Discover Alberta’s Range Roads & Cowboy Highways

Brooks to Fort Macleod Circle Tour | Southern Alberta Road Trip

This Southern Alberta circle tour takes you through the province’s ranching core — where the land rolls, the towns stand proud, and the road stretches from prairies to foothills and back again. From Brooks to Fort Macleod, this route is rich in cowboy history, farming tradition, and the kind of highway freedom Alberta was made for.

What makes this tour special? It captures Alberta’s two sides: wide-open grain country and old western towns framed by the Rockies.

🐎 From Brooks to Fort Macleod: Cowboy Country & Foothill Legends
Start in Brooks, then cruise west through Bow City and Vulcan, home of the Star Trek capital of the prairies. Mossleigh offers vintage rail cars and a grain elevator photo stop, while Lomond and Stavely serve up rural quiet and historic charm.

Roll into Nanton, known for its aviation museum and antique shops. Keep heading west into Claresholm, Granum, and finally Fort Macleod, where frontier buildings and the NWMP Musical Ride showcase Alberta’s proud past.

Want to go higher? The foothill stretch includes Okotoks, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Hartell, Millarville, and Longview — towns known for ranches, rodeos, markets, and unforgettable views.

🌾 Return from Fort Macleod: Fields, Canals & Quiet Roads
On the return loop east, travel through Barnwell, Grassy Lake, and Taber — where agriculture is life and road trips mean homegrown snacks. Pass through Enchant, Hays, and Iron Springs, then roll into Picture Butte, a small-town gem with rich history.

Cruise back to Brooks via Tilley, Rolling Hills, Vauxhall, Turin, and Burdett — places that keep the prairie spirit alive and well.

☕ Hidden Gems Along the Way

• Nanton Bomber Command Museum

• Vulcan Star Trek Visitor Centre

• Longview Jerky Shop

• Mossleigh train cars & grain elevators

• Picture Butte’s Prairie Tractor Museum

📸 Pro Tip:
Catch golden hour in Longview or fog rolling over the fields near Enchant — camera essential.

Maps: Southern AB R5 & R6
Towns: Brooks, Bow City, Vulcan, Mossleigh, Lomond, Stavely, Nanton, Claresholm, Granum, Fort Macleod, Okotoks, Black Diamond, Turner Valley, Hartell, Millarville, Longview, Barnwell, Grassy Lake, Taber, Enchant, Hays, Iron Springs, Picture Butte, Tilley, Rolling Hills, Vauxhall, Turin, Burdett