Redwood Meadows, Alberta: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Redwood Meadows is a townsite in Alberta’s Foothills, on leased land within Tsuut’ina Nation and beside the Elbow River. It is not a typical Alberta town, and that difference is the first thing travellers should understand before visiting.
The community feels residential and wooded, with golf, trails, recreation fields and river-edge scenery close together. It works best as a quiet Foothills stop for people already travelling between Calgary, Bragg Creek and Kananaskis Country.
How Redwood Meadows Started
Redwood Meadows sits within Tsuut’ina Nation reserve land. The townsite’s own history page explains that Treaty No. 7 was signed in 1877 by Chief Bull Head, creating the reserve on which Tsuut’ina people live today.
The modern townsite began through a lease arrangement in the early 1970s. Land was leased to Sarcee Developments Ltd., a wholly owned Tsuut’ina company, with the head lease beginning in 1974. A 2021 extension carries the lease to 2095 and recognizes Tsuut’ina sovereignty while giving Redwood Meadows delegated authority to operate the townsite and act as land steward.
The name is tied to the landscape. Redwood Meadows materials say a 1940 brush fire left regrowth with a reddish colour, and Tsuut’ina Elders called the area Redwood Yard. The golf course followed in the 1970s as part of Tsuut’ina economic development.
What Redwood Meadows Is Like Today
Redwood Meadows is recognized as a townsite rather than a regular municipality. It has its own elected council and administration, but it is governed through its relationship with Tsuut’ina Nation. That makes it one of Alberta’s more unusual communities from a civic perspective.
The most recent commonly cited census population is 1,053 from 2016; Statistics Canada was unable to enumerate the townsite in the 2021 census. The place still functions like a small residential community, with a town office, community centre, recreation fields, trails, roads and local services.
The setting is the major draw. The Elbow River runs beside the community, the Foothills rise nearby, and development restrictions help preserve an open, forested feel. Many lots avoid fences, giving the neighbourhood a more continuous landscape than a typical subdivision.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Redwood Meadows Golf & Country Club is the clearest visitor attraction. The townsite describes an 18-hole championship course that uses the natural terrain, mountain water hazards and wooded setting. Check public access, tee times and seasonal conditions before planning around golf.
Walking, biking and cross-country skiing are the quieter ways to experience the townsite. Redwood Meadows lists community walking trails, bike routes and winter track-setting along the flood berm beside the river. Use these spaces respectfully, because they sit close to homes and local recreation areas.
The main recreation area near the townsite office includes fields, tennis courts, basketball, baseball, a skate park, playgrounds and disc golf. These are community facilities first, but they show how much daily life is organized around outdoor use.
For wider travel, Redwood Meadows sits near Bragg Creek, the Elbow River corridor and Kananaskis approaches. Keep the townsite stop modest and local, then use nearby parks and trail systems for bigger outdoor plans.
Quick Facts
- Province: Alberta
- Region: Foothills
- Municipality type: Townsite on leased Tsuut’ina Nation land
- Most recent census population: 1,053 in 2016; not enumerated in 2021
- Official website: Redwood Meadows Townsite
- Main travel areas: Elbow River berm, Redwood Meadows Golf & Country Club, community trails, recreation fields and nearby Bragg Creek roads
Travel Notes
Redwood Meadows is residential, so visitors should treat streets, trails and river edges with care. Use marked public areas, follow parking signs and avoid the golf course outside permitted access.
A car is the easiest way to visit. Weather changes quickly near the Foothills, and winter roads or trail conditions can shift over a single day.