Turner Valley, Alberta: History, Things to Do and Travel Guide
Turner Valley is now part of the Town of Diamond Valley, but the name still matters for travellers because it is attached to one of Alberta’s most important energy-history sites. The former town sits in the foothills southwest of Calgary, close to ranch country, the Sheep River area and the Turner Valley Gas Plant National and Provincial Historic Site.
How Turner Valley Started
Turner Valley’s modern story is tied to oil and gas. Alberta’s Energy Heritage identifies the Turner Valley gas plant as western Canada’s first natural gas processing and refining facility, and the Dingman No. 1 discovery of May 14, 1914 as Alberta’s first major oil and gas discovery. That discovery helped launch a new era in Alberta’s petroleum industry.
The gas plant was built to process oil and gas from the Turner Valley field. Over decades, the plant changed with new technologies and industry demands, becoming a major petroleum-processing site before operations ended in 1985. The Province of Alberta acquired the plant in 1988, and it became both a Provincial Historic Resource and a National Historic Site of Canada.
Turner Valley incorporated as a village in 1930 and later became a town. On January 1, 2023, Turner Valley and Black Diamond amalgamated to form the Town of Diamond Valley. The community name remains useful for orientation because the gas plant, older streets and local identity are still associated with Turner Valley.
What Turner Valley Is Like Today
As part of Diamond Valley, Turner Valley is now governed within a larger municipal structure, but travellers will still experience it as a distinct foothills area. The setting is open, rolling and close to ranchland, with views toward the mountains and access to the Cowboy Trail.
The Turner Valley Gas Plant is the primary visitor anchor. Its official site offers guided tours, an exhibit hall and historic buildings during the summer season. The site requires practical preparation, including checking hours, admission details and footwear requirements.
The community also has local food, small businesses, parks, pathways and access to nearby foothills drives. It is close enough to Calgary for a day trip but far enough away to feel like a different pace.
Things to Do and Places Nearby
Make the Turner Valley Gas Plant the centre of a heritage visit. It explains why the area is important to provincial and national energy history, far beyond local memory. Guided tours are the best way to understand the plant’s machinery, buildings and role in Alberta’s petroleum history.
After the gas plant, spend time in Diamond Valley’s local shops, cafes or parks, or continue along Highway 22 for foothills scenery. Sheep River country, ranch roads and Kananaskis access points are within regional driving range, but road conditions and seasonal closures should be checked before heading west.
A good itinerary pairs the gas plant with lunch and a short foothills drive. If you want a slower day, add local galleries, walking paths or Black Diamond-area stops within the same municipality.
Quick Facts
- Province: Alberta
- Region: Foothills
- Community type: Former town, now part of Diamond Valley
- Historic focus: Dingman No. 1 discovery, Turner Valley Gas Plant and Alberta petroleum history
- Main visitor anchor: Turner Valley Gas Plant National and Provincial Historic Site
- Best seasons: Summer for guided tours; spring and fall for foothills drives
Travel Notes
Do not assume older Turner Valley municipal information is current; use Diamond Valley and Turner Valley Gas Plant sources for planning. Gas plant tours are seasonal and may require closed-toe shoes. Summer weekends can be busy with Calgary day traffic. Winter drives into the foothills require current road reports, and weather can shift quickly west of town.