Between the snowcapped peaks of Kananaskis Country and the arid grassland of southern Alberta lies some of North America’s best ranching country. From Cochrane in the north, throughout the ranching and farming communities of Okotoks and High River, to the Porcupine Hills northwest of Fort Macleod, these low, rolling hills have been home to many of western Canada’s cowboy heroes.

The region has also been the setting for movies such as the Jackie Chan hit Shanghai Noon; the Oscar-winning Unforgiven, starring Clint Eastwood; Legends of the Fall, starring Brad Pitt; the Kevin Costner western Open Range; and most recently the Brad Pitt–driven The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

Highway 2 follows the eastern flanks of these foothills south from Calgary. Other roads crisscross the region and lead to communities that are rich in heritage, many of which have recently been discovered by artisans and craftspeople who now call them home.

If you have ever dreamed of being a cowboy for a day or a week, this is the place to do it. The area also offers enough museums, teahouses, antique emporiums, and events to keep even the most saddle-sore city slicker busy all summer.