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Archaeological site · Milk River, Alberta
Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi
Milk River valley with mushroom-shaped sandstone formations and the largest concentration of rock art on the Great Plains, sacred to the Blackfoot. A UNESCO World Heritage site since 2019.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi
Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park lies in the Milk River valley, just a few kilometres from the United States border. About 85 million years old, the sandstone was carved by water and wind into columns topped by harder rock—called hoodoos—and into cliffs full of niches.
On those walls are thousands of engravings and paintings made by the Blackfoot and their ancestors over centuries, showing human figures, animals, shields, horses and battle scenes. It’s the largest concentration of rock art on the North American Great Plains. For the Blackfoot, who call the place Áísínai'pi, it is sacred and continues to be used for prayers and ceremonies. In 2019 the park was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The visitor centre tells the story of the place, and trails run among the hoodoos and past some of the rock art. Most of the art is in an archaeological reserve that is visited only with a guide, from mid-May to mid-October.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Half a day, with the guided tour.
Best time
Mid-May to mid-October, when tours to the archaeological reserve run. In summer, favour the morning or late afternoon because of the heat.
How to get there
By Highways 501 and 500, about 40 km from Milk River and about 100 km from Lethbridge.
Tip
Book the guided tour in advance and bring water and a hat: the valley has little shade.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Writing-on-Stone / Áísínai'pi
What does Áísínai'pi mean?
In the Blackfoot language it means something like it is written or it is drawn.
Do you need a guide at Writing-on-Stone?
For the archaeological reserve, where most of the art is, yes.
Is Writing-on-Stone a UNESCO site?
Yes, since 2019.
Can you touch the rock art at Writing-on-Stone?
No. Touching, scratching or marking the rocks is prohibited.