Red Rock Coulee Natural Area is an Alberta Parks natural area in the South region, 56 kilometres southwest of Medicine Hat along Highway 887. Alberta Parks lists one day-use area.
The site is known for large red sandstone boulders scattered across hilly grassland.
Red Rock Coulee is a distinctive grassland landscape where red sandstone boulders up to 2.5 metres in diameter create an unusual scene. Alberta Parks describes grassy knolls, aromatic sagebrush, flowering plants, gumbo primrose, prickly pear cactus, prairie crocus, and wildlife such as western meadowlark, Nuttall's cottontail, and rattlesnakes.
Activities include front-country hiking, hunting, wildlife viewing, and geocaching. Wildlife viewing notes include white-tailed jack rabbits, mule deer, pronghorn, western rattlesnakes, bull snakes, short-horned lizards, and scorpions, which Alberta Parks notes are rare in Alberta.
The site has no facilities, and conditions can be extreme. Alberta Parks warns it can be very hot and dry in summer, and that natural clay becomes extremely slippery in wet or rainy conditions. Closed-toe shoes, sun protection, and lots of water are specifically recommended.
Because hunting is listed, hunters should confirm seasons, regulations, boundaries, and other recreation use before travel.
Start early on hot days.
Plan around grassland hiking, red sandstone boulder photography, wildlife viewing, geocaching, hunting where permitted, sagebrush and cactus observation, rattlesnake awareness, and dryland route planning.
Confirm no-facility planning, heat and water needs, closed-toe footwear, wet clay conditions, hunting rules, maps, advisories, weather, and Alberta Parks updates.
