Alberta's authentic mountain escape
Discover wild horses and free-range cattle in the heart of the valley at Boundary Ranch
If Nova Scotia’s Atlantic coastline is an ocean playground, then the Kananaskis Valley is Alberta’s mountain playground. The rugged and picturesque valley, lush with flowing rivers, is framed by the backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, a habitat for wild horses and free-range cattle. In the heart of the valley, Boundary Ranch is home to a Western culture that's not a fabricated facsimile. This is where the fresh mountain air and exploring the backcountry trails on horseback are as authentic as it gets.
Back in the Wild West days of the 1970s, before cellphones, YouTube, and the internet, Boundary Ranch founder Rick Guinn worked for a company that provided animals for the film industry. During this period, Rick trained a buffalo to be ridden, which led to his role as Buffalo Jones in the film The Buffalo Rider. In the film, his character finds a buffalo about to be eaten by coyotes. He rescues the buffalo, trains it, and then answers the question, "What happens if you swap a horse for a buffalo?" Answer: You become the guy on a buffalo—roll credits. Buffalo are Canada’s largest land animal. Back at the ranch, there is still a buffalo herd. But it’s the hundred horses that are now the star attraction.
The one hour Buffalo Loop is an ideal introduction to horses and trail riding. (Credit: Boundary Ranch)
The Guinn’s bond to the land runs even deeper through the family’s ranching history. The story begins before Hollywood at a different location called the Rafter Six Ranch, which became an important symbol of cowboy tourism in Alberta during the first half of the 20th century. Rick’s father, Alvin E. Guinn, was a ranch hand here and a Rocky Mountain guide for pack horse trips from the 1920s to the 1950s. He rounded up wild horses in the same spot where Boundary Ranch is today and guided them through the mountains to his home ranch.
Building on these deep family traditions, Boundary Ranch was established in 1987. The first summer of business was operated from trapper tents, teepees, and a modest 15-horse corral. The reward of great Western hospitality and staying connected to their family’s history and traditions offered the opportunity to expand.
Boundary Ranch (Credit: The Weather Network)
Today, Boundary Ranch offers scenic horseback trail rides through beautiful panoramas suitable for riders of all skill levels, from newcomers to expert explorers. Led by knowledgeable guides and conducted at a walking pace, each adventure ensures safety and allows guests to take in the region’s remarkable scenery, with opportunities to spot wildlife such as deer, moose, and elk.
(Credit: Boundary Ranch)
Visitors can expect to create lifelong memories during their stay in this beautiful setting. Beyond trail rides, the ranch also offers wagon rides, white-water rafting, a family museum, and western barbecues.
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