# Maple Creek

Maple Creek is a small town of 2,100 (2016) in Southwestern Saskatchewan. It serves as the main service centre and gateway to the Saskatchewan portions of Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

## Understand

After the North-West Mounted Police had been established at Fort Walsh, settlers began to explore the Cypress Hills area, living along the creeks and doing small-scale ranching. The Department of the Interior was operating a First Nations farm on the Maple Creek, a few miles south from the present town site. In 1882-1883 the First Nations (mainly Cree, Saulteaux, and Assiniboine) were moved to Qu'Appelle, and the farm was then operated by Major Shircliff, an ex-Mounted Policeman. In the winter of 1882, a Canadian Pacific Railway construction crew of 12 decided to winter where the town of Maple Creek now stands. This marked the establishment of Maple Creek.

## Get in

Maple Creek is 8 km (5 mi) south Highway 1 (Trans-Canada Highway), near the Alberta-Saskatchewan border. It is 103 km (64 mi) southeast of Medicine Hat, Alberta, 40 km (25 mi) north of the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, and 380 km (240 mi) west of Regina.

## See

* 49.90288-109.47991 Jasper Cultural and Historical Centre, 311 Jasper Street, ☏ +1-306-662-2434. Circa 1910, two-storey, red brick and former Jasper Street School, the Jasper Cultural and Historical Centre features artifacts from Maple Creek and area. (updated Apr 2019)
* 49.90684-109.47932 SW Sask Old-Timer's Museum, C.M. Glascock Building, 222 Jasper Street, ☏ +1-306-662-2474, mcmuseum@sasktel.net. Tu-Sa 9AM-5:30PM. (updated Apr 2019)
* 49.90748-109.47913 Maple Creek Information Centre, 114 Jasper Street. There is another visitor centre at the junctions of Hwy 1 & Hwy 21. (updated Apr 2019)

## Do

* Maple Creek Guided Historical Walking Tours, 114 Jasper Street (tours originate from Maple Creek Information Centre), ☏ +1-306-662-4005. Guided historic walking tours through Maple Creek's Old Cowtown Heritage District. (updated Apr 2019)
* 49.89896-109.47461 Maple Creek Golf Course, 705 Herbert Street, ☏ +1-306-662-2886, mcgolf@sasktel.net. (updated Apr 2019)
* 49.908467-109.4785442 Northern Lights Vintage Spa, 126A Jasper Street, ☏ +1-306-661-7373, northernlightsvintagespa@sasktel.net. M-F 10AM-5PM. (updated Apr 2019)

## Buy

* 49.90591-109.481 Broken Spoke Art Gallery & Gift Shop, 208 Jasper Street, ☏ +1-306-661-8420. Features artists from Western Canada, an artist in residence program and sponsors scheduled artist exhibits. The gift shop has a wide variety of artisan products, gemstones/crystals and local souvenirs. (updated Apr 2019)
* 49.89026-109.48692 Grotto Gardens Country Market (1.6 km (1.0 mi) south of Maple Creek on Hwy 21), ☏ +1-306-662-3585, info@grottogardens.ca. Grotto Gardens, just south of Maple Creek on Hwy 21, is a family-operated Saskatoon berry orchard. Pick your own berries or let them pick berries for you. Enjoy items from the country bakery including homemade Saskatoon berry preserves, pies, muffins, cakes and other treats. Lunch cafe and artisan gift store on site. (updated Apr 2019)

## Eat

* 49.910717-109.4858361 Caroline's Drive-In, 1 Pacific Avenue, ☏ +1-306-662-3437. (updated Apr 2019)
* 49.908334-109.4786972 Daily Grind Coffee & Fine Food, 130 Jasper Street, ☏ +1-306-662-3133. (updated Apr 2019)
* 49.908091-109.4780213 The Shop Bakery & Deli, 113 Harder Street, ☏ +1-306-662-2253. (updated Apr 2019)

## Drink

* 49.909087-109.4801641 The Rockin' Horse Cookhouse & Bar, 103 Maple Street, ☏ +1-306-662-2430. Licensed casual and family dining. Comfort food. Great steaks, burgers, pizza, and kids' menu. Cold beer and big screen TVs in the bar. (updated Apr 2019)

## Sleep

* 49.909127-109.4871791 Cobble Creek Lodge, 201 Highway 21, ☏ +1-306-662-5100, reservations@cobblecreeklodge.com. (updated Apr 2019)
* 49.908937-109.4795382 Willowbend Motel, 108 Maple Street, ☏ +1-306-662-2555. (updated Apr 2019)

## Go next

* Fort Walsh in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park
* The Great Sandhills in Leader