Manyberries: Grassland, Birdwatching and Railway History

Manyberries offers several distinct points of interest for a trip: birdwatching, the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway and individual dated events. For your orientation, it is important to distinguish places in Manyberries from destinations in the surrounding area: Trail 4 is associated with the Manyberries area, while Manyberries Creek lies about 14 km northwest of the town. This lets you weigh the themes of your trip according to your interests and keep their locations distinct.

Birdwatching in Manyberries

Trail 4, Manyberries Area, is known for Sharp-tailed Grouse, Ferruginous Hawk, Short-eared Owl, Loggerhead Shrike, Say’s Phoebe, Golden Eagle and various grassland sparrows. Manyberries is also suitable for birdwatching; shrubs and trees there may provide habitat for additional bird species. Wildlife protection rules are essential for your visit: do not enter or approach Sharp-tailed Grouse display grounds, and keep your distance from Ferruginous Hawk nesting sites. Also check the current land access and wildlife protection rules before your visit.

Manyberries Creek: a destination nearby

Manyberries Creek lies about 14 km northwest of Manyberries. The 1,440-acre area there includes native grassland as well as upland and riparian habitats. The Creek is therefore a distinct natural destination in the surrounding area, while Trail 4 is associated with the Manyberries area. The Creek area is for day use only and accessible only on foot; open fires are not permitted. Take these conditions into account when planning: visits there are limited to the day, and access is on foot.

Railway history and station

The railway timeline establishes two clear dates: the Canadian Pacific Railway reached Manyberries in late 1916; the station was built the following year, in 1917. The station is a CPR Type 13, designated Model A2 Western in the company’s terminology. It combines a passenger station, a freight building and upstairs living quarters for the stationmaster and their family. Passenger traffic, freight operations and residential use thus come together in one building. During a visit in 2014, the station grounds also included a historic railway caboose and an old building for local track workers.

Rodeo and dated field trip

The Manyberries Rodeo returned in August 2025 after 25 years and was held in Manyberries. Another event with a set date is the Grassland Restoration Forum’s one-day field trip on October 7, 2026. It visits restoration projects near Manyberries and starts at Manyberries Community Hall. The field trip is intended for restoration professionals, industry environmental coordinators, grassland stewards and anyone interested in restoring disturbed land. Alongside birdwatching and railway history, the travel itinerary therefore includes a specific professional topic: landscape restoration.

Discover more destinations: Elkwater, Medicine Hat, Redcliff.

Go to the broader travel overview: Division No. 1.