The Scenic Geology of Alberta: A Roadside Touring and Hiking Guide

Here’s a roadside touring and hiking guide on the geological natural history of the prairies and mountains of Alberta, written for the travelling general public.

Leckie tells the intriguing story of Alberta’s landscape evolution from Waterton Lakes National Park, to Dinosaur Provincial Park, into the Prairies, and across the northern part of the province. He takes you to explore volcanoes and glaciations long past. This insiders’ guide includes stops along the well-travelled and not-so-well-travelled routes that the curious would be wise to seek.

The geological wonders can be seen from roadside pullouts and hikes. Using eye-catching illustrations and photographs, Leckie blends storytelling with science and his easy-to-understand explanations, incorporating natural landscape beauty with art and First Nations mythology. It was this scenery for which four sites described in the book were in part allocated UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Travellers in Alberta interested in natural history, including families, hikers and naturalists will want this book. There are more than 100,000 visitors to Dinosaur Provincial Park annually. There were 412,000 visitors to Waterton Lakes National Park and 371,757 visitors to Elk Island National Park in 2018/2019. More than 400,000 people visit the Royal Tyrrell Museum, Drumheller, and the Red Deer River valley each year. Many of these travellers are interested in a description and interpretation of the geological wonders that they are stopping to observe. This is a book for those tourists interested in the geological natural history of the prairies and mountain parks of Alberta.
In spring 2021, Albertans will still be advised to stay close to home and within the province because of COVID. This book will help them explore and and enjoy “staycations” in Alberta.