On the hunt for stunning sights to add to your Alberta bucket list? These spherical red rock formations are unlike anywhere else – you might just think you landed on Mars!
Red Rock Coulee in Orion, Alberta, hosts a collection of giant spherical rocks with a distinct red hue. Despite their alien appearance, these did not crash land on Earth from another world, but are part of a unique geological process.
According to Alberta Parks, these particular sandstone spheres eroded out of the softer bedrock and are some of the best examples of this phenomenon in all of Alberta.
Here’s everything you need to know before you visit.
What to expect
The Red Rock Coulee is a day-use park without any facilities or services. Camping is also not allowed. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of reasons to visit.
You can enjoy some excellent hiking trails and wildlife spotting in the area. That is, of course, if you’re not too taken with the rocks!
Measuring up to 2.5 metres across, the spheroid concretions in Orion are thought to be among the largest in the world.
The scenery offers a picturesque combination of steep-sided coulees and sparse vegetation. With the addition of the red rock concretions, it truly looks like something out of this world.
When is the best time to visit?
You can’t go wrong visiting Red Rock Coulee, whatever the time of year. However, if you’re a bit squeamish around critters, winter is your best bet.
Home to an abundance of wildlife, it’s not uncommon to spot white-tailed jackrabbits, mule deer, and pronghorn. But the warmer months are when you’ll find the smaller creatures.
Visitors may encounter western rattlesnakes, bull snakes, short-horned lizards, and scorpions. Don’t worry, you’ll be glad to know that scorpions are otherwise rare in Alberta.
No matter how many legs they have, you shouldn’t let the region’s inhabitants stop you from visiting.
Wear appropriate shoes and keep an eye out for creepy-crawlies, because the sights at Red Rock Coulee are definitely worth it.
Where: Orion, AB – Directions here
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Alicia Lyons
Branded Content Writer
Alicia is a storyteller who chased the sun all the way to Calgary and decided to stay. When she’s not crafting killer content, she can be found stumbling along nature trails, curling under a fuzzy blanket with a good book, or finding any excuse to eat.
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