This 'rare' central Alberta provincial park holds more than 900 acres to explore
A provincial park in central Alberta covers more than 900 acres of land, and it was once in private hands before being donated back in 2014.
Covering 940 acres of undisturbed grassland in the Northern Fescue Natural Subregion, Antelope Hill Provincial Park is one of Alberta’s rarest and most beautiful landscapes, Alberta Parks touted on its Facebook page.
The park has a very touching history. For decades, Gottlob “Schmitty” Schmidt lived and worked on the land near Hanna, raising cattle, tending gardens, and building deep roots in his community. Known for his generosity, love of wildlife, and annual corn feasts with neighbours, Schmitty generously donated the land to Alberta Parks in 2014 so it could be preserved in perpetuity for the wildlife that dwell here and for future generations of Albertans to experience and enjoy.
Alberta Parks/Facebook
As a predominantly undisturbed native grassland located in the Northern Fescue Natural Subregion, it is a valuable ecological addition to the provincial parks system. The park is home to diverse wildlife, including the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, deer, elk, and rare birds like the Sprague’s pipit and Baird’s sparrow. Nearby Dowling Lake and its shoreline are recognized as an Important Bird Area and are often home to the Piping Plover.
This park is open for public use and daytime low-impact activities only. Hiking, birdwatching, and nature appreciation activities are excellent things to do here.
Overnight camping, OHV use, and hunting are not permitted.