Welcome to the exciting Town of Fort Macleod! 
We are a bustling and picturesque town of just over 3000 people with a spectacular view of the Canadian Rockies and neighbouring foothills to the west.  Surrounded by majestic and  expansive prairies and river valleys, Fort Macleod is a town loaded with entertainment, culture and tourism attractions for everyone. 

  
Founded in 1874, with the arrival of the North West Mounted Police.  Led by Colonel James F. Macleod, the N.W.M.P was formed to protect Canadian sovereignty in the West and to halt the illegal trade of deadly firewater by American Whiskey Traders.  The Fort Macleod post was the first permanent police establishment in the British North-West.

The original fort was located on an island in the Old Man River Valley, approximately one mile east of present day Fort Macleod.  Spring flood waters made the site inaccessible during spring months and by 1884, the North West Mounted Police relocated their headquarters to the south bank of the Old Man River, just west of present day Fort Macleod.

Fort Macleod is a town full of carefully maintained history and pride.  Care has been taken to preserve many of the town's historical buildings and homes.  A drive down Main Street (Colonel Macleod Blvd.) Fort Macleod and through many of the residential streets reveals many historical houses, churches, B&Bs, shops, a theatre, newspaper office, town office and more....  A recent addition for visitors to the town, includes strategically placed historical signs detailing the history of the area. With so much to see and do in Fort Macleod and area, make southwest Alberta and Fort Macleod your travel destination this year!

 
  Colonel Macleod Blvd. during
the filming of the movie Passchendaele

Local Fort Macleod attractions include:

- The Empress Theatre - Celebrating 100 years in 2012!

- The Fort-N.W.M.P. and First Nations Interpretive Centre & Gift Shop - Celebrating their Musical Ride's 25th Anniversary.

- Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump Interpretive Centre - Celebrating 30 years as A World UNESCO Heritage Site.

- The Fort Macleod Golf & Country Club - Alberta's first golf course and oldest green west of Winnipeg, founded in 1890.

- Historic Main Street (Colonel Macleod Blvd.) - A street seen in numerous movies including the 2008 film Passchendaele by Canadian actor, producer, and screenwriter Paul Gross.

- River Valley Wilderness Park - A 120 acre natural park and home to many species of wildlife including deer, cougar, rabbit, fish and birds. 

Along with these great attractions, our town also boasts an outdoor swimming pool open during the summer months, skateboard park, numerous recently upgraded playgrounds, western Canada's largest mural portraying Fort Macleod's history, a picturesque walking path along the south riverbank in town, a skating and curling rink located in the town's sports centre, numerous campgrounds, motels and B&Bs, and many excellent restaurants!

Head-Smashed-In-Buffalo-Jump
-A Breath Taking View of the Prairies-