The Cowboy Trail 
Open May through September, Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is a 100 km drive southwest of Calgary, Alberta on Highway 22 (also known as The Cowboy Trail). Plan at least a half day to fully experience interpretive programs and to explore the historic ranch core.
Explore the headquarters of the once-mighty Bar U Ranch. Hitch a ride on a wagon drawn by Percheron horses. Learn to rope a steer, saddle a horse, repair a bridle or sip hot cowboy coffee around the campfire at the roundup chuck wagon beside Pekisko Creek. Reconnect with the land on Canada’s ranch!
One of the largest collections of original buildings in Canada. Treasures include the blacksmith shop, harness repair shop, roundup camp and saddlehorse barn. Taste the freshly-baked cookies at the cookhouse, hear the clattering hooves of our Percheron team and smell the cowboy coffee roasting over an open fire. Experience life on the ranch from 100 years ago.
2026 operating season: May 12 to September 30, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily – no admission after 4:00 p.m.
2026 Event Dates
May 15, Bar U Ranch Opening, 10:00 am
June 27 – 28, Horse Spirit Collective, Pony Relay Races from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday
Come out and enjoy two afternoons of youth pony relay races. The event is fast and exciting and the riders are fearless. Hosted by the Horse Spirit Collective, this is a grassroots initiative rooted in an indigenous connection to land, culture and horses.
July 1, Canada Day Celebration, Flag Raising at 11:00 am; Activities from 11:30 am – 4:00 pm
Celebrate Canada’s birthday at Canada’s historic Bar U Ranch. Spend the day enjoying the wide open spaces and our rich ranching history. Bring a picnic, enjoy the sites, and explore the hands on activities that bring Canada’s ranching history to life
August 15, Alberta Open Farm Days, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Experience Alberta’s vibrant agri-tourism culture. Enjoy a rare opportunity to see first-hand where our food comes from, how it is produced, and step into the Bar U’s proud history of ranching.
August 16, Old Time Ranch Rodeo, 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Cheer on your favorite ranching team, as talented working cowboys bring authentic ranch skills into the arena, competing for bragging rights, and the coveted Bar U Championship belt buckle. Events include broke horse racing, team sorting, branding and doctoring.
August 22, Come Paint Alberta, 11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Join us as we welcome local artists who paint the Bar U’s natural beauty. Ask questions, and learn from the artists as you enjoy their creative process.
September 13, Chore Horse Competition, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Watch our talented teamsters as they take up the reins, as direct their heavy horse teams through a series of skill testing maneuvers. The drivers highlight the traditional art of heavy horse driving with precision, patience, and horsemanship.
Location
P.O. Box 168
Longview AB T0L 1H0
Phone
403-395-3044
Email
baruinfo@pc.gc.ca
Directions
Bar U Ranch National Historic Site is located approximately 95 km south of Calgary on Highway 22. From Calgary, go south on Highway 2, west on Highway 540, cross over Highway 22 and continue west for approximately half a kilometer.
Website: https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/ab/baru
