Bar U Ranch National Historic Site

Absolutely loved this stop! The parks staff were excellent with our group. We had a combination walk about on our own and guided tour. The staff knew the history not only of the Bar U but also provided a cross section of history across the US and Canada for the time period and how it was all woven together with life today on the prarires. Extremely well preserved piece of our history. Definitely enjoyed the Cowboy coffee portion. Bravo to all. Thank you to Lisa J. for assisting in our visit!!

What a sweet surprise to come across the Bar U and learn so much about some true Alberta history. Ross and Shane were amazing tour guides that showed us around the whole ranch. Definitely a great day getaway!!

This place was a joy to visit. Like stepping back in history. Most of the tour was self-directed, a few costumed interpreters peppered throughout. The buildings are well cared for and true to period. We had a terrific visit!! If you like history, go!!

Stopped here on a Colette tour. The rancher's daughter told us about the ranching in the area, the importance of the buffalo herds to the health of the prairie, issues ranchers encountered keeping cattle alive and a stories of Charles M Russell, a famous painterof counboy life and experiences. We stayed at the visitor's center but she invited us back to spend time at the ranch over the knoll to learn more of ranch life. Wish we had the time.

We first visited the Bar U about 15 years. We had such a good time then, we decided to visit again now as we made a return visit to Alberta for a short vacation. The staff are welcoming, friendly and knowledgeable. The site is interesting, beautifully maintained, and in an incredible setting. Lots of parking and the entry fees are very reasonable. Thank you Bar U for another great visit.

A pretty cool place to visit. Went there this summer, nothing really special to see since it’s just a farm, horses etc. But our host was super sweet and explained everything to us. We got a chance to draw on wood which was interesting. I don’t know about the prices since I didn’t pay for those, but if it’s high, then I wouldn’t recommend. Overall - farm, with horses,pigs,chickens ect, they offfer a wagon ride, there are picnic tables, post cards, small building to go in ect…

What a place! Something for everyone — history buffs, nature lovers, animal fans, horse fanatics. We spent twice as long there as we thought we would because we became fascinated by the stories told of the various owners and ranch hands, the life on site prior to it being a ranch and what life was like back in the pioneer days. Interesting history of the Percheron breeding program. We saw artifacts, experienced the life (lasso, riding wagon, sampling cowboy coffee (liked it!)) and peppering the knowledgeable staff with questions. Highly recommend. You ride the horse-drawn wagon down the hill. The ranch site is flat so easy walking.

Excellent place for a visit. Well maintained. Staff are very friendly and informative. We have lived in Calgary for 35 years and driven by many times but I urge all southern Albertans to pop by for a visit.

Fun historic site. A lot of kid oriented content. Friendly interpreters. Grounds are well maintained. Not the most significant reason for existence but does capture an important historical local development driver. Not a destination but worth a stop in area.

Many times people forget their history; here at Bar U lots of school field trips come here and are educated! That's wonderful! We had a short stop for coffee/cookie and restrooms. They had a gift shop too. I enjoyed hearing from "ranchers daughter" a brief run on the families who lived here before!

Bar U Ranch National Historic Site run by the Parks Dept here that recreated & demonstrated ranching life from the late 1800s. I wandered through historic buildings, saw the campfire & met ranchers in costume with old-time tales. Homemade cookies, coffee & tea were served here. There was a restaurant and gift shop with the Rocky Mountains as a back drop.

We made a quick stop here with our bus tour. Lovely and informative talk by a cowgirl. Nice snacks of delicious desserts, coffee and tea. Enjoyed the grounds, gift shop, and mini museum. Everyone we encountered was sweet and kind. Thank you to Bar U!

Beautiful location - nice grounds & good interpretative centre with helpful & interesting local staff. Bar U celebrates the history of Ranching in Canada. MEC puts on a fun cycling gran fondo each May long weekend. While the scenery is awesome ... The traffic is a bit busy & the rumble strip on road is kind of wide! However - it's a fine event at a superb venue - Bar U Ranch!

If you are looking for something to do that is a little out of the ordinary, consider a drive 1.5 hours south to the Bar U Ranch. Just south of Longview, this functioning ranch is the only Canadian historic site honoring Canada's ranching legacy. The ranch has something for every current and future card carrying supporter of publc television. For the adult, there are the beautiful vistas, cowboy coffee and the preserved rooms and shacks. The shacks show how those who worked on the ranch lived, how ice was stored in ice rooms, how saddles were made, maintained and decorated, and how earlier Canadians took care of their homes before electricity and modern plumbing. For the kid, there are horses (seven foot tall, muscular Pergeron horses fit for Shaq), freshly baked cookies, a stationary fire engine red tractor to ride on, lessons on roping a calf, and a Pergeron horse drawn wagon ride. Weather can be tricky so dress in layers with a waterproof shell. There is a restaurant on site which serves decent food but you can also bring a picinic lunch. Entrance fee is also reasonable at $7.80 for adults, half price for youth and $6.55 for seniors.