” says Sharp, owner of Sharp MTB Skills. “You can do technical climbing in Redcliff one day, and the next day ride the perfectly built corners in Echo Dale Regional Park. You can really see all the diversity in this amazingly concentrated landscape.”
Sharp likes diversity, because it makes her a better coach, and she feels people get more out of their riding. The avid mountain biker herself would like to grow people’s excitement about biking, and she’s happy to see high interest in her beginner courses. The trails she coaches on were built to challenge those looking to perfect their skills.
“I didn’t pick up my first mountain bike until I was 32, and I want people to know they can learn to mountain bike and progress their skills at any age,” says Sharp. “I love the places mountain biking has taken me. Even in the smallest places, you have these amazing communities that come together to build networks and maintain them.”
The networks in and around Medicine Hat are something special, and Sharp loves the prairies for the river valleys, cactus, and other stunning nature you see along the way. She says Redcliff is unlike anywhere else in the province. Driving 45 minutes to Elkwater brings mountain bikers to a gem, Elkwater, in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park. A high elevation with trees, lakes, and roots, alongside manicured flowy trails.
“It’s rare you get all these different trail networks all over the city that highlight so many different aspects of mountain biking. I love showing people the landscape — it's so dramatically different,” says the mountain bike coach. “The quality of trails here are absolutely amazing.”
When she opened registration, the majority of people who registered were not from Medicine Hat. Medicine Hat is a hub in the prairies for mountain biking, because there are no trail networks of the size nearby. Sharp has had people register from Southeast Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Montana.
Sharp offers her regular weekly, weekend, and introduction to mountain biking courses. If mountain bikers are going on a trip and want to learn a specific skill, Sharp can focus on that for the session. Friends and families are encouraged to learn together.
A free hot air balloon festival in Southern Alberta.
Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival is a free, family-friendly event happening in Medicine Hat, Alberta. Up to 30 balloons will float above the city from May 22-25, 2025!
Please Note: All flights are weather dependant. Follow @RiseUpYXH on Instagram and Facebook for updates and locations for each scheduled take-off, before and during the festival. Balloon rides are sold out for 2025.
6am Flight: Location to be announced prior to flight on social media pages.
6pm Flight: Location to be announced prior to flight on social media pages.
6am Flight: Location to be announced prior to flight on social media pages.
6pm Fight: Location to be announced prior to flight on social media pages.
Dusk (8:30ish) Balloon Glow: Located in Kin Coulee Park, sponsored by CF Industries
6am Flight: Location to be announced prior to flight on social media pages.
6pm Fight: Location to be announced prior to flight on social media pages.
Community Day: Located in Downtown Medicine Hat
Dusk (8:30ish) Balloon Glow: Located in Kin Coulee Park
6am Flight: Location to be announced prior to flight on social media pages.
The greatest outdoor party on dirt.
The greatest outdoor party on dirt is back for its 14th annual year. Quonset Days features a handful of Canadian artists in the span of two days. Friends and families are invited to enjoy live music, food trucks, beer gardens, and classic Quonset Days food, like the “Quonset Dog”. Quonset Days is located just outside of Medicine Hat, and all profits are donated towards ALS Society of Alberta.
“We bring in some of the biggest names in Canadian country music just outside of Medicine Hat, every third weekend in July. We’ve raised over half a million dollars to date for the ALS Society of Alberta. Dust off your cowboy boots and party for a great cause, while surrounded by miles of open farmland. A true Albertan experience.” - Beth Cash, marketing coordinator.
Brett Kissel, George Canyon, and other musicians are set to take the stage on July 19-20, 2024.
Host your next event in Medicine Hat.
Memories are made through world-class entertainment inside the Co-op Place. The facility can be quickly transformed in a short time from an ice surface, to a concert venue, to a bull riding ring.
Learn a new skill, make new friends, or spend time with your family when you GO to the Big Marble Go Centre. The cutting-edge facility is home to a 50-metre multi-use pool, Olympic sized ice rink, and so much more.
Medalta in the Historic Clay District
A National Historic Site that is well-known for its beautiful space. Music festivals, dinners, markets, and weddings have been hosted inside this cultural gem.
Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede
With a handful of rooms, there are a variety of options to host a wide array of events, from cultural to sport, at the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.
Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre
Inside is a 700-seat theatre with acoustics like no other. The beautiful building has a rooftop terrace as well, with scenic views, for outdoor events.
A rockin' September festival in a National Historic Site.
In 2022, A 12-hour, free, family-friendly festival was hosted at Medalta in the Historic Clay District. It featured Canadian legend Bif Naked and all-star rock band TOQUE as the headlining entertainment.
The festivities were non-stop, from local and Canadian musicians, an Indigenous dance group, and a salsa band. Medalta events manager Sara Dell says a series of live entertainment was presented throughout the day for families and friends of all ages.
“I was most excited to see hundreds of people come together after so long apart to enjoy the art and music Medicine Hat offers, and all the other activities and performances we had planned for the day,” says Dell. “This was more than a concert. It was a day for friends and family to enjoy quality time together in our community again.”
The National Historic Site was packed with food trucks, conversations, laughter, experience, and celebrations between community members that span the Southern Alberta region. The Yuill Gallery, Museum, and Shaw Centre were free to the public, and the local market had over 20 artists selling their creations.
“We wanted to create an event that celebrated being together. We wanted people to have a good day that’s affordable, where people have access to a bunch of activities,” says Mike Onieu, executive director, Medalta in the Historic Clay District. “Crockstock was a giant party.”
This event was funded through a Government of Canada grant.
Southern-sourced ingredients in the sunshine.
Neighbouring Medicine Hat is Redcliff, Greenhouse Capital of the Prairies. You’ll find a hub of greenhouses full of fresh lettuce, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, salsas, herbs, and so many other nutritious and colourful vegetables. The freshly-grown veggies mix well for a sandwich, salad, or veggie charcuterie board. Visit The Hat's Olive Tap for an oil and balsamic to top off the vegetable dish.
Prairie lands have farmers and ranchers all around. Southern Alberta beef jerky can be found at Homestead Market Inc, along with an entire farmers market featuring Alberta culinary businesses, including pickled carrots, asparagus, and beans, home-made tortilla chips, and other items perfect for a picnic. 7 Rivers Trading Company also carries pickled vegetables that are local to Alberta.
The bakeries in Medicine Hat all bring something unique to the breads they bake, and each is soft, fluffy, and melts in your mouth. You can find loaves from Redcliff Bakery, Country Crumbs Bakery & Cafe, or McBride’s Bakery. House-made bagels from King Bagel are a nice choice. Homestead Market Inc. has a variety of spreads to pair — Yummy Hummy’s hummus dip, Lucky’s Grit Dip, locally-canned jams and jellies, and Sweet Pure Honey.
A refreshing, cold beverage on a warm summer’s day is music to the ears. Find Hell of a Root Beer from Hell’s Basement Brewery, sparkling hop water 'Auggie' from Medicine Hat Brewing Company, sparkling cucumber lime water 'Frest' from Big Marble Farms, or kombucha and water kefir from Your Preference Kombucha.
Medicine Hat is a place where your dog can feel at home.
Many Medicine Hat parks are a stunning escape into nature and the tree-lined trails are great for shade on those sunny days. Some trails allow for dogs to roam off-leash, while others are on-leash only — designated signage can be found in these areas.
For a fenced in, outdoor, off-leash spot, Westvue Dog Park near Gas City Campground is a popular space for big and small dogs. Near Medicine Hat’s Historic Downtown is another fenced-in space, Saratoga Dog Park.
Over 20 eateries allow dogs on their patio. Edmonton-influencer Linda Hoang put together a blog that lists them all. Almost all eateries in Medicine Hat allow dogs on their patio, but calling ahead to confirm is the best option as things do change throughout the years.
If your furry friends need stimulation to burn some energy, True North K9 Compound has an open area and playground area, with equipment and toys, where owners and dogs can play, train, or bond in a safe and controlled environment.
Botanicals is a pet-friendly plant shop that is happy to see dogs come through the door. More small shops are becoming pet-friendly every year. Call before you shop and ask if your puppers can tag along.
Most hotels in Medicine Hat offer pet-friendly rooms. Be sure to call ahead to ask what the rules and regulations are.
Wherever the exploration takes you, furry four-legged friends should be well behaved, listen well, and, unless on a designated off-leash area, be on-leash.
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