Cowboys are having a global moment, and Canada is emerging as one of the most compelling places to experience cowboy culture in a way that is authentic, diverse and deeply rooted in history.

From the success of Western-themed television series like Yellowstone and the rise of country-inspired fashion and music - including Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter, the romance of the Wild West has extended well beyond pop culture and into travel. “Cowboy-cations” are trending, with travellers increasingly seeking ranch stays, multiday horse-riding journeys and cowboy-inspired wellness escapes.

While the American West often dominates the narrative, cowboy culture in Canada is both rich and wide-ranging, thriving not only in Alberta and British Columbia but also across parts of the Prairies and Eastern Canada. The result is a cowboy experience that challenges stereotypes and tells a more inclusive story of the West.

A Canadian Cowboy Origin Story

Cowboy culture arrived in Canada in the 1870s, when ranchers, many from the United States, moved north to the prairies in search of safer conditions and opportunity. The romance of ranch life also attracted immigrants from overseas, particularly Britain.

At the same time, First Nations and Métis Peoples adopted and shaped cowboy traditions, building successful ranches of their own, despite often being excluded from recognition by European settlers.

Canada's cowboy culture is far more diverse than popular imagery suggests, encompassing Indigenous, Black and female cowboys whose contributions have long been underrepresented. Founded in 1912, the Calgary Stampede played a pivotal role in recognising Indigenous participation in rodeo culture, a legacy that continues today.

Modern Stampede experiences include Elbow River Camp, where 26 tipis showcase the cultures and traditions of the Treaty 7 First Nations, and the Indigenous Relay, a thrilling rodeo event in which riders race bareback in displays of extraordinary strength, horsemanship and bravery.

Beyond Alberta, Indigenous rodeos are held year-round across the Prairies. Events hosted by the North American Indigenous Rodeo Cowboys Association (NAIRCA) - the Louis Bull Labour Day Classic in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, and the Kahkewistahaw First Nation Rodeo in Saskatchewan, welcome visitors and celebrate living culture.

Living History Across the Landscape

Canada's cowboy heritage can be explored through historic ranches and landmarks across the country. In Saskatchewan, the Sam Kelly Sites in Happy Valley mark the hiding place of cowboy outlaw Sam Kelly, while also preserving the homestead of Monty Montana, a famed rodeo performer who appeared in several John Wayne films.

In Alberta, the Bar U Ranch National Historic Site - one of the first and largest corporate ranches in the West - offers insight into early ranching life. Among its former workers was Harry Longabaugh, better known as the infamous “Sundance Kid.”

Alberta: The Heart of Cowboy Country

Alberta remains the epicentre of Canada's cowboy culture, anchored by the iconic Calgary Stampede, often described as the ultimate pilgrimage for cowboy enthusiasts.

Held each July annually, the Stampede blends rodeo, music, food and culture on a grand scale. Its famed pancake breakfasts, a tradition rooted in chuckwagon history - see more than 200,000 pancakes served over ten days. The event has also evolved into one of Canada's largest music festivals.

Cowboy culture extends well beyond the Stampede grounds. Calgary-based artisans such as Alberta Boot Company and Smithbilt Hats continue traditional craftsmanship year-round, producing handmade boots and hats that have been gifted to figures including Oprah Winfrey, the Dalai Lama and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Ranches across Alberta invite travellers to experience cowboy life firsthand - from Indigenous-owned ranches that weave cultural storytelling into horseback adventures, to wellness-focused ranch stays and multiday riding expeditions through mountain, river and prairie landscapes.

With its layered history, living Indigenous traditions and expansive landscapes, Canada offers a cowboy experience that goes far beyond clichés. From the Rockies to the Prairies and even into the East, the country invites travellers to reimagine what a cowboy-cation can be: immersive, inclusive and unmistakably Canadian.

• Cowboy-cations to experience

Ranches are rampant in Alberta, with many inviting visitors to experience cowboy culture firsthand

• Painted Warriors Ranch in Mountain View County weaves Ojibway, Cree, and Mohawk heritage into adventures like horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and glamping. Overnight stays are offered in trapper tents.
• Wildhorse Ranch & Outfitters near Rocky Mountain House provides wellness-inspired ranch experiences, including multiday horse camps and retreats.
• Rocking R Guest Ranch near Calgary takes guests on trail rides, with plenty of opportunities to pet and pamper the gentle creatures. Among the ranch's packages is a day exploring film sites of Canadian TV show Heartland, followed by a second day learning horsemanship and riding skills. 
• Old Entrance B'nB Cabins between Jasper and Hinton offers rental cabins, a B&B guest room, and riverside teepee camping along with trail rides in the foothills of the Athabasca River Valley. Guests ride historic routes originally used by explorers, trappers, and forest rangers, with spectacular viewpoints and wildlife sightings. 
• Moose Mountain Horseback Adventures between Calgary and Banff National Park leads trail rides, expedition adventures, and ranch-stay vacations year-round. Horse-riding enthusiasts have various landscapes to explore, from snowcapped mountains to wild rivers, to wildflower meadows and wide-open grasslands.

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